Thrifty, Nifty & Tryin (to do better for the environment)

By: Kausar Farooq, Executive Vice President – HMC

Here at HMC you have the entire mall at your disposal but on April 11th and 12th the Sheridan Student Union will be hosting its first ever Thrift shop pop-up event in the SSU Clubs Room in room A308! Come check out all the vintage pieces students like yourself have donated. All that is asked is a pay what you can donation for the United Way Peel Region. 

If you are looking to contribute some lightly used clothing items yourself feel free to drop them off at the SSU office (A308) at the HMC campus anytime between now and the first week of April.

I don’t know about you but I am the type of person that believes in the power of clothes, and if you don’t you need to wake up and smell the tide pods. How you dress what you wear says so much even if you think it doesn’t [Insert merle Streep’s prolific monologue about clothes here]

Clothing – the art of putting an outfit together finding clothes that make you feel confident going into work or presenting in front of a crowd those moments are so important they provide a lasting benefit to you and who you are. Whether you like it or not they leave an impression just like all the decisions you make. What you wear makes a statement.

OK so know that I went on my Meryl Streep-esqe rant, let’s get ethical! Now I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that buying from companies that exploit their laborers is wrong and this is an issue that has been in the forefront in the news lately and we as are consumers are forced into this dilemma of “I need to buy a shirt but I don’t want to actively support companies that produce clothes this way” so what do you do if you don’t want your money going into the hands of these greedy corporations that treat their workers poorly? You aren’t really left with a whole bunch of options let’s be honest if you’re broke or a student or someone who simply can’t rationalize a t-shirt being $20, It’s a struggle.

I found that on my quest to shopping more ethically the clothes that do advertise themselves to be made in Canada and promised fair wages too expensive – which is fair, but other ones felt more of a marketing gimmick than an actual business standard. So, when shopping for more “fashionable clothing” shopping at these higher end stores was out of the question.

One of the most accessible (and cheap) ways to shop was:

1) Stealing my older sisters clothes

&

2) (you guessed it) Thrifting.

Thrifting is one of the most effective way to give a (tiny) f-you to the big box clothing stores and doesn’t break the bank. I could give you a million reasons why I’ve found thrifting to be my go to when it comes to casual shopping but here are the biggest factors why I love it:

1) Everything you buy comes with a story.

Maybe someone got accepted into their dream school in that sweater you’re wearing? What if someone fell in love in that cute blouse you picked up? Human lives are so intricate and special there are so many tiny moments in people’s lives that in time they might forget about or becomes another memory but there was a time that blue sweater was someone’s favourite piece of clothing. I mean that person could have moved on and maybe their style changed but feelings last and some I believe last in clothes they donate this makes each piece unique and them one of a kind.

2) It’s an experience – seriously.

I have some of the best memories of going thrifting with my sister & my friends! Every time you go it’s an adventure. You never know what you’re going to find or how you’re going to find it which makes it that much more exciting. Rifling through heaps of boring clothes to find a piece that makes your heart melt is priceless (Although this can be said about big box clothing stores too – am I right ladies?)  finding hidden gems in piles of clothes makes you that much prouder to wear it plus it gives you a memory of the trip whenever you see it in your closet.

3) Let’s you reinvent yourself

So I am sure that I’m not the only one that lays in bed some nights and thinks about all the fire outfits I’d rock if I had the time, money and pieces to actually wear them. Thrifting helps some of these dreams become a reality. Thrift shops are the one stop shop for all your quintessential outfit needs. You can find cheap sneakers, cute dresses and retro skirts to pair with clothes you already have. It’s a super fun way to spice up your wardrobe and keep you inspired try new things with your clothes

4) Super inexpensive!

Okay so I know I’ve mentioned this earlier but let me emphasize this you’ll want to buy me dinner when I find you that $50 champion sweater at the value village for $10 seriously! It’s insane how much these bigger stores mark up there prices especially now that “thrifting” fashion is in. Don’t let them fool you into thinking they are the only place that sells stuff like that. That old lady in your neighbourhood already! Did! That! Way back when you and me were wearing diapers AND has donated it for your hipster self to buy so please do the both of us a favour and check out your local thrift stores to show those vintage pieces some love!

A lot can be said about thrifting and all its wonders but why not try it out for yourself and see how you like it?

Drop by the HMC clubs room on April 11th and 12th between 12-3pm and see what you’ve been missing out on!

If you want to learn more ethical consumption and how you can get involved email me at kausar.farooq@sheridancollege.ca