 Clothes are a great way to express yourself but buying into fast fashion is not the most practical or environmentally friendly. An estimated 100 billion new garments are made yearly to satisfy demand. From this, a whopping 85% of textiles in America goes into landfills.
That’s why it’s not surprising that more people are opting to buy preloved instead. Secondhand items are usually more affordable and help lengthen the life cycle of a garment. Many fashionistas are even able to find vintage designer gems at a bargain. If you’re new to thrift shopping or want to do it like the pros, here are some things to keep in mind. 1. Dress Appropriately This rings true for any shopping trip where you plan to walk around. Since you’ll want to cover as much ground as you can, make sure you aren’t in any attire that will be restrictive or uncomfortable. Not all stores have dressing rooms, and the ones that do are often occupied. This means you may have to try things on over your own clothes. Hence, your thrifting outfit should be form-fitting and breathable. Sneakers, leggings, biker shorts, and tanks or slim tees are the most ideal. 2. Know Your Body Type Many preloved items, especially vintage ones, may not have labels. This can make it difficult to gauge whether an item will fit you properly. To remedy this, measure yourself beforehand. The most important vitals to note are the bust, waist, inseam, and hips. Of course, your build and silhouette should also be taken into consideration. There are no hard rules but generally you want to elongate and accentuate. Stylists agree that plus-sized ladies are blessed with curves they can complement with peplum or pencil cuts. Meanwhile, knee-length sheath and V-neck dresses will elongate smaller girls as noted in a guide to dressing for petites by Pretty Me. Notably, pieces like trench coats and wrap dresses are universally flattering. 3. Plan your shopping list It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the endless bargains around you. It’s likely that you’ll end up buying more than you need and spending more than you meant. To avoid unnecessary purchases, create a physical shopping list. Write down specific brands and pieces that you’re looking for so you have a goal. You can even save pictures that can help you remember. Fashion mood boards, as suggested by The Good Trade, help visualize your style. At the same time, it also helps to review your current wardrobe before a shopping trip. This way you’ll know what items you already have and what new additions will fit in. 4. Don’t feel pressured When you start shopping, try to focus on just that. We don’t even realize it, but we let our minds think of a dozen different things at once. But researchers at the Cleveland Clinic say multi-tasking doesn’t work. They even go so far as to say it makes us less efficient and prone to mistakes. If you’re out shopping, relax. Make the rounds of the store and focus on just this task. You don’t have to buy anything, either. If what you want isn’t there, save yourself some time and just go to the next store. 5. Know the staff and store It’s always a good idea to be familiar with the staff. Not only can they help you find elusive pieces, but they’re likely to give you shopping tips. Many clerks will be happy to let you know when a new drop is coming or when they expect to see certain brands pop up. In smaller thrift stores, some clerks also handle the acquirement of each new shipment. They’ll likely know whether you can expect anything special. Many stores have special promos or discounts, too. For example, Goodwill offers a VIP Shopper program where shoppers receive exclusive coupons and advanced notice of sales. You can sign up here www.textgoodwillit.org Think of shopping for preloved clothes as a stylish adventure that won’t hurt your pocket or the planet. With a little patience and some simple planning, you can unearth dozens of one-of-a-kind treasures.
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 photo credit www.HGTV.com Spring-cleaning is a time-honored tradition of clearing out the clutter to make way for New Mexico's beautiful spring weather. It's not just a physical clean; it can be great for your mental and emotional health, too. If you want to feel good (and do good), you can set aside gently-used items you no longer want and take them to your closest Goodwill! Now, let's dig into five things you should include in your spring cleaning! #1: Scrub those walls Most of us will clean out our closets and scrub out the inside of our kitchen drawers, but have you ever closely inspected your walls? You might not realize how dirty they get over the year. When you're walking by, they may look fine, but take a closer look, and they likely have splotches and spots you didn't even realize were there. Please give them a good wipe-down with a bleach-based cleaner. Clean walls tie a whole room together. #2: Clean appliances Our washers and dishwashers are the cornerstones of keeping our homes clean, but they too need to be cleaned from time to time. Washers, dishwashers, toilets, sinks, and other appliances all can have nasty buildup. Most of these appliances have filters that you can clean out. Dishwashers have traps at the bottom you might not realize are there. You can also buy specially formulated dishwasher cleaner that you simply run during a washing cycle. It's good to combine these with standard dishwasher soap. Clean out the trap on the bottom and give the inner walls a good scrub. Washers also have filters to clean. Wipe down the gasket at the door and the inner lid. Run the washing machine with some detergent and bleach to freshen it up. Shop around; you can also buy cleaners specific to your other appliances.  photo credit www.bhg.com #3: Soak your shower head Over time, your shower head can build up minerals from your water. If you've noticed some of the holes getting clogged, or the pressure isn't as good as it used to be, this tip is for you: grab a jug of Lime-Away or a similar product, and soak your showerhead in it overnight. Make sure it's completely submerged. By morning, it should be free from clogs! #4: Set a timer If the thought of cleaning your whole house makes you want to cry, it's alright; we've all been there. Try this method: Set a timer on your phone for 10 or 20-minute increments to make it more manageable. In that time, clean as much as you can. You'd be surprised how much you can clean in only 10 minutes. Do this a few times a day, or as many as you are able. In a week or so, your house will look noticeably better. You may even find that you want to keep cleaning!  #5: Donate your old stuff
Many thrifty people love gently-used items, so bringing your unwanted stuff to Goodwill is a way to support the thrifty. It also keeps things out of the landfill, helps the unemployed find local jobs, and makes you feel better because your old stuff just helped in so many ways! You should know that Goodwill Industries of New Mexico was founded in 1941 with the mission to provide skills training, job development, and social services for New Mexicans. Revenue from the sale of donated items funds an array of free programs and services to individuals in 33 counties of the state. In 2020, Goodwill served over 13,000 individuals and placed 1,124 individuals in community-based employment. That's why we say donating to Goodwill "Feels Good, Does Good!" Happy spring cleaning! |
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