Thrifting is the predominant fashion trend of the 2020s. Nothing else even comes close! It makes sense when you think about it; it’s the perfect crossroads of nostalgia, affordability, and sustainability. The social climate going into the 2020s was perfect for the rise of thrifting in popularity. Millennials and Gen Z combined have absolutely massive purchasing power, and they shop with their ethics & values in mind. One of those values is environmentalism. Their financial situation is also generally more precarious than the generations before them, which the pandemic only made worse. Many people lost their jobs, or were uncertain about their financial future, so they were looking for affordable clothes. In the strangeness and scariness of the pandemic, many also looked to throw-back fashion for a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. These generations, Gen Z specifically, also place a greater emphasis on individuality. When thrifting you can find pieces that are totally unique, sometimes even hand-made--genuinely one of a kind. So, considering all these factors, gorgeous gorgeous girls love thrifting.
price jumps
Thrifting is also so cheap. Even the fastest of the fast fashion brands can’t compete with these prices. Unfortunately, with the rise in popularity and just general inflation, prices have risen considerably, especially at Salvation Army. As someone who grew up getting all my clothes second hand, the difference is crazy. Resellers have also contributed to this increased price tag. They buy something for $6 and resell it for $40 and pat themselves on the back for having such a good eye. If you are reading this and you are a reseller, I don’t like you. Thrift elsewhere. Thrift stores have also started taking note of this and marking up name brands, and just all of their clothes in general--clothes that they got for free and were donated to them. This is an issue not just because it inconveniences me, someone middle class and pretty comfortable financially, but because it prices poor people out of the stores that were established for them. Goodwill and Salvation Army get clothes donated to them because they’re supposed to be charities. Despite this, Goodwill makes over 5 billion in revenue yearly. They also pay many of their disabled employees less than minimum wage.
thrift stores vs consignment stores
BUT despite my griping about the money grabs and dubious ethics of certain “charities,” thrifting is still extremely affordable. Sorry, I got a little derailed there. Where else can you get a pair of American Eagle jeans for $6? You can find some high quality stuff for a really low cost. Prices of different shops vary, and I’ll get into that in my recommendations, but what you really need to know is the difference between thrift stores and consignment stores. Thrift stores get their clothes donated to them, they don’t pay anything, so they’re usually cheaper. Consignment stores, like Plato’s Closet, pay people a small amount for their old clothes and sell them to make a profit. It’s still affordable, but a bit pricier than your traditional thrift store. They are also more curated. They usually have more name brands, or trendier items. Good to know, right?
pitfalls of fast fashion
Now I want to talk about fast fashion versus thrifting. Fast fashion is inexpensive and trendy, and usually pretty unethical too. Examples of fast fashion brands are Shein, H&M, and Zara. Their clothes are usually made in sweatshops by workers who aren’t making a livable wage. Shein garment makers work an average 75 hour week and earn about $1300 monthly on a good month. Taking this into account, it’s no surprise that the clothes aren’t as high quality. I wouldn’t be on the top of my game in those conditions either. Their clothes are lower quality, and rip or warp faster— so they’re typically thrown away faster. They are also reliant on trends, and with an ever accelerating trend cycle their clothes go out of style quickly and are thrown away faster. Fast fashion garments are filling up landfills, which is bad for the environment. Their materials are also very rarely sustainably sourced, even their “green brands.” Looking at you H&M. So if you thrift you can be assured that you are shopping ethically and sustainably. You aren’t supporting any brands that exploit their workers* and saving these clothes from a landfill! All of this moral superiority for a low low price.
recommendations
Now let’s get into my recommendations. If you are looking for something specific, or something trendy, go to Plato’s Closet. The prices are a little higher and they have a really annoying ad that’ll play while you’re in there, but they have the best selection of more or less recent trends. If you are really really on a budget, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has the best prices I’ve ever seen anywhere. I’d say it averages about $2 an item. They also have a 20% off everything sale every Sunday, but it does get really crowded. It is my absolute favorite place to shop. Salvation Army’s prices are a little high for a thrift store, but it has the best selection. They have a good variety of clothes. Goodwill I just don’t like the vibes of, but they do usually have pretty high quality clothes. A consignment store that I hate for no reason is the Stuff store. Something about it just makes me anxious. Ritzi Reruns is such a pleasant place to shop; it feels almost like a boutique. The prices are a little higher than Plato’s Closet, but they’re picky about the clothes they take and the quality is always good. The parking is a little confusing: you have to go around to the back to park, and you have to be 16 to be in there alone, but other than that it’s great! So my top picks are DAV if you don’t have money to spend and Ritzi Reruns if you do.
Happy thrifting!
*Goodwill does kinda exploit their disabled workers, but broadly speaking
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