A Great Video About Thrifting
I found this video on Youtube by a mother named Vicky Smith. While it wasn't super related to what I was researching, she provides great commentary on the growing problem in thrift/DIY centered communities.
She goes in depth on why treating second-hand shopping like a business is unsustainable, not only for the environment but as a venture in general.
What really changed my perspective was how she mentioned that people are treating thrift stores (whether online or in-person) like they're regular fashion retailers, buying up a bunch of clothes, more than what's needed or can be reasonably worn, and then using them as a dumping ground for when those clothes fall-apart or don't sit right.
Consumers are changing the way we look at thrift stores. Thrifting's mainstream popularity is an overall positive thing for society, but some customer's unrealistic mentalities STILL lead to overconsumption.
As goths and alternative people who want to see the world become a better place, it's important to understand that our buying habits influence sustainability, even if the place you're buying from is ethical.
Giving away clothes you no longer want or setting a budget can help minimize overconsumption tendencies. Or if you're like me and want to play around with fashion sometimes, learning to sew, embroider, crochet, and upcycle helps you explore creativity and create beautiful crafts/pieces for ourselves.
