I am going into my fourth year as a fashion and retail studies major, and I have learned so much about how fashion impacts the environment and about my impact, by buying unnecessary amounts of brand new clothing.

Many of the lectures and readings I did for my courses encouraged going to thrift stores and purchasing pre-loved clothing items. One evening in early May, I decided to go to a Goodwill with my friend to search for vintage summer pieces that would give off a luxurious feel.

We could not find any summer pieces from luxury brands, however, much of the clothing that we found had the same effect and a much cheaper price.

One piece that I found was a white lace tank top. Lace can be viewed as luxurious since there is a lot of difficulty and effort that goes into producing lace.

Long skirts can also give off a classy and sophisticated aura. It also offers a piece that can be worn on many occasions and with many different styles. You can pair a maxi skirt with so many different tops. Layering a gray short-sleeved crop top with a simple white shirt can be both comfortable and fashionable this summer. Pairing it with a lot of jewelry, like layering necklaces also adds a sense of luxury to the look.

While I was at Goodwill, there were also many dress options that I found to be appropriate for a formal summer night out, including a floor-length orange halter dress and a sparkly lime green floor-length dress.

Long dresses don’t always have to be for a formal summer night, they can be worn for almost any occasion this summer, from a stroll along the beach to a day out shopping.

If you are not a fan of long dresses then you can always go for a shorter option. A little black dress can be both comforting and luxurious depending on what you pair it with. Adding necklaces and scarves can always add just the right detail to a little black dress.

A long white dress is also a popular option for a beach or tropical summer vacation. By styling your hair in curls or waves you can add to the beachy look. For a pop of color in the summer, add a bright colored lip to your look.

One accessory that is well known for appearing luxurious in the fashion world is a silk head scarf. It is a common belief that a head scarf symbolizes one’s status but it is also something that can be easily thrifted.

Being both fashionable and comfortable this summer doesn’t have to be expensive. Many thrift stores list clothing anywhere from $5 to $16, and yet, they still allude to a luxury aura.

Thrifting clothing can help eliminate carbon emissions, reduce water pollution, and fight back against cheap labor that is often used in the fast fashion industry. Additionally, many of these pieces are one-of-a-kind, rare finds that you would not find at retail stores.

SHOOT LEADS Lena Wu, Samantha Harden / MODELS Paige Kadar, Abitha Vinoyi, Ngozi Onimoe / PHOTOGRAPHY Lena Wu / SHOOT LOCATION La Chatelaine: French Bakery & Bistro