Old is the New “New”
Why Vintage?
Thrifting is so much more than just shopping. It’s about possibilities. Used stuff — be it clothes, furnishings, or miscellaneous treasures — comes with a past. Who owned it before? What was their story? Maybe you know the story, or maybe it’s more fun to make one up. Whatever the past, it’s up to you — the lucky new owner of pre-loved merchandise — to decide the future. You can restore a second-hand item to its original glory, repurpose it for some creative new use, or rediscover the value that a previous owner no longer saw.
Why Now?
Vintage shopping has been around for decades, but we are seeing a resurgence in retro right now because of three current -isms: minimalism, environmentalism, and humanitarianism.
Minimalism Means More Good Stuff For You
With new movements to downsize and reduce clutter, people are getting rid of plenty of perfectly awesome stuff. That means thrift stores are chock full of super rad finds. There has never been a better time to scour the racks and create your own collection of treasures.
Environmentalism Means Reducing Waste and Expenses
When you buy used, you’re reusing items that might otherwise make their way to landfills. You’re also eliminating packaging, manufacturing, and fuel associated with the mass production and transportation of goods. That means that on top of keeping greenback in your pockets because of lower costs to you, you’re also living a greener lifestyle with lower costs to the environment. By shopping vintage and used, we can try to reduce our carbon footprint one garment at a time. Get thrifting! You’ll be a sustainability superstar!
Humanitarianism Means Donate Instead of Perpetuate
When you buy new products that were manufactured overseas, you may be perpetuating the operation of companies that provides unfair wages and working conditions. Conversely, when you buy from a local thrift shop, profits go directly to local charities like the Bissell Centre, Homeward Trust, and Hope Mission.
The Vintage Advantage
Have you ever walked into a room only to discover that someone else is wearing the exact same shirt as you? Or, have you noticed how homes furnished from the same big-box stores all seem to look the same? Well, thrifting allows you to step outside the mold. Buying used means that you can assemble old things in new ways and stand out from your friends and neighbours. As you piece together your one-of-a-kind vintage finds, you can be assured that you are creating something different: a style that is uniquely yours. Think outside the box, you savvy shopper, you!
What Story Does Your Stuff Tell?
If you buy a used dining room table, yes, you are buying a place to sit and eat, but more than that, you are buying a place where many others have sat and eaten before you. Think of all the Christmas dinners, games nights, and milestones in people’s lives that happen when a family gathers around a table. When you buy used, you are buying a relic of a memory, and an opportunity to add to it with memories of your own.
How Can You Join the Movement?
Are you already a veteran thrifter? We’d love to hear about your most exciting finds! Are you still unsure if you want to join the vintage movement? We’d love to hear about your misgivings. For the rest of you newbie bargain hunters out there, it’s easy to get started. Follow us to learn the latest tips and tricks for making second-hand shopping second nature.
Where to begin? Check out our links page for great places to go thrifting in Edmonton. With practice you’ll be able to scan shelves and racks bursting with items, and you’ll latch on to that unique find waiting to be claimed by you. As you hone your skills as a savvy shopper, you’ll learn to see beyond each piece as it is, and instead you’ll see the possibilities of what it once was for someone else, and what it can be for you.
