New lease on life
Published Wednesday January 21st, 2009
Tough times People swapping or repairing clothes rather than spending money on new items
TORONTO - They came, they saw, they swapped.
In what has become a monthly event at 69 Buy The Pound, shoppers seeking stylish and affordable items have been f locking to the Toronto vintage shop with their old clothes in hopes of trading with others.
“It really just has taken off. People are really excited about it,” said store manager Irene Stickney after recent clothing swap events dubbed “Market Crash Bash” and “Old Clothes, New Year” attracted dozens of local fashionistas.
While she doesn’t think the interest is entirely recession-based, Stickney said some shoppers are feeling financially pinched.
Sewing machines set up in the store are available to customers for lessons or to rent, something several took advantage of during the holidays.
“I had people coming in sewing mittens before Christmas because they said, ‘Look, I just lost my job, but I have to get Christmas presents for people. This cost me nothing. I’m going to use these old sweaters, pay $5 an hour to use the sewing machine and I’m going to make 20 pairs of mittens for Christmas presents,’” she said.
In addition to an increased appetite among people wanting to learn how to sew themselves, there are many who are bringing in old items to be repaired.
“I’ll take in clothes or patch old jeans that are ripping because people don’t want to throw old clothes out. They don’t want to waste things as much,” Stickney said.
“I also think the attitude of people is that it’s cool to save money. It’s really the way of the future that people don’t want to be spending a lot these days.”
Stickney’s observations appear to be on the mark. The Conference Board of Canada found consumer confidence in December reached its lowest level since 1981-82, when Canada had its worst post-war recession.
Those who are scaling back on essentials could be extending the life of old items or simply paying less for new ones.
“I think what’s obvious from the data we’ve already seen is that in general, people are spending less, and that means that they’re going to have to do some things, whether it’s hold on to products longer, drive cars longer, use more handme- downs, shop second-hand,” said Kyle Murray, director of the school of retailing at the University of Alberta.
“Whatever that might be, they’re going to have to do those sorts of things to make ends meet as they kind of cut back in spending and buying.”
Shane Parnell, store manager at a Toronto Value Village, said there has been a 10 per cent increase in both foot traffic and sales across the board at the thrift store’s locations in Canada, the U.S. and Australia.
“As far as the economy with the downturn and stuff, people are looking to get a bigger bang for their buck.... and I think that’s why they’re starting to come into our stores,” said Parnell, who said there are plans for a five per cent expansion over the next few years.
“Basically, we’re seeing a lot of people, new customers, I guess, from all different ranges and demographics ... but a lot more of the working class people as well that might have been shopping at your traditional malls or box stores that are now coming here.”
Mitzie Hunter of Goodwill Toronto said while changes haven’t been as dramatic as in the U.S., they have seen a slight trend in terms of an increase in sales.
Dexie Wharton is a professional blogger under b5media for www.styleitless.
com, where she shares suggestions on bargains, sales and looks for under $100, as well as celebrity styles for less and fashion tips. The North Carolina mother of two said she has noticed an increase in site traffic since the economic downturn has made headlines.
“We are all in recession mode,”she said in an email. “Interestingly enough, the fashion world has called bargain fashionistas...
‘recessionistas’ which I find funny because all of a sudden we are bombarded with the concept.”
“The truth is some of us have been living the lifestyle for as long as we can remember.
Now the ‘IT’ thing to do in fashion these days is to look stylish for less.”
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