America is a big fan of over consumption. Thrifting clothes has become a trend, partially due to rising costs but also due to the overabundance of unwanted worn clothes. While there is no practical expectation that all these clothes can be repurposed, the trend towards thrifting can add a layer of appreciation to the wearer. Thrifting is mostly a popular among women, but there is no reason a person of any gender wouldn’t want to spice up their wardrobe by thrifting this fall.
Flannels
Every flannel you buy has a story—if you didn’t steal it from someone you know, you can lie about it, and say it belonged to your brother who died two years ago, and wearing it reminds you that he’s still near, watching. Almost any flannel is a good flannel, but the best ones are slightly oversized; try to avoid ones with too much polyester as they can develop a weird texture when washed too frequently.
Jeans
Jeans have been a staple in wardrobes since the 70’s, and they aren’t going out of style, even though the cuts keep changing. Because of rapidly evolving trends, almost every cut of jean has a place, but keep an eye out for worn patches and stretchy fabrics, which wear much faster.
Try out some weird styles of jeans, and don’t be afraid to tailor them so they fit you better—that’s part of the fun of thrifting.
Sweaters
I recommend women buy oversized men’s sweaters and men by oversized women’s sweaters, just to spice things up. Wearing clothes made for a different gender challenges our marketing overlords.
Button Ups
Thrift stores have some of the weirdest button ups and they make everyone look hotter. Like sweaters, shop in all sections.
Hats
Be careful about hats—not only are they a big statement, but if you thrift them you should be cautious about lice. Buy a hat and leave it in a box—be honest with yourself: you prefer the aesthetic of being a hat person to actually wearing the hat.
Boots
You probably shouldn’t thrift sneakers, but for cheap pair of fall boots that last about a year, a thrift store is a great alternative to amazon.
Leather JacketsThere is no reason to buy a brand-new leather jacket. Every thrift store I have ever visited has had at least five of them in various sizes. If you like leather jacket for this fall, thrift it.
Midi-skirts
Try to find something with unique patterns and interesting colors—fall can get very rainy, and as days get shorter and the skies get cloudier, colorful skirts add some life as the world is dying.
If you do go thrifting, I recommend looking around for smaller thrift stores in addition to chains like Goodwill and Salvation Army, as a small way to be more involved in your community.
Have fun thrifting and happy fall!
