Steve Clark

Spending a whole year buying nothing new was the starting point for my personal sustainable living journey, so it should come as no surprise that I’m a bit of a fan! If you’re thinking you might like to dip your toes into the wonderful world of Buying Nothing New, here are some tips to get you started! 1) If the thought of a year Buying Nothing New is making you feel a little trepidatious (I assure you you will find it easier than you think!) then why not  ease in slowly , with a Buy Nothing New week, or month. Or aim to do a day every week, or a week every month and see how it goes. I am a bit of an all or nothing type, so for me it was easier to commit to the whole year, but I guarantee that the very act of Buying Nothing New even for some of the time, will make you reflect more on the ‘normal’ purchases you are making. And you may find that you automatically cut down on what you are buying new without even thinking about it. 2)   Avoid the shops! For example-one of the thin...

Not having visibility on your wardrobe can prevent you from enjoying and wearing your clothes. This can lead to buying more of the same clothes because you don’t realize what you already have.  Every month, I ask that you participate in one different challenge to enhance your wardrobe and sustainable practices. This month, I will look into how you can declutter your wardrobe to make the most of your clothes. What you need? Your clothes, the Save Your Wardrobe app and 15 minutes per day. So let’s get started to get a decluttered wardrobe. Scroll your wardrobe and find a clothing item you haven’t worn in a while To start off, make sure all of your clothes are in the Save Your Wardrobe app. With your clothes all available on your phone, you should have an overview of the clothes you have and the clothes you wear often.  Think back on the clothes you haven’t worn in some time. I am not saying 1 month, 2 months or 3 months, but 6 whole months. Click on the folder function on t...

Do the words sustainability and climate change stress you out? Studies show that Gen Z is suffering from climate anxiety because they are faced with too much negative information in regards to the climate crisis.  Some young people have been found to cry or even have full-blown panic attacks because of the helplessness they feel. And especially in an industry like fashion, where just buying clothes can seem inherently unsustainable, I am here to change your view on how you can contribute to bettering the world.  But before I get into anything, let’s tackle the world « sustainable », many industry professionals agree, people have different views as to what it means. For some, it might be solely buying secondhand clothing while for others it is to stop buying completely. And both views are more sustainable than the alternative of consuming in an unconscious way, right? So let’s focus on your vision of sustainability and take into account that every little step really d...

I go pretty in depth into my personal style and shopping philosophy in this post , but here I wanted to share a few practical ways I’ve made thrifted items the foundation of my wardrobe over the years. Here’s a few pointers to thrift like a pro: Create a wish list in your head for certain items and bring it with you to the thrift store. Smaller or charity-ran thrift stores generally have better deals and contribute to a good cause. Know what you like . Go through your current closet, or better yet your Pinterest board, to see what shapes, colors, materials, etc. suite you best. Browse efficiently by keeping an eye out for color first and fabrics second. For example, I love neutrals. So, when I’m thrifting I’ll do a quick pass, only stopping at colors I’d wear. Then I look at the fabric. I avoid anything that looks or feels cheap (think the stretchy, polyester thin fabric that’s continually see-through and looses it’s shape within an hour from Forever 21). Look outside your typical ...

Thrift shopping is a lot of fun. You can find something for everyone at the thrift stores and the affordable prices are sure to make your wallet smile. There are many other benefits of thrift shopping as well that improve your daily life. Here is how thrifting can improve your life. Save Money Of course, everyone wants to save money. With extra savings, you can afford more things: a new vehicle, vacations, more clothes, etc. Buying designer clothes and other items at extremely high prices is a serious drain on your wallet. By shopping at the thrift store, you can save a lot of money, and sometimes you can find the exact designer item you want at a much lower price. Unique Style Thrift stores have a unique collection of items, especially clothes. If you want to personalize your style, the thrift store is one of the best places to go. You can find vintage, modern, trendy, and all different types of fashionable clothing at the thrift store. The best part is you can create unique outfits w...

Secondhand shopping is just as good for the environment as it is for your bank account—and just as good as it is for your closet. There are so many benefits to shopping at secondhand shops—you find unique pieces, you add some history to your closet, and you can refine your style in ways fast fashion stores cannot. For those hoping to reap the rewards of secondhand shopping, it’s important to first note the difference between consignment and thrift stores. Not all secondhand stores are alike—learn about those differences below! Thrift Stores There are tons of thrift stores across the states, and some work differently than others. Simply put, most thrift shops in the United States are donation-based, pulling from a charity or non-profit organization. So, for example, people donate clothes and home goods to a local non-profit donation organization, and then those donations are taken to the thrift shop. These items can sometimes be a bit worse for wear, but usually, you will find great qua...

  Secondhand shopping has gained popularity over time for many reasons. Some like the lower prices on the items, while others enjoy the eclectic options that are available. No matter your reason for shopping secondhand, the process can sometimes seem overwhelming if you’re not experienced at it.  I want you to get the most out of thrift stores, so I’ve come up with a guide to secondhand shopping so you can feel more at home when you’re making your way through the racks. The Best Finds Come With Time If you really want to get the most out of shopping secondhand, you’ll want to make going to thrift stores a frequent occurrence. Since they get new clothes and items every day, you never know what you may find on the shelves on any given day. Don’t be afraid to come in often to see if there’s anything new that catches your eye. Wear Something Comfortable The chances are good that you’ll find some clothes in their vast selection that are to your liking. If you are someone who prefer...

  Thrift shopping has become a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere—and that’s fantastic news for a lot of people. A thrift store is a great place to find fairly-priced, quality items. If you’re new to the world of thrifting, the scene can sometimes be a little intimidating. There’s a lot to choose from and a lot to look through before making a buy decision, so it’s understandable if the whole thing makes you a little overwhelmed. To help you feel like you can thrift shop with the best of them, I’ve prepared this guide on how to become an expert thrifter. Once you have these down, you’ll find yourself enjoying your thrift shopping experience a lot more. Don’t Be Afraid To Leave Empty-Handed When you first begin thrifting, it may seem like you’ve failed if you don’t leave the store with something you like. This is simply not true. Leaving empty-handed isn’t a failure, it’s recognizing you didn’t find a perfect fit and you’ll try again the next time. If you go to   thrif...

There’s a lot to get excited about as we creep back into normalcy, like the return of WEDDING SEASON! Coming back to the things we know and love doesn’t have to be exactly how it was before, it can be better. Weddings have a tendency to be pretty wasteful, like the bridesmaid dress you wore for two hours or that cocktail number you bought for function.  We love dressing up for big events but not at the expense of the planet. So why not thrift your next wedding season look instead from the  thrift store in Destin, FL ? Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, or a wedding guest, this guide will have major thrifty inspo for you with looks so cute you’ll want to wear ‘em again and again.  1. Pre-Wedding Festivities  If you’re attending an engagement party, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower chances are whatever new item you shop for is going to lead to a one-time wear sitch. Thrift a midi dress instead that is chic and flattering to the body.  For an effortless search fo...

For some people, going on vacation means enjoying lazy days by the pool or taking in historic sites. But for the avid thrift shoppers among us, traveling to a new city brings with it the opportunity to hunt for all sorts of decorative gems and goodies to take home. During my trips across the country, I’ve loved visiting new retailers in search of fun, one-of-a-kind accents for my apartment. Below, I’m sharing my tips for a seamless out-of-town thrifting experience. 01 of 05 Plan It Out If you’re traveling alone and truly wish to make your vacation all about vintage shopping, go for it. But if you’re on a getaway with others, your alone time may be a bit more limited, so you'll want to determine beforehand the most efficient way to hit all of the stores on your list. Not getting any bites? A quick Google search will also direct you to top thrift and vintage stores in a certain city. Given that many retailers these days have robust social media profiles and websites, you’ll be able t...

Beach-filled vacations are the perfect opportunity to let loose some true-to-you style. Without the confines of the office dress-code, and free from your usual hum-drum routines, you can really shake it up style-wise. Have a blast packing for your next trip by looking into the  thrift stores in Lebanon, TN  for items that just sing to you — “Wear me!”. Heed the call of your fashionista-soul and push the limits of what your personal style.  1. Bohemian Vest Bohemian vests are flowing and free spirited. Look for a vest that will be a cool cover-up for breezy days, but won’t be hot. Avoid knits that are made with wool. You can wear a vest for extra flair between wave-riding sessions, or throw it on in the evenings over a tank top for dinner out with friends. Long, flowing vests will give your outfit a dress-like appearance. 2. Ultra-Hippy If you’ve been primping and grooming in order to make the right impression at work, why not take the vacation as a break from your usual b...

  A lot of middle-class folks aspire to own branded fashionable labels but are unable to dole out the necessary cash to buy them since they are available for exorbitant rates. Not anymore! Since the last few years, several consignment stores are emerging that sell branded second hand outfits for a fraction of the original retail price. You can get pre-owned trousers or dresses from a high-end label for bargain rates at the thrift stores in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. What are consignment stores? It is a retail shop that specializes in consignment sales. They offer owners a chance to showcase and sell their goods. The store will decide what merchandise they will approve and sell at what rate. Post sale, the consignment shop and the owner will split profits at a pre-agreed price. The product is usually placed at the store for a specific duration. If it does not sell during the time period, then the owner can either choose to take the items back or the store will attempt to sell...