(NAPSA)—Along-kept secret of the fashion forward, secondhand clothing is quickly making its way into closets across America. With changing consumerhabits, thrift is not only a perfect fit to stretch those fashion dollars, but it’s one of the most environmentally friendly ways to shop andrecycle. Fashion at a Value Whether looking for fun, everyday style or that showstopperpiece, thrift fans will tell you it’s all about “the find”—the moment you lock eyes on something you just have to have andit’s selling for a steal. Seasoned thrifters shop often, as the merchandise constantly rotates. Savers, one of North America’s largest secondhand retailers—also known as Value Village in the Pacific Northwest and Canada— adds an incredible 5,000 new inventory items daily to each ofits more than 200 stores. To find the best buys, Savers recommends: * Hit the accessories—fill your closet with fun brooches, bracelets, scarves, handbags and morefor just a few dollars each. * Go vintage—check labels and fabric for ever-popular authentic throwbacks, which typically sell for much less at thrift stores versusvintage boutiques. Keep an open mind—creatively make pieces your own with a new hemline, fabric dye or some added embellishments. A little wrinkled? Imagine it washed and pressed, hanging in your own closet. * Know the sales days— many thrift stores offer discounts on certain tagged items weekly, while 50-percent-off sales are not uncommon. Sign up for store newsletters or visit Web sites to keep up with sales. Fill your closet with savvy style for just a few dollars when you shop secondhand. Cycle & Recycle Thrifting is truly a full cycle of eco-friendly habits. First, purchasing secondhand goods lessens the need for producing new materials. Second, when clearing outclosets, unwanted items are easily taken to thrift stores where they are responsibly recycled and can also benefit charitable organizations. Savers, for instance, is a for-profit operation that partners with local nonprofits and pays them a bulk rate for all goods the charities collect from the community or that are donated at the stores. This provides Savers’ partner charities a steady income stream to the tune of more than $100 million annually, while keeping items out of landfills. Each year, Savers’ recycling program saves more than 262 million pounds of goods from landfills. So the next time you need to reinvigorate your wardrobe or unclutter the closet, head to your local thrift store where you can live—and save—green. For more tips, visit www.savers.com.
