MURRAY, Neb.- In recent years, secondhand shopping has grown in popularity among younger generations.
Today’s high school students care significantly about their appearances. Being on trend is important to them, especially through how they dress. However, with the cost of living and inflation increasing more every year, people are less inclined to spend money on non-essentials like clothing. Additionally, trend cycles flip quickly, making last year’s clothes no longer “cool.” So how do young adults keep up with trends without breaking the bank? Secondhand shopping, or “thrifting,” has offered them a solution.
While thrifting is more time consuming than traditional shopping and does not provide a curated selection, it is possible to find trending, high quality pieces for affordable prices. Piper G., a junior at Conestoga, says that when she thrifts she looks for name-brand items and basics. “I typically look for more expensive brands so I can get a good deal or just the basic items that I don’t want to spend a lot of money on.” Her strategy is to go to secondhand stores in wealthier neighborhoods. She says a higher quality location results in higher quality finds.
Another strategy is to look for unique items that would not be found in traditional stores. “I look for ‘grandma’ sweaters and things that I wouldn’t normally buy at a store,” explained Chloe B., another junior at Conestoga. “My favorite things are baking tools because those are really expensive nowadays, but I can get them used for cheap. And some of those Pampered Chef things, they don’t make them anymore.” Her tip is to keep looking, even if it gets boring, because something interesting will pop up eventually. Chloe B. and Piper G.’s main motivation however, is financial. “Clothes are outrageously expensive and you can get basic pieces for $5, but some stores are selling them for $20,” said Chloe B.
Younger generations are motivated by more than the lower cost. They also care about their impact on the environment. “The landfills are growing exponentially and it’s hurting the planet,” stated Chloe B. Many consumers may not realize they are harming the environment by buying fast fashion clothing. Popular brands like H&M, American Eagle, and Gap are all categorized as fast fashion, meaning they mass-produce specific items quickly. When a trend dies, the leftover clothing goes to landfills. According to an article from the University of Colorado at Boulder Environmental Center, buying secondhand, regardless of the original brand, is better for the environment. This is because it does not consume more resources or create additional pollution. Thrifting creates a fashion cycle that prevents clothes from entering landfills. As a result, young adults and teens feel less guilty of a purchase since its footprint has a cleaner impact.
Thrifting was not always viewed as a smart or trendy thing to do. For older generations, shopping secondhand is often associated with poverty. Anna Hartwig was a teenager in the 90s. When she was growing up, all of her clothes were bought at garage sales or thrift stores out of necessity. “Thrift stores were not trendy or cute usually,” Hartwig explained. “People shopped at them because that is what they could afford.” When she got her first job and could pay for her own clothes, she stopped thrifting entirely. For her, shopping directly from a company or brand is associated with higher quality and is more convenient. “Now, I don’t have time to thrift,” she stated. Younger generations have begun to change what thrifting is associated with, but it is a work in progress. “There is still a stigma that it is dirty and for poor people,” said Chloe B.
Social media’s growth has helped battle the stigma surrounding thrifting and made it more accessible. Influencers and regular people alike are able to share items they have found while thrifting on Instagram or advertise personal pieces they no longer need on apps like Depop and Poshmark. Instead of searching through racks of clothing, a simple search can bring up hundreds of items matching the exact description. For popular creators with large followings, a large portion of their income is based on thrifting and reselling, along with the social media engagement it brings.
While social media’s influence has helped fashion cycle sustainably, it has its drawbacks. Resellers have recently come under fire for buying large quantities of secondhand clothes and then turning them for a profit. Resellers rely on the public to buy their overpriced items and interact with their platforms. Combating unethical resellers is fairly easy: when they no longer receive support, they have to find other means of income.
Additionally, some people believe that thrifting and reselling takes away resources from low-income communities. Chloe B. and Piper G. disagree. “I go in there and there are a lot of clothes on the rack,” stated Chloe B. “I think there are enough for everyone.”
“If you have ever been to a Goodwill, the racks are quite full so I think either way you can find something,” added Piper G.
Whether thrifting is done with friends as an outing or alone, it can be a fun, sustainable way to upgrade your wardrobe when done responsibly. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal?
