Fast fashion is causing so much harm to our world. It's made to be thrown out so that we as consumers are encouraged to buy more. Thrifted and vintage clothing are pieces that have stood the test of time and are being recycled into a new and loving home.
The top three reasons Gen Z are buying used clothing is to save money, to be more sustainable, and to have more fun shopping, the report said. The market for secondhand goods in the United States is expected to more than double to 82 billion dollars by 2026, from 35 billion dollars in 2021, according to the report.
Thrifting is not only a more sustainable option, but it's also a creative way to breathe new life into pre-loved clothing. By giving new life to existing clothing, we can reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and save our environment.
Shopping at thrift stores is like a treasure hunt – you never know what you're going to find! Thrifting also allows people to save money and find unique items not found anywhere else. Thrifting also has environmental and social benefits, as it helps to reduce waste and supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs.
HOW TO THRIFT LIKE A PRO (*actually useful* thrifting tips)
Why does Gen Z love vintage?
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.
Did you know that every year nearly 84% of clothing ends up in landfills? Because I certainly didn't. Also, thrifting reduces the number of wasted resources that get burnt up from making new clothing or other textile products.
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 are numerous benefits to thrift shopping and buying used instead of new. As we mentioned above, when you buy used, you're not only saving money, you're helping to save the environment. Donating and buying used items keeps them out of the trash while preserving the resources that go into making new goods.
Affordable Prices: The thrift store's business model of selling pre-owned and gently used items allows it to offer products at affordable prices, which attracts customers looking for bargains and cost-effective alternatives to buying new items.
Gen Z sees thrifting as a lifestyle, the report explains. "Thrifting feels emblematic of the way Gen Z strays from the beaten path," Refinery29 Fashion Market Writer Eliza Huber said in a statement. "They want to be independent. They want to save the planet.
One of the first lessons I learned is the importance of patience. Thrifting for furniture, home décor, and fashion requires time and effort, but the thrill of uncovering that perfect vintage couch or unique statement piece is worth it.
1. Save Money. The clothes that you acquire at a thrift store are much cheaper than when they're brand-new with tags. Some items in the thrift store may even have tags on them, signifying that they've never been worn.
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.
Thrifting promotes the reuse of these pieces, keeping more of these materials out of landfills for a longer period of time. In addition to reducing the amount of waste we create from manufacturing clothing, thrifting also decreases the amount of energy we use to make these clothing items.
Love it or hate it, but you can't ignore the thrift culture that has taken over the fashion industry and social media. Ad. In short, thrifting translates to purchasing (usually fashion) items that are either rejected as surplus by brands, pre-owned, recycled, or upcycled by thrift stores.
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.
Gen Z nostalgia is characterized by a deep longing for a simpler time. Overstimulation is the reason they want to dress and act like we did in the early aughts. But isolation is the other factor at play. Gen Z is faced with a billion choices for any given decision.
“Emotionally and psychologically, not wearing a bra can be a statement about how you want to present yourself to the world, and also how you want to cover up very normal body parts,” she said. Dober said many women feel “liberated” by not wearing a bra, which is a sign of young women wanting to reclaim their “agency.”
Gen Z's unique mindset has blurred the lines of traditional dating milestones they inherited from previous generations. Young people today are hesitant to say that they're dating someone, much less being exclusive with them. “Commitment does mean tying yourself to something,” Emba said.
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.
Secondhand saw strong growth in 2022 at 28%. By 2024, 10% of the global apparel market is expected to comprise secondhand apparel. US secondhand market is expected to reach $70B by 2027. US resale will see accelerated growth in 2023, growing at 26%, and continue the momentum into 2024, growing at 33%.
The more your name, brand, and available items get in front of your potential customers, the more likely you are to send those sales into overdrive. Get started with free advertising through signs and social media, but also consider purchasing small ads in your local newspaper or on billboards, etc.
