Is it because of the season, or are we losing the point?
I went to three local thrift stores this week and was disappointed. At each thrift, I walked out in 20 minutes or less. Maybe 30 at my last one, which was one of my favorites.
All three had something in common – overly worn clothing that actually didn’t have any life left in them. Why are the thrift stores selling clothing that is actually TOO worn?
Are we donating too much crap?
Or is the clothing no longer holding up, and we’re all losing because thrifting is just fast fashion?
Let’s Get Into It
I’ve been thrifting before it was “socially acceptable”
My grandma was a queen of thrifting, but she was a smart thrifter. Ms. Elsie thrifted cashmere, silk, wool coats, and genuine leather. My grandma was not thrifting a 50/50 blend or worn-down shoes and pants that couldn’t be hemmed. She was a shopaholic, but she was very mindful at the thrift. She knew the thrift was for higher-quality items at a lower cost. She would go to Value City (RIP) or Marshall Fields for everyday wear like T-shirts and slacks.
When I shopped with her, I was into the books, the toys, and other knick-knacks. Kids at school would dog you out if they knew you got your clothes from the thrift, so I stayed away from the clothing department. In High School, I stopped caring, though, because I found a leather Marc Jacobs bag for $10.
Nowadays, I am not sure what I will find unless I go to the bins and search and search for hours.
The hype surrounding sustainability
Back when I was originally thrifting, sustainability wasn’t on my mind. It was more about finding discount items and having fun on our Saturday shopping trip. Each time was different, and I knew that I would always find something unique. From the Cheetah Girl books to the Hannah Montana Tour Bus, the thrift had everything. Well, actually, the resale, my grandma never said, “let’s go to the thrift”, she said, “let’s go to the resale.” Before the resale became stores like Plato’s Closet or Uptown Cheapskate.
It got to a point where my grandma began to have her own. For two summers in a row, she set up tables and tents outside our house and sold clothing, shoes, and knick-knacks. My grandma loved to shop, and she loved to keep things, so the yard sale was her way of “giving it back.”
But she was doing all this before second-hand shopping was deemed “cool” and “sustainable”.
When the 2020s hit, and even before, everybody jumped into the sustainability wave. From Instagram to TikTok, you can see influencers and consumers talking about the downfall of fast fashion and the benefits of slow fashion. Plus, the importance of secondhand shopping; it’s one of the top suggestions to slow the burn of fast fashion. While shopping less and buying higher quality is another option.
Cool, but now the thrift is expensive and a bunch of crap
Once I started actually buying clothing like denim, shirts, vintage windbreakers from Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, or retro handbags like Nine West, I began to fall in love with the thrift. My wardrobe was becoming so unique and just cool. I had pieces that nobody else had, unless I scooped up a random Forever 21 shirt.
My fashion was tea, unique to me. Still is.
However, the thrift has lost its core. It’s no longer vintage windbreakers, graphic tees, and Liz Claiborne handbags. Can we blame resell culture? Are there too many folks sourcing clothing and destroying the market because they’re just reselling it at a high price? Leaving nothing for the average shopper who doesn’t go to “vintage festivals” or events.
Are we all trying too hard to be sustainable and overconsuming?
I haven’t done a thrift haul in months. I have enough clothes to style and wear.
What’s going on?
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Why is it so much crap
Knowing when to recycle the item versus donate is powerful. It’s something I am still learning too. Not everything needs to be donated; some items need to be recycled at H&M for 15% off your next purchase.
Create DIY projects from them, make pillows or a blanket. Whatever you do, don’t donate spoiled shirts and pants. If you wouldn’t wear it again, why should someone else? Especially if you are donating it to those less fortunate, be mindful.
Find a local place to take your items that are unwearable but recyclable. For Michiganders, I found NexTiles, a program that accepts textiles, sorts them, and recycles for you. Read more about them here.
High pricing
Right, so the secondhand shops are not only selling crap, but at a high cost. A shirt that has been worn five times too many is now averaging $4.80, when you could have bought it for $1.90 a few years ago. A SHEIN graphic tee costs around $7 max before shipping, but the secondhand shop is selling it for $8.
Do you see the problem? We’re paying regular price for SHEIN at the thrift, a low-cost item that’s not meant to last.
It’s not every secondhand shop
If you source an old-school thrift or an actual vintage shop, you may find some neat things. Vintage Vibes in Livonia, Michigan, is a good example.
I believe it’s time to visit stores that aren’t popularized because it seems my local thrifts are losing their flair. Or wear the clothing I already own.
It’s time to start recycling textiles instead of donating unless they are wearable and in “good condition”, fewer hauls, fewer shopping, and focusing on what’s already in our closet. We can save the thrift with better solutions.
Read my “How to thrift like a pro” post for additional tips if you want to improve your thrifting methods.
Let’s Talk About It
How has your thrift shopping experience been in the last few years?