The #IGiveAShirt Campaign By Value Village

This back-to-school shopping season, Value Village is challenging people to come together to save 700 million gallons of water through one simple act: replacing one new t-shirt purchase with a thrifted one. If Value Village gets 1 million people to choose a thrifted t-shirt in place of a new one, it’ll be the equivalent of saving over 1,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools full of water, before the first bell rings.
People can show off their thrifted tees and support this effort by using the hashtag #IGiveaShirt.

Back-to-School Savings

The National Retail Federation reported that parents plan to spend over $360 on clothing and shoes in 2016 – but there’s no need to spend that much. Knowing how quickly kids go through clothing, shoes, books and toys, shoppers choosing thrift help the environment and their pocketbook too. In fact, shoppers can save 70-90 percent on back-to-school basics compared to other retailers, with a full wardrobe for $100 or less. 96 percent of all items sold at Savers are priced under $10 and the average sale price of items in the kids section are $3.00.

I checked out Value Village recently and here’s what $50 got me! Three brand new-to-me outfits! 

Here’s me out on the farm with Chef Chris Whittaker in my newly acquired wares.

Thrift Shopping Tips 

• Never have an expectation for finding a certain item, keep an open mind. You might go in for a dress and come out with an awesome top instead.
• While you’re thrift hunting, look for timeless pieces. Denim, cashmere and silk are fabrics that will never go out of style and can be purchased secondhand for much less than buying new! Also keep in mind that interesting prints are always a fun trend to incorporate and Savers is the perfect place to find those unique pieces.
• Browse a department you wouldn’t usually shop in and don’t limit yourself to size. Some of the best blazers, cardigans and shirts for women can be found in the men’s or boy’s departments. Interesting fashions can also be found by taking something in a larger size and adding a belt.
• Get creative and look beyond the clothing that is right in front of you. A little DIY magic can give just about any secondhand clothing item a fresh breath of new life. You can take a skirt or men’s shirt, add a belt and you have a brand new dress!
• Wear something simple, such as flats, leggings and a tank top so that you can try items on as you shop.
• When in doubt—grab it, and try it on. You never know!
• Don’t be shy and look closely at clothing and accessory items so that you can get a sense of the quality and craftsmanship. For example, look for textiles made in the USA, Canada, Italy and Spain – known for high quality fabrics and leather goods.
• Thrift shopping is always better with friends! Bring a few shopping buddies and make it a competition to see who picks up the best hidden thrift treasure.