Watching Wimbledon with Goodwill®

Have you been watching Wimbledon? These championships (happening right now!) are known as the most prestigious tennis events in the world and since 2017’s matches will culminate this weekend, now’s the perfect time to see what the fuss is all about! But first, in the spirit of the sport, let’s see what thrifty finds we can serve up…
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Image via nikkishell.typepad.com

The blogger behind Wardrobe Re-Fashion took a pledge to buy no new clothes for 6 months and, instead, make what she needed from second-hand goods! Some basic sewing skills allowed her to fashion two men’s polos she found at Goodwill into a cute fitted tennis dress. I love it! A little rick-rack trim added to the bottom edge matches the green in the bodice to pull the whole piece together. This simple combination technique could be used in so many different ways to create truly customized clothing. Give it a try if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, reconstructed new dress to wear on or off of the court!
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Image by tory rust via refinery29.com

Even if you can’t tell a lob from a let, there’s one ubiquitous aspect of fashion inspired by this sport that you’ll no doubt be familiar with: the “tennis shoe.” Practical and playful, in many parts of our country this term has become a catch-all for any athletic-looking footwear. These sneakers bring a casual ready-for-anything air to an ensemble and can still feel super hip. According to Goodwill of Greater Washington (DC), the Adidas Superstar (yes, the trendiest shoes we Millennials remember from our Junior High days) is making yet another comeback. They first hit the court on sports stars in the 1970s, then they were the “it shoe” in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Since we all know that fashion is cyclical, it should be no surprise that they’re back again! Check out the full blog post for some more Middle School memories conjured up by these stylishly striped sneakers.
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Image via countryliving.com

But, if you’re not a fan of athletic attire, never fear! You certainly don’t have to dress sporty to bring your passion for tennis home. Instead, upcycle a vintage racket! I’ve seen these tired accessories plenty of times in Goodwill and I always want an excuse to bring them home because of their perfect summer camp vibe. Without a plan, though, I usually hold off. But these DIY vintage tennis racket mirrors shared by Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc. (Canton) is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!  Fans of the game, this is a great way to keep the excitement of Wimbledon year-round, so click through to their post for more details.
Perhaps the best part of any sporting event, though, is watching an athlete who had a difficult start to life take home a trophy. It reminds us that anything is possible with hard work and good support, which is actually part of Goodwill’s mission! Goodwill organizations assess family needs, and encourage and develop family engagement for the citizens they serve. These organizations provide financial education to help people learn how to manage their money and save for their futures so each family member can achieve their dreams whether those be holding a steady job with good benefits or winning at Wimbledon. By donating to and shopping at our stores, you’re supporting that mission, too, so you can feel great about kicking back on the couch this weekend to enjoy the Wimbledon finals.