By Aliya Couillard, Staff Writer
Thrifting, although it has been around for a while, has been a very popular way of shopping for the past few years, specifically amongst the younger generations. These second-hand stores can contain anything from clothing and accessories to furniture and decor.
What once was just an affordable way of shopping for some, has become more of an enjoyable hobby for the younger generations. Clothing and accessories are what is typically sought after. These individuals can spend hours upon hours sifting through thrift stores finding unique and basic pieces to build their closets.
Students on campus discussed why they personally like to thrift.
“It started out because it was cheap, but as I got older I like to do it because it’s sustainable and you can find more interesting pieces than you can find at just local stores,” junior political science major Sami Jablonski shared. “I also like to do it because a lot of times I go with friends. We’ll go for a couple of hours and it’s just a fun way to spend time because you never know what you are going to find.”
That “never knowing what you are going to find” element of thrifting is a big part of why people like to thrift. Senior fashion merchandising major Alexa Jones described that element as being a treasure hunt.
“It’s really fun finding one-of-a-kind pieces and the search is fun; the hunt is fun,” she commented.
Another big reason why people particularly thrift is the sustainability of it. Because these items are second-hand, you are not contributing to the fast fashion culture by purchasing them. Junior fashion merchandising major Ivona Cracana pointed out a big issue fast fashion brings.
“Textile waste is really big in the fashion industry and it’s all we talk about in my classes. If you’re buying second hand you are not contributing to that,” she pointed out.
Cracana went on to mention capitalism as another reason to shop secondhand.
“A lot of brands out there are not really good brands like you know Balenciaga’s whole scandal. If you don’t want to contribute to capitalism you can just thrift and you can even thrift basics [so] if you really don’t want to contribute to brands just thrift,” she commented.
Uniqueness is a very common word that lingers around thrifting. It’s a word that perfectly describes what types of pieces you’ll find at a thrift store. Pieces from all different decades that you most likely won’t see anybody else wearing or owning. Cracana gave a personal take on this particular aspect of thrifting.
“I find unique pieces that make me feel more like myself if that makes sense. Thrifting helped me find my inner identity where I’m not like going out and buying outfits I see online and on websites. I’m going in myself and finding pieces that are personal to my style and it makes me more me and that’s what I’ve always liked about thrifting,” she expressed.
In the thrifting community the term “heat” is used to mean a good thrift find. Post students shared their best thrift finds or heat if you will.
“I found a pair of Nike Air 270s that were brand new and they were my size and they were only like 20 bucks,” Jablonski said.
“This bag that I got. It’s like a woven, beige, cross body but the bag itself is shaped like a butterfly and it’s so cute,” Jones commented.
“It’s this leather jacket. It looks like a Bratz [Doll] would wear it. When I thrift I like finding statement pieces and that’s like a statement jacket,” Cracana shared.
Recently, thrifting has come about on online platforms as well. Platforms like Depop and Poshmark allow you to not only buy second-hand but also sell your own items on the site. Students do use these thrifting sites as well.
“I actually just bought a pair of Comme des Garçon Converse on Poshmark and I’ve sold some clothes on Poshmark and Depop too,” Jablonski shared.
Cracana has shopped on Depop, however, has come to a recent issue with it.
“Depop, the overpricing on there is insane. I used to shop there a lot because it used to be cheap and now it’s like why am I finding skirts for 60 bucks when I know you got it for 5 dollars,” she shared.
Reselling is big on online thrifting platforms. People even go thrifting for the sole purpose of reselling the items they purchased to make a profit. Along with Cracana, Jones finds a problem when people over hike up the prices of items they are reselling.
“Second-hand companies like Thread-Up [are] super affordable and that’s still curated in a way because they go through donations and choose what’s conditioned enough to be put on [the] site. There’s ways that you can do it where you don’t have to sell a 5-dollar skirt for 45- dollars,” she commented.
For Jablonski, the idea of thrifting for the purpose of reselling doesn’t sit right with her.
“I personally don’t go with the goal of reselling and I don’t know how I honestly feel about people that thrift with the sole purpose of reselling. I think you should resell stuff if you don’t use it anymore,” she said.
Regardless, everyone does have the access to thrift and buy second hand. If you want to start thrifting and don’t know where to start, students shared some of their favorite thrift stores.
“Here, there is Crossroads which is a little pricey but they pick through the stuff for you and buffalo exchange is good too. Then there are local ones. There’s a place in Huntington called Island Thrift,” Jablonski said.
Cracana believes the best thrift stores are in the city, but she does have a favorite local store.
“Personally, I always stick with Savers because it’s near me and I have the rewards.”
It’s safe to say that thrifting is a great way to shop sustainably and build your closet. It can be a bit time-consuming, but why not make it a day? Grab some friends, a beverage of your choice, and get to hunting.
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