Ask Eartha Steward: Confessions of a thrift store junkie

Generally this column functions as an advice column, but sometimes it serves as a confessional booth. I’m not Catholic, but I still feel the need to rid myself of pent up guilt now and again. And boy do I have some major guilt this spring. It’s become abundantly apparent that I have a problem with clothes (and shoes). I always suspected it, but now I know.

My realization started last weekend with good intentions. I felt the need to do some spring cleaning inside the house. I decided to start from the top down. But I didn’t get very far.

Tripping on a pair of newly purchased but gently used oh-so-cute red shoes, I found myself face-to-face with an overwhelming display of excess. My world, and my closet, began crashing in on me.

As I stared at the crammed space, literally dripping with clothes, it became all too clear: I am a thrift store junkie and an eco-fashion addict. I have a problem and I admit it. I can give up caffeine, I haven’t been on a solid bender since sophomore year in college, but when it comes to clothes, I am a slave to my addiction.

Here is the crux of my conflict: I am a conservationist and a fashionista. I truly believe in consuming less. But I love to look fresh and fabulous. I understand the planetary repercussions of all that stuff that clutters our homes. But I just can’t say no to a new hemp garment in the perfect seasonal color.

My problem is so bad that I am often delusional. I talk to strange gods and believe that I’m psychic when it comes to consignment stores. On my way to the store, I may ask the thrift gods to produce a mid-length skirt to compliment my new blue organic cotton tights.

Or, worse, as I walk down the street past my favorite consignment store I think to myself — today, there is something in there that really wants to come home with me; it’s green. Of course, the gods usually produce and my psychic abilities are confirmed as I walk out, temporarily guilt free, with yet another item.

The true sign of an addict, I have been known to hide items (especially shoes) from my significant other. On more than one occasion I have found myself hiding a new thrift store score in my book bag or under a coat so that I don’t have to watch Mr. Steward’s eyes roll as he disapprovingly shakes his head, knowing that I already have too many of whatever-it-is in my bag for one woman.

Does this sound healthy to you? Is there a Clothing Addicts Anonymous in this county? How about a fashion junkie support group? And why are there so many really good consignment and thrift stores around here?

I suppose my almost-guilt-free habit isn’t entirely off-base. I do circulate my clothes, through the revolving door of my closet, back to one of the many local thrift and consignment stores in the county. And because they are so affordable, I don’t go into debt changing my wardrobe with the season.

Plus, when I stop by the consignment store for a “new” item, I am reusing — which is one of the highest forms of reducing waste. And by purchasing organic and hemp clothing, I am using my dollar as a vote, casting my monetary ballot for more sustainable agriculture and less toxic pesticides. Wow, I feel better. I guess confessionals really do work.

For those of you who haven’t fallen to this potentially common addiction, I invite you to share in my pain this spring. Stop by the nonprofit Summit Thrift and Treasure Store in Dillon at 340 Fielder Ave. and see if the thrift gods answer your prayer. While you’re there, you can step next door to Rainbow’s End at 119 LaBonte St. to check out their stellar retro section.

In Breckenridge, be sure to check out For Pet’s Sake at 203 N. Main St., where you really are guaranteed some guilt-free shopping since all proceeds support Animal Rescue of the Rockies. Shopping for clothes while helping little puppies, what could be better?

If you’re in Frisco, you may find yourself in deep trouble since two of my favorite consignment stores are conveniently located on Main Street, virtually across the street from each other. Both have regular sale racks for deeply discounted items, and both have high quality affordable clothes.

Funky Trunk, at 211 Main St., is located between the Loaf N’ Jug and the Todd Powell Gallery. Be sure to check for heart-shaped punches on the tags for discounted and always groovy garments. Rags to Riches, at 202 Main St., uses dates on the tags to let you know when an item will be marked down.

You may see me headed out of one of these places this spring, hopping across puddles in my new green, vegan, PVC-free Tiger sneakers that look just perfect with that new-to-me, but gently used floral spring skirt in bright colors that just called my name when I saw it.

Eartha Steward is written by Carly Wier, Jennifer Kirkpatrick and Beth Orstad, consultants on all things eco and chic at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation in our mountain community. Eartha believes that you can walk gently on our planet, even if you’re wearing stylie shoes.
Submit questions to Eartha at eartha@highcountryconservation.org or to High Country Conservation Center, PO Box 4506, Frisco, CO 80443.