3 Reasons Why You Should Buy Your Outerwear at Thrift Stores

February 24, 2022

Clothing isn’t getting any cheaper. In fact, the price of everything is going up. So, you should try to save money anywhere you can. When it comes to outerwear, like winter coats and windbreakers, shopping secondhand can save you a good bit of money. As long as you don’t mind wearing someone’s dead grandfather’s tweed jacket, you’ll probably be able to find something that fits well and gets the job done. Outside of saving money, there are a few more reasons why you should buy your outerwear at thrift stores.

It Decreases Your Ecological Footprint

It is estimated that people living in the United States send about 10.5 million tons of clothing to landfills every single year. That equates to about 0.03 tons per person every 365 days. Multiply that by the average life expectancy and each of us is tossing around 2.5 tons of clothing throughout our lifetime.

Shopping secondhand helps decrease that number because the clothing is being recycled rather than landing in a landfill right away. Each piece of clothing is well-worn before it is retired to the dump. Not to mention, most thrift shops don’t use bags or packaging and they reuse hangers. The entire experience is a practice is being aware of your shopping’s impact on the environment.

Some people may also argue that you won’t be supporting corporations that abuse child labor in other countries by shopping at thrift stores. Even if you are buying their brand, it isn’t going in their pocket at any point. From that standpoint, buying your outerwear at thrift stores can help you shop more ethically.

You Can Get Higher Quality Items Within Your Budget

A good quality winter coat or other outwear can cost $300+. Because these items are worn for several years at a time, you want something that will last. However, paying for a good coat can get costly. By shopping secondhand, you can get a higher quality item at a lower price. This makes it easier to fit a good coat into your budget without overspending.

There is Room for Bargaining

Some thrift shops will allow you to bargain a little when it comes time to check out. If you notice a small hole or a button missing (things that can easily be fixed), you can probably haggle the price down a bit. This isn’t something you can do in a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer.

You, Will, be Contributing to the Community

Many thrift stores are locally owned and operated. By shopping there you are supporting a local business, possibly even feeding a local family. Many thrift shops donate a portion, or all, of their profits to a certain nonprofit organization. The Salvation Army is a popular one. You’ll be contributing to the community, in a way.

If you want a reason why you should buy your outerwear at thrift stores, there are plenty. The biggest one is that you’ll save money, possibly hundreds of dollars. What better reason is there?