The CGS  Chronicle

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The Hottest New Style Trends for the Hottest Months

By Zinia Fengel, Grade 12

 Spring has sprung! After a long season of knit sweaters and fluffy earmuffs, it’s once more time for tank tops and mini skirts to hit the shelves. Each spring/summer, there are new fashion trends that everyone can’t seem to get enough of. This year, some of these trends have already started to crop up on social media. This guide will highlight the upcoming trends for the warmer months, from TikTok to the runway. 

1. MERMAIDCORE AESTHETIC

Remember when we were little girls playing at the pool, pretending to be mermaids? Well, now we’re grown up, and still pretending to be mermaids. As we should. Mermaidcore is set to be one of the most unique aesthitics for this summer. It’s characterized by outfits that would be… worn by a mermaid! Long skirts that are tail-like, shimmery materials, “nets,” and shells are all a part of this style.


2. Silver/Metallic Color

Silver is often only seen in an outfit through jewelry. However, metallic outfits are quickly becoming a trend! Silver was seen not only on the runway this fashion week, but also on the red carpet at the recent award shows. With Coachella and Govball coming up, we can be sure to expect lots of metallic festival outfits too.


3. Ribbon Makeup and Clothing

The fashion community has been obsessed with hyperfeminity recently, and bows are the latest manifestation of this. Bows large and small have been seen on the runway this past fashion week, but an even more interesting bow trend has taken social media by storm. Simone Rocha made headlines when the models in the fashion show wore tiny ribbons on their faces. Now, people have begun to follow suit with ribbon makeup on social media, starting one of the most creative trends yet.  
Works Cited

Fashion's Bow Obsession Is Spilling over into Beauty. https://fashionista.com/2023/02/hair-bows-beauty-trend-fall-2023-runways. 

Mayhew, Sierra. “The Mermaidcore Aesthetic Is about to Be Everywhere.” Who What Wear, Who What Wear, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.whowhatwear.com/mermaidcore-trend/slide4. 

Teather, Charlie. “The 14 Summer Fashion Trends You'll Actually Want to Wear Right Now.” Glamour UK, Glamour UK, 21 July 2022, https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/spring-summer-2022-fashion-trends. 
CGS COUTURE

BRANDS AROUND THE WORLD TO EASE YOUR GUILTY FASHION CONSCIENCE

By Zinia Fengel, Grade 12 

 These days, it seems that all anyone in the fashion industry can talk about is sustainability. Designer brands release environmentally friendly collections, donations are made to charities to plant trees, and every brand suddenly has packaging that says, “Don’t throw me out! I’m recyclable.” It seems that fashion is moving towards a green future… but is it really? While some brands make moves to improve, other brands fall deeper into the rabbit hole of fast fashion. So much so that a new term has been born: Ultra Fast Fashion! 

Ultra fast fashion is fast fashion on steroids. SHEIN, one of the most popular ultra fast fashion brands on social media, pushes this to the extreme. The clothing website is known to add 2,000 new styles a day! These extreme conditions force production to be sped up, and in turn, the cycle that ends in the landfill is being sped up as well. These clothes are also filled with plastic that shed microfibers. These fibers end up in the air and water, adding to the incredible amount of pollution and waste created by the fashion industry. 

Although fast fashion is on the rise, so are sustainable brands. We can look to countries around the world for sustainable brands that won’t let us down. The most sustainable countries in the world include Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, and The Netherlands. These countries are known for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbons emissions, selling sustainable products, having clean water, and creating new technology to help the environment. They’re also known for their sustainable clothing! “Sustainable fashion” can mean many things. Brands often work to be sustainable in terms of material, which means that natural and organic materials are used (unlike the plastic in fast fashion!) The manufacturing also is taken into account, and workers are paid fairly and taken care of. In fast fashion, the workers are extremely underpaid and are forced to work very long hours. Clothing can also be up-cycled, or made into something new. Packaging of the clothing is also better for the environment. Instead of regular packing peanuts, biodegradable ones can be used! Or, instead of wrapping the clothing in plastic bags, the clothing may be wrapped in brown paper that is recyclable and will return to the earth.


1. Aiayu

Denmark is one of the most sustainable countries. Aiayu is a Danish brand that is committed to putting quality over quantity. They believe that environmental impact needs to be taken into consideration when making clothes. They even have a repair service if your clothing needs a fix to prolong the life of the piece!




2 . Rave Review 

Sweden is the most sustainable country in the world! Rave Review is a Swedish company that upcycles clothing. They reuse high-end clothes, and each piece is sourced and produced in Europe. 




3. NA-KD

NA-KD has free climate compensated shipping, and the bags are made of 100% recycled materials. NA-KD is also working to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, while providing trendy clothing and basic staple pieces. 





4 . Finesse Studios

The founder of Finesse, Ramin Ahmari, said, “We created this because we want fashion to be more sustainable.” Finesse addresses a specific issue in the fashion industry: overproduction. So many fashion brands these days make incredible quantities of clothes, but are just contributing to the tons of fashion waste each year. Ahmari is able to combat this by instead asking the customers directly what they want to see being made! If you want to take part in this, you can follow the Finesse US Instagram to participate. They use AI to make mock-ups of the clothes, and people can vote on which clothing item they would want. Then, only the winning item is produced. 








5. The road

The Road is an Australian brand that sources fairtrade cotton and dyes clothing with zero liquid discharge. 95% of the water used is then treated and can be used again! The Road makes basic clothing pieces in a sustainable way.

These brands are great ways to start shopping more sustainably. However, there are so many more out there! Do your research, and make your own list of favorite sustainable brands. I also will be posting a series of videos about fashion sustainability tips on my social media soon! Make sure you follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at the bottom. Until next time! 
CGS Couture

Schiaparelli 2023: Creative or Controversial?


By Zinia Fengel, Grade 12

New York Fashion Week has yet to begin, but Fashion Month has been making headlines with the outlandish designs already shown this season. While the biggest fashion shows are known to be extravagant, this year’s Schiaparelli collection is pushing the limits, and even sparking controversy around the fashion industry as a whole. How far is too far… and when does art turn into a real-world issue?

Doja Cat: The Glittering Human Statue

At the recent Schiaparelli show, one of the most talked about looks wasn’t even on the runway! Doja Cat became an almost unrecognizable human statue for her place in the front row of the show. Her body was covered in bright red Swarovski crystals, and she wore a matching red dress. This look was no small feat, as there were a total of 30,000 crystals on her body! The makeup artist behind the look was Pat McGrath, who said, “Her patience and dedication as she sat with Team Pat McGrath and I for four hours and 58 minutes to achieve the creation, covered in over 30,000 hand-applied Swarovski crystals, was truly inspiring.” Although Doja Cat was praised by many, some people took to social media to voice concerns over the devil-like appearance of her outfit and makeup. People accused her of having satanic intentions, despite the makeup masterpiece being a simple show of art for fashion week. Fashion month is never boring, and Doja Cat’s look was no exception!

Doja Cat debuts her all-red look at Schiaparelli - Highsnobiety

Animal Head Dresses So Real They Could Roar


Schiaparelli had more than one trick up their sleeves, as Doja Cat wasn’t the only one who had people talking. The actual runway show included a series of looks that had eerily real animal heads attached to them. Model Irina Shayk strutted the runway in a black dress with a huge lion head jutting out from it. Kylie Jenner was also seen wearing a lion-head dress in the front row. Although the dresses did not cause any harm to animals as they were made from foam, it started a conversation online about the message it sends. It shows the world that animals are to be worn instead of taken care of, which left animal activists upset over the show due to the trophy-hunting similarities. Some people have also compared the show to the capitol in the Hunger Games, where the rich would wear extravagant outfits and profit from the poor.

Irina Shayk in Schiaparelli - Getty/Estrop

There’s no doubt that the 2023 Schiaparelli show has been effective in creating buzz. But is all press good press? The garish designs have brought Schiaparelli into the spotlight, and caused people to examine the fashion industry’s ideals. Designers continue to push boundaries each fashion week, and it seems that some shows are no longer for the faint of heart.

Sources

Weinstock, Tish. “Yes, That Really Was Doja Cat Covered in 30,000 Crystals at Schiaparelli.” Vogue, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2023, https://www.vogue.com/article/schiaparelli-doja-cat-body-crystals-couture.

Phillips, Hedy. “Irina Shayk Defends Controversial Animal-Head Dresses in New Schiaparelli Couture Collection.” Peoplemag, PEOPLE, 24 Jan. 2023, https://people.com/style/irina-shayk-defends-schiaparelli-animal-head-dresses/.

CGS couture

responsible fashion entrepreneurs: fashion brands worthy of support 2022

By Zinia Fengel, Grade 12

Finesse Studios (https://finesse.us)

Ramin Ahmari is the founder of Finesse Studios, a trendy online clothing brand. As someone who owns many pieces of clothing from Finesse, I can guarantee the clothing is high-quality! Ahmari said, “We created this because we want fashion to be more sustainable.” Finesse addresses a specific issue in the fashion industry: overproduction. So many fashion brands these days make incredible quantities of clothes, but are just contributing to the tons of fashion waste each year. Ahmari is able to combat this by instead asking the customers directly what they want to see being made! If you want to take part in this, you can follow the Finesse US Instagram to participate. They use AI to make mock-ups of the clothes, and people can vote on which clothing item they would want. Then, only the winning item is produced.

Rihanna: Savage x Fenty (https://www.savagex.com)

Rihanna is known as one of the most famous singers and celebrities, but she also has proven to be a responsible entrepreneur. Rihanna owns a brand called Savage x Fenty, and it’s been making waves in the fashion industry! Body positivity is a continuously growing movement, but it hasn’t been as supported in males. Usually body positivity is for girls… but why? Rihanna has realized that girls aren’t the only ones who need support in feeling good in their own bodies. She has created an inclusive clothing line with sizes for plus-sized males. Furthermore, she uses plus-sized male models on her website, which isn’t seen very often. Rihanna clearly knows how to pioneer a positive movement in the fashion industry!

Maggie Hewitt: Maggie Marilyn (https://www.maggiemarilyn.com)

Maggie Hewitt founded the clothing brand called Maggie Marilyn, known for its beautiful dresses and minimalistic styles. Hewitt is running a climate-positive business, and has made it her goal to reduce the carbon footprint by 73%. She respects and supports people in the supply chain and focuses on building good relationships with those she works with. She is also very environmentally conscious, and is able to trace all of her resources back to the farms she works with. Hewitt also donates to charities that deal with mental illnesses and grief. Maggie Hewitt is a perfect example of a responsible entrepreneur who has been able to run a sustainable clothing brand with her own designs.

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FASHION WEEK'S FIRST SPRAY-ON FABRIC DRESS

By Zinia Fengel, 12th grade



A model stands in the middle of the runway, bare except for a G-string. Besides the slow, rhythmic music, it’s silent. Two men stand beside the model, holding cans attached to thick wires. They begin to spray her body with a white web-like mist, forming a dress as it sticks to her. A woman replaces the two men, pulling the sleeves down and cutting a long slit into the newly-formed dress, before the model struts down the runway.

It sounds like something from a science-fiction film, right? But it’s not. This is exactly what happened at the recent Coperni Paris Fashion Week show, and it will forever be recorded as a momentous breakthrough in fashion history. At the end of the Coperni show, an entire dress was sprayed onto model Bella Hadid. How is this possible?

After countless videos of the dress being sprayed on went viral online, many were left with a similar question: What was that? It was Fabrican. Fabrican is a liquid fiber that is bound with polymers, bio polymers, and greener solvents. It can be sprayed in a mist form, creating fabric. The fabric is said to feel like suede, and have a glue-like odor while being applied. Fabrican was created in 2003 by a man named Manel Torres. Torres initially had the idea of creating a spray-on shirt, and he used his background in fashion design to cultivate the phenomenon. He went to Imperial College in London, where he used the materials they had given him to experiment for two years before creating Fabrican. Fabrican is a clearly innovative discovery, perfectly aligning with Coperni’s ideology. Coperni designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vailla are known for their futuristic designs, having created handbags made of glass and their popular “Swipe” bag that was inspired by the “swipe to unlock” feature of an iPhone. The partnership between Fabrican and Coperni is a match made in heaven, and anyone who has seen the Paris fashion show would agree.

The spray-on dress moment has reminded many in the fashion industry of the iconic spray-paint dress by Alexander McQueen. During the Spring show in 1999, two robots spray-painted a white dress worn by Shalom Harlow. Like many McQueen fashion shows, it was just as much a performance as it was a fashion show. The model stood in between two robotic machines, appearing to be afraid as she held her hands to her body. As the machine let out green and black spray paint, she opened her arms for the dress to be painted and shown to the audience. While there are many similarities between the Coperni and Mcqueen shows, Coperni’s chief executive Arnaud Vaillant said “It’s totally different.” The Alexander McQueen show was more of a performance, while the Coperni show was an exhibition of a new technology. Although the fashion community is split on this topic, it’s clear to all that both shows will be remembered for a long, long time. While the spray-on dress is an astonishing feat today, it may be an everyday occurrence tomorrow. Coperni’s trailblazing fashion show is proof that the fashion industry is continuously evolving, and I think I can speak for the entire fashion community when I say that I’ll be holding my breath until the next big breakthrough.


CGS Couture

What Is New York Fashion Week?

By: Zinia Fengel, 11th Grade
For many high schoolers, fashion means making outfits for school, dressing up for friends' parties, and maybe wearing a formal dress for a wedding. But style doesn't have to be limited to just that! There's a world beyond Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters... a world of intricate patterns, flamboyant colors, and elegant cuts. Designer fashion is a beautiful form of art and style that is constantly evolving. Fashion Month is a time for the fashion industry to come together to display this growth by showcasing designers' collections and newest ideas. If you're someone who is interested in improving your own style and also learning more about the fashion industry, this is the perfect time to become immersed in the wonders that fashion week has to offer.

NYFW The Shows
Fashion Month vs. Fashion Week
If you're unfamiliar with fashion month, you may be wondering why there are so many fashion weeks! Fashion month is comprised of multiple fashion weeks in different places around the world. Although there are many, the four major fashion weeks occur in New York, Paris, London, and Milan. Fashion month is often kicked off by New York Fashion Week, followed by London, Milan, and last but certainly not least, Paris. Each location has a unique style and manner. For example, Paris is often considered the most important week. Famous fashion houses will show their collections in Paris, and it's very extravagant. Milan Fashion Week also includes many big-name brands, but is also often known for more maximalist and out of the ordinary clothing. London Fashion Week is usually very exploratory, with the newest ideas and concepts being put on display. Lastly, New York Fashion Week is a wonderful exhibition of a very wide range of styles, aesthetics, and cultures.
Paris Fashion Week - Phoebe Philo Shoes
Gianni Pucci/GoRunway.com
Who is Invited To Fashion Week?
The purpose of New York Fashion Week is to gain publicity for designers, leading (hopefully) to more sales and recognition. To achieve this recognition, press passes are given to those who work in fashion magazines so that designers can be written about in these publications. Sometimes, fashion bloggers like myself will also attend to spread awareness about the show too. The goal is to increase awareness of the brand and show off to the media just how amazing the collection is. Not only is the press invited, but buyers too! Buyers are in charge of stocking stores by observing the upcoming trends and... buying them! By attending fashion shows, they can get a chance to see what looks good, and more importantly, what would look good on the racks of their own store. Lastly, celebrities and their stylists are invited to fashion week too. Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you've seen fashion trends that have been started by celebrities. Having a piece worn by someone famous can generate quite a lot of buzz for a designer/brand, which is why they can be seen in the front row of fashion shows

Image: topinspired.com
How Has Covid-19 Affected Fashion Week?
Covid-19 has impacted just about everything in our world, and fashion week is no exception. The tradition of fashion week is known as starting with Paris, but Eleanor Lambert really made New York Fashion Week into its own major event. Quite a lot has changed since the start of New York Fashion Week, and brands are embracing our technology-focused world. More and more shows are becoming available online instead of in-person, and many virtual shows can be spotted on the NYFW schedule. This fashion week, many major brands have decided to opt out of physical shows. Tom Ford, for example, has had supply chain and production issues as a result of the Omicron variant and is unable to put on an in-person show. Although New York Fashion Week was not the same in 2022, this year's shows and what the designers put out was incredible!
Gen Z fashion is often based around micro-trends and fast fashion, but for those of us who are interested in the fashion industry, it doesn't have to be that way! Fashion week is a perfect opportunity to become familiar with the up and coming designers while also learning more about big fashion houses. It's the most important time of the year for fashionistas like you and me, and I encourage you to take in as much as you can during this exciting time! If you enjoyed this article, consider visiting my personal fashion blog WEAR WHATEVER at wearwhatever.net!
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5 Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands

By: Zinia Fengel, 11th Grade

Here’s the truth about shopping for makeup. Finding a high quality makeup brand that has the product you’re looking for and doesn’t make you break out is no easy task. Let’s say you’re looking for a new brow product. You finally come across the Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil. It’s exactly what you were looking for and has your exact shade! It’s a miracle, right? No. Benefit is an extremely popular brand, but they test on animals! Realizing this, you put it back on the display and begin your search for the perfect brow pencil yet again. But, you don’t have to go through that anymore! I’m going to share with you five great makeup brands that are cruelty-free.



1.Pacifica

Pacifica is a vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand. They sell lipstick, perfume, skincare products, mascara, and more! My favorite Pacifica product is the rose quartz facial roller. It’s perfect for face massages and applying skincare products!

4. Milk Makeup

Milk is a very popular brand for teens right now, and for good reason! They specialize in both makeup and skincare, and Milk is completely cruelty-free. Some of their best sellers include the Hydro Grip Primer, KUSH Mascara, Vegan Milk Moisturizer, and the Lip + Cheek Tint.





2. Urban Decay

Urban Decay is a great cruelty-free makeup brand for the entire face. Urban Decay offers products for the lips, eyes, brows, and skin. It’s a well-rounded brand and sells almost any makeup product you might be looking for!




Bubblegum

5. Lush Cosmetics

Lush is a cruelty-free skincare brand. The picture shows the bubblegum lip scrub, which I can personally vouch for as a great exfoliating lip scrub. They sell products for hair, body, and face. Their bath bombs are also amazing gifts for the holidays. You can shop online or go to the location at the Sono mall!


3. Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Beverly Hills is the best brand for cruelty-free brow products. My favorite product from them is the Brow Wiz brow pencil and spoolie combo. They also sell lipsticks as shown in the picture and many other products as well.

These five makeup brands are high-quality and cruelty-free. When choosing a makeup brand, it’s always best to go with the brand that doesn’t use animal testing. Sometimes it can be hard to know if a brand does or doesn’t use animal testing, as it’s not always right on the product. However, the makeup and skincare items from these five brands are good to go. Plus, with the holidays coming up, you’ll have to get gifts for friends and family! Makeup and skincare products are a great option, and an opportunity to support cruelty-free brands. Happy holiday shopping!
CGS Couture

Fall CLoset Essentials

By: Zinia Fengel, 11th Grade
Although many of us want to hold on to the warmth of summer, sweater weather is something to look forward to as well! Trips to the beach will turn into sitting by the fireplace with friends, and eating ice cream on a hot day will be replaced by reading a book while sipping tea and watching the leaves fall! However, these fall activities are often ruined by the dropping temperature. Cold weather can be a tough time for fashion, but with these fall closet essentials, you’ll not only be dressed for the cold, but you’ll look your best too! Read through this edition of CGS Couture to find out how you can stay warm in style!
Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks are the perfect fall piece for layering. Just because it’s cooler out doesn’t mean you have to put your summer tank tops away! Instead, try layering them over a turtleneck for a fun and fashionable look! For this outfit, I recommend buying a white or black turtleneck, as they’re the easiest to pair with any color tank top. However, if you choose to use a more colorful or loose-fitting turtleneck, it can be a top by itself! Try tucking a turtleneck into jeans and throwing a coat over it for another great outfit! Turtlenecks can also be used underneath sweatshirts, button-up sweaters, puffer jackets, and more. The combinations are endless!

Arm & Leg warmers
Many fall days are incredibly cold, with temperatures below freezing! However, as we transition from summer, there are a lot of warmer days too. For times when a full turtleneck with long sleeves and cloth up to your chin isn’t needed, arm and leg warmers are perfect. You can buy many different types depending on how you want to style them. Some have more neutral colors and are thick and knit, while others have fun patterns and are thinner. I personally love to pair my white knit leg warmers with my mary janes or black lace-up boots. Arm warmers can be paired with any short-sleeve t-shirt, but matching the color of the top to the warmers makes a very coordinated and put-together look as well!

Hats (Beanies and Newsboy Caps)
Hats are the perfect way to add some spice to an outfit, and keep your head warm! Although there are a ton of different types of hats to choose from, my fall favorites are beanies and newsboy caps. For a colder day, a chunky knit beanie with a pom-pom on top is perfect! Style it with an equally chunky knit sweater for a toasty fall outfit. Other beanies with a smaller weave can be paired with a flannel over a sweatshirt for a skater-style look! Newsboy caps are also very stylish, despite the fact that they are very underrated! Try one out this fall and watch as it becomes your favorite accessory!
Fleece-lined Tights
Skirts are often stored away during the colder months, because who wants their legs to freeze, right? Wrong! Just because you wear a skirt in fall doesn’t mean you have to freeze to death! How, you ask? The answer is simple: fleece-lined tights! These special tights are skin-tone, and when styled properly, look like you’re wearing a skirt normally. I wear these quite often in the fall and winter by layering sheer black tights or thigh-high socks over them. Covering some of it with extra tights or socks helps to create the illusion that the warm fleece-lined tights aren’t there! You can buy them at Yesstyle, an online Asian fashion website. If you choose to buy from Yesstyle, you can use the code “ZINIA10” for a discount! The store “Adorn” sells similar ones too. However, please note that I have not bought from that brand and cannot personally vouch for it.

Coats/jackets
For most of my life, I’ve seen a coat as the thing my mom forces on me as I leave the house, ruining my outfit but keeping me warm. However, the right coat can elevate your outfit instead of covering it up. My biggest tip when buying a coat is to carefully consider the color. Although buying that hot pink coat might seem fun for a day, it’s not versatile enough to be able to be used in every outfit. Coats are expensive, and you want to be able to layer it with many types of clothing. The three types of neutral color coats are generally black, white, and tan/beige. White and tan coats are very stylish, but it’s important to think of the practicality of your purchase. These colors stain and get dirty easily, and it’s not easy to clean a coat over and over. If I were you, I would opt for a black coat. It’s classy and elegant, but will also hide stains while attracting sunlight and warmth!

Hopefully these five fall closet essentials will prove useful to you as the days get colder. It’s important to be stylish and warm, but always remember that the number one goal is always to make you feel confident and comfortable in your clothing. Wear what makes you feel good! Until next week, happy styling!
Fashion segment

CGs couture

By: Zinia Fengel, 11th grade

If you ask me where I got a piece of clothing I’m wearing, nine times out of ten I’ll say, “I got it at the thrift store.” Thrifting has become increasingly more common recently, and for good reason. Not only is it a fun activity and allows you to find unique pieces, but it’s one of the best things you can do to help the environment. If you don’t thrift often or want to learn more, I’ll be sharing my tips on how to thrift both online and in-store. If you already love thrifting, I’ll pat you on the back by explaining how you’re helping our planet! I’m Zinia Fengel, a fashionista, online thrift shop owner, and future fashion school student, and in this first edition of CGS Couture, I’ll prove that everyone should hop on this environmentally-conscious trend. Trust me, going to the thrift store is the new shopping at the mall!


Why should you thrift?

When your friends can’t figure out what to do when you get together, suggest going thrifting! It’s a fun activity that is even more enjoyable with others! Coming across a great find is always more exciting when you can share it with a friend. Not only that, but it’s great for stepping up your style game! Thrift stores are the perfect place to find beautiful pieces, and they’re generally very cheap! However, prices vary depending on what kind of store you go to. Vintage thrift shops are often more expensive, but they offer a more specially curated selection of clothing. Inexpensive chain thrift stores are cheaper, such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Online thrift stores are the most convenient type, as you can control the price (which I will teach you) and search for specific brands and items right from the comfort of your own home!


How does thrifting help our environment?

In America, an average of 10.5 million tons of clothing end up in landfills every year. The fashion industry creates an incredible amount of waste, which is why it’s important to thrift when you can. Instead of throwing out that skirt that you think is out of style now, donate it to a thrift store. It could become someone else’s favorite item of clothing, before being passed to yet another person’s closet! Remember that your trash is someone else’s treasure! By thrifting, you’re helping to lessen the amount of textile waste that’s created each year. Thrifitng also helps preserve our precious water. About 10,000 liters of water is required to create one kilogram of cotton. Toxic chemicals that contribute to pollution are also created in clothing production. By reusing clothes, you’re saving all of that water and reducing pollution from the fashion industry!

Thrifting Tips and Tricks!

So, you know how great thrifting is, but how do you start? If you’re shopping in-store, find a local thrift store. My personal favorite in our area is the Goodwill in Westport. Some thrift stores do allow you to try clothes on, but others don’t have changing rooms.

When thrifting, be sure to wear clothes that are easy to layer. I usually wear a black tank top so trying on clothes without a dressing room is a simple task. Secondly, don’t give up too easily! Sometimes, the best finds come from the back corners of the store you wouldn’t think to check! Don’t be afraid to make a day of thrifting! Another tip is to look in sections you might otherwise avoid. For example, I’ve often found amazing flannels and button up shirts in the men’s section! The sleepwear section also isn’t to be slept on, as that’s where you can often find beautiful corsets! With a little devotion and time, you can find the clothes of your dreams at the thrift store.

How to thrift efficiently online!

Although thrifting in-store is a wonderful activity, you can’t always find exact sizes or items that you’re looking for. However, online, you can! A major advantage of using an online thrift store is that you can use the search feature to find exactly what you want. If you have a certain price range, this will help you out as well. People often ask me how I thrift great clothing for such cheap prices, and this is how I do it! First, I decide where I want to thrift. Some online thrift store options are Depop, eBay, thredUP, and Mercari! For this example, I’ll use Depop, one of my favorite online thrift stores. First, search an item you’re looking for, such as “white pleated skirt.” Then, click the “filter” icon at the bottom of the screen.

When the screen of categories appears, click “price” before using the slider bar to select your price range. You can even make the clothing have free shipping or be on sale! Then, click “view items,” and it’s as simple as that! It’s also an amazing marketplace for not only buying clothes, but selling them too!

I have my own Depop online thrift store, and have sold 20 items through the platform! However, Depop is not the only online thrift store out there. I also own a thrift store on Instagram, and have sold more than 200 items there as well! If you want to check it out, my instagram handle is @thrift.with.z and depop shop is @thrift_with_z! Selling your own clothes can help reduce your carbon footprint while earning you some extra cash in the process!


Thrifting is the future of fashion and retail. As its popularity increases among teens, more and more textile and fashion waste is prevented! However, its only purpose is not just to save the environment. It’s a way for you to find clothes you love without breaking the bank, and by having some fun! The feeling of finding a great piece of clothing while thrifting is unmatched! So next time you’re bored or need something to do, head over to your local thrift shop or grab your laptop to surf the online thrift stores for some unique, stylish, and eco-friendly clothing!