I used to be the type of girl who only shopped at retail stores. I was constantly trying to keep up with the fast-paced trends and wanted whatever everyone else was wearing at the time. Five years ago, you would have never seen me step foot in a thrift store. As of recently, I have become an avid thrifter. I've realized that there are countless benefits to thrifting: you get pieces that no one else has, you can express your creativity, and you help the environment at the same time.

Going thrift shopping is the perfect way to develop your own personal style, rather than trying to keep up with the fast-paced trends. My absolute favorite part about thrift shopping is that you get clothing pieces that no other person will have. Thrift stores are filled with endless possibilities. If you vibe with the 90's style, there are plenty of denim on denim options for you. If you're more of a 70's flare, I bet there are countless options at your local thrift store. The pieces are unique, and often well-worn, which only contributes more to your personal style.

Not many people realize how greatly the fashion industry impacts the environment. We find it very easy to buy clothing from retail stores without considering the effects of mass-production. The best thing about thrift shopping is that we are recycling clothing. We are finding new ways to wear clothing items that have already been made. By simply buying second-hand clothes, we can have a positive impact on the environment.

Best of all, thrift stores will greatly save your bank account. You can say goodbye to 200 dollar jeans, and hello to a five dollar pair instead. Sometimes basic, plain t-shirts can cost up to 30 dollars at a retail store. I promise you that you will be able to find all of the basics you need for under two dollars a shirt. Imagine all of the money you can save by simply buying things second-hand.

My favorite part about thrift shopping is how it inspires me to be creative. Thrift stores are full to the brim with every type of clothing piece you can possibly imagine. At first, this can be overwhelming. But, once you train your eye to look for specific colors and types of clothing, you will undoubtedly find hidden treasures. By shopping at thrift stores, I have learned new ways to mix-and-match different prints, colors, and styles of clothes. It truly challenges me in the best way to create different outfits.

My love for making DIY's has also grown as a result of thrift shopping. Since clothing at thrift shops is so reasonably priced, you never have to worry about wasting money if your DIY ends up not working out. It's the perfect opportunity to try out the Pinterest DIY's you have saved without fear of wasting loads of money.

Thrift shopping is the way to go if you want to build a unique wardrobe that is all your own. Step outside of the retail world for a bit and experience second-hand buying!