ETSU student Katie Jenkins is making waves in the Tri-Cities with her small business, Thoughtful Vintage, which provides handpicked vintage clothing items.
Vintage resell and thrifting have become major markets in the fight against fast fashion, and Jenkins’ business offers a sustainable option for consumers.
“In 2018, I started learning a lot more about fast fashion and the industry and just how bad it was for the planet–all the textile waste, how the garment workers are treated and everything,” said Jenkins. “So, I went Black Friday shopping in 2018, and that was the last time I ever shopped fast fashion.”
Jenkins not only shops secondhand but also uses compostable mailers to ship her pieces.
She sells many vintages and vintage-style items including sweaters, jeans, bags, shoes, dresses and so much more.
For anyone who may wish to follow in Jenkins’s footsteps, she has some advice.
“Whenever you’re going thrifting, don’t be afraid to dig through clothes,” Jenkins explained. “You’re going to wash everything; everything’s going to get cleaned. If you go to an estate sale and they have boxes of clothes, don’t be afraid to dig through them–usually the best stuff is at the bottom.”
Jenkins says that the best places for people to find vintage items are estate sales and thrift stores, where you can find brands such Levi’s and Lee Jeans as well as grab some 100% silk and linen pieces.
Of course, being small business owner, especially during the pandemic, is not easy.
“My dad has his own business, so I grew up seeing the ups and downs of owning your own business,” said Jenkins. There are times when you’re like ‘I don’t know how I’m going to pay my bills,’ but there are also times when you’re doing way better than you thought you’d be.”
If you want to support Jenkins’ business, follow Thoughtful Vintage on Instagram for all their latest drops, or shop their website www.thoughtfulvintage.com.
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