How many times have you bought an item of clothing, only to wear it once or twice and throw it away after years of collecting dust in the back of the closet? Sadly, for many people, the answer is too many times. Thankfully, there’s a movement taking place in America that could help save us from our wasteful selves: National Secondhand Wardrobe Day on August 25.

Buying clothes second hand and donating your used clothing creates a positive cycle that is crucial for cutting back on our waste. Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding secondhand clothing stores, or thrift shops, but it’s time to bring this to light and talk about why it’s so flawed. Secondhand shopping saves you money, has a positive impact on the environment, and if done correctly, can certainly lead to a closet of some cool new pieces.

The holiday experts at National Today, the internet’s #1 authority for holidays, has three recommendations for how to celebrate:

1. Convince a non-believer

Sometimes all it takes is one trip to the thrift store for someone to realize what they’ve been missing out on all their life. Try convincing a friend who’s never experienced secondhand wardrobe shopping, to tag along with you on a socially-distanced trip. Chances are, your friend will “convert” into a secondhand shop believer and start shopping there too!

2. Try a new style

Shopping for a secondhand wardrobe means you can peruse through styles that cross decades and trends. If you’re looking to break out of a fashion rut, hit the secondhand stores to find your “inner bohemian.” If you find a piece of clothing you like, keep it. If, after a while you get tired of the piece, donate it again. Someone out there is bound to take it.

3. Clear out your closet

Secondhand stores run on donated clothing and one of the best ways to keep this cycle moving is to clear out your closet. Spend the day emptying drawers and hangers. Sort through those gift sweaters, event T-shirts, and fashion faux pas you never wear. What you don’t want, haul over to the local thrift store. You’ll feel lighter and cleaner, and what was once your trash could be another person’s fashion treasure.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, feel free to take this story and run with it!