Now, thrifting your clothes is considered less of an essential habit and more of a fashion statement. In 2023, shopping for secondhand clothing actually makes you cool. According to ThredUp's Annual Resale Report for last year, secondhand shopping is becoming a global phenomenon, expected to grow 127% by 2026.
For Gen Z, thrifting is more than just an affordable practice; it's a form of self-expression. With a wide range of one-of-a-kind items in thrift stores, they're able to find unique pieces that reflect their personal style. Some Gen Zers view thrifting and reselling as a challenge to find the diamond in the rough.
Gen Z's interest in the nostalgic aesthetic may not be as surface-level as it seems. They are a generation growing up in turbulent times, where instability is rife – jumping back into the past is an easy way to circumvent the stresses and anxiety associated with living in the present.
"Thrift stores can always be hit and miss," Cason said. But you never know when a store might be getting a new haul so she suggests checking a couple of times a week to score rare finds.
In the simplest terms, the strategy behind thrift store flipping is to find items you know you can resell for a higher price. The goal is to find an item at a thrift store and then sell it on an online platform like eBay or Facebook Marketplace at a decent markup that makes this a worthwhile side hustle venture.
WHY IS THRIFTING COOL NOW? (& how to get ahead of 90% of trends 😎 )
Is it worth it to thrift?
It can take months and even years for these materials to fully break down in landfills! By choosing to buy secondhand clothing instead of brand new, you reduce waste and help the planet. In this way, thrift shopping is the ultimate way to live out the ” reduce, reuse, recycle” motto!
Now, thrifting is receiving its rightful recognition as a more exciting and sustainable shopping experience. In comparison to buying fast fashion, thrifting is a guilt free alternative because shopping secondhand supports the reuse and repurposing of pre-loved clothing.
Thrifting has now become a preferred way of shopping for clothing. The resale market is expected to be worth around $350 billion by 2027, according to a report done by thredUP.
Things constantly go in and out of style, fast fashion stores are overall just not good for the environment and constantly change. On the other hand, thrift stores not only recycle clothes that could have ended up polluting the Earth even more, but they also help save the environment!
There is another reason contributing to the young shoppers' infatuation with old clothing: people want to express their individuality through their outfits, but also in a sustainable way. Now, there is a new desire to transition to clothing pieces that are not harmful to the environment.
“These days secondhand shopping is becoming the norm and, in many cases, preferred to buying brand new because of the wide variety of clothing available and the affordability compared to buying from a traditional retail store,” she said. Thrifting started to become a fashion trend during the pandemic thanks to TikTok.
Expensive dates, inflation, and loneliness are weighing on Gen Zers seeking romantic connections. Many Gen Zers are focusing on spending time and money with friends.
The concept of thrift dates back to the early 19th century when charities and religious organizations would collect second-hand clothing and sell them to raise funds for their causes. However, it wasn't until the Great Depression of the 1930s that thrift shopping gained widespread popularity.
Among the respondents, Gen Z constituted the highest percentage at 42 percent, followed closely by Millennials at 39 percent. In contrast, less than 20 percent of surveyed Boomers reported participating in secondhand shopping.
There is no right or wrong way to part your hair. But why is Gen Z so obsessed with the middle part? A theory posed by The Cut is that the younger generation is more open to accepting flaws and they therefore feel less need to hide part of their face behind their hair.
Thrifting offers an alternative to the fast fashion model by promoting the reuse and recycling of clothing and other items. By shopping for secondhand items, you can: Reduce waste: Purchasing pre-owned items helps prevent them from ending up in landfills or being incinerated, thereby reducing overall waste generation.
Secondhand shopping significantly reduces textile waste, lowers our carbon footprints, and helps conserve water. Recirculating clothing through thrifting is a solution that benefits both our world and our wallets.
Indeed, thrift store clothes are safe, but they require proper cleaning before use. Despite the initial “yuck” factor, it's no different than buying new clothes. Just as you would wash a fresh piece from a regular retail store, you need to clean thrift store clothes before wearing them.
While there's no “perfect” day to shop second hand stores, many regulars swear by shopping early on Monday and Tuesday. Homeowners tend to drop off garage sale leftovers on Sunday nights, making for new finds. Plus, the weekends are more crowded shopping days, so employees look to restock early in the week.
Indeed, thrift store clothes are safe, but they require proper cleaning before use. Despite the initial “yuck” factor, it's no different than buying new clothes. Just as you would wash a fresh piece from a regular retail store, you need to clean thrift store clothes before wearing them.
A 2022 survey found out that four in 10 consumers purchased secondhand goods, while another one-third of consumers sold their used items on the secondhand market.
Compared to fast fashion, thrifting is greener. It reduces textile waste because it does not create demand for more materials; the items already exist. Thrift stores give back to the community and offer goods to the public at a fraction of the retail price.
Generation Z includes people born after 1997, and they are the most racially diverse and educated generation of women in history according to Pew Research Center. This generation has endured war, terrorist attacks, gun violence, the Great Recession and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
