The Rise of Thrifting Culture in a Modern Society

Doing more with less isn’t just a government buzz phrase. The art of thrifting is becoming more popular in today’s society, especially with the younger crowd. With rising prices and the need to protect Earth’s natural resources, thrifting is a useful and productive way to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Thrift stores have ever-changing inventory, fashion trends for fall and winter, affordable options for home decorating, cooking, and just about anything else you can think of.

The best thing about thrifting? Reusing still-useful things. In today’s throwaway world, thrifting is a good way to celebrate the past while protecting the earth’s future.

Who’s Thrifting?

No matter how old we are, the “thrifting culture” is tagged as that from “younger generations” — Millennials and Generation Z — who (supposedly) think more about today’s environmental concerns. Millennials were born from 1981 to 1996. Gen Z’ers were born from 1997 to the early 2010s.

Secondhand clothing and reusable products are sustainability in action. Reusing and repurposing clothing, fabrics, furniture, décor, tools, kitchen items, and other objects cuts back on the need to produce new (and more expensive) items. People who live in the best cities for thrifting know that creating one’s own personal style can start with finding just the right “what is it?”

Digital Thrifting 

The old-fashioned yard sales of the 20th century are still around, but digital yard sales became a ‘thing” in the 1990s, with “buy just about anything” sites like eBay. Poshmark and Mercari are high-fashion resale sites with unique item listings. Etsy is popular for unique items by small business artisans. Digital resale shops allow consumers to choose whatever they want from sellers all around the world.   

Thrifting Influences

Social media is pushing the thrifting culture, as “influencers” promote sustainable fashion trends and thrifting treasures. Thrift stores are considered “in places” to look for a one-of-a-kind piece. While “nearly new” stores have always been an option for buying still-usable things for less, the thrifting culture is now a sustainable fashion movement.

Thrifting 101

Ready to hit the thrift stores? Here are some basics.

Do:
●    Bring reusable shopping or grocery bags to cut down on the use of plastic bags.
●    Take your time — some of the best things in thrift stores are the ones you don’t see at first glance.
●    Check out clothes racks where other shoppers have left their “unwanteds.”
●    Try on clothes, even if you don’t think they’d look good on you.
●    Inspect all items for cracks, tears, stains, etc. What may look like a harmless flaw could turn out to be a deal breaker.  

Do Not:
●    Focus on brand names — they are tempting but you could end up buying something you don’t really need or want. Don’t buy clothing that doesn’t fit just because you’re dazzled by that designer name.
●    Buy something that’s low priced just because it’s “cheap.” Do you really need a spoon holder? Don’t buy things you’ll never use.
●    Tire yourself out by touching everything. Walk down the aisles for a quick glance.
●    Quibble with yourself over the price of a quality item. Because the thing has lasted this long, it will last even longer in your care.  
●    Take a store off your shopping list just because it doesn’t have anything you want. Thrift stores get new-old inventory all the time.
●    Overlook noticeably antique items … they could be worth something, somewhere down the line.

Thrift Furniture

Thrift stores may have couches, chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture for sale. Used furniture is susceptible to dirt, stains, and worse… insects hiding in the upholstery. When buying furniture and fabric items, inspect and treat all pillows, cushions, and coverings before bringing them into the living space.  

 
When consumers hit the thrift store instead of the mall, clothes are worn indefinitely instead of being tossed aside because someone outgrew them. Making the most out of items allows for textile reuse, fewer things in landfills, and a cutback on (mostly foreign) manufacturing for stuff that may not be used at all.

Go thrift!

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.