Thrifting in Western NC

Here at The Collective, we are proud to promote sustainable fashion and ethical practices. A majority of the pieces used in our shoots have been thrifted, donated or are pieces from a team member's own personal collection. From companies like SHEIN to Zara, the fast-fashion industry is responsible for over 10% of carbon emissions every year. Additionally, the world consumes about 80 billion new pieces of clothing annually with the average American throwing away up to 82 pounds of that clothing each year. Ultimately, our generation has been the most vocal about climate change, yet we are the largest consumers of fast fashion.

Although it will take major policy change to reduce fast fashion emissions, it’s important to consider what we can do on the individual level. Shopping at your local thrift stores can be a great way to implement sustainable fashion choices.

Here, I’ll list my favorite thrift stores in the mountains of North Carolina for you to try out, as well as provide a few thrifting tips!

Photo in Thrift-Smith Vintage. (@emabney on Instagram)

Thrift-Smith Vintage - Boone, NC We’ll begin with one of The Collective’s go to thrift stores. Located in Boone off Highway 105, Thrift-Smith is the perfect store for all of your vintage and streetwear needs! Neatly organized and with a large selection, I almost never leave the store without finding a cool piece to take home with me. You can find pretty much any style of clothing here, but streetwear is definitely this store's vibe. If you go to App State or are located in Boone and haven’t visited yet, check out their Instagram page @thrift.smith.vintage to find their hours and keep up with their occasional sales!

31 Thrift & More. (Facebook)

31 Thrift & More! - Hickory, NC

If you’re ever passing through Hickory, you have to stop at 31 Thrift & More. This is another retro/vintage shop with a large selection of clothing, furniture, decor, and just like the name implies; a lot more!

I can’t forget to mention the best part: the prices are comparable to Goodwill or Salvation Army! The store’s mission is to support the Greater Hickory Cooperative to “offer hope, help and healing for the indigent, homeless and those in need,” according to their website.

Photo in Hot Box. (@hot_box_vintage on Instagram)

Hot Box - Morganton, NC Visit Hot Box Vintage in Morganton and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to the 70’s! Hot Box has such a great selection of vintage clothing, decor, jewelry and so much more. Once you enter this store and get a feel for their groovy aesthetic, you’ll fall in love. They are only open on Friday’s and Saturday’s so make sure to head down there during the weekend. The store also holds occasional sales and almost always has a clearance rack. Head to their Instagram page @hot_box_vintage to keep up with them!

The Goodwill Bins - Asheville, NC Unlike the curated vintage thrift shops I’ve mentioned so far, the Goodwill Bins require some digging to find the right piece. If you’re a frequent thrifter, you’ve probably been to your local Goodwill stores countless times, but trust me, the bins are a totally different experience. Although it might take a bit of searching, I always find quality pieces when I visit the Goodwill Bins in Asheville. The surrounding thrift stores can’t match their great prices! The donations from the stylish folks of Asheville usually make it easy, so consider visiting the bins on Patton Avenue.

There’s nothing like the thrill of the thrift, so here are a few things to keep in mind while you’re shopping… 1. Visualize…Visualize…Visualize…

Don’t underestimate the power of visualization and manifestation. I’ve found that if you have a clear vision in mind for what your space or wardrobe needs, you’re much more likely to find it. Just remember: don’t give up if you don’t immediately find what you need, it will come!

2. Put it in the cart This advice is as simple as it sounds: put that piece in your cart. There have been so many times where I’ve walked away from an item, changed my mind, only to find it’s been taken after a few minutes. Even if you’re not sure yet, throw that shirt in your buggy and continue shopping. You can make your final decision at the end of your trip.

3. Think about the store's layout Almost every time I enter a thrift store and see a few things I like right off the bat, I get overwhelmed with excitement and end up all over the place. When this happens, I usually don’t look through everything and might miss out on some nice pieces. When you enter your store, take a minute to look at the layout and figure out where you want to begin and end your shopping.

4. Make time If you’re planning on going thrifting for your next shopping trip (and I hope you are) it's best to have at least a few free hours in your day to get the full experience. If you aren’t feeling it or don’t have that much time to look around, I’d recommend waiting until you do. You’ll have a much better time and will definitely find more pieces that way. Alright, that’s it for my advice! Go thrift, find some treasures and make sure you follow @TheCollective_Magazine to see what unique pieces and sustainable items the team uses for our shoots!