Thrifty Threads

Welcome to Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.

A compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, a yard sale, freecycle, ebay, craigslist, a clothing swap, or anywhere else you find secondhand clothing.

Today’s model is Nicolette, who says she’s a big fan of secondhand clothing. Nicolette bought this dress for two dollars at a thrift store, and the leggings she got out of a “free box” where she lives in a wagenplatz in Germany. A wagenplatz is an intentional community, a collective of people living on the same land, and they have an area called the “free store” where everyone puts clothing and things they don’t want for anyone else to take. The shoes she found in an abondoned school building. Nicolette says it’s a hobby of hers, and she was surprised to find a complete pair in her size, because they’re usually lonely strays without a mate.

Here’s what Nicolette says about her lifestyle: “I’m pretty into simple living and subverting the whole capitalistic pressure to ‘buy buy buy’ … and one thing I am a big fan of is dumpster diving. If you’ve never tried it… it might sound kind of gnarly, but there are heaps of spotless produce and packaged goods being thrown away every single day. I also live in a wooden caravan/trailer which I spent the last year renovating (it was given to me by people who didn’t want to put in the effort to move it when they moved), and almost all of my materials were scavenged and dumpster dived. Almost like dumpster diving an entire house…

Before you say “Ew!” at the thought of dumpster diving, like most respectable middle class people would (including myself), take a look at some of the things Nicolette has scavenged from the trash. This adorable, in-perfect-condition ukulele is one of my favorites, and how about this box of fresh oranges? And if that doesn’t get your attention, what about several cases of unopened bottles of wine?! Nicolette writes so much about the treasures that can be found in the trash that she does a series called “Dumpster Find of the Week” where readers send in their pictures and stories of what they found while practicing their skill (hobby? sport? talent?) Check out this fleet of bicycles one reader collected from dumpsters in his area. He said he was amazed at how many bikes were thrown in the trash. The whole concept of dumpster diving seems less gross and more like Extreme Recycling to me after spending time on Nicolette’s blog.

Nicolette writes about her “life in a squatted caravan community in Germany” on her blog Click Clack Gorilla, where you can learn more about dumpster diving, extreme simple living, “music-and merrymaking,” as well the writing Nicolette does about her travels. (All that simple living pays off with having the time and money to travel: she recently returned from a two-month travel adventure).

All of this is incredibly eye-opening, but perhaps what I like best about Nicolette’s blog is her voice, and the enthusiasm she communicates. Here’s an example: “Have I ever mentioned how excited I get when the internet—and specifically this blog—lead to interactions with real, live humans who send me words from their place in the real world? Well, if I haven’t, imagine me hopping and clapping and singing and doing cartwheels, because that’s how internet-born realities make me feel. As much as the internet can be soul-sucking and alienating and bad for our eyes, sometimes it actually does manage to bring people together and foster communication, the way I imagine it was intended to do. I like it when that happens. It seems hopeful. Hip hip hooray, etc.”

Beautifully said. I feel the same way about the wondrous possibilities of the Internet, and the connections I’ve made through this blog.

Thanks Nicolette for sharing that cute photo and your fascinating story. Readers, it’s your turn! Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. We all love to see the treasures you’re finding out there. And I’m still hoping for a photo from one of my male readers, or perhaps the husband of one of my female readers. Come on guys, don’t be shy!

Any other dumpster divers out there? Tell us about the best thing you’ve ever found in the trash, and share your best tips for either dumpster diving or thrift store shopping in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.