Dear Fashion, I am sorry your purpose was lost in translation.
Instead of being a platform for people to come together and express themselves, you are a quick buck for the billionaires of the world. Fast fashion stores have become “the spot” for people to splurge on clothes they will not consider wearing in the years to come. Instead of investing in timeless clothing pieces, people are contributing to ten percent of the world’s carbon emissions. If only there were a place to shop that was sustainable yet inexpensive. Maybe it is time to give thrifting a chance.
Budget-friendly Joys
In a time when putting on a cute outfit is essential, buying the newest microtrend that pops up in stores is impractical. Since January 2020, the cost of apparel has increased 7.8%, with monthly spending on apparel alone increasing by 72%. People are constantly spending money on expensive brands that they saw on someone’s latest TikTok haul. If you step into any store in a mall, one shirt alone would be $25. With a mere $20 bill in your pocket, you could get a pound of clothing at a thrift store. Shirts, pants, bags — you name it — all retail for prices $10 or less, not to mention the daily discounts that are given based on the color of the tag. The joy from finding a gorgeous piece of clothing for a low price is unmatched. It feels like an adventure hunting through the racks of clothing trying to find the perfect piece to add to your collection.
Sustainably Stylish
Fast fashion brands have grown in popularity in recent years. They have become the pinnacle of fashion for those of us who are not in Vogue or Cosmopolitan. Nonetheless, popularity does not negate the fact that fast fashion is affecting our planet. For example, water sources and rivers are drying up and are getting polluted. Fast fashion brands will only continue to grow the more we fund. This is where thrifting comes in. Fewer things are thrown away when you thrift because people are buying them, causing less waste for the planet. When you go thrifting, you are reducing, reusing and recycling. Thrifting is repurposing clothes and giving them a whole new life.
Chic and Cute
Helping the environment and saving money are not the only benefits of thrifting. There is one added benefit that to some might be the most important — the style! With material, colors and patterns galore, one can find anything at the thrift store. Vintage pieces from the ’70s and ’80s or newer styles can be found. You can curate your closet to be as unique as possible. There is also a lesser chance of accidentally matching with a stranger. Thrifting has gained popularity in recent years, especially amongst Gen Z consumers. Shopping at secondhand stores has promoted individuality and a way to express oneself in a sustainable way. No longer is thrifting viewed merely as a shopping option for people with tighter budgets; now, it is an innovative and cool way to shop for clothes.
Still a Steal?
Thrifting continues to rise as a trendy way to shop, which takes away from the purpose of second-hand stores. While items in thrift stores still sell at lower costs than clothing in retail stores, prices are climbing at thrift stores as well. At popular thrift stores like Goodwill, prices have increased significantly since thrifting became popular. Their rising prices are causing potential customers to reconsider shopping there. Shoppers must wonder why buy used clothing if it is almost the same price as brand-new clothing. As people flock to thrift stores, they have the power to buy many pieces of clothing just because the price is lower, which could also promote overconsumption. While most people usually budget when shopping at the mall, at a thrift store they might indulge in more clothes than they need. While the potential for overconsumption is a darker side to thrifting, it does not overshadow the much darker side of supporting fast fashion brands at the mall.
In closing, Fashion, maybe you have not completely lost your purpose. There are still ways to express ourselves without contributing to the demise of our planet and emptying our pockets. While not everyone in the world is going to stop shopping at fast fashion brands, it is important to be mindful of where your money is going. Give your local thrift store a try; you never know what treasure you might find.
