On Instagram as @WasteFreeMarie, Marie is an avid secondhand shopper dedicated to helping our home thrive. From ditching plastics to slowing down fast fashion, her thrifting journey has a story to tell. Read on to learn what sparked Marie’s interest in thrifting and what she wants you to know about why it’s important.
Q: Why do you choose to thrift/shop secondhand?
A: About a year ago, I was a college student with a shopping habit. I watched The True Cost documentary, and my perspective on everything changed. I learned that the fast fashion industry is horribly unethical. I became aware that overproduction of clothing is horrible for the planet, and it’s typically made at the hands of forced laborers. I knew that I didn’t want to support companies with poor ethics. I wanted to align my practices with my beliefs, so I started thrifting. Thrifting reduces clothing waste by extending the life of clothes and keeping them out of landfills. Thrifting also supports local and global organizations with worthy causes. I love thrifting because it helps the planet, it helps people in need, it saves me money, and it’s brought a greater sense of individuality to my wardrobe.
I love thrifting because it helps the planet, it helps people in need, it saves me money, and it’s brought a greater sense of individuality to my wardrobe.
Q: What do you wish others knew about thrifting?
A: Many people think that you shouldn’t thrift if you’re able to afford firsthand clothes, because you should leave the clothes at thrift stores to those who need them. In reality, 90% of the clothes that are donated to thrift stores nationwide are never sold. When clothes don’t sell at thrift stores, they are typically sent to landfills. While I appreciate the sentiment of leaving clothes to those who need them, I want to assure people that there are more than enough clothes to go around. Everyone should thrift and in turn, support their local organizations, protect the planet, and prevent clothing waste. I want everyone to know that thrifting is for them.
Q: What’s your thrift experience typically like?
A: When I go thrifting, I never have any idea what I’ll leave with. I always start with the neutral colors, because neutrals are timeless. My favorite items to search for are jeans and dresses. I always like to think creatively about how I could style a piece and how it could pair with other items I already own. And most importantly, I always walk ahead of my friends so that I can get the first look at everything! I learned that lesson the hard way.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite item you’ve thrifted?
A: Almost every item in my closet is thrifted, but my favorite item has to be light wash high-rise jeans from Goodwill of Central Iowa. I thrifted them years ago, and I’ve worn them hundreds of times since. I often get asked where I bought them, and it always starts a terrific conversation about thrifting and more conscious consumption.
Continue reading more Goodwill thrifters’ stories.
