One look into East senior Hope Madgett’s room and you would see the treasure trove of pieces spilling out of her closet. To Madgett, the thrifted clothes she wears are not just fabrics thrown on in the rush of getting ready, but are chapters and stories that come with each pattern and stitch.
Second hand shopping is second nature to Madgett as she likes to spend her weekends thrifting, antiquing, or heading to the nearest flea market.
“To me, second hand pieces stand out because they have a little more history behind them,” Madgett told Spark. “I love to combine new pieces and older pieces because I feel it can elevate an outfit.”
Creating unique outfits is not the only benefit Madgett encounters while second hand shopping.
“Thrifting is fun not just for the pieces, but for the experiences as well,” said Madgett. “I love going to the stores and scrolling through the racks to see all the pieces in front of me. It’s really like an adventure.”
While speaking of benefits, Madgett also mentions a final convenience thrifting has provided her: the factor of budget friendly clothes.
“Depending on where you shop, second hand prices can vary, but I recommend places such as Valley Thrift, Goodwill, St. Vincent De Paul, or typically any local thrift that isn’t hand selected,” said Madgett.
Madgett typically hunts for clothes that are funky and 70’s inspired, and accessories that will enhance an outfit.
“I think accessories add a lot to an outfit, and easily make it more personal to you,” said Madgett.
Along with her collection of clothes, Madgett also has an assortment of necklaces, bracelets, rings, belts, headwear, and more.
“If you take a simple outfit but add something such as a belt, it easily can take that outfit to the next level just with that one item,” said Madgett.
Taking her pieces to the next level and staying with her love of original items, Madgett also often upcycles items she purchases to make them more her own or fix them up.
“For my clock necklace [pictured in the third outfit], it was originally a watch but I thought I could get more use out of it by making it a necklace so that’s what I made it,” said Madgett.
With the rise of fast fashion, Madgett comments that while easily accessible and affordable, second hand shopping is still a better option.
“Even though it can be reached easier, I ultimately think that second hand shopping is not only better for the environment but also for the user,” said Madgett. “Fast fashion pieces typically aren’t as reliable and the quality isn’t as great compared to clothes found second hand.”
Ultimately, the pieces Madgett finds and the items she wears make her happy and her clothes are an easy way to show who she is. “I love dressing the way I do because not only does it switch things up but it also makes me more confident in myself,” said Madgett.
Madgett compares her experiences shopping to looking for seashells on the beach.
“There’s a lot of common shells that aren’t so special,” said Madgett, “but then when you stumble upon that one special shell it makes all the searching worth it.”