Did you hear about director Daniel Scheinert, who wore a thrift-store tux and won one of the most prestigious awards in his industry?
I couldn’t stop thinking about it. And as I often do, I started to relate it to my life as a mom. Here’s what I think moms can learn from thrifting and the man who wore a thrift-store tux to the red carpet.
Thrifting helps reduce toxins in our environment.
People much smarter than me have explained what clothes factories do to our environment. Buying the latest fashion can have an impact on both our wallets and the environment. As a mom, I’m concerned about the world we are handing over to our kids. Although reducing, reusing, and recycling is the simple answer, I know it is more complicated than that. I wonder how my family impacts the environment in negative and positive ways through our habits. Could thrifting be a small step toward reducing that environmental impact?
Thrifting saves money.
Raising kids is expensive! For me, it all comes down to priority. What do I want to spend my money on? When I see how fast my kids grow and how hard they play, I don’t want to buy expensive, even-if-they-are-cute clothes for them. I want to find deals on quality clothes that will serve the purpose of raising creative, active kids. Because I get some of my kids’ clothes at great deals, I don’t mind if my daughter wants to romp outside in her favorite dress. And the savings? My family will happily use that money to travel or find fun Omaha restaurants to try.
Thrifting is a treasure hunt.
Sometimes when I’m in a clothing store, I get overwhelmed. Neat stacks of same-looking clothes beckon me, and I don’t know where to start. However, if I’m in a thrift store, nothing is similar. I love digging through piles and finding treasures. Somedays I come home with an armful; other times it’s dismal. As an adventurer, I love the idea that I can go into a store and have no idea what I’ll find.
Thrifting can help us remember the most important things.
What I love about the story of Daniel Scheinert is that he was at one of the most prestigious award ceremonies, yet instead of showing off fancy, designer-brand clothes, he chose something different. I don’t know much about him outside of this story, but his choice says a lot about authenticity and being who you are without having to put on something that will impress others.
Motherhood sometimes feels like this—that we have to look a certain way to fit in or raise our kids like everyone else. But, that’s not true. No matter if you’re a mom who wears yoga pants or a mom who likes to dress to the nines, you have already won! You are the best mom for YOUR kids. There’s no one else who could take your place. As corny as it sounds, don’t worry about dressing to impress with expensive clothes. Be your authentic self, and your kids will love you all the more for it.
I don’t always thrift shop.
My kids have school uniforms that can’t be bought at a thrift store, and I sometimes have specific clothing items I don’t have time to search for in thrift store after thrift store. But, I love the options thrifting gives me. And I love the story of the man who wore a thrift-store tux to a fancy event. It reminds me that the freedom of being who I am, without trying to impress with expensive clothes, is valuable.
