10 Reasons to Shop Resale
Designer: Roberto Cavalli
Save money
One of the best reasons to shop resale is to save money. You want to be able to shop for unique clothing pieces without breaking the bank. Or, you want to find designer items for less than the original price.
Brands like Nike, Alo Yoga and Adidas can be expensive if you’re shopping directly from the store. However, these same products can have discounts up to 90% off regular retail prices. This applies to several brands including designer items like a Chanel bag or a Fendi Baguette.
By saving money, you can get more items for less during your shopping price. Meanwhile, you may only pick up one or two items of new clothing at regular retail stores due to the high prices.
Designer: Chanel
It helps communities/charities
It’s unlikely that every item at a thrift store will sell. At High Society, after items have aged in the store and have been discounted as much as possible, the items are donated to three local charities in the Valley: Dress for Success Phoenix, Harvest Compassion and PAC 911.
Dress for Success is a charity that empowers women in need by providing them with professional clothing as a step to achieving economic independence. This gives women confidence and a support system as they work toward being self-sufficient.
Harvest Compassion is a charity that provides food and clothing to those who are underserved within the greater Phoenix area. They have a total of three locations and they’re located in North Phoenix, West Phoenix and Maryvale.
PACC 911 is a charity for animals and has a boutique as well. The proceeds from this boutique are used to support their Critical Care Medical Fund which helps save the lives of homeless dogs and cats. Fundraising donations from PACC 911 go to medical aid for animals who are in desperate need of rescuing. This, in turn, helps them become more adoptable.
Designer: Chanel
Develop a unique wardrobe that suits you
An important thing about thrifting is that it’s fun and versatile! Thrifting doesn’t limit you to shopping a certain style, brand or trend like some retail stores can. Also, luxury thrifting gives you the chance to mix “high low” where you pair a high-end designer bag (think Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Valentino, Gucci, YSL, Celine, Dior) with more basic, less expensive pieces for a completely unique look.
You’re able to develop your wardrobe with a variety of pieces that fit your style, whether it’s finding a brand new outfit or pieces that you envision complementing clothing you already have at home.
You’re able to combine different brands like Chico’s, Eileen Fisher, Lilly Pulitzer, Escada, St. John, Johnny Was, Kate Spade, Tory Burch and more when it comes to thrifting new outfits or staple pieces for your closet!
Designer: Louis Vuitton
It’s good for the planet
It’s no secret that shopping secondhand is good for the planet. Secondhand shopping is a great sustainable way to help the environment.
Because of the large amount of water and energy needed to grow the materials needed for clothing, shopping resale reduces your water and carbon footprints.
Thrifting also helps sustainability by giving away clothes to others who may need or want them. Oftentimes times people may think throwing away clothes is easier, but they just end up in a landfill somewhere. Not only that, but it takes these garments 200+ years just to decompose. Long story short, it’s incredibly wasteful.
Designer: Balmain
Resale extends the life of an item
As mentioned before, clothes that are thrown away end up in landfills and are never used. Donating to and buying from thrift stores helps these items live and last a little longer. You’re being less wasteful and giving your item a new home where it could be worn more than when you owned it.
By extending the life of an item, you’re saving it from being dumped in a landfill and reducing the need for constant production of newer items.
Designer: Louis Vuitton
You can find vintage items
Some people keep clothing items or accessories for decades and when they finally decide to get rid of them, a lot of times you can find them in thrift stores.
Vintage items are classified as being at least 20 years old, meaning those specific, unique items are most likely not available for purchase today.
Finding something vintage is like finding a treasure. Vintage items are filled with so many memories and stories, and could even possibly make you nostalgic. Not to mention that vintage items are typically higher quality than merchandise at department stores and mass retailers. They are made of beautiful fabrics and materials like linen, silk, cashmere and wool.
Vintage designer items are especially treasured within the thrift and resale world. Vintage items from brands like Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Dior, Chanel and more could be worth even more than a new item from any of those same stores and they are often rare and unique.
Designer: Gucci
Broken-in clothing or shoes
Do you ever feel like after you buy new clothing at the store, it doesn’t fit the same at home? Or it noticeably shrinks after just a couple of washes? How about how uncomfortable some clothing can be when wearing it for the first time and breaking it in?
You don’t have to worry about these problems when you buy resale clothing because they’re pre-owned. These items have been pre-washed (and most likely pre-shrunk) and broken in, so you don’t have to go through that uncomfortable “new clothing” phase.
Take jeans for example. Depending on what brand and style of jeans you buy from a regular store, they may be slightly stiff and/or hard. Take Levi’s for example. When you first buy a pair of Levi’s they may take some time to feel comfortable since they can be pretty stiff due to the high quality of construction. If you buy those same pair of jeans from a resale store, it’s most likely going to be a bit softer and easier to move around in.
Designer: Pearl Gurl
You can repurpose items
It’s amazing what creative minds can do when thrifting. Maybe you find something at a thrift store but it’s too big for you, or you like the pattern but not the style. You can easily craft your piece of clothing from your thrifting find by redesigning it completely.
For example, if there’s a shirt you really like but it’s too large and you are looking for something sleeveless, you could turn an ordinary shirt into a halter top or a vest. Not only are you thrifting unique finds, but you’re also creating something unique from it.
You can do this with jewelry or buttons as well. Maybe you find a Chanel cardigan with a loose button on it. You may think of a way to incorporate that same button into a piece of jewelry.
Designer: Goyard
You can find items that are as good as new for a lower price
Clothing nowadays can be pretty pricey. When you thrift shop, you can find brand-new or gently used items for less than their original price. When you’re thrifting, you’ll most likely come across items that still have the original brand or store tags on them but the resale price will be cheaper.
Some people even give away items that they’ve only worn once and are like new but maybe without the tags. This is still a good find and the price won’t be nearly as much.
Designer: Chanel
There’s something for everyone
Regular shopping stores, whether online or brick-and-mortar, usually sell to specific audiences. For example, the clothing store Hollister caters to teenagers who like that beachy, California vibe. You most likely wouldn’t find someone 30+ shopping at Hollister.
At High Society Resale Boutique, you can find clothing for any age and any style. Whether it’s activewear, cocktail party attire or just something cozy, you’re sure to find something that fits you and your style!