All Things Thrifty

When people hear the phrase “New Year's resolutions," ideas regarding health, fitness or time management may come to mind. The new year is the perfect opportunity to assess our lifestyles and target areas of improvement. One aspect of our everyday lives that we may not consider when making our New Year's resolutions is sustainability. There are so many ways to live more sustainably, one of which is reducing our consumption of fast fashion. Shopping at thrift stores and resale stores, like your local Plato's Closet, is a great alternative that is more affordable and also better for the environment. I have thrifted a large portion of my wardrobe over the past several years and today I am going to share some of my favorite secondhand items and how I style them!

This colorful floral top is one of my favorite thrifted pieces in my wardrobe. Items like this are fairly common at resale stores and are great for layering over simple bralettes like the one I'm wearing. These jeans were also thrifted and the cut is totally coming back in style! Thrift stores are a great place to look for like-new denim at a reasonable price. Plus they are usually a little worn in so they are extra comfy!

This is another thrifted top that is a staple in my wardrobe. Thrift stores always seem to have unique silhouettes and patterns that may be difficult to find in department stores. For this look, I layered this funky blouse, with flare sleeves, over a black bralette and a black mini skirt for a simple and chic outfit.

If you’re like me and love wearing long skirts, then thrift stores are the perfect place for you to shop! Thrift stores have so many beautiful and unique skirts that you can’t find anywhere else. This hot pink one reminded me of the popular goth patterns from the late 90s and early 2000s, so I had to pick it up since the Y2K fashion is gaining popularity again. Since trends tend to come and go quickly, this is another reason why thrifted fashion is better than fast fashion — rather than chasing the current trends, shop gently used, affordable styles and then sell them back to Plato's Closet for cash!

Would you believe me if I told you that almost everything in this outfit is thrifted? This Harley Davidson t-shirt is one of my first thrift store finds and it has remained one of my favorite tees over the years. I also got this white oversized denim jacket from a local resale shop and I wear it multiple times a week because of how timeless and versatile it is. Lastly, this red leather skirt is originally from Forever 21, a fast-fashion brand, but I bought it on sale from another thrift shop! If going out and searching through clothing racks for fashion finds is your vibe, there are plenty of secondhand stores, like Plato's Closet, that are great, sustainable alternatives in your community.

I hope that these thrifted looks help inspire you to shop locally and think globally — make your new year's wardrobe more sustainable starting today!

Blog By: Ember Sierra