Resale Therapy: Your Guide to Thrifting, Consignment and Swapping
While fast fashion makes trends available in mass at affordable prices, it's creating a big problem for the environment. Trendy pieces that can be purchased inexpensively are low quality and actually designed not to last more than just a few wears. Each year, millions of tons of clothing are incinerated or end up in landfills and the ocean.
Statistics from sustainyourstyle.org are staggering:
- 80 billion garments are produced worldwide each year
- 400% more clothes are produced now compared to 20 years ago
- 7 times — average a garment is worn before it’s thrown away
Here are alternatives to shopping trends that will save you money, support local charities and even help the environment.
Thrift
Thrift store shopping has become fashionable, with many fashion bloggers and influencers focusing their content on thrifting. Most thrift stores use profits from selling donated items to support a charity.
A few of my personal Brevard County favorites:
Molly Mutt, four locations:
brevardhumanesociety.org/thrift-stores
- Merritt Island, 2525 N. Courtenay Parkway
- Melbourne, 728 New Haven Ave.
- Rockledge, 876 North U.S. Highway 1
- Palm Bay, 2890 Palm Bay Road, N.E.
The Sharing Center, three locations:
- Cocoa: 113 Aurora St.
- Merritt Island: 95 E Merritt Island Causeway
- Melbourne: 7720 N Wickham Road, #103
My Island Boutique Thrift
245 Crockett Blvd., Merritt Island
Thrift shopping is a modern-day treasure hunt! So go with an open mind and not necessarily looking for anything specific.
Consignment
Consignment shops re-sell clothing and accessories for a fee. Compared to thrift shops, the quality and condition of the items are usually better. Prices at consignment shops are generally higher than thrift stores.
- Life Recaptured Boutique
5515 N Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
- Genesis House Boutique
541 E New Haven Ave., Downtown Melbourne
- Re Creation Consignment
901 E New Haven Ave., Downtown Melbourne
How Consignment Works
Take unwanted items to a consignment shop. It’s a good idea to call ahead to find out what items are currently being accepted.
Review the contract. Some shops will donate items that do not sell within a set timeframe, for example, or you can opt to pick them up.
The contract will also tell you what percent of the selling price you will receive. Typically, you will be paid the first week of the month following the sale of your items.
With traditional consignment shops, you only get paid for items that sell. But others like Platos Closet for teens and young adults, and Once Upon A Child for newborns through tweens, will buy items for cash or store credit.
Like thrift stores, proceeds may go to charity. Life Recaptured Boutique, for example, assists survivors of human trafficking and Genesis House assists women facing homelessness.
“The best part of volunteering is helping Genesis House, meeting interesting people and seeing people get things they can afford and enjoy,” Sara said.
Swap
Seeing clothing traded in an eco-friendly way at a swap in Los Angeles moved Alie Komara to launch Brevard’s own Space Swap in September 2021. The “repurposing renaissance” mixes sustainable fashion, the arts, and community impact all in one.
Alie said it’s vital we combat fast fashion and its detrimental impact on the environment, plus the unethical conditions surrounding industry workers.
“We are a donation-based clothing swap organization passionate about sharing abundance and uplifting each other through self-expression and building community,” Alie said. “That is why we call Space Swap a repurposing renaissance.”
The experience is enhanced with music, art, yoga and food.
Local nonprofits receive proceeds from the swaps, as well as any remaining clothing. The first two beneficiaries were Ready for Life Brevard and Community of Hope. Ready For Life helps remove barriers, teaches skills, and gives support to youth aging out of foster care. Community of Hope provides housing for homeless families in Brevard so they can remain together.
Space Swap is scheduled to host four annual events. Follow @Space_Swap on Instagram for more information.
Remember…
Before buying retail, consider shopping local thrift and consignment shops. Think outside the box and trade with friends.
Connect
Follow Maggie Hickson on Instagram @brevardsocialdirector for weekly ideas and tips for shopping and dressing.
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