If you asked me to choose my favorite thing about modern civilization, without a doubt, I would choose clothes. I'm not totally sure if that makes me a vain person, but I'm a sucker for cute clothes. But unfortunately for me, I have a grand total of zero dollars to spend on clothes. So if you asked me to choose my second favorite thing about modern civilization, it would be thrift stores.

I am rightfully addicted. I could spend hours looking through every piece of clothing, every household good (much to the annoyance of my mother, who is my ride). A large part of my closet has come from various thrift stores, and the majority of my favorite pieces were thrifted. It probably doesn't help that I'm a bit of a hoarder, because the clutter of the stores seems to call out my name, urging me to bring all that clutter home. And unfortunately for me and my chauffeur, I always listen and come home with more things than I need.

I have been told that thrifting is good for the soul, and I understand why people would say that. Not only is it a great and cheap way to get cute clothes, but thrifting is also environmentally friendly. The fashion industry uses gallons upon gallons of water, and not to mention all the horror stories we hear about sweatshops and underpaid workers. And since saving the world has once again become trendy, I and so many other people my age think, "Well, who wouldn't want to save the world by buying a few clothes?" And as an avid lover of clothes (and the world we live in), I am in full agreement that thrifting really is good for the soul.

I will be the first to admit, though, that I don't always have successful thrifting trips. The most important thing to remember when thrifting is to go with a plan; know what you are looking for and look for only that. Because if not... well, let's just say that's how you end up bringing home a lovely wedding dress. (I am 19 and definitely not getting married anytime soon, but at least now I'm all set if anyone decides to propose?)

If you couldn't already tell, I'm a bit of a compulsive buyer. Think "Confessions of a Shopaholic" but for thrift stores instead of Denny and George scarves. There have been far too many times when I went to a store just to "browse" and I came home with adorable clothes, but things I would never wear on a daily basis. (See 1950s prom dress and 1910s evening gown.)

I mean, regardless of the fact that I look like a fancy Wendy Darling in that evening gown, there was no real reason for me to buy it. As the amount of sheer stuff I own has piled up, I've found myself needing to declutter more and more. So even though thrifting is good for the soul, I think the phrase needs some rewording in my case. Thrifting is good for the souls of the non-hoarders. Otherwise, you'll be drowning in vintage gowns.