SeleneByMarialyn

I can’t believe that we are just four short weeks from the start of the new school year. 

We’ll be celebrating our daughter’s sixth birthday next week and then in a blink of an eye it’ll be early mornings, backpacks, and lunches again

I can’t say that I am ready. Somehow the weeks have flown by and I am going to miss the extra facetime and the slower summer pace. 

When Fifi was younger, I fully intended to homeschool her. She, however, had other plans. My girl wanted the BIG school experience.  So, just like that, my homeschool dreams were lovingly dashed. 

Thankfully, kindergarten exceeded every expectation. We truly hit the teacher lottery. Thank you, Ms. B., for making her very first year of school such a wonderful experience.

My son still gets to spend most of his days at home while we slowly ease him into the world of school. We were incredibly fortunate to find a preschool program that meets just a few days each week. I am, by no means, ready for him to be gone full time. I’m grateful we can take this season a little slower.

Since the inevitable return to school is quickly approaching, I’ve been working on curating the kids’ wardrobes for the new year.

I start shopping earlier than most because my goal is to buy as much of their clothing secondhand as possible. Finding those mint-condition, new-with-tags, or 100% cotton treasures takes a little patience. But if you’re a fellow thrifter, you already know—the hunt is half the fun.

Why do I thrift? Shop consignment? Well I am glad you asked. 

There are a lot of reasons I shop pre-owned, but it really comes down to sustainability.

Not just sustainability for our planet, by keeping perfectly good textiles out of landfills, but sustainability for our local communities as well. I love supporting small consignment shops, local thrift stores, and buying directly from individuals whenever I can. It feels good knowing my money is staying within the community instead of fueling another cycle of fast fashion.

The textile industry is one of the largest contributors to pollution worldwide. Much of today’s clothing is made from synthetic fibers that can take hundreds of years to break down, shedding microplastics into our waterways. On top of that, many fast-fashion garments simply aren’t designed to last, encouraging a cycle of constant consumption and waste. 

Shopping secondhand isn’t going to solve every problem, but it is one small way our family can consume a little more intentionally. I am a strong believer in doing what you can, no matter how small. It’s those small wins, that really add up, to something meaningful. 

Of course, everyone’s circumstances are different. Access, budget, time, and location all play a role, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Do what works best for you, your family, and your situation. This is simply what works for ours, and I know we’re fortunate to have some wonderful secondhand resources locally.

Most of our back-to-school shopping happens at a local consignment store I absolutely adore, Wear It Again Kids in Leesburg. More recently, though, I’ve also discovered Vinted, and it has quickly become my favorite haunt.

If you’ve never heard of it, Vinted is an online marketplace where people buy and sell clothing directly with one another. I’ve found so many beautiful pieces for the kids—many that are brand new—and I love knowing the money goes straight back into another person’s pocket.

For me, that’s a win for our family, a win for our community, and a small win for Mother Earth, too. So if you’re looking for a way to consume more intentionally, I encourage you to check out a local thrift shop or browse Vinted online. You might just discover your next favorite piece.