Category: thrifting

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Why we need to be mindful when thrifting

Why we need to be mindful when thrifting

The trend of thrifting has been growing since last year, and has recently escalated thanks to TikTok. 

With youths’ videos of their “thrift hauls” or “thrifted fits” getting thousands of views on the app, many have been flocking to thrift stores selling second-hand things for significantly lower prices. 

Benefits of thrifting culture

One such youth who has been thrifting for the past 10 years is Nicole Chin, 25.

She said: “Thrifting is good, because you’re buying things that have been used before and have not been manufactured. If there are more people going thrifting, there will be less demand for clothes to be produced.”

One of the benefits of thrifting is that it helps to reduce the demand for fast fashion, which is cheap and trendy clothing that retailers mass-produce, often by underpaying garment workers and making them work in inhumane conditions.

Thrifting is also more sustainable. According to the National Environment Agency, 168 tonnes of textile and leather waste was generated in 2019, of which only six tonnes were recycled. The clothing that ends up in our landfill is normally made of synthetic fabric fibres, and will never decompose.

Thrifting has many benefits, but the influx of youths onto the trend has also raised some concerns.

Over-consumption of clothing

Because the clothes are so cheap, some people have the tendency to impulse-buy anything that catches their eye at the thrift shops in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. 

But how environmentally-friendly can thrifting really be if people are buying so many clothes, just to wear them once?

To prevent over-thrifting, Nicole is quick to caution against buying more clothes than you need, even if those clothes happen to be cheap and “better for the environment”.

The social media marketer said: “It’s very important to understand why you’re even going [thrifting] and being very conscious of what you’re purchasing, because it’s very easy to get caught up in over-consumption and over-thrifting.

“How many times are you going to wear this? Is what you’re doing at the end of the day still good for the environment?”

Increased prices for people who actually rely on thrift stores

Some of us may also have forgotten the original purpose of thrift stores: to provide things for people who cannot afford them in regular stores.

The thrift shops used to be frequented by domestic workers. As they do not have credit cards to buy cheaper clothes online, they usually rely on these stores. 

If more youths start thrifting at Lucky Plaza and buying loads of cheap clothes, prices at the shops may increase, taking away cheap clothes from people who need them more.

But this doesn’t mean that we youths should stop thrifting altogether. In fact, having more people thrifting can benefit the people who rely on thrift shops, provided we can spread out the demand by thrifting at different stores.

By buying from these lesser-known thrift stores, we can help to refresh their stock and, in turn, allow people who rely on those stores to have access to a greater variety of newer clothing at low prices.

Thrifting just because it’s trendy and not because you have to is certainly a privilege, but that does not make thrifting bad.

At the end of the day, responsible thrifting culture is good for more youths to be a part of, as it encourages us to shop more sustainably.  

A representative at SSVP Shop aptly said: “Thrifting is for everyone, regardless of socio-economic background. 

“Most of the time, these donated items would have ended up in the trash or neglected in the wardrobe, and it is better to see these items with new owners or in new homes.”

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3 Benefits of Thrifting and Consigning

3 Benefits of Thrifting and Consigning

While you’re young, take advantage of your ability to slip into vintage without looking dated. From the neighborhood Goodwill to a hip Buffalo Exchange or swanky designer shop, thrift shops in Santa Rosa Beach, FL and consignment boutiques are where all the cool kids shop today. Pre-owned pieces are seriously beneficial in the sense that they are unique, eco-friendly, and high quality.

Unique. It’s a thrill to dig and find that rare piece of treasure! Thrifted or consigned apparel are sometimes historical and always one-of-a-kind; they are definitely unavailable at your local Forever 21, Zara, or H&M.

Legendary costume designer, Patricia Field, admittedly prefers putting actors in used clothing. This way, film audiences are more focused on the plot rather than identifying which trendy retail stores the characters’ ensembles come from.

Eco-Friendly. Did you know that the textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world? Cotton growth consumes a substantial amount of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and textile treatment or dyeing contributes to 20 percent of fresh water pollution.

If you care about the earth, you should consider buying secondhand. Clothes should be recycled because quite frankly, fashion trends follow a rotation. Contemporary styles frequently mimic looks from previous times. Thus, it is judicious to rock recycled, revamped, original, and most likely cheaper versions of the current craze.

Quality. Back in the day, mass-production did not exist. Moreover, products composed of fine construction and were created with exceptional handwork.

Fabric was made with 100 percent natural fibers, rather than with synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, viscose, etc.), which results in a rich and breathable feel. Detailing was hand sewn, stitched, embroidered, or beaded, for a delicate appearance.

Beads were made of pure glass, rather than plastic, thus they glimmer under lights and clink with movement. Since pieces from the past are without a doubt luxurious, Fashionistas commonly tailor vintage to cater to their tastes and fit them like a glove.

Shopping gently-used attire can be a serendipitous and experimental experience. If you decide to wander into a thrift or consignment shop sometime, remember to wear a simple outfit that is easy for try on.

Skim the entire store, keep an open mind (don’t look for specific items), and don’t let sizes constrict you to certain areas (different decades rely on different scales). With practice, patience, as well as an eye for design, you will soon begin to understand Macklemore’s enthusiasm for thrifting!

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THRIFTING SMART IS A LIFESTYLE

THRIFTING SMART IS A LIFESTYLE

When you think about thrifting, you may assume that in order to “do it right” you need to ditch all of your regular shopping habits to do so. The truth is, you can weave thrifting into your normal habits naturally and easily. And you can save money, find fantastic treasures, and save the planet while you do it.

Ready to reap the wonderful benefits of thrifting? Keep on reading to find out what you can expect when you start to incorporate thrifting into your normal shopping habits.

1. Find Designer Items At A Fraction Of The Price

All kinds of clothing, accessories, home decor and more make it to thrift stores—and that includes designer duds. Part of the allure of thrifting is the hunt, and every time you shop there’s always the possibility of coming across a designer dress or bag originally ticketed for $100 that’s selling for $5.

Even household names like Fendi and Gucci have been known to appear in a purse bin here or a sunglass rack there. If you dig through the racks, you may just be surprised by what quality brands you can find at steep discount.

2. Save Money

The average American spends between $1,000-$2,000 each year on clothing, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The kicker? They only wear about 20% of what’s in their closet. When you thrift, you have the option to save hundreds of dollars on new additions you purchase for your closet.

While exact savings will vary based on location and item, you can expect to save anywhere from 50-80% on thrifted items. Plus, when you’re ready to let them go, it’s easier to say goodbye and donate or resell if you didn’t pay full price for them.

3. Furnish Your Home On A Budget

One of the great things about thrift stores is that you can also shop for homewares, furniture, art, and more. While many people thrift for clothing, there’s an entire other world to shop from.

With sky-high prices floating around for most home decor pieces online and in traditional stores, thrift stores offer affordable pieces that still have plenty of life left in them.

The next time you’re thinking about buying a new dining table or need a piece of artwork for your office, stop by your local thrift store first—you never know what you might find!

4. Help The Planet

It’s no secret that the textile industry requires a massive amount of water and energy in order to function. Fast fashion alone accounts for 10% of all carbon emissions in the world, putting out a massive 150 billion clothing items per year, according to Business Insider. Thrifting, on the other hand, is an environmentally conscious choice.

Not only do clothes get recycled into a new home, but you can also donate the clothes you no longer need yourself. The EPA estimates that textile waste occupies nearly 5% of all landfill space—and these materials take years to break down. Thrifting is the perfect opportunity to reduce, reuse, recycle!

5. Embark On A Treasure Hunt

Nothing beats the feeling of entering a thrift store not knowing what you’ll find. Each shopping trip can yield something completely different, adding to the excitement of the hunt.

In contrast to neatly organized department stores or fancy boutiques, the thrift stores in Santa Rosa Beach, FL offer “one-of-a-kind” gems to dig for as you search each rack. As new items are added during certain days or times, the hunt can begin all over again.

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5 Most Fascinating Benefits of Thrifting

5 Most Fascinating Benefits of Thrifting

Here are some attractive benefits that you didn’t know about preloved or pre-used clothes you buy. 

Saves the Environment 

Thrifting is an easy way to go green by shopping at a local thrift store in Santa Rosa Beach, FL! The process from manufacturing to distributing new clothes takes a lot of energy and water. 

Disposing of unwanted clothing also adversely affects the environment. It can take several months and years for cloth materials to fully degrade in the landfills! 

By buying secondhand clothes instead of brand new, you contribute to saving the environment by reducing waste.

It makes wardrobe more appealing 

Whether to stay on top of the latest trends or express your dress-sense with unique and vintage clothing, thrifting allows you to create a wardrobe that’s ultimately one-of-a-kind. 

Thrift shopping is a lot like a surprise: you never know what you might find, totally a treasure hunting activity. 

Drop and shop 

Thrifting is fun with new fashion trends and dropped rates! At thrift stores, amazing deals are around every corner! 

You can heavily save on clothing, home décor, furniture, shoes, accessories, books, games, and so much more for the entire family. 

It’s a great feeling to buy more for less by choosing to thrift at stores over a traditional retailer.

Thrift for DIY ideas 

There’s no dearth of thrift store finds that are ready to be upcycled into something new; from furniture to décor to fabric, you will find it all! Keep your next DIY project in mind, and when you next go for thrift shopping, you might find great ideas at great deals. 

Saves the community 

Unlike big retail chains, many thrift stores exist to serve their customers and not generate a profit for stockholders. 

Choosing a thrift store to shop that’s driven by a mission to help others is a beautiful way to make a difference in your community.

Conclusion 

Wearing recycled clothes is no more an outrageous thing in society. Now the new generation is becoming more innovative and knows the beneficial facts to the community and globe. 

The fashion trend is more into wearing thrift clothes which is becoming a cool thing at discounted prices. 

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10 BENEFITS OF THRIFT SHOPPING FOR YOU AND FOR THE PLANET

10 BENEFITS OF THRIFT SHOPPING FOR YOU AND FOR THE PLANET

Thrift shopping, or “thrifting”, is the act of patronizing pre-loved or second hand items at a discounted price. Most items at thrift stores or consignment shops are second hand or “pre-loved”, if you will, by a previous owner but still remain in good enough condition to be loved by another owner.

Meanwhile, charity shops are thrift shops but for a cause. A charity shop, such as stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army is usually spearheaded by a charitable organization in order to raise funds for a cause. 

There are so many reasons to love thrifting and many more reasons to start to shop at consignment stores. Here are only several reasons out of many, many more:

1. CHEAP BUT QUALITY THRIFT STORE FINDS

One of the best things with thrifting is the low prices for good quality clothing and other items. They get to save money and get good deals too? Wow. 

In thrift shops, you have many options in shopping clothing that would cost you multiple times at department stores. And mind you, these are high quality clothes, branded items. Many thrift finds come from popular brand names and with some clothes, bags, and shoes still with price tags on it! Sometimes there are also new items in many thrift stores too, all for low prices still.

2. UNIQUE AND DIVERSE STYLES

Aside from saving us a lot of money and finding us good deals, they love thrift stores for the plethora of clothes, bags, shirts, furniture, and whatnots that come in various styles.

This allows us the freedom of curating own original style with the vast options a thrift store has for us. Whether your style demands a quirky pop t-shirt or a simple plaid cotton skirt, your local thrift stores have it all for you.

3. ELEMENT OF SURPRISE

Most times, thrifting is a lot like going on some treasure hunt. You never know what you will find after digging through each pile or rack of clothes, but finding a unique piece for a cheap deal is definitely a treasure find.

There is so much sense of fulfillment walking out of a thrift store with something you didn’t expect you’d find, but something you very much love. And that’s what makes thrifting most exciting too!

4. VINTAGE STEALS

Because fashion is cyclical, it is also timeless. What people wore back in the 50’s, kids these days are bringing back into style and turning it into trendy, fashionable looks. And why, of course, your local thrift store is abundant with these vintage clothing!

Want a Pinterest-worthy, trendy vintage look? Go thank your friendly neighborhood thrift shop for making your vintage #ootd possible at very friendly prices.

5. WEEKLY VARIATION

Since there are a ton of preloved items waiting to find a new home, thrift stores frequently receive donations. This makes thrifting even more fun, as there are new clothes, bags, shoes, and other products to check out every week! Fast fashion, who? 

6. AN ITEM FOR EVERYONE

Whether it’s kids clothing, wardrobe for students, a quirky gift for your writer friend, or a Christmas present for your parents, there is always something for everyone at a consignment store or at the flea markets near your neighborhood. Instead of having to hop around shops, a trip to the thrift store makes the family shopping so much more convenient!

7. REDUCE WASTE

Someone else’s trash is another man’s treasure. 

Every time you go thrift shopping at your local thrift store instead of the mall, you’re giving a new home to someone else’s clothes that would have otherwise gone to fill up landfills.

With the advent of fast fashion in the 1990s, the throw-away culture that people have developed has led to a toxic amount of clothing waste that adds up to pollution. Because of the overwhelming options they have, shopping habits have become linear and thoughtless.

8. SUPPORTING LOCAL

When you choose to shop at thrift stores or resale shops, you are choosing to support a local business. There are also some thrift stores that are social enterprises, so the proceeds of the clothing and products they sell go to a charitable cause to help in your community.

This makes shoppers leave the store feeling double better with their purchase! It’s both shopping and helping out at the same time.

9. LESSER CARBON FOOTPRINT

Would you believe that it took around 1,800 gallons of water to produce that pair of jeans you’re wearing now? And that’s only one aspect of the production process that all goes into the clothing industry. What about the manufacturing and the distributing of these clothing items?

Each part of the production for a single item has a corresponding amount of energy, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases being generated, all adding further damage to the planet. 

But each time you thrift an item instead of buying something new from the mall, you are maximizing all the resources spent on each item when you extend its life to the fullest. Plus, making a detour to the thrift store benefits both your wallet and the planet.

10. SUSTAINABLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries existing, and understandably so, as it is something very personal to each of us. Unfortunately, this makes it also one of the largest pollutants in the environment. This is why thrifting is the best middle ground between the two situations. It’s a win-win for everyone, really.

WHY IS THRIFT SHOPPING GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Shopping at the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL diverts what would otherwise be waste lying around useless at the landfill. With every piece of second-hand clothing that you give a new life to, you are also extending the planet’s life as much.

The mass production of clothing and all other fashion products multiplied supply over demand, leading people to replace items easily just because they can acquire them easily.

Just look at the United States, which is among the top polluters when it comes to textile waste, the average American produces around 60 up to 80 pounds of clothing waste annually. Let’s not forget that these materials take months and even years to fully break down in the landfills.

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Why Thrift Shopping Benefits You And Our Planet

Why Thrift Shopping Benefits You AND Our Planet

Thrift shopping is something that you either like or you don’t. For some people, the idea of wearing clothes that have already been worn disgusts them; to which they agree, if someone has been sweating in a t-shirt without washing it, for you to then wear that would feel quite invasive.

The clothing consumerism industry has done nothing but grow over the last decade. With the introduction of social media, online shopping and constant exposure to what everyone else is wearing, it can be difficult to not feel obligated to want and desire the persistent stream of clothing being released every day.

Alongside these new pieces, comes expensive prices, sweatshop labour and having the girl next door own an identical item. High-street stores such as Topshop, H&M, Zara all sell hundreds of the same dress, skirt, jeans.

“If being original adds to your personal style, then surely an expensive high-street store is your worst enemy. However, thrift shops should be your best friend.”

There is an argument that we should not be buying such an incredible amount of low-quality clothing. Spending more money on a piece of clothing that will last you longer is better for the environment and  prevents you from having to replace the item as it wears out. 

One person simply doesn’t need 5 of the same t-shirt in a range of colors. They all serve the same purpose but look different to the eye. Stores such as Forever 21 rarely produce clothing of a high, sustainable quality. After several wears, their clothing becomes worn and sometimes even broken, what a waste of material, right?

How much clothing is wasted? 

American’s send an average of 10.5 million tons of clothing to landfills every year. Let’s make some calculations based on this statistic. If the population of the United States is 325,643,513 then 10,500,000 tons of clothing divided into 325,643,513 people of America means that on average each person wastes 0.03 tons (27kg) of clothing every year.

That is the weight of an average 8 or 9-year-old child. If this amount is persistent throughout the consumer’s life, the average life expectancy for American men and women is 78.8 years, multiply that by 0.03 tons (27kg) and throughout their life, they will have wasted 2.364 tons (2144.6kg) of clothing.

This problem total will only remain an issue if the consumers continue to waste and get rid of the unwanted clothing they buy. The consumers must think about what they buy: is it good quality? Will I wear this more than 20 times? Can it be susceptible to fashion for the next 5 years?

Will you still want to wear this clothing item in 5 years time? It is these questions that upon consuming, will bring these buyers back to reality. Money should be spent wisely, there is no point in buying an item that you will “use up” like you would with a box of chocolates.

Consume Wisely.

You may be thinking, buying clothing from thrift stores, second-hand shops, it is still consuming. There is consumption of timeless to be well-used items, then simply buying clothing for the sake of it. You can buy things from thrift shops sensibly, buy clothing of a high quality so it lasts a long time.

Thrift shopping can help us reduce this incredible waste number dramatically. When clothing is donated to thrift stores, as they sort through the items, anything that is not sell-able is sent to material recycling. Instead of your unwanted clothing stocking up in a landfill, they are utilized elsewhere.

Think about where the clothing you buy was made.

The poor, cheap conditions of sweatshops in Bangladesh are a hub for large brands such as H&M, Zara, and Topshop to employ factory workers at a cost, only a fraction of the price one item of clothing is sold for. Factory workers can be earning a limited amount of 3,000 takas a month (approximately £25).

Many are forced to work 14-16 hours a day, seven days a week. The employment in other industries is so limited that often the garment industry is their only option in order to provide a stable income for themselves. The chemicals used to make fake leather have a heavy impact on the local villages surrounding the factories.

The waste chemicals are flushed into the rivers and into their drinking water, causing many children to have mental and physical problems that will limit their life. Try thinking about that when you go to purchase that cheap fake leather handbag.

This mass production doesn’t only affect the people.

Chemicals used on crops to prevent insects from attacking plants has encouraged the plants to struggle. Plants are genetically modified so that they can produce more seeds, more harvest, to create more clothing that the Western world essentially doesn’t need.

The farmers who grow the crops for this mass production system are forced to use pesticides, to keep up with other farmers and ensure they gain enough profit from their business. Living and working around so many chemicals can affect their body dramatically.

Exposure to these harmful chemicals has been linked to the increased presence of Parkinson’s disease, asthma, childhood leukemia and much more. The production of organic material is decreasing, a high demand for material means than organic cannot always be an option. Mass production and organic material cannot work together.

How can I buy clothing ethically and in a sustainable way?

Think about the company you buy from before you purchase clothing, think about if you really must spend the money on the item. It may feel like only a small help in such a large problem, but if consumers start to question the ethical morals of these high-street companies, the brands are forced to open their eyes to such an important issue.

Supporting these brands only encourages them to produce more and more clothing in sweatshops. Extend your clothing opportunity and try looking at thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL, the money goes to a good cause and you have hundreds of items to search through, that’s more chances of finding a hidden gem!

There are also many ethical clothing brands entering the market, which allow you to support the fair wages of garment workers when you purchase clothing.

Want to educate yourself on fast fashion and this global issue? 

There are hundreds of documentaries about these problems, fast fashion must be exposed to more consumers. The True Cost is a great documentary about the secrets behind the system, it exposed me to understanding these issues, so I am sure it can help you too!

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Why Thrift Shopping is Awesome ?

Why Thrift Shopping is Awesome ?

If you are unfamiliar with the term thrift shop, it is a shop that sells used items that include clothes, furniture, and books. Most often, thrift shops run for charitable reasons. However, many people, especially kids, get embarrassed when they visit thrift shops and buy items from there.

Well, those people are mistaken, as thrift shopping has several benefits other than giving back to the community. If you are still hesitant about visiting the nearest thrift shop in your area, they will help you learn more about how amazing thrift shopping can be for you, and for your kids, too! Read on as in this article, we will tell you why thrift shopping is awesome!

Saves Money

As a parent, you already have tons of financial responsibilities, and you try your best to make your kids have the best childhood as much as possible. Buying all their clothes from established brands will take up a considerable amount of your budget.

However, thrift shopping will help you save more money which you can spend later on, on fun trips, camps, toys, and gadgets for your kids, or even give yourself a treat by going to the spa or buying yourself something nice.

Waste Reduction

The process of manufacturing, packaging, producing, and distributing brand new clothes requires the consumption of a considerable amount of water and energy. Moreover, when people throw away their old clothes, this adds to the environmental pollution.

Thrift shopping is a great way to reduce waste as it doesn’t require all of these harmful processes. Shopping online is also beneficial nowadays, and one good reason for you to visit or purchase from an online thrift store is that you will not use any means of transportation, which means less pollution.

As you can see, thrift shopping can help reduce waste and save our environment in so many ways. So next time you feel embarrassed for going to a thrift shop, or your kids complain about it, remember that you are taking part in saving the earth, and you should educate your kids about how they will be contributing to cleaning our planet and reducing the amount of waste produced.

Good Quality for Low Price

Another reason why thrift stores are awesome is that you can still find high-quality items in good condition at a low price. Who said that items sold in thrift shops are of poor quality and broken? There are great bargains in them that you can take advantage of.

Thrift shopping means that you will be getting more for less. Moreover, even if you have found an item that you really like but has a dent on it, you can fix it later, and still, it will be cheaper than buying brand new, especially if it is a piece of furniture.

They mean, think about it! Any item you chose that still looks good is a used item that withstood the use of another person, and that should say something about the quality of that product.

Spread the Kindness

Shopping at thrift shops is an act of kindness since you help others by buying from them. It is not just about buying good quality products at a low price and saving money, as they support different causes and help out many people in need.

Purchasing through these shops is a great way to teach your kids the value of money, kindness, and that the important things in life are not material possessions.

The world is going through a lot, and supporting your community will definitely make the world a little better. Although, in your own city, it will have a great impact.

As you can see, shopping at thrift stores is a very smart financial decision. You get to save money that you can spend later on other important things, or travel to a fun place during your vacation. Moreover, you get to have high-quality products without paying a fortune.

Their benefits are not limited to monetary value, as buying from them helps a lot in reducing waste and saving energy and water, so it is a great way to be part of saving our planet, especially if you decide to do online shopping and reduce the amount of carbon footprint that your vehicle will emit as you transport to and from the store.

Thrift shopping from the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL can teach your kids many important values in life, like the importance of charity and giving back to their community, as well as how to set their priorities, and the value of money.

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Why you should rethink thrifting ?

Why you should rethink thrifting ?

For people that have been thrifting for a long time, it’s no secret that there are some amazing gems to be found. High quality denim, truly vintage silhouettes, and unique pieces that have the potential to completely transform your look. But, what’s often forgotten about is that for many people, thrifting isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.

New clothes bought in malls and retails stores are generally not an option for a large percentage of low-income and working class people in communities, thus thrift stores were and are one of the few resources available to remedy that socio-economic disparity.

Before it was mainstream, many people carried quite negative or elitist attitudes about thrifting. Often considering new clothes as “cleaner” and undoubtedly superior with regard to fashion trends.

We’ll interject here just to clear something up

They’re not saying thrifting for your clothing is a bad thing. In fact, thrifting is one of the most sustainable ways to consume fashion and textiles — it keeps clothing in the cycle of use and consumption much longer than fast fashion, and it puts less money into producing more and new clothing.

The point of this article is to highlight the other side of thrifting culture, the one that’s often ignored or forgotten. It is to highlight the complexity of the situation at hand so that they may make the most educated and considerate consumption choices possible.

So, what does Gentrification even mean?

Gentrification is primarily used to refer to the development and alteration of lower-income neighborhoods through the process of moving wealth and affluence into them through businesses and non-native residents.

This process changes the character of the neighborhoods and often displaces its historical residents. They’ve seen this occur in Brooklyn, NY, Regent Park and Cabbage Town in Toronto, San Francisco, CA, and many other urban cities and neighborhoods across the US and Canada.

Gentrification is harmful and has an insidious potential to push people out of their neighborhoods by means of wealth disparity and making things like housing and food security inaccessible for those who cannot afford the favored standard of living purported by the wealthier constituents.

Another angle that should be examined within the thrifting paradigm is the world of online resale — let’s chat about it

For a lot of entrepreneurial-minded young people, sites like Depop and Poshmark have become very lucrative platforms. Dually, they’ve created a rich resale market of second-hand goods, specifically clothing and shoes, that rely heavily on second-hand and thrift stores such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village, and Talize.

Where these stores were once one of the few low-cost shopping options for lower-income people, they are now a competitive arena for resellers to find the best resealable clothing and turn a profit.

As Zhu and Josic (2019) point out, “thrift stores were initially designed as charities for low-income communities to have access to affordable clothing, yet they’ve increasingly become an outlet for small businesses and resellers to turn a profit.”

It’s important to tap into the fact that charities themselves are getting involved in the profit game

This increased demand, and high volume shopping from thrift stores has created an opportunity for stores like Value Village and Goodwill to capitalize by increasing their prices.

Anyone who has shopped second-hand over the last 5–7 years can tell you that $3 t-shirts have become $7 t-shirts and the cumulative effect of this kind of inflation “makes thrifting less cost-effective for those who rely on thrifting for their sole source of clothing” (Hooper 2019).

Like most things related to money and consumption, this kind of phenomenon creates a cycle. If you’re reading this article, and thinking “well, I shop at thrift stores as a conscious environmental choice”, you should factor in this consideration.

The concept of a mass and incessant ‘thrift haul’ is antithetical to the whole idea of sustainability, because you’re still consuming more clothing and textiles with the added duality of limiting options for those members of your community that rely on secondhand shopping. People can’t and shouldn’t shop thrift stores the same way they’ve been shopping fast fashion.

So where IS the best place to shop for clothing, and how do you go about it?

Alternatively, they could do shopping at ethical and sustainable brands. However, they have to acknowledge the evident inaccessibility of these garments.

Take this from a thick-thighed previous serial buyer of American Eagle jeans: invest in staple pieces that will last you for a long time, as opposed to looking at clothing as something disposable and seasonal. Even more so, treat each garment like an investment.

Whether it be a garment you purchased at an expensive sustainable shop or something you picked up at the thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL, all garments should be treated as equally valuable and not purchased without intention or forethought.

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Students and teachers at the school explain why they enjoy thrifting

Students and teachers at the school explain why they enjoy thrifting

Shopping for pre-owned items at thrift stores has become more and more popular and has even established its own verb: thrifting. Students and teachers at the school have been following the trend as well by doing some “thrifting” of their own.

Freshman Maddy Williams enjoys thrifting for clothes because of the low prices.

“I like thrifting because I can find a lot of stuff that matches my style and it’s so much cheaper, [so] I can buy more clothes,” Williams said. “I get compliments on stuff that’s like $3 which I think is really cool.”

Senior Dominic Martinez also likes to thrift for the low prices and the diverse options the thrift stores offer. His style matches the options he finds at thrift stores.

“A benefit to thrifting is that it’s cheaper and I honestly feel like you can find a lot more of a variety of clothes at a thrift store because it’s literally everything,” Martinez said.

According to art teacher Erica Crist, thrifting is more time consuming than regular shopping. Shopping for something specific a thrift stores can be difficult because of this.

“[Thrifting] definitely takes more time,” Crist said. “Sometimes I’ll just go thrifting if I have a little bit of extra time and I just keep a general list of things that I’m looking for so I just scan the aisles really fast and look for them. If you want something really specific, then it’s a lot easier to just go to a regular store.”

Crist has noticed both the benefits and the disadvantages to thrifting.

“A benefit to thrifting is that you can save a lot of money,” Crist said. “I think it helps eliminate some of the waste in such a consumer-driven society. It’s crazy how much stuff you’ll find there. However, a disadvantage to thrifting is just that it takes a little bit more time.”

Williams has experienced these disadvantages as well. She stresses the importance of being patient while thrifting.

“You have to go through every item of clothing so you just have to be patient and wait until you find something you really like,” Williams said.

While shopping at thrift stores is enjoyable for Martinez, donating to them is just as enjoyable for him.

Crist’s experience thrifting has helped her gather helpful advice for someone looking to try thrifting from the thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL for the first time.

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Thrift Stores thrifting

Student run thrift shop creates a less is more solution

Student-run thrift shop creates a less-is-more solution

As each spring semester comes to an end, most college students are eager to move on to summer internships, jobs and activities. Packing and moving items collected throughout the year can become a burden as most students would rather leave with less – including appliances, clothing, furniture and even school supplies.

Leaving these items behind, however, can create copious amounts of waste. According to Boston College, the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year.

One University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student organization is ready to provide a sustainable solution to this challenge: Thrift. As Carolina’s first student-run thrift shop, the Thrift works to reduce senseless waste that accumulates at the end of each school year, ultimately reducing waste and saving money.

“They saw a need to address the waste generated each year by developing a better system for collection,” said sophomore Carlyann Edwards, the shop’s co-founder and co-director. “As student entrepreneurs, they want to encourage socially responsible consumerism and provide the UNC-Chapel Hill area with financial relief.

Although there is a current system in place by Carolina Housing for on-campus collections, nothing exists for students living off campus. The four student founders, Kent Andrews, Carlyann Edwards, Stephen Lapp and Duncan Richey, saw the need for an off-campus collection process and created a sustainable solution – a collection process combined with an annual Carolina Thrift sale.

To get their solution off the ground, they relied on Innovate Carolina’s Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorship, which helps students move their ideas forward and turn novel concepts into concrete solutions. 

Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorships provide financial support for student projects and programs that help UNC-Chapel Hill students learn what it means to be innovators and entrepreneurs. It gives them opportunities to put their insights into practice.

“They are so excited to be recipients of Innovate Carolina’s Dreamers-Who-Do sponsorship,” Edwards said. “Without it, they would not have been able to take those first steps to create Carolina Thrift.”

A team of 14 Carolina students oversee the organization, with each member bringing a specific area of expertise, including business, collection, event management, marketing, operations and sustainability. Carol Hee, clinical associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, serves as the group’s advisor.

Carolina Thrift’s collection efforts began April 23. Its first annual sale will be held Aug. 18 during Carolina’s Week of Welcome, when freshman arrive for the fall semester.

“Ultimately, they’d like for the annual shopping event to become self-sustaining,” Edwards said. “Eventually, they’d also like to create a sustainability fund for on-campus organizations to explore their own environmental endeavors.”

Carolina Thrift also hopes to eventually develop a partnership with Carolina Housing to combine efforts. It has also discussed the potential efforts of holding more than one sale each year and setting up a permanent thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL.

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