There is an abundance of disposable fashion overflowing from malls across America. These easily accessible goods contribute to high levels of consumption. Tempting prices allow for guilt free shopping and thoughtless disposal. Consumers dispose of clothing for many reasons including boredom, changes in physique or simply because there has been a change in fashion trends.
As consumers continue to purchase, waste continues to grow, thus further contributing to the problem of what to do with unwanted apparel and home textile products. Nationwide, over four million tons of post-consumer textiles enter the waste stream every year (Council for textile recycling, 1997). The Council for Textile Recycling estimates that 2.5 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste is thus collected and prevented from entering directly into the waste stream. Tax incentives are offered to consumers who donate household goods to charities.
Quality thrift shops stock constantly changes. It's possible to find fine fabrics like wools and silks, that you might consider unaffordable as a new purchase if you went to a fabric store. Sometimes the clothing is brand new or just as good as new, with no signs of previous wear.
It's possible to create great additions to your wardrobe by thrift store shopping. Combining thrift store clothing and your sewing skills, you can create a beautiful and original wardrobe. This is what I like to refer to as REGENERATED COUTURE.
