Why I Don’t Fill My Closet (A Slow Fashion Thrifting Day)
Hello again, welcome back to the cottage. 🤍 Today I’m sharing a little bit more about how (and why) I shop the way I do. I don’t just buy clothes, I wait for the right ones. (See the full Youtube video at the bottom)
When I thrift, I have very specific things I look for.
If something doesn’t meet these, I don’t buy it. No matter how cheap it is, because I will ultimately pay the cost with my mental health and a cluttered closet.
My main boxes are:
- Natural fibers (linen, cotton, or wool)
- Pockets (especially for dresses)
- Something I genuinely like and will actually wear
And if I don’t find anything that fits those? I leave empty-handed… and I’m completely okay with that!
How I Actually Thrift
Over time, I’ve developed a bit of a rhythm when I thrift. I don’t look through every single item. Instead, I:
- Scan at pocket height along the dresses – so I can quickly tell if there are pockets.
- Feel the fabric as I go (you start to recognize natural fibers over time)
- Pull anything that might work
- Then double-check the tag on the inside left for material to ensure it’s made with natural fibers.
Sometimes I get tricked: something feels like linen, but it turns out to be polyester or rayon. That’s why I always double-check the tag. If it’s not a natural fiber and it doesn’t have pockets, that’s an easy no. Even if it’s pretty and I like it.
Why I Put So Many Things Back
There were quite a few pieces I picked up and then put right back. Not because they weren’t cute or affordable, but because they didn’t fully check my boxes. My problem for YEARS was buying things just because they’re there or they’re cheap.
But I don’t want a closet full of “almosts”! I want a closet full of things I actually love and wear.
Here is a litmus test for yourself: pretend you are packing for a week long vacation, which things in your closet are you bringing? Of course, you would chose your favorite items.
For me, I have filled my closet with things that I love to wear, so I would happily put ANYTHING in my closet into my suitcase for that vacation.
I have filled my closet with things that I love to wear, so I would happily put ANYTHING in my closet into my suitcase for that vacation.
You Don’t Have to Fill Your Closet
This is something I’ve really learned over time: You don’t need to fill your closet just to have options.
You can wait. You can be picky. You can have standards, even when you’re thrifting. If I hadn’t found anything with natural fibers or dresses with pockets that day, I would walk out with nothing. And that would have been completely fine!! Because clutter costs more than waiting.
The Pieces I Found on This Trip (see video below)
This time, I actually found quite a few things that I loved.
A lot of cotton dresses.
A linen piece (which is always exciting).
And a few options in different sizes, which I actually prefer.
Since I’m pregnant at the time of writing this, I don’t mind buying bigger sizes. And honestly, I’m learning to sew so that I can take something simple, like a $5 natural fiber dress with pockets, and alter it to fit my body perfectly. (Oh how I wish I would have learned to sew as a child! But I am still enjoying the process of learning as an adult.)
Some favorites from this trip:
- A cotton dress that felt straight out of Anne of Green Gables (and passed the twirl test ✨)
- A buttoned dress with a flattering overlap, practical for the growing belly
- A few soft, everyday cotton house dresses
- A linen piece I’ll wear as a top (even though it didn’t have pockets… I compromised just a little because linen is harder to find so I will wear it with pants with pockets)
- A pair of baggy jeans with side pockets (my favorite kind)
And yes… almost everything had pockets. Because I know myself: I won’t enjoy wearing dresses without pockets.
The “Twirl Test” Is Real
If you watched the video, you know this already, but every dress gets a twirl test. There’s just something about how a dress moves that tells you if you’ll actually enjoy wearing it. Practical?
Maybe not. But also… very important.
Why I Care So Much About Natural Fibers
Because we wear our clothing all day every day. It is basically an extension of our bodies. Our skin is our biggest organ and, though it’s meant to be a protective barrier on the outside of our body, it still readily absorbs several compounds that are left on the surface for long periods of time. So I’m really intentional about choosing natural fibers like:
- Linen
- Cotton
- Wool
- (Still undecided on bamboo, I need to research that more.)
Natural fibers are:
- More breathable
- More durable
- Do not encourage the absorption of microplastics into the skin
- According to the (psuedo) science of bioenergetics, high frequency fabrics allow our bodies to heal more readily.
- Natural fibers have higher frequencies
- Non-natural/plastic fabrics have lower frequencies that drain us and can even negatively impact wound healing
Non-Natural fibers are:
- Synthetic
- Cause possible negative skin microbiome interactions
- Bad for the environement (they are plastic and therefore do not break down in landfills)
- Made of plastics and other chemicals that are readily absorbed into our bloodstream over time
- Apparently have a “non-compatible” frequency with human health
Now, I am not entirely sure how much credence to give to the “frequency” argument for natural fibers, because I was unable to find peer-reviewed studies on the topic. All of the evidence I found were website that had no actual sources (I will link one here).
However, I have come to the conclusion that, regardless, I still do not feel comfortable wearing plastic all day long – because the absorption of endocrine disrupting microplastics into our bloodstream IS supported by modern scienctific research. (Article linked here).
You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot to Dress Well
One of the biggest takeaways from this trip:
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to wear natural fibers. I spent around $30 total for 8 garments. And I walked away with pieces I’ll actually wear. The beauty of thrifting with intention. 🙂
When I Do Buy New
While I love thrifting, I will occasionally buy something new.
But only if it:
- Is responsibly made
- Is high quality
- Checks all my boxes
- I especially love supporting small businesses when I can.
A Note on Quality: Why It’s Worth It
I have a few linen dresses that I bought new about five years ago. They were expensive ($80-120 per dress). I still wear them multiple times a week. And they are still in amazing condition. That’s the difference between fast fashion and slow fashion. It’s not just about buying less, it’s about buying responsibly and letting those pieces serve you for years. As Christians, we especially should be concerned with where we are spending God’s money.
A Simple Rhythm: Prayer + Thrifting
This might sound silly, but it’s something I always try to do. Before I go into the thrift store, I say a little prayer:
“Lord, can you help me find one thing I’d like?”
Or something along those lines. Sometimes I don’t find anything. But a lot of times, I do. God doesn’t have to answer those little prayers. But He’s our Father and He cares about the little things, too.
Slow Fashion, Stewardship, and Contentment
And I want to elaborate further. For me, this isn’t just about clothes. It’s about: Being a good steward, not over-consuming, being thoughtful about what I bring into my home, and choosing where my money goes (because, again, the money we have is truly just money that God has entrusted us with).
Every purchase supports something. So I want to be intentional.
You Are Worth It
Choosing fewer, better pieces isn’t about being restrictive or legalistic. It is worth it to have clothes that last, clothes that feel good, clothes you actually enjoy wearing. Even if that means waiting.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a closet full of clothes. You need a closet full of the right clothes. So take your time. Have standards. Leave empty-handed if you need to. And trust that the right pieces will come; whether that’s thrifting, small shops, or something you’ve been waiting on for a long time.
Happy Shopping!
