The Devil Thirfts Prada

🎶 Walk, I'm feeling fab

I'm feeling free, I feel exceptionally me

Hate all you want, but I'm dangerous

You gon' burn your tongue on this tea

Might show up late, might be on time

Just wait, I'm coming, kiki

This paparazzi routine

Bitch, I came to be seen

Yes, serve a little sass

Yes, with a little side of ass

Yes, got the front row screaming

Okay (Okay), okay (Okay)

Yes, do a little twirl

Yes, let 'em know I'm that girl

Yes, Monday through Sunday

I can turn a dance floor into a runway 🎶 Yeah... So, in case you haven't figured out where my mind has been lately, I'll give you a hint.

I was already enamored by the first film, but WOW!!!!!! I have to say that I like the sequel much better than the first, and that's saying something! And I already saw this film twice, with a third and fourth time coming very soon. But before I go into why this particular film is so fantastic, let's turn back the clock to 2006 when The Devil Wears Prada first graced the silver screen, and became a part of our culture forever. Based off of the 2003 novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, we meet Andrea Sachs (known to her friends as Andy), a recent journalism graduate from Northwestern, who is heading to an interview at Runway, a prestigious fashion publication, in NYC. However, there's just one problem: Andy doesn't seem to know much about fashion, so when she shows up to the interview, she's clearly a fish out of water. Especially when she meets her boss: the imperious, demanding, and controlling boss from hell, Miranda Priestly. No one, and I mean NO ONE, dares cross Miranda Priestly, let alone say "no" to her. Andy has been told that being an assistant at Runway is a job a million girls could kill for, because if she successfully stays at her position for a year, she can have her pick of whatever journalism job she wants. And the possibilities are endless: the New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME, LIFE, and the list goes on. But as Andy soon finds out, this dream job is about to become a total nightmare. Andy's phone is constantly ringing off the hook with outrageous demands from Miranda: pick up her made to order coffee, walk her gigantic St. Bernard, head to Dolce & Gabbana and get the outfits for the upcoming show, call for a flight out of the monsoon-ridden south to see her twin daughters' play, order her dinner to her specificity, find fashion models that don't look so pale, get the unpublished manuscript of the latest Harry Potter book... Wait, what? Apart from the plot, there's a lot of unforgettable moments and lines from the film. See if you can recognize some of them. "GIRD YOUR LOINS!" "I love my job, I love my job, I love my job..." "I'm one stomach flu away from my goal weight." "This… “stuff”? Oh, okay. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.

You go to your closet and you select that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back.

But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue. It's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean.

And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner…where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.

However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs.

And it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact…you're wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room…from a pile of "stuff." "How do you spell 'Gabbana'?" "Are you wearing the - " "Chanel boots? Yeah, I am." And don't forget the most famous line of them all: "That's all." But if there's one thing about this film that is more popular than the iconic lines, it's absolutely got to be the fashion. Oh, my God. The FASHION!!!!!!! So many amazing clothes, and by some of the best designers. I think we all had a moment where we all just wished we could wear some of the outfits all of the characters got to wear in the film, Nigel (Stanley Tucci) included. I mean, who wouldn't want to own a pair of Chanel boots, or a Chanel dress with the newsboy caps from their 2006 line? There's something about owning a pair of nice clothes, really, really, REALLY nice clothes that are well-made and tailored to your tastes so that you can strut down the streets with a little bit more pep in your step, if not a bit more confidence and even some class. One piece of information that I didn't realize was that the original film had a limited amount of clothes from the actual luxury clothing brands due to so many of them being afraid of one woman who has an iron fist over the fashion industry. And it's not Miranda Priestly, but very close. It was Anna Wintour. Meryl Streep actually based her performance of Miranda off of Anna Wintour, and many were afraid that Anna would be offended, so they didn't offer their clothes to the film. Well, I think everyone was in for a big surprise when the film was released to theaters on 30 June 2006. The Devil Wears Prada became a huge hit, and I mean HUGE. The beloved characters became a part of our worldwide fabric in big and small ways - the lines are quoted almost every day, the clothes worn in the film lead to the democratizing of high end fashion to the masses, and there has been a resurgence of a love of fashion. Well, good fashion, anyway. So, it was no wonder when people started wondering if the story can continue beyond the first film, and it turns out, it did. It just took 20 years to get to that point... And a WHOLE lot of change to get there. One thing about sequels is not just about how to continue on with the story that's so beloved, but also how to allow the characters to grow and evolve beyond the first chapter, especially in an ever changing world and the circumstances that bring about that change. I think a big reason why it took so long for The Devil Wears Prada 2 to come about is because of so much change happening within the past 20 years: Economically, globally, politically, mentally, emotionally, and materially speaking. A lot can happen in 20 years, so much so that it becomes almost too overwhelming to put into a single film. How do you handle all of that change and put it into a sequel? Well, if you're the original director and screenwriter, you just focus on the present circumstances, and from there, a story is born. And also allow for some creative input from the original cast members, and some of the newer faces as well. In this case, The Devil Wears Prada 2 deals with a ton of change for everyone at Runway and the world around them. For instance, Runway has evolved to incorporate social media and body positivity models into their publication, which meant larger spaces in their offices and a slew of new positions to accommodate all of the social media engagement and diversity in the world of fashion. One big change that I never thought I'd see coming (spoiler alert!): Miranda actually hangs out her own coat now. That's huge! But apparently, a lot people complained to HR and to the upper staff about how much they didn't like Miranda throwing her coat on their desks every morning, so they sort of had to ask her to tone it down. Never thought I'd see that happen to the boss from hell. And then there's the world of journalism as a whole: We see Andy win an award for her hard work with an NYC-based newspaper, only to find out that she and her entire team have been fired... during the awards ceremony. That's kinda harsh. Add in the fear of AI, restructuring & downsizing, fast fashion, clickbait, and cynicism, and you pretty much get how The Devil Wears Prada 2 is navigating some troubling waters. Change is the only constant, as I've been told time and time again. And it can be overwhelming when you want to maintain control in how you run things, especially something so beloved as Runway. 😎👍 Not to mention the downsizing and restructuring of long-standing publications and companies, even in the past few years. That generally means a lot of people losing their jobs and having to start over again, or pivot in some cases. But as depressing as it is to see how Runway is dealing with all of these changes and impending doom, there's one thing that made my eyes light up in The Devil Wears Prada 2: And that, of course, is the fashion. It just feels so nice to see some good, actual fashion in the movie. People actually wearing good, well-made, and put together clothing. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! (If I never seen torn jeans or torn denim anything again, it will be too soon. But we'll get to that a little later.) Even Andy herself is a bit more fashion savvy these days, given the nature of her job as a journalist. She got to travel the world, and was able to take some styling tips from Runway and apply it to her wardrobe. And there's several lines in particular that made me so happy: Nigel: I don't mind that blazer. Is it...

Andy Sachs: Margiela? I got it for $11 at a thrift store in Provo. Learned a thing or two last time I was here, babe.

Nigel: Hmm. Not bad... babe. Andy has turned to thrifting and consignment shops to buy the vast majority of her outfits. Of course, that changes when she comes back to Runway again and gets loaned a lot of the clothes from the infamous closet. (Just don't say that Nigel gave them to you!) In the past few years, we've seen a recent surge in thrifting and consignment shops, driven by Generation Z and even some millennials. Shopping for clothes has gotten a lot more expensive these days, and to add onto the rising cost of necessary expenses like groceries, gas, and rent, there's been a bit of a disdain for fast fashion and how its wasteful effects are harming the environment. So, how does one own a nice Margiela blazer or a pair of Prada shoes or some nice Chanel sunglasses for a fraction of the cost? Well, Andy has the right idea - you thrift! And for yours truly, it's been a game changer to go from shopping and buying new clothes to thrifting and visiting consignment & resale shops. So, what makes thrifting so appealing and why does it matter more than ever? I've got a few ideas... Babe.

One interesting thing I learned about The Devil Wears Prada 2 was how much more creative input was given to the actors in developing the script & character arcs. Anne Hathaway pushed for some big changes to Andy that deviated from the original story, and that includes her career as a journalist. In the original sequel, Revenge Wears Prada, Andy gets married, has a daughter, and later ends up divorced. Anne Hathaway had a different idea in mind for the film, and it ended up drastically changing the storyline. We see Andy single, living her best life as an award-winning journalist & writer, and establishing her own sense of fashion through thrifting and consignment shops. Costume designer Molly Rogers said that Andy's style had a nod to Annie Hall, made famous by the late Diane Keaton, which involved quite a bit of blazers, and a lot of fashionable clothing items thrifted and bought from consignment shops, giving her a masculine feminine look. Add in some fashion from Runway on loan, and you get some pretty awesome clothing pieces. It's amazing the things you can find in a thrift store, or consignment shop. Or even a vintage store. So... How does thrifting fit into the world of The Devil Wears Prada 2? Well., apart from all of the great fashion finds Andy discovers in thrift stores in Provo or consignment shops around the world, it fits a great deal. Especially when many of us can't afford to pay an arm and a leg to buy some of the finest clothing pieces & accessories from Chanel, Margiela, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, and yes, even Prada. Have you seen the price tags for some of the items in the film? It could be upwards of at least $10,000, even $20,000. Yeesh! With that kind of money, I could easily pay my bills and put a chunk of it in savings. Andy may have had that same mindset as well since she decides to thrift and shop at consignment shops. There are better ways to use your money, especially $10,000. And it doesn't involve buying the latest outfits from the luxury brands. That's where thrifting comes in. What exactly is thrifting, anyway? According to the Cambridge dictionary, thrifting is defined as the activity of looking for or buying goods from thrift stores or other places that sell used things such as clothes, books, or furniture. And it's really made a splash in the past decade, with resale sites like Poshmark and ThredUp surging with sales. Leading the charge are the Generation Z'ers and some millennials, as they are starting to see that constantly buying brand new clothes from stores over and over again and then throwing out used clothes is harmful for both the economy & the environment. You might know it better as fast fashion. Wait, what? What the hell is "fast fashion"? According to Webster's dictionary, it is an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers. In other words, the clothes may look great and are easily accessible by the right price and locations of the stores, but they don't last very long, which is causing you to go back to those stores over and over again to get the latest outfits and trends just to keep with the times, if not spend more money on clothes. Some of your favorite stores are guilty of having fast fashion: Shein, Temu, Romwe, Princess Polly, Fashion Nova, Zara, H&M, Mango, Primark, Boohoo, ASOS, GAP, Topshop, Edikted, Halara, C&A, Peacocks, Abercombrie & Fitch, Charlotte Russe, GUESS, Hot Topic, J. Crew, Lululemon, ModCloth, Rue21, Target, Uniqlo, Windsor, Old Navy, JC Penney, Ted Baker, Old Navy, Miss Selfridge, Lilly Pulitzer, Kohl's, Hollister, Fabletics, Forever 21, Express, Eddie Bauer, DKNY, Club Monaco, ASOS, Boden, Aerie, American Eagle, Aritizia, Oshkosh B'gosh, Under Armour, Victoria's Secret, Xhilaration, Urban Outfitters, LOFT, Ann Taylor, Free People, Espirit, Amazon, Dressbarn, Aldo, Bebe... Yeah, it's not a pretty picture to look at when you realize that just about 75-95% of your clothes are products of fast fashion. And there's lots more where that came from. And the environmental effects are horrific, considering we throw out huge wastes of clothes year after year, which constitutes to humungous landfills across the country, and no real way to recycle the poorly made clothing. And don't get me started on some of the tailors and seamstresses overseas who are working for little to no pay, and often in terrible conditions. All because we just got to have the latest spring fashion or T-shirt or jeans to add to our expanding wardrobe. And for a reasonable price, a sale, even. I know, I know. Yours truly is guilty of this, too. For much of her life. But when I started my thrifting journey last year, I was amazed at the things you can find in thrift & resale stores online and in person. It is possible to own a decent pair of clothes, shoes, and sunglasses without having to pay a fortune to get them, especially when they wear out very easily. In fact, many have found entire clothing ensembles from thrift shops an consignment stores and secondhand boutiques. And not just from purchasing secondhand fast fashion clothing, either. You really can find a great pair of Armani Collezione trousers for a fraction of the price on Poshmark. Or you can get a pair of really good Prada shoes for almost 75-80% of the original cost. Or even a Kate Spade handbag within a reasonable price frame. Hell, you can curate your own sense of style from shopping at thrift stores. I think I may have finally found my true sense of colors and bold, refined styles at thrift shops and consignment stores. And it's a nice thing to discover for the first time in over 25 years! But even with finding great pieces of clothing and shoes and accessories from thrifting adventures, some people are still hesitant to purchase secondhand clothing... Even if it is good for the environment and pulls you away from the constant necessity of purchasing fast fashion. The question is: Why? Why is it so hard to support the environment, end poor working conditions in sweatshops across the world, and go after well-made clothing that lasts longer than two wears? It's actually pretty simple, but it's also very complex. There are some people who simply must have brand new clothing, even if it's fast fashion. They may have grown up in a household where they were given hand-me-downs that weren't always properly taken care, whether out of spite or just too much use by the other person. Or there was a lot of trauma involved with wearing hand-me-downs, and in order to escape the trauma, they have to have new clothing every single time. And then there's the financial aspect of it: Some people would rather use their money to buy new clothing over and over again, while not putting in both the money and the time to search for secondhand clothing. It can be frustrating having to go through racks of clothing, and then going into the dressing rooms and discovering that they don't fit too well. Or even find them in a lot worse shape than when they were first bought. Some thrift stores and consignment shops have been swamped with fast fashion brands, which reduces the quality and making it harder to find higher quality clothing pieces on the racks. It seems like people are starting to realize that fast fashion doesn't necessarily last long, nor does it always look that great. But it's sort of starting to clutter up the racks at thrift stores in a bad way, and it's making harder for thrifting experts and novices alike to find durable and well made clothing to purchase. This has also led to an increase in prices for secondhand clothing in the past few years, which can be pretty frustrating for both sellers and buyers alike. And then there's a big stigma against thrifting: It's not clean. People have worn these clothes before, and the idea of wearing someone else's clothes, even if it was put through the washer and dryer, is just plain disgusting. Some people have never grown around thrifting or consignment shops, so when they find something like a small rip or a stain or something else that is on the clothes, it can really make you feel a bit queasy and uncertain to buy the clothes. The way some of the thrifting shops and consignment stores look doesn't seem to help matters either. Some establishments are just poorly kept - a lack of organization beyond sizing and color, dirty floors, gross bathrooms, rude cashiers, and some of them not even having dressing rooms, can really leave a sour taste in one's mouth. And then in recent years, some people believe that thrifting is starting to fall out of favor, despite the recent boom. Thrifting was originally geared towards individuals and families of lower income, and can't afford to shop at the big fast fashion stores all of the time. Some people think that vintage shops and resellers on places like Poshmark, ThredUp, and even eBay have ruined the thrifting experience due to a rise in consumerism in buying secondhand clothing, and making it harder for people who genuinely need good pieces of clothing to find actual good pieces of clothing, or even hidden gems that you'd least expect to find in thrifting shops and consignment stores. So, as you can see, thrifting is starting to become - dare I say it? - gentrified. It's no longer about finding high quality clothing and surprise items that you would't be able to find anywhere else. But it's becoming more and more of a way to shop for brands you'd see at the malls and shops (both in-person and online) for a fraction of a cost. And with fast fashion brands being donated more and more each day, it's becoming harder to find that great high quality clothing - things that last for more than two washes - and the brands that aren't tied to malls or shopping centers that are contributing to the environmental and consumer problem. Not to mention that there may be a lingering fear that some of the items donated to thrift stores or online sites like Poshmark or eBay may have been stolen or bought in excess just to make a profit for the seller. (Yup, retail theft is still alive and well, unfortunately. In fact, it's gotten worse than ever in the past decade.) As exciting and thrill seeking as thrifting used to be, and in some cases still is, it's becoming a big problem... And one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. And while not all of these problems are an easy fix, much of it attributed to the stigma being passed down over the years and even some of the mental & emotional aspects of it there are some ways to reclaim some of the joy in thrifting and consignment shopping. As the saying goes, it starts with your mindset and your tastes... And maybe being able to broaden them out beyond your comfort zone to discover something truly amazing that you'd least expect. (Thrifting is quite a journey - you can find some great deals on well made pieces of clothing you wouldn't find anywhere else, and not only that, you are helping the environment and branching out to do something new that actually feels good. But like I've said so many times in my previous posts, these are simply my reflections and observations. You are welcome to disagree with anything I've said in this week's post or previous posts I've written. But I absolutely will not tolerate any form of offensive language, hate speech, or offensive words of any kind, whether that's directed towards me or anyone else. We all have to learn to appreciate our differences, and they can be a beautiful thing to behold if we have the courage to see the beauty in agreeing to disagree. If you fail to do that simple thing, I will block you.)

I believe everyone should give thrifting a chance, if not for the environmental rewards, for your wallet. I'm a firm believer that everyone should be able to afford and own really great pieces of clothing, and not only that, clothing that is well made, lasts for longer than two washes, and can actually fit the shape of your body without it being tailored in a way that doesn't show off your body in the right way. People should actually look well in what they wear, not so sloppy and casual all the time. I must confess that I long for the days pre-1960s when people of all ages actually knew how to dress, and I fear we may be losing that art of dressing with purpose, even if it means overdressing for an event or occasion. But as we've seen over the years, times have changed. Along with the economy and mental attitudes towards fashion. (There's obviously been a lot of problems with fast fashion not going far enough to be body conscious for all body shapes and sizes, and it shows with the way some less desirable or more desirable body parts are being presented that doesn't make a person look all that good. Synthetic materials and mass production will do that, especially if it's cutting corners to make a profit. But then again, we are living in a society where there's a conflict in what fashion actually is - whether that's well dressed and put together, or sloppy and without much care or opinion in how you look to others. Or in some cases, not giving a damn in what others think about your appearance, or even knowing how to dress well. But it is worth mentioning that we still have a long way to go before we can get to a place where we can have affordable, well made clothing pieces that actually fit all body shapes and sizes properly without it being mass produced or come at the expense of the environment. And also, having higher end luxury brands being more open & accepting of different body shapes and sizes in order to make sure they are included and represented in a positive way. Just something to think about...) It's clear that within the past few decades we've come to rely on fast fashion to provide us with some great looks for our jobs, school, and everything in between. But sadly, it has also drawn an unexpected consequence - it is harming the environment through our throwing out the used and worn out clothing, creating massive landfills and not enough recycling to help keep our planet healthy. Thrifting has become a valuable answer in response to the fast fashion, but its still a stigmatized problem for many people who long to have new clothing, and the idea of purchasing clothes and accessories that someone owned originally, and not having them be properly taken care of, is not a very pleasant one. Not to mention that with the recent surge of fast fashion clothing donations to thrift shops and consignment stores, the art of thrifting is becoming all muddled and confusing, with finding the perfect or surprise piece a clothing a sudden chore than an exhilarating treasure hunt. It's certainly a conundrum, thrifting. But it doesn't have to be. How does yours truly go thrifting, and leave with some unexpected good finds? Well, I have to start from the very beginning - a very good place to start. The very first thing I did was take all of my clothing pieces from fast fashion stores like Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Express, H&M, Amazon, LOFT, and more out of my closet and take them to be recycled. As hard as it is, I needed to cut ties with fast fashion stores for good, and that includes making sure you start from scratch by allowing yourself to find places that recycle clothing pieces like this. I usually go to H&M to do this, but there are plenty of places out there that recycle used clothing. Even if that clothing is still good after several years, you are still contributing to the consumerism of fast fashion, and its imminent destruction on our planet. You want to help the environment? Then, you know what you have to do. Don't be that jerk and add on to the overwhelming donations of fast fashion to thrift shops and consignment stores. That's what gotten so many of us in this problem in the first place! It's hard to cut ties with places like Express, Shein, Amazon, Target, Old Navy, H&M, Uniqlo, and more. But believe me, it's for the best. And think of all of the well-made, durable clothes you can get! AND they will last longer than less than a year! After you've bid your fast fashion pieces arrivederci, it's time to go thrifting. My recommendation is to Google the nearest thrift shops in your area, and try to find places other than Goodwill so you can support local businesses in your community. If the Goodwill is all that's available, that's okay! You are still supporting training programs for employees. And once you find a thrift shop or consignment store, make yourself a date and time to head over there. They say that the best days to go thrifting are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, since the shops have restocked their shelves with items donated from over the weekend. Mid-week - Wednesday and Thursdays - is the most ideal for sales, Mornings when the stores first open are optimal for not dealing with the crowds, as opposes to the weekends when they are notoriously crowded. Something I seem to forget when I go thrifting. End of the month is also the best time to go thrifting since many shops offer clearance discounts at the end of the month in order to clear out their inventory for the new month to come. And the best month to go thrifting? January! (Yup, it's true!) You can find a ton of post-holiday donations in thrift stores and consignment shops. Now, there's a certain art to thrifting and looking for those hidden gems. For starters, you need to allow yourself at least 45 minutes to an hour to do this. And you don't need to come in with an idea of what you're looking for. The best way to do this is to just allow yourself the time to explore, and allow yourself to be intrigued and curious by what is there. Wandering around thrift stores with no agendas is the best way to go thrifting, in my honest opinion. That's where you can find the most unexpected surprises that you never thought you'd find anywhere else. If there is something that grabs your eye, take it from the shelf and hold onto to it to see if you can try it in the dressing room later on. Some places are really good at holding your interested items for you so that when you're ready to head into the dressing room, it'll be there waiting for you, instead of lugging all of the clothing on hangers around the store. One thing to remember is to not shop for fast fashion items. That's the very thing that is overwhelming thrift shops these days, and we need to cut ties with them and the consumerism effects for good. Remember, you're looking for well made, high quality clothing. And that means staying as far away from the fast fashion as much as possible, especially in thrift stores. You may be surprised at all of the higher end brands you can find in thrift shops, and at an affordable price, too! Like any thrifting expedition, be sure to check the item thoroughly for stains, rips, tears, odors, and more. If this is a turn off of for you, put it back on the rack. If it can be easily repaired at home with a good wash or mending, and it fits you, take it home. I know, I know. It can be frustrating looking through racks and racks of clothing and be frustrated at having so many things not fit you well. But remember, try coming in without a specific idea of what to look for, and just allow yourself to explore and be pulled into the direction of what you see on the racks. And if all else fails, you can find something else that can fit you just as well elsewhere. They don't call it shopping around for nothing! And when you do find those surprise items that somehow all works out for you, it's worth it to purchase it right away. Splurge, even. You might not get another chance to find that item again. It's hard to believe that I've been thrifting for over a year now, and my closet is filled with things I've never thought I could find. I think the beauty of thrifting is really allowing your creative side to come through with the unexpected finds from thrifting. And not a single clothing piece is from fast fashion. These dresses, shirts, jeans, trousers, and more will last for quite a while, and I feel good and confident wearing them. Of course, my mother is a bit chagrined with my thrifting expeditions going a little bit overboard due to the limited closet space and hangers, but I may have also inspired her to join me in thrifting, so I'll take that as a win. But here are some things to keep in mind: If you absolutely cannot find it in your heart to thrift due to negative experiences of owning secondhand clothing from within your family, or the idea of purchasing someone else's clothing grosses you out, or you just have to get fast fashion because of time and money, I understand. It's a very complex system, and while there is no easy answer on how to solve this, I know that for many people on the lower end of the economy or of different racial groups, getting clothing that is new and easy to access is a necessity for their jobs, education, and social events. It's a hard habit to break out of, especially when we're in a crunch in getting a specific pair of pants, dresses, or shirts for an event or your career. There needs to be a way where can make well made, durable clothing affordable for everyone in our society, and not only that, be more body conscious to all the different shapes and sizes. As of right now, I don't have any other answers on how to go about this, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people out there who are breaking the mold and being the representation needed to change the minds of the people at the top of the fashion industry and the biggest luxury labels in the world. And it gives me hope to showcase my own sense of style in some of these clothing pieces to allow others to see what beauty looks like for a curvy, black woman. And that is should be and can be attainable for all body sizes and shapes. One more important thing to keep in mind as you go on your thrifting adventures: Real change starts with YOU. I may have offered the suggestion of cutting ties with fast fashion and recycling and only looking for brands that are well made and durable, but you are the only ones who can make the best decision for you. It may not happen right away, and you may feel compelled to do something entirely different from thrifting that still helps the planet and keeps you away from fast fashion. And that is totally okay! If you are inspired to start thrifting permanently, start slowly and with purpose. Don't go into stores and shops with an idea. It's okay to wander aimlessly and allowing yourself to be surprised. And it is okay to treat yourself with the hidden gems. Those are the best things to treat yourself with! We all deserve nice things, including well made clothing. Just like we deserve to live on a planet that should be cared for and protected by our own commitment to keeping it clean and safe for future generations. It shouldn't have to take you going back to Old Navy or Target for the umpteenth time to replace your favorite pair of jeans or shirts for you to see that it's time for a change. Isn't it time for a change NOW? Like, right NOW? The absolute best part about thrifting? The compliments. Whenever someone sees me in an outfit and is in awe, I can feel the pride when I say I thrifted it. It's okay to discover and rediscover your sense of style through thrifting. You never know what you might find, and the surprises are the best rewards to have. Happy thrifting... Babe.