The struggles of thrifting becoming a trend
People shuffle through clothing while thrifting.
Over 13 million tons of textile is thrown away each year, 95% of which could have been recycled or reused. Thrifting helps us lower this number by being a market for people to buy gently-used clothing.
The idea of thrifting has evolved over the years. In the early 2000’s and late 1990’s thrifting was used as a way for people to purchase new clothing, furniture and other items on a low budget. For those who could not afford new materials, thrifting was the only way to purchase these basic needs. However, lately the idea of thrifting has become a worldwide trend and thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales have taken advantage of that.
Amelia, a customer in a thrift store, has opened up about the troubles this new trend has caused.
“I have always come to these thrift stores to help me and my family get our clothing and materials at a low price, but I have been to almost four thrift stores in the past month and in every single one I came out empty handed. The prices were just too high; some were even higher than what it would have cost at a mall!”
The entire purpose of thrifting is to make it available for people with a lower income, and it be an activity though which people can get everything they need with what they have.
Thrifting has become so popular worldwide that there has even been an event, thriftcon. Thriftcon took place in Atlanta on March 21, where there where over 100 sellers. However, in order to attend, you had to buy an entry that ranged from $15-$30.
Rafael, a junior in high school who was thrifting, shared his struggles with being bullied in his younger years for wearing thrifted clothing and how he believes that thrifting being gentrified will affect families with lower-income.
“I would get constantly bullied for my clothing because it wasn’t on brand or new. At the time it was the only thing my family could afford. I see the same people who would bully back then take on this trend and buy thrifted clothing. It’s terrible seeing yet another way us low-income families try and survive be gentrified. We don’t do this for fun, this our lifestyle and it is being affected by rich people who believe this is “vintage.”
Thrifting is supposed to be a supportive way low-income people can still buy their necessities. Thrifting is not a trend; it is a way people survive.
My entire room is white. I can’t be in the sun for more than ten minutes. I love capturing everything with a photo or a video.
Sahira, this is such an important perspective! As someone who also grew up with thrifted clothes (and frequents thrift stores even as an adult) this is totally an issue I’ve noticed too. It’s so wild how the commodification of things so drastically changes something like secondhand clothing from something a kid can be bullied for, to something that has whole conventions dedicated to.
It’s very unfortunate that thrifting has become a trend and is affecting low-income families like this.
I was aware that thrifting was becoming a trend but I didn’t know just how much this trend was affecting families who rely on these stores to obtain basic necessities. Based on what Rafael said, I find it interesting how people can change their mindset just because something is now trendy.
Wow, what a great article Sahira. It provides great insight into an issue that many people may not know exists. It is unfortunate that it is becoming more difficult for low-income families to obtain something as simple as clothing.
I find it outstanding how such a little thing could turn into a huge trend. This is news to me since my family usually goes to small thrift stores to look around and not once have heard of this trend going on. I have seen a price change recently towards the more popular stores but, there are some out there that are still accessible to everyone.
It’s very sad to realize the “supply and demand” is taking away from providing the basic needs for many low-income families. As someone who also comes from a low-income family and thrift shops I have seen prices increase and it’s come to a point where my family even walks out of the store empty-handed because we just can’t afford it.
You bring good points and I agree with them this is a problem. You really do a good job at expressing how this has can and has affected people who used this for essential needs and its a shame.
I used to personally hate the idea of thrifting because it meant clothing that my parents would choose for me. But now seeing how it’s actually supposed to be beneficial, I definitely agree about how it’s become a trend and is being used to “save money” and “support recycling.” Since it’s a trend, soon enough, people won’t want to go thrifting anymore solely because no one else does it.
Sahira! This and your fish article are evidence of how much your writing has improved since I was EIC. Listen, thank you for writing these important articles. There is a lot that could be said regarding the world of thrifting. People need to understand that being shamed for what you buy is ridiculous! If I want to save money, let me save money. I don’t know why it is difficult for people to just mind their own business and keep their comments to themselves.
I hope the world has treated you well. I am happy to see that you still had some fight in your to write for the Spellbinder during these trying times. I want you to know that your hard work was seen and that you have something special to share with the people around you. I hope that the current social climate has not soured you, as I remember you being quite the positive beacon for those people that you cared for.
I wish you luck in your future endeavors. I have no doubt in my mind that you can overcome any obstacle that is thrown your way. I am proud of you and am extremely grateful to have been a part of your writing journey!