Shop Drop Challenge Wrap

Editor’s Note: Check out the 2016 Shop Drop Challenge! Thank You. Seriously. The Mommy Greenest community rallied behind the Shop Drop Challenge and it was amazing! I started out just asking people to commit to a 30-day shopping pause—thrifting or swapping a preloved fashion fix instead—and this year the Challenge took on a whole new dimension! 

First of all, online consignment megastore thredUP got behind the Shop Drop Challenge in a big way, donating a $500 preloved handbag shopping spree to one lucky Mommy Greenest reader. (Click here to find out who won it!)

Then people started sharing tweets like these:

95% #textiles #recyclable. Save w/#shopdrop2015 & enter 2 #win @thredUP $500 #handbag #giveaway! www.mommygreenest.com/shop-drop-2015 via @rachellsarnoff

$60/mo #clothes?!? Save w/#shopdrop2015 & enter 2 #win @thredUP $500 #free #handbag #giveaway! www.mommygreenest.com/shop-drop-2015 via @rachellsarnoff

#Fashion #pollutes #water. Save w/#shopdrop2015 & enter 2 #win @thredUP $500 #handbag #giveaway! www.mommygreenest.com/shop-drop-2015 via @rachellsarnoff

1.7 b. #clothes go unused. Save w/#shopdrop2015 & enter 2 #win @thredUP $500 #handbag #giveaway! www.mommygreenest.com/shop-drop-2015 via @rachellsarnoff

We spend $60/mo #clothes. Save w/#shopdrop2015 & enter 2 #win @thredUP $500 #free #handbag #giveaway! www.mommygreenest.com/shop-drop-2015 via @rachellsarnoff

Need an extra 140 characters to throw around? You’re welcome to share and join the chorus!

All month long, I read comments like:

“Love this challenge and hope it brings recognition to what the process of making clothes is all about” –Alexis

“I’m going to clean out my close, finally do my mending, and donate this week! Those environmental statistics really put things in perspective.” –Sadie

“I will also pledge to give away five pieces of clothing to a women’s center where ladies can just take what they need for free.” –Anita

“I pledge to stop wearing the same old clothes and wear all the clothes in my closet. If I don’t wear them, I’m going to donate them. “ –Jean

“No Shopping for 30 days seems impossible but I’m willing to try. If I can find great vintage finds in my mother’s closet I can do it at a consignment store too!” -Itzel

“I shop regularly at our local Salvation Army Store. I have found so many great deals over the years, I am always asked where I bought my outfits from and people always looked shocked when I tell them. I look great and save money and recycle and reuse!” –Darlene

“Now I can actually find things in my closet because the extras aren’t there and I don’t miss them…Some purchases are necessary. For the others I ask myself if I want to pack them again next time I move. The answer is usually ‘no.’” –Linda

“I’m in! I started Jan 1st and donated two large bags of clothes. I now know what’s in my closet and dresser!” –Jennifer

“Done! I pledge no wasted money on clothing for 30 days—my husband’s gonna LOVE this!” -Jill 

Challengers talked about their favorite preloved finds, including a Coach purse, a 1950s faux fur coat, Marc Jacobs dress, Jil Sander skirt—and lots of amazing vintage pieces inherited from Mom.

Although we had only about 100 participants, I think the effects of the Shop Drop Challenge will trickle down throughout the year—encouraging all of us to thrift and swap more and shop less.

Together, we saved 600 pounds of textile waste from going into the landfill, and $6,000. Next year, the sky is the limit!

Did you participate in the Challenge? Why or why not? If you did, is or was it easy or difficult? Do you plan to take the Challenge again next year? Please tell me about it, in comments below. Thanks!