“Thrifting is practically a lifestyle,” said Madelyn Barrett, a Brookdale student who loves thrifting said, “It’s like a new sport.”
Thrifting is Gen Z’s new pastime.
Style has always been an ever changing pattern within generations. From bold looks to earthy aesthetics, grunge patterning, and even 2000s It Girl fashions, these different looks have always impacted individuals who care about fashion, luxury or decor. With the country on the brink of a recession and malls closing all over the United States, stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army and even Plato’s Closet have found growing success all under the guise of affordable clothing.
These are all thrift stores.
Typically, thrift stores tend to cater to all demographics, especially those looking for nice items at a cheaper cost. All of the goods sold at a thrift store tend to be secondhand, donated and marked down significantly for the consumer’s pleasure.
Thrift stores have an array of items they sell.
This could be clothing, furniture, decor, etc. The goal of a thrift store is to provide affordable shopping while also producing sustainability. Instead of people throwing away used goods, they just become repurposed and sold at a better price that others can afford.
“I am an avid thrifter,” said Xavier Reid, a Brookdale student, “I try to go thrifting as often as I can. I typically just try to look for decor for my bedroom or any items I may find cool, especially because it is so affordable.”
A lot of thrift stores can be antique based. Others can be seen at a garage sale. And if looking for something just a tad bit pricer, consignment shops are also available.
Some get overwhelmed when thrifting especially because many thrifts have expanded and become more of a prominent outlet shopping.
It’s important that when shoppers go thrifting, they look through everything. A lot of the thrifts have hidden gems that one might miss.
You also should take a look at the quality of the item you are buying. Because a lot of the items there are secondhand, there could be some damages that one may not notice. Always take into account the durability and sustainability of an item.
A lot of thrift stores also tend to close early in the day, so it would make sense to plan a trip in the morning just so you have more time to go and shop. Many thrifts aren’t really found in the suburbs, so if you want more of an array of items, consider taking a trip to the city or a city-suburb to find more luxury.