It’s a way to express identity, fit in with peers and boost confidence.
asserted
It → ’ → confidence
But for some families, buying clothes — let alone keeping up with the latest trends — is difficult when money is needed for essentials.
asserted
money → buy → essentials
At École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (LCHS) in Lacombe, Alta., two teachers are helping their students by establishing an inexpensive fashion boutique stocked with gently used clothing at their school.
asserted
teachers → help → school
It’s making a difference for students and the community.
asserted
It → make → students
“Growing up, I was a tomboy by necessity,” says Darcie Davis, a social studies and cosmetology teacher at the school.
asserted
Davis → grow → school
“I wore my brother’s hand-me-downs because I didn’t have anything else.
asserted
I → wear → anything
I know what it feels like not to fit in because of the clothes you wear.”
asserted
you → know → clothes
Davis sometimes felt ostracized as a teenager, and when she became a teacher, she noticed some of her students facing similar struggles.
asserted
some → ostracize → struggles
She approached school administrators about creating a boutique stocked with gently used clothing, but the school was full to capacity and there was no space for it.
asserted
school → approach → it
A couple of years later, another teacher, Julia Brotea, approached administration with the same idea.
asserted
teacher → approach → idea
While affordability was a concern, Brotea was also motivated by environmental issues.
asserted
Brotea → motivate → issues
She wanted to encourage students to choose second-hand clothing over fast fashion.
asserted
She → want → fashion
“Honestly, I love second-hand stores,” says Brotea.
asserted
Brotea → love → stores
“As a high school student, I used to shop at Value Village.”
asserted
I → use → Village
This time, the school had an empty office available, and the principal suggested Brotea connect with Davis.
uncertain
Brotea → have → Davis
Together, the pair created the LCHS Boutique.
asserted
pair → create → Boutique
The teachers transformed the office into a small clothing shop, filling it with donations from staff, students and community members.
asserted
teachers → transform → staff
For a while, a local thrift store also contributed gently used name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories and now a nearby university is running a clothing drive for the venture.
asserted
university → contribute → venture
Students volunteer to sort, wash, fold and arrange the clothing.
asserted
Students → volunteer → clothing
Each item costs just $2, and all proceeds go to charity.
asserted
proceeds → cost → charity
In the past, proceeds were used to support a community program providing food assistance to families during the holiday season.
asserted
proceeds → use → season
This year the plan is to use the funds to support microgrants for students who need financial assistance with course supplies, athletic fees, art materials and other needs.
asserted
who → use → supplies
But the boutique’s greatest impact may be the sense of normalcy it provides.
uncertain
it → provide → normalcy
“The great thing about this is there’s no stigma for students or staff who choose to shop at the boutique,” says Brotea.
asserted
Brotea → ’ → boutique
“It’s something fun they can do on their lunch break and another way to socialize.
asserted
they → ’ → break
It’s normalizing the idea of purchasing and wearing second-hand clothing.”
asserted
It → normalize → clothing
Sometimes You Just Don’t Have a Toonie
asserted
You → have → Toonie
Even two dollars can be too much for some students, so Davis and Brotea have found ways to ensure money isn’t a barrier.
asserted
money → find → ways
“One student who couldn’t afford the cost of purchasing at the boutique and refused to accept clothing for free asked if she could work to earn her purchases,” Davis recalls.
uncertain
Davis → afford → purchases
The student volunteered in the boutique, sorting, washing, folding and displaying clothes.
asserted
student → volunteer → clothes
“She went above and beyond helping in the boutique,” says Davis.
asserted
Davis → go → boutique
“She got four outfits.
asserted
She → get → outfits
We wanted to give her more, but she said that four outfits were enough.”
asserted
outfits → want → more
The boutique also provides clothing for important occasions.
asserted
boutique → provide → occasions
Both male and female students have found outfits for job interviews and prom, proving that a two dollar purchase can have an impact far beyond its price tag.
asserted
purchase → find → tag
Fashion as Confidence
High school is a transformative time when young people are figuring out who they are and where they belong.
asserted
they → figure → Confidence
Clothing can be a form of armour — something that helps a teenager feel comfortable and confident.
asserted
teenager → help → armour
For some students, shopping at the LCHS Boutique is simply a fun way to spend lunch with friends.
asserted
shopping → shop → friends
For others, it provides clothing they would otherwise go without.
asserted
they → provide → clothing
“I am so grateful for the boutique because I am able to buy clothes that I normally would never be able to buy, like Lululemon,” said one student.
asserted
student → buy → Lululemon
…and 6 more, not listed.
The Aporia
