For decades, thrifting carried a stigma often associated with financial difficulty and the inability to afford new clothes. Though it has long been popular among certain groups, it has gained new momentum as Generation Z (Gen Z) embraces it. What sparked this shift, and how did thrifting go from being shamed to becoming a major fashion statement?
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have played a large role in transforming how Gen Z views secondhand shopping. Styling videos and thrift hauls online, uploaded by many, have influenced others to do the same. Influencers display their finds online, proving to people that they can purchase clothes just as stylish for less than brand-new clothes. This exposure has normalized thrifting and secondhand shopping, turning it into a fun and fashionable activity rather than a sign of financial struggle.
These online thrifting videos have played a huge role in the recent uprise in secondhand shopping. It has been viewed as an easier and more sustainable way for people to shop, allowing them to discover unique items that catch their eye. Shoppers may also discover old and interesting vintage clothing rather than new fashion styles.
Freshman Royce Merluza says he has seen many of these videos on his social media page.
“A lot of those thrifting and haul videos have been showing up on my feed. The quality clothing in the videos looks pretty nice and clean for secondhand items.”
According to Capital One Shopping Research, 16 to 18% of Americans regularly shop at thrift stores each year. Thrift store shoppers reportedly save an average of $1,760 per year by secondhand shopping. Approximately one-third of clothing and apparel items purchased in the U.S. over the past year were secondhand. Globally, used merchandise stores generate $2.04 billion in monthly sales.
In January, CBS Baltimore reported the so-called “TikTok boom,” with store owner Angela Showell. Showell, owner of popular thrift store Cover Me C-Me in Baltimore, spoke to CBS about the amount of attention her store was getting. She spoke on how viral TikTok exposure transformed the flow of customers from about 10 customers per week to 15 to 20 per day.
“Since then, I have had a constant 15 to 20 people visit my store a day, as opposed to having 10 a week, so TikTok significantly, and continuously, is bringing people into my store,” Showell explained.
Beyond the fashion trend and popularity, purchasing secondhand items majorly benefits the environment. Producing clothing and apparel requires huge amounts of energy, chemicals, and water. Thrifting and reusing clothes reduces water pollution, the amount of water, and harmful dyes entering ecosystems. Manufacturing and shipping also create tons of greenhouse gases that are terrible for the environment. Thrifting allows lowering the demand for new clothing production, ultimately conserving natural resources, and cutting down on the harmful environmental impacts of the fashion industry.
Thrifting and secondhand shopping can be done online as well, not just in-store. Popular resale apps available like Depop, Poshmark, and eBay have all made it incredibly easy for secondhand shopping.
The rise of thrifting and secondhand shopping has not only been a way for people to shop, but also for resellers to make substantial amounts of money. Many pieces of vintage apparel and clothing may be worth a lot of money due to rarity. Thrift stores often list their items for a bargain price, hoping to get rid of them, making this very beneficial for resellers. Many resellers look for valuable items they can find and resell them for a profit.
Senior Tom Yu says, “I have been to many thrift stores around my city, the prices on most items are usually pretty low and affordable. The different styles and choices they have are also decent.”
Overall, thrifting has grown to become a large trend that is fashionable, profitable, and environmental. Whether people purchase secondhand items to save money, find unique pieces, or help the environment, thrifting has clearly become a major part of today’s culture.
