Each year, new trends reach the surface and rapidly spread, grabbing the attention of almost everyone, and going out of style just as fast as the item sold out. However, some choose to salvage clothes that others have decided are no longer “in,” breaking the idea of fast fashion.
The process is called thrifting. These articles of clothing that were originally priced higher are now reasonably cheaper, and range from old vintage items to new ones someone recently bought off of stores like Shein or Amazon. Thrifting has started to gain popularity amongst people who like the idea of having one-of-a-kind items, and vintage thrift stores have started to pop up more and more.
“Thrifting is really cool,” junior Madelyn Palacios said. “For the most part, whatever you find is unique, and other people won’t be wearing it since it’s usually from 20 years ago. I also enjoy the fact that it allows me to shop without worrying too much about money and getting a lot more bang for my buck.”
Many second-hand stores price their items lower, making them more appealing to those with tighter budgets or those looking to save money. Not only is it effective for saving money, but it’s also an effective way to be better towards the earth, and not add to pollution or landfills.
“I love to thrift because it’s an alternative choice that doesn’t hurt the environment,” sophomore Lily Hanlon said. “I love getting the items I have been wanting at a cheap price and knowing I didn’t take part in pollution from the chemicals and other things that big brands produce when creating their clothing or items.”
The clothes you wear are just one way you can choose to express yourself. Finding unique pieces can show off your fashion sense and personality even more, and one-of-a-kind vintage clothing can make it even more enjoyable to show off that style.
“I really like to thrift because it is like a treasure hunt. I love to be able to put outfits together in my head knowing that I don’t have to kill my wallet in exchange for me putting this outfit together in real life,” sophomore Leah Zhu said. “Also, it helps my moral conscience, as I know that these clothes don’t end up in a landfill and having people’s hard work of making these clothes go to waste by going unused in underprivileged countries.”
With fashion changing so often, it’s good to find clothing that is sustainable and attainable. Second hand shopping is just one way to shop that makes it a win-win for the planet and your wallet. Whether you’ve never thrifted, are just starting, or have been doing it for years, there are so many different items that can appeal to everyone and anyone, so you can find a hidden gem by just sifting through a few hangers.
