It’s cool to be kind – shop sustainably at Revive
Second-hand definitely doesn’t mean second best – there are endless benefits to thrifting, and there’s never been a better time to jump on the bargain bandwagon. Revive is a fashion festival that proves you don’t need fat stacks of cash to look like a million bucks, and you can save the world in the process.
Mother Nature is pretty mad at the human race right now, and for good reason. Fast fashion contributes to a whole heap of landfill waste, not to mention that it can be ethically dicey. Brisbane City Council has cottoned on to help combat the rise of this culture by celebrating the art of pre-loved shopping through Revive, an expertly curated second-hand extravaganza set to take over the South Bank Parklands on Friday August 19. There will be a whole host of fashion heroes present on the day, including Diana Maloney from Vintage Junkyard, Michelle Pullar from Lifeline and Faye De Lanty from Salvos Street Boutique and Fashion Hound. We’ve picked their collective brains to gain some knowledge on all things thrift, from how it helps the environment to the best ways to nab quality threads.
Winning Fashion
In addition to the environmental benefits, second-hand shopping is loads of fun. Diana likens the whole experience to a treasure hunt full of surprises with the added bonus of truly original pieces on offer. Ridiculously low prices are also a huge drawcard, not to mention the good karma that comes from helping people in need by supporting op-shops.
Tip Tricks
According to Michelle, looking out for high-quality brands and timeless styles to create a base for your wardrobe is a must. Check out the fabrics and textiles of your bargains for quality control – don’t just skim it, inspect it properly. Faye is such a fan of the thrift that she’s even composed a cheat sheet to help bargain hunters “thrift like it’s a sport”. It’s also worth brushing up on your sewing skills so if you nab a killer find that doesn’t quite fit, you can fix it up yourself. Revive is hosting some nifty workshops such as repair cafes, tailoring, hemming and textiles from August 19, so get on it.
Changing Habits
Making an effort to tread a little lighter can start in the closet and ripple on to other areas of life. The ladies in the industry each highlighted that the road to thrifting has made them super aware of waste and recycling, not just in fashion but also food and packaging. Diana digs composting, Faye has upped her exercise game and Michelle has ditched impulse purchases – all as a result of being immersed in the second-hand fashion industry. The world says thanks!