A trip through the Goodwill Outlet bins produced an unlikely luxury score for one lucky thrifter in Saint Paul, Minnesota, according to Newsweek.
Here's what to know
Stephanie, who resells vintage and other clothing, found a luxury dress while digging through a Goodwill Outlet bin. She shared the moment on her Instagram account (@StephXThrift).
At the store, apparel is priced at $2.59 a pound, so the roughly four-pound dress cost her just over $10.
Newsweek reported its dark floral material first looked like a curtain to her. Only after she pulled it free and saw it was a dress did she begin to think she might have found something unusual.
"I thought it was a Selkie just based on the style," Stephanie told the publication.
When she checked the tag, though, she saw the name Fanciful Doll, which she said was unfamiliar to her. An online search led her to the brand's website, where the piece appeared as the Ophelia Epic Romance Gown with a listed price of $1,032 that she showed in her Instagram video.
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Stephanie put on the dress and showed it off on Instagram to boot.
"You literally never know what the thrift gods will bestow upon you," she wrote in the caption.
More background
Thrift stores can be a practical way to save money on clothing, home goods, and other essentials. For collectors and resellers, they can also offer the rare chance to find luxury or hard-to-source items at a steep discount.
"The bins is basically the last stop for clothing before the landfill, so I always want to try to save as many good pieces of clothing as I can," Stephanie explained to Newsweek.
The outlet also cited the University of Colorado Boulder's Environmental Center, which says Americans discard more than 13 million tons of clothing each year. And since many people are accustomed to seeing large piles of clothing in landfills, it might not be surprising to hear that fast fashion and overconsumption are drivers of landfill waste and pollution.
What can be done?
Even though thrift stores won't singlehandedly stop fast fashion's impact, shopping secondhand when you need to buy something can help create less landfill waste. Being aware of what you purchase and consume can also help you save more money than buying things mindlessly.
For Stephanie, part of the appeal is the constant surprise.
"I am always learning about new brands when I thrift," she told Newsweek.
Those looking to start small can begin with everyday staples like clothes and kitchen appliances before branching out into vintage or specialty sections.
And if there's anything in your closet that you no longer love but is still in good condition, donating it or even swapping with a friend can create less waste too.
Where can I learn more?
As these stories show, it seems like people stumble upon great thrift finds everywhere almost every day.
• On Reddit, a thrift shopper hit a holiday jackpot with an outfit worth hundreds.
• At one thrift store, a woman researched sweater labels and uncovered premium brands for cheap.
• At Goodwill, a shopper was stunned by a massive markup on a donated item.
• Regular secondhand shoppers can save staggering amounts annually by skipping full-price clothing purchases.
While thrifting can require some patience, the reward can be massive if you find the right place to look.
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