Out With the Old and In With the New(er): ChathamU Thrifters and Fashion Enthusiasts
While attending Chatham as a Cultural Studies major, I’ve noticed the great fashion sense of many students that are part of the thrift ecosystem. Join me as I interview some of these enthusiasts about their style choices, and how sustainability and thrifting go hand-in-hand.
Natalie Callahan
Natalie, co-founder of The Vogueabond, is a thrifter and reseller. She loves thrifting and consigning in Pittsburgh at the Red White and Blue and Avalon Exchange. She puts her outfits together in a way that is serendipitous. “I gage by my mood when I wake up and roll with that. I try to pick out clothes the day before, but that never works for how I feel the next morning,” Natalie says. She is interested in the topic of sustainability as it relates to thrifting because she wants to limit fabric waste and carbon emissions— but make it fashion. She also likes to think about creative solutions to the “gentrification of thrifting”—how it used to be unpopular and now is the newest fad. According to Natalie, more thrifters are a great thing for the environment and the fashion scene, but some corporations may take advantage of this and up the price of thrifted pieces.
Her style in three words: eccentric, colorful, and cheerful
Kayla Taylor
Kayla Taylor, a thrifter and influencer, likes thrifting at Avalon Exchange because of its curation for college-age people, Goodwill on Center and S. Highland, Thriftique in Lawrenceville, and American Thrift Center near Kennywood. What determines Kayla’s outfit of the day? “I look at the weather app first. What Mother Earth is telling me that day, determines how I will feel.” Thrifting can be challenging for new thrifters, “it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack sometimes.” According to her, it’s all about strategy— make a list of things you need for efficiency and the sake of your budget and you will find what you want out of thrift shopping. For more examples of her style, you can follow her on Instagram for thrifted and DIY ensembles @Mylifeaskaylataylor and @madebykaylataylor.
Her style in three words: chameleon, comfortable, and hippie
Gryphon Ludwig
Gryphon Ludwig is a self-proclaimed elaborate dresser and avid thrift shopper. You may see them around campus wearing billowy-sleeved tops, lace, crop tops, and leather pants to name a few items they wear. They shop at the Goodwill adjacent to Cranberry because it receives gently used and new clothing from affluent donators, and Avalon exchange. Gryphon really experiments with fashion in an interesting and engaging way. Shopping based on neighborhood economics and style is always fun.
It takes time to find what you want, but is worth the while. “Some people come up to me and say, ‘I could never wear that.’ Anyone can wear anything unless it is not sized right, but in generally, you have to wear the piece of clothing and not let it wear you,” Gryphon says. Gryphon loves wearing black and taking inspiration from previous decades, as looking back is looking forward. Their style is influenced by “exploring how [their] style shifts over time” and finding what works for them by “trying everything on while thrifting.” You can follow Gryphon’s Instagram: @changeling_child.
Three words describe their style: Retro, Goth, Vampire
Thrifting is a great way is great to express your fashion sense while caring for the environment. Are you interested in putting sustainability in your style? Natalie Callahan is creating a fashion club for students. Follow their Instagram @chatham.alamode for details on joining up and making the campus your runway.
