Tipsy Thrifting: Frederictonians Keep Fashion Cheap

 

At downtown Fredericton’s ‘The Tipsy Muse,’ trendsetters are ditching the malls, and shopping in a whole new way.

They recently hosted a clothing swap, in partnership with ‘Just Better Styling.’ 

Cassandra Blackmore, organizer of the swap and CEO of Just Better Styling, says this cost-efficient way to refresh the wardrobes of stylish Frederictonians turned out much better than she had hoped. 

“I like to have low expectations,” said Blackmore, “If they’re exceeded, that’s amazing, and they were definitely exceeded.”

In order to participate, swappers brought in up to ten gently worn items, and left with up to as many as they brought. Just as thrifting came into the limelight, the popularity of clothing swaps has been increasing.

“I very rarely shop at a mall or store, this is how I get all my clothes,” said one of the night’s participants, who left with a full bag of items.

There was a $5 entry fee, which is donated in support of Clinic 554. The clinic is a family practice that provides the only private abortion services in New Brunswick. Additionally, all leftover clothing was donated to Hospice Boutique, a high end thrift store whose proceeds go towards Hospice house.

Hospice House is a home for terminally ill patients, and is an option for those who don’t want to spend their last days in a hospital. 

As Sustainability awareness grows, more and more people seem to be making an effort to find ethical and environmentally friendly ways to shop. 

Some swappers find that the reassurance that they’re shopping ethically is a reason they enjoyed the event, and the thrift lifestyle. 

“It’s really about helping clients use their clothing better,” says Blackmore, who prefers recycling and reusing goods, rather than constantly buying new clothes.

 

The price of ethically sourced goods is also often high, so cheap thrifting can be a guilt-free gateway to style.