Gen Z Students Teach Their Professor About Thrifting

9/10/2021

by David Hagenbuch - professor of Marketing at Messiah University -
author of Honorable Influence - founder of Mindful Marketing

Remember the excitement of your first time wearing a new jacket or pair of shoes? Did you wonder how the original owner felt when they wore them? You probably didn’t unless you’ve been part of one of the hottest consumer trends--thrifting. For a variety of reasons, it’s now fashionable, especially among Generation Z, to shop secondhand, but this Gen X marketing professor wonders if it’s smart for the apparel industry to embrace a fad that may dissuade people from purchasing its new products.

Scanning my marketing news feeds a couple of months ago, a headline caught my eye, “Letter from Gen Z: Why thrifting is the future of fashion.” Thinking it was a bold prediction, I saved the article to discuss with my fall classes. The semester started, I shared the piece, and I’m stunned how passionate so many students are about thrifting!

However, on the first day of Personal Selling class, before I even mentioned the article, I asked each person to ‘sell us on something important to you.’ With great enthusiasm, a student named Brooke shared how much she enjoyed thrifting. Her tremendous passion for the practice was obvious to all, and very surprising to me.

My impression had long been that shopping for secondhand items was something mostly people on very limited budgets did out of necessity, to save money. Similarly, those who did frequent aftermarket sellers certainly wouldn’t brag about what they’d bought. Apparently, that stigma has subsided, and college students, some of whom come from affluent families, are among those most active in propagating thrifting’s new-found popularity.

To get a better picture of thrifting behavior among college students, I created a brief online survey that I shared with my four classes; about 70 students completed it. The results revealed some surprising behavior, for instance:

70.4% of students had purchased used clothing three or more times, and 54.9% had done so seven or more times.
The most likely places to purchase used clothing were traditional thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army (39.4%), followed by retailers and brands that sell both new and used clothes, such as H&M and Levi’s (33.8%), then consignment stores (22.5%), and finally flea-markets (7.1%).
The strongest motivations for buying used clothing were cost (49.3%), followed by fashion (16.9%), then desire for old/vintage (11.27%), then impact of influencers (2.8%), and last environmental concerns (1.4%).

Before the survey, I didn’t think that so many college students were actively thrifting. To my surprise, only 9.9% of those who responded, said they’ve never purchased used clothing. I was also surprised that the places they thrift are rather evenly distributed.

Comparing the two different findings, it’s remarkable that the percentage of those who are very likely to frequent even the least popular thrifting place, flea-markets (7.1%), is not much lower than the portion of people who have never thrifted (9.9%).

On one hand, seeing cost emerge as the top motivator for thrifting was not surprising; however, I had expected its percentage to be even higher, e.g., 90% or more—again, I always thought that saving money was the only reason people purchased used clothing.

As it turns out, the desires to be fashionable and to own old/vintage clothing were also very compelling. Along those lines, I realized that my simple survey failed to ask about what may be one of the most important motivations!

At the end of the survey, an open-ended question invited respondents to share any other thoughts about thrifting. Seventeen students seized the opportunity and offered responses that included the following:

“I love it so much!”
“I love to thrift and over half of my closet is thrifted.”
“Very cheap way of finding trendy clothes”
“It’s how I get 90% of my clothes.”
“I love that I can find articles of clothing that no one else is likely to have. Thrift finds are one of a kind. I also buy clothes from stores like Target, but my purchases [there] are not as unique [emphasis added] because other people have the ability to buy the same thing. Thrifting grants me a more unique [emphasis added] wardrobe!”
At least 50% of my clothes are thrifted, I absolutely love thrifting - both because it limits waste in the fashion industry and because it’s fun! [emphasis added]

The last two comments contained two words that were both eye-opening and full of marketing implications:

1) Unique: I remember, not long ago, when young people wanted to look like everyone else. To be one of the few people who didn’t have the popular brands of sneakers or jeans was often an ostracizing experience.

Now it seems that many Gen Zers want to own clothing that not everyone else is wearing. Moreover, items that are one-of-a-kind, like those that can be found through thrifting, are even better, as they help express individual identity, which mass marketed products can’t easily accomplish.

2) Fun: In my thrifting survey, I kind of included a question about wanting unique clothing (“old/vintage”), but I completely overlooked the idea that members of Gen Z thrift because they enjoy the thrill of the experience.

For many, thrifting is a kind of treasure hunt in which they may or may not know exactly what they’re looking for, and what they find may be a complete surprise. It’s exciting for almost anyone to come across something special that others are unlikely to locate.

Both of these motives, as well as some of the others, are instrumental to the thrifting behavior of Brooke, introduced above, who has been buying secondhand products for 3-4 years and goes thrifting once every two or three weeks. In those outings, Brooke has found used bargains on everything from American Eagle clothing, to Ugg boots, to Vera Bradley bookbags.

Cost is certainly a motivation for Brooke; in fact, she says she loves saving money and showing people the great buys she gets for ¾ of regular retail prices. She also says that she now has “a hard time spending full price on clothing at retail stores.” However, Brooke also enjoys the excitement of thrifting:

“I get a thrill in not knowing what I’m going to find. You don’t know if you’ll walk in and find brand new Nike shoes for $40 or Lululemon leggings for $30, and that’s the fun in thrift shopping, the unknowns.”

There’s little question that many members of Gen Z enjoy thrifting for a variety of reasons, but what can/should marketers do with that consumption behavior? After all, most clothing brands are in the business of selling new clothes, not used ones. Some, however, have found ways to do both, and apparently make money.

One of those brands is the iconic blue jean maker Levi’s, which has made an entire enterprise out of buying back and reselling its used denim. The company runs a well-developed website, Levi’s SecondHand where it resells its classic jeans, jean shorts, denim jackets, and more.

Even though they’re used, the items aren’t cheap. For instance, the site sells preowned men’s original fit 501 jeans for $38. On a recent Labor Day sale, Macy’s offered the same jeans new for $41.70, or less than $4 more. Levi’s used product site also sells Vintage 501 Shorts for a pricey $78 a pair.

However, a webpage that describes Levi’s SecondHand explains why someone would want to pay a premium for preowned: “Denim from past seasons that’s already beat-up and broken in. In other words, perfect.”—That sentiment is very similar to the survey finding mentioned above about generation Z liking clothes that are old, vintage, and unique.

The company also touts several other advantages of SecondHand, especially sustainability:

“If everybody bought one used item this year, instead of buying new, it would save 449 million pounds of waste.”

“Levi’s SecondHand keeps coveted pieces in circulation. It’s all about connecting people to timeless styles they otherwise may not have found, and most importantly, saving clothing from going into a landfill. Old denim has never looked better.”

A big question that remains is if selling secondhand is sustainable for Levi’s. Sure, used denim may be what consumers want and what the environment needs, but can the company make money in the clothing aftermarket? If not, the program has little potential.

Levi’s SecondHand isn’t yet a year old, so longevity is still not the best indicator. However, if the company is successful selling some used products for only a few dollars less than they sell for new, and others for even more, it seems likely that the firm, free from manufacturing costs and with relatively little added overhead, must make a healthy margin on each piece and turn a profit on the program as a whole. Interestingly, over the past year Levi’s stock price has increased significantly, from $12/share on September 21, 2020, to $26.50/share on September 6, 2021.

Can other clothing companies pull off a secondhand program like Levi’s? Few have the history and brand equity that the iconic jean maker enjoys; however, consumers’ appetite for used clothing and the favorable cashflow suggested above serve as an invitation to other suppliers. Furthermore, the fact that those who have entered the aftermarket include clothing retailers J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Madewell, and Nordstrom, as well as the furniture behemoth IKEA, suggests the viability of selling secondhand.

When you think about it, it’s not unusual for manufacturers and new product retailers to sell used products. Auto dealerships have been doing so for a century or more. Part of the reason people are willing to pay so much for new cars is that they know when they’re done driving them, someone else will buy them. Whether it’s Levi’s or Lexus, high resale value is a hallmark of a strong brand.

Still, an important moral issue remains, which a second member of Gen Z brought to my attention. Katie, also a marketing student of mine, helped me see that consumers have a responsibility to ‘thrift ethically.’ Inspired by a variety of posts she’d seen on Instagram and a visit to a thrift store in Colorado, Katie suggested that consumers shouldn’t shop in “low-volume, high-populated areas” and that they should avoid patronizing secondhand places “outside of their fiscal demographic."

The overarching reason for these sensitivities is that some desirable-brand item that we buy in a thrift shop as a ‘little luxury’ might be the same item that a more impoverished person would buy out of necessity. As consumers, we are often accustomed to there being plenty of products for everyone, but Katie reminded me that what we buy secondhand may be taking something away from someone who needs it more.

Of course, not every product lends itself to a profitable aftermarket, but many do. Consequently, for the sake of environmental, financial, and social stewardship, more companies and consumers should consider how they might responsively market and purchase preowned products. Whether new or used, items that offer value to buyers and profit to sellers, can be considered “Mindful Marketing.”

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28 Comments

Kiana Haldeman

9/13/2021 10:15:33 am

I absolutely loved being able to read about the marketing and ethics aspect of thrifting. As a secondhand shopper myself, it was interesting to learn that others have the same experiences and thoughts regarding thrifting. The topic of enjoying the “thrill of the experience” resonated with me. I love being about to find a good deal and feel good about the money I saved. Plato’s closet is my favorite location to shop because they have quality clothing at lower prices. Last month, I purchased three Lululemon articles of clothing at Plato’s Closet, and my total bill was under $50. Normally, one pair of leggings from Lululemon could cost over $100. When I purchase a new item from Lululemon at full price (this rarely happens) I am always super cautious where I wear it because I do not want something to happen to it since I paid so much money. However, if I found the item at Plato’s closet and paid less, I do not worry as much if it were to get damaged. The feeling of “never knowing what you could find” exhilarates me and drives me to continue thrifting. It is truly like a treasure hunt! Another topic in the blog that resonated with me was the thought of someone in need deserving to find the bargain more than I do. This defiantly relates to the ethical aspect of consumer behavior. Personally, I feel less guilty about finding a deal at Plato’s Closet because the business buys clothing from individuals and sells it to make a profit. However, thrift stores such as Goodwill and Community Aid receive donations, and the prices tend to be lower than Plato’s closet.

Maggie Johnson

9/14/2021 11:27:41 am

As a person who is an avid thrifter myself, I found myself relating to so many things that were said in the blog post. I love the overarching idea of being able to save money, help the environment by recycling and going on a treasure hunt where I'm not completely sure what I'm looking for. The locations that I have found the most success in my treasure hunting would be at Plato's Closet and GoodWill along with another small business that is run my a girl that I went to high school with. As thrifting became more and more popular and the teens and young adults in my area would constantly be running into each other at the local thrift stores one girl had an idea to start an online thrift shop of her own using the social media platform Instagram. She would go either by herself or with a few friends to the thrift stores and buy good quality items, name brands or even items that she could use pieces of to recycle and make her own pieces and then post and sell them in an auction setting on her Instagram @ctthrifts. I have bought countless items from her, and a few other Instagram accounts who have come up with the similar idea. This keeps the fun and excitement of finding the items, paying the low dollar amount and helping the environment without the tine that it takes to sift through the racks at the stores. The stigma that used to be attached to thrifting and second hand shipping has 100% subsided. It was previously only thought that people who couldn't afford the name brands and to pay full retail price would shop in this fashion. Whereas now, many people, myself included, have a hard time paying that full price when we know that there is a more sustainable and unique way to shop.

Tori Williams

9/14/2021 02:10:26 pm

I found it interesting in this article that while thrifting allows customers to have a chance of more unique items, that usually people have similar experiences. I love the idea of thrifting because I relate to the idea that it is like a treasure hunt. You never know what you are going to find, and that idea is exciting. I often get bored going to commercial stores because they tend to be very similar. I enjoy that every thrift trip is a new experience. I also enjoy the other aspect of thrifting not mentioned in the article, donating. I like to keep the cycle going by not only buying used clothes but also by donating the clothes I do not wear a lot anymore. I feel like thrifting leaves me without buyer’s remorse because you can always find a good deal and help the clothes from being thrown out. I also was surprised that some companies are taking back their old products and reselling them. I think that is a smart move, since the company is now getting the revenue that it otherwise would have lost. It also allows the company to present itself as more green because they are trying to have less waste with their products.

Kayla Momose

9/14/2021 08:38:38 pm

I didn't realize that Levi's puts so much effort into reselling their used pieces! Personally, I prefer to shop at local thrift stores because it's much cheaper, there's better selection, and it directly benefits my local community. This past summer I went thrifting almost every week. Fashion has become one of my hobbies and with thrifting I have zero guilt about spending money on clothes. Like Brooke from the article, I now have extreme difficulty paying full price for clothes, even at cheaper retailers like Target or H&M. Not only are they more expensive, but the clothes are generally of lower quality than I can find at a thrift store. I also thought the shift in public attitude mentioned in the article from wanting to dress like others to wanting to dress uniquely was interesting. I'm not very old, but I do remember when I was in middle school my peers all wanting to own the same Adidas joggers or Nike shoes as everyone else. Now our culture is in a place where people are encouraged to find their unique style and wear whatever clothes they want. Personally, I'm glad for this shift because I feel the freedom to express myself in the way I dress.

Sarah S.

9/14/2021 10:19:23 pm

Unlike the article, I don't go thrift-shopping. There are not any thrift shops near me, so it is much easier for me to go to Marshall's or TJ Maxx. They also have deals similar to thrift stores. However, their clothing is not already worn. I am not the biggest fan of buying clothing from thrift stores that someone has already worn. Therefore, I don't own anything from a thrift store, but I do see the draw to thrifting. The thrill of thrifting comes from not knowing what you will find when you go shopping. I get this feeling when I shop at TJ Maxx and Marshall's, as well. It is also nice to buy clothes at a cheaper price and that can be reused rather than thrown away. Many teenagers are into sustainability, so they like to go thrifting because it is better for the environment. Moving forward, I never thought that my secondhand purchase could be taking away something that someone less fortunate really needs. I will definitely think about this if I ever end up going to a thrift store. Likewise, I really don't need to buy items from a thrift shop, and would rather save the items for people who really need them.

Isabella kern

9/14/2021 10:57:29 pm

This topic makes me very excited. I have been thrifting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I remember going to local thrift shops for discounted clothing. Now I'm realizing it may have been out of necessity, but at the time, I still had fun with it and always enjoyed searching for clothing I liked with my mom and sister. Currently, I do still enjoy thrifting. I love finding clothes for cheaper prices, but at the same quality as high priced items. The article did present a factor that I had not previously considered: the thrift shops should be left for the less fortunate so that they have more options for clothing that is in fashion. I disagree simply because if everyone stopped shopping at thrift stores, their prices would have to go up in order for them to stay in business after a huge loss of consumers. The impoverished people would no longer be able to afford the cheaper clothes because they would no longer be cheap. However, also on that note, I think there should still be an option for poorer people to get the clothes that they need. Whether it is a nonprofit, or maybe a special sale day at Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Katie Wilkin

9/15/2021 09:02:47 am

This article was very interesting for me to read! I did not realize that thrifting had become such a popular activity in the past couple of years. Growing up, I really enjoyed going to thrift stores to find costumes and articles of clothing that I would only wear once. This was driven by the price of the products, and my mom's reluctance to buy something for full price that I would only wear once or twice. Thrifting fell by the wayside for me during my middle school and high school years, however, once I entered college, my friends and I would go several times during a semester. I loved being able to find quality clothes for such a discounted price and it really has really helped me with my finances, especially since I am in school full time. Until I read this article I was unaware that Levis did the secondhand program. I think that is a great idea and that more companies should adopt that practice as well. Looking at it from an environmental standpoint, thrifting saves the world from extra waste and is environmentally friendly.

Leah Bryner

9/15/2021 01:08:25 pm

The statement, “I always thought that saving money was the only reason people purchased used clothing,” was something I used to relate to until a little later in my life. I mainly thrifted because my parents wanted to save money. I was a growing kid, and they found it pointless to buy brand new clothes when I would just grow out of them in a few months. I enjoyed thrifting when I was young because I could buy a large quantity of clothes for a lower price. I could get few items for a brand-new priced item or more items for a less price. I was perfectly fine choosing the second option. As I got older, I realized that the items I was buying were super unique and often people would always ask me where my clothes were from. I enjoyed the fact that I had different items than all the pieces in the popular stores. Thrifting sparked my creativity and still does. I like the excitement of not knowing what I’m going to find. With thrifting, I’m able to buy a higher quantity and more of a variety of clothing for a great price that normally would only buy me like three shirts from a regular retail story. I like the idea that Levi’s are trying to sell used items but at the same time, I think thrifting is also an experience that is hard to replicate if it is forced or only done for profit. I love that it is helping the environment which would most likely weigh out the con of not being an authentic thrift find.

Jenna Lutz

9/15/2021 02:15:07 pm

I loved reading this article because I am also someone who is big into thrifting! I love how it described thrifting as a treasure hunt, because it truly is. You enter the store not entirely sure what you're looking for, but then all of the sudden you see a piece that you love and gets you excited! I also love how it was described as a thrill. You don't realize it in the moment, but part of thrifting is that overall experience of searching and the excitement when you find a unique piece. I love how more and more people have gotten into thrifting lately because it is truly a great way to stand out and make your closet what you want it to be, not just what is in H&M and American Eagle. It helps people create their own identity in their fashion and embrace those unique pieces nobody else has. I was surprised that the last motivation for thrifting was the environmental concerns. Especially in today's day and age, our generation is very concerned about the earth and how fast fashion effects it, so I was expecting that to be a higher motivation to thrift than it was! All in all, I loved reading this article and knowing so many others love to thrift as well!

Ava Jade Moore

9/15/2021 02:19:36 pm

I enjoyed reading this article. I love the idea of thrifting. It is both good for the environment and it gives people a new way to shop for secondhand clothes. Personally, I went thrifting a couple times and it was difficult for me to find good finds. I usually go to a "well known" store and look at the clearance rack. It was interesting reading about the Levi's secondhand shop. I love how they are making their clothing more affordable while keeping the authenticity in their clothing. I also found it interesting in the quote about how "if everyone bought one used piece of clothing, it would save 449 million pounds of waste." That is so crazy to think about how buying from a bigger store can increase the amount of waste produced. All in all, I think thrifting is a great way to buy clothes. Essentially, it's buying cute clothes at an affordable price.

Dominic Lucyshyn

9/15/2021 02:49:19 pm

I found this article very interesting to read. I have bought some clothes from thrift shops such as Plato's Closet, and Once Upon A Child. I also have donated clothes there in return. I had no idea that a ton of people in my generation have thrifted. Normally, I hear people talking about all the new clothes that they have bought, like my sisters. I did enjoy reading some of the key points being brought up, such as thrifting ethically because people who are not well off, may need it more. I also found it very interesting that some companies such as Levi's, sell used clothing.

Libby Lozano

9/15/2021 05:04:26 pm

Thrifting has many beneficial aspects that make it attractive to many people. Like what was stated in the post, thrifting is: entertaining, rewarding, environmentally conscious, and affordable. I also thrift for similar reasons as to what was stated in the post. Thrifting provides consumers with many benefits, needs, and wants that retailers can not offer. For me, thrifting provides me with affordable items that would cost me so much more if I were to buy them at retailers. Why would I want to spend $30 on a basic t-shirt when I can buy a t-shirt for about $5? Even though a thrifting item might be worn out compared to a new item, it still functions the same way as the new item. What I found interesting from the post was how thrifting back then was looked down upon and was mostly seen as a need (for people who could not afford brand names). But now people are thrifting not because of necessity but because they want to. People who are shopping at thrift stores want to pay lower prices even though they can afford items that cost more.
In thrifting, the searching process provides people with an engaging and entertaining environment. It’s as if you are looking for a hidden gem or playing where is Waldo. You never know what you are going to find and when you are going to find it. This is what keeps people searching for hours and even across multiple thrift stores. It is rewarding when you find unique items after searching for so long, and makes your trip to the thrift store feel more worthwhile. The aftermath of purchasing the item can be entertaining. Thrifting provides consumers the ability to customize the items to their personal tastes and unique styles. A lot of people after buying thrifted items would customize the clothes using various methods (painting, sewing, cutting, type-dying… etc.). This provides people with fun art and craft projects and customizations. It also allows people to create unique clothing items because consumers add their personal touch so no one else would have the same item. People are fine with customizing items that cost them $5 than an item that cost them $50. People are also becoming more educated on the detrimental factors of fast fashion. The recyclable factor of thrifting prevents clothing from damaging the environment by ending up in landfills and brings awareness to the mistreatment of sweatshop employees. Thrifting is a trend that uses mindful marketing skills that are beneficial for many people and for many reasons.

Amaris

9/15/2021 05:15:19 pm

After reading it was interesting to see how far thrifting has come. A couple of years ago the idea of buying used clothes at a discount store was seen as something negative since a person could not afford branded items that were popular at that time. Now, the ideology about buying used clothes has become very popular and acceptable. Since thrifting is popular those that buy used items are accepted now and are seen as helping the environment. Thrifting is very popular because people are starting to be more aware of how waste can harm the environment. Thrifting is a great way to buy clothes at affordable prices and to ensure that less waste is produced. Less waste is produced since the clothes that would have been thrown away can be reused by somebody else. I think this is a great idea because it has so many benefits for everyone. It benefits the buyers (items at a low cost), the environment (less waste is being produced), and the community (some stores give back to the community). It can benefit the community because some thrifting stores give back to the community. For example, the Salvation army gives back by providing disaster relief and gives their money to different charities.

Ryan Givens

9/15/2021 05:35:50 pm

I found this article to be very interesting and eye opening for my understanding of thrifted/second hand cloths. I was unaware businesses like Levis having a second had service set up. I was surprised to hear that second hand jeans and jackets could go for more than retail for new products. This service also surprised me because it seems very complicated for Levis to buy back products and turn them around. This type of business plan seems to be more suited for a smaller operation. In my own experience of purchasing thrifted cloths I have always been driven by the ability to have unique items as stated in the article. I enjoy finding cheap unique pieces that you have to search for in a thrift shop. I have noticed fist hand that large amounts of thrifting is not sustainable as it becomes more popular. In my local Community Aid a few years back had many desirable thrifted cloth options and not as many around today. This has shown how the demand for thrifted options has greatly increased while the amount of unique cloths being dropped off at them is decreasing. Along with unique options people also desire the ability to recycle as much as possible. Overall this article has informed me on the largest growing market in clothes today. I am interred to look more in to this market and potentially tap in to it.

Alyssa

9/15/2021 06:44:15 pm

I enjoyed reading this article, and I found it very interesting. Personally I do not shop at thrift stores very often, but I have gone to Goodwill and Plato's closets a few times. The times that I have gone have all been good experiences. I think it is fun to look through the wide variety of clothing and see many different styles and brands. I think that thrifting is a good thing because it encourages people to be unique and have their own style and also greatly reduces the amount of clothes that go to waste. I think that thrift shopping will continue to be popular for a while and that stores could incorporate secondhand programs and be successful. I also found the end of the article to be very interesting. I thought the idea of thrifting ethically was great. With thrifting becoming so popular among a large range of people it can be easy to forget that for some people it is not just a trend. Many people cannot afford to buy all new clothes so second hand stores are all they buy. While it may seem like there are plenty of clothes it is still important to be aware of other people and where you are thrifting.

Katie Patterson

9/15/2021 07:14:43 pm

I think this article encapsulates the perspective of college age students when they go to a thrift store with the intent to buy or resell. The mostly true assumption that college students have no money explain the depth of interest in thrift shopping. It was interesting to see that famous brands like Levi's have a resell advantage, along with other brands like Patagonia. The likelihood of saving money buy thrift shopping is almost certain, although most times people go thrifting, they're just looking to enhance their wardrobe. Plato's closet is a common “thrift store” for teenagers and young adults who are willing to pay more for name brand clothing without looking too hard to find it. In the article it was mentioned that people purchased things from thrift stores because of the unique appeal, and that resonated with me the most. when I do go into a thrift store, I will look for a certain type of single stitched shirt because most times that signifies the age of the shirt. This is the unique appeal that I am looking for, but it is different for everybody.

Ethan seitz

9/15/2021 08:06:31 pm

This article gives a great perspective into the positives and negatives of thrifting and why it has become so popular. It brings up interesting points such as if it is sustainable for the long term for some bigger brands. While looking at things from a brands perspective it also gives the point of view of the consumer and the positive effect these financial decisions have on their funds.

Hye Lim Jung

9/15/2021 09:36:04 pm

I was intrigued when I read that certain clothing brands are making their own line of second hand shopping. Thrifting used to be seen as more "lower-class" activity when I was younger and the clothing brands would value themselves as the producers of "nice, high quality" clothes. This article shows how perceptions have changed recently and thrifting is now an activity that manufactures can use to portray themselves as keeping up with the trend. I would say that thrifting itself isn't the most mindful way to market things considering that a lot of the reasons for thrifting is now based on the thrill that you get and it can encourage bulk buying, which can actually end up being more harmful to the environment.

Elisabeth Kolb

9/15/2021 10:08:24 pm

Thrifting has always been a passion of mine. I remember when I was growing up, we would always go to secondhand shops for clothes. I hated it for a while because I thought they were "lame" and I wanted to wear what everyone else was, but at time went on, I found a love for them. My mom's principles for purchasing clothes was quickly adapted and I found those habits largely apart of mine whenever I went to regular stores with friends as a teenager. For example, if a friend found a cute top, I would respond with "well it's not $45 cute", or however much it cost. Nowadays, almost all of my clothes are either thrifted or hand-me-downs. It's easier on my budget and it gives me a variety of styles. I've learned to find the things other people have, but I've also learned to create my own style and be true to myself.
It's really cool to learn about how other brands are jumping onto this trend of re-used clothes, like Levi's. It's a great way to be environmentally friendly and cost effective. It also is a great way for those companies to stand out among the rest.

Moises Ramirez Gomez

9/15/2021 10:21:24 pm

Although thrifting is not something I do often, I really enjoyed reading about this topic. As a guy, I have always looked down on thrifting not because of pride, but because of thinking that I would simply not find something that either fit me right or was “my style.” Reading about others’ personal experiences, as well as seeing the number of people who do thrift today, left me speechless. I have always been drawn to the idea of dressing up and constantly looking nice, but as a college student with limited finances, I have found myself in a very difficult situation. Living in a society where a new piece of clothing could take up half of your bank account, depending on your financial status, I see how thrifting could be beneficial for many. After reading this article, I not only see the financial benefits of thrifting, but also the environmental advantages. As an advocate for environmental restoration, this part of the article left me thinking. Although I see the many good results that come from thrifting, I also see the importance of doing this act in moderation. In this article, they touch on the idea of how through thrifting excessively, one can be taking from those of lower economic statues; although one could still be helping the environment, we would be hurting those who need more. After careful consideration and examination of this article, I feel encouraged to try thrifting for myself, but doing it in moderation, so that I could help my environment, but not affect those who have less resources than myself.

Noelle

9/15/2021 10:42:27 pm

I find myself relating to many things stated in this article. My sister is an avid thrifter and takes me along with her. Although I enjoy thrifting, my sister really loves it. She goes almost every week and to multiple different Goodwill's. She has a specific routine that you do not want to mess with. When asking her why she loves it so much, her main reason is because she loves finding unique pieces that no one else owns. She also loves a good deal and the thrill of finding vintage pieces. If she finds something that she really likes, but is a little too big she alters it by using her sewing machine. She also loves finding things for my little cousin or her friends. Saving money is very important to her too. She hates spending money but loves putting together fun outfits, so thrifting is perfect for her. She also has the patience to look through every piece of clothing which is something I struggle with doing because it can be very time consuming. Personally, I believe thrifting is a fun experience and everyone should try it if they haven't been before.

Eddie Dazo

9/15/2021 10:55:05 pm

I recently gotten into thrifting myself because before I would always shop at large retailers such as Kohls or Target to get my clothing and limit myself to the amount of clothes I have/wore. And then I saw how beneficial it was for me to thrift for my clothes because I can find the clothes I want plus any other types of clothes that I wouldn't consider purchasing at the larger retailers. This article really helps me know and understand the positives that come out of thrifting, such as the ability to walk out of a thrift store and wear what you want and the benefits of saving money. Now I can shop and look how I want to and not limit myself to what I can buy/want to buy.

Isaiah Gonzalez

9/16/2021 01:50:29 am

I enjoyed reading this article because it gave a good insight into the specifics behind the trend of thrifting. As a thrifter myself, I love the idea because it is an all around win situation - I win by getting good clothes at a good price, the previous owners of the clothes before me win by being able to get rid of their old clothes in a good way, and the environment wins by recycling the clothes. Overall thrifting is a great thing and I am glad it has become a trend because I have been able to get some pretty good outfits out of it.

Sasha McMonigle

9/16/2021 10:49:43 am

I really enjoyed this article and reading all about a Generation X's perspective of thrift shopping is. I actually just got into thrifting my clothes more and it's crazy on how much money I have been saving with doing that. Not only do I shop at physical thrift stores, but I've also bought used clothing from Instagram pages. There are plenty of different accounts on any social media account that sells used clothing. This way it's more convenient for some people with the same low price if you were to go in person. Thrifting clothes also helps with if someone would want to try a style without spending a whole lot of money and it won't ruin their bank account if they decide they didn't like it. Trying someone that's been used before actually buying something brand new can help make the buyer realize that they didn't like the look of it of them, so in the long run saves them money. A plus that thrift stores have is that they don't just sell used clothing as well. They also have items like books, kitchen items, records, shoes, house decorations, etc. They truly have it all and I hope this trend of Gen Z thrifting first, stays like this for a while.

Dylan Cuperus

9/16/2021 10:57:30 am

I wouldn't call myself a thriftier because I do not purchase used clothing for the ethical side or thrill of making a good find. However by definition I do fall into the category as I do find shopping at these type of locations more easy on the wallet. I found it interesting when the author says, "Apparently, that stigma has subsided, and college students, some of whom come from affluent families, are among those most active in propagating thrifting’s new-found popularity." I am curious as to whether these people are actually saving money or end up spending more because they think they are getting a deal when some of these stores make a profit on the volume of sales. Another reason I stop in at these locations from time to time is because they typically have stuff in larger sizes that sell out in shorter peoples sizes.

Justin Magri

9/16/2021 11:17:17 am

Reading this article was interesting due to the fact that I have never really been into thrifting or anything like it. I wasn't too surprised when learning that my generation (Gen Z) is most interested and involved with thrifting. I understand the economic reasons for thrifting, (especially for college students), but otherwise nothing really connects with me about thrifting and why I should do it. Does this mean that I'll never try thrifting, no, I'll probably come into the opportunity and try it out. It was also interesting to read the affects of a first hand seller of clothing compared to now the second hand seller of clothing.

Hannah Wilburn

9/16/2021 12:02:24 pm

I found myself resonating with so much of this article. I would consider myself to be an avid thrifter, as it is how I get the majority of my clothes. One of the specific things that I relate to from this article is the topic of thrifting feeling like a "treasure hunt". I enjoy the thrill of going into a store, not knowing what you are going to find, or what you will be able to transform those items into. I love going into a store, being able to have an open mind and have endless possibilities. It also doesn't hurt that the item are significantly cheaper than department store clothing. For example, I have found so many pairs of American Eagle jeans that normally sell for $50 at a minimum, and have gotten them for $16. I always grew up with the value of being frugal, and my mom teaching me to mainly shop from the clearance rack in stores because it is the most financially responsible thing to do to manage your money. This value has now transferred over to me as an adult, as I tend to not shop at big name department stores, holding thrifting or the clearance rack above having brand new name brand clothes.

Lindsay Morgart

9/18/2021 03:59:48 pm

I found this article to be very eyeopening in many ways! I myself love to thrift shop mainly for the reasons of adding to my vintage style and the low prices. I never took into consideration that buying secondhand doesn’t consider those from the low income homes who may need these certain products more than we do. This article made me realize the importance in considering the location and community around us when shopping in thrift stores. I also was unaware that retailers and brands like Levis and H&M hopped on this trend of selling second had clothes. I am curious how profitable Levis market will be considering most people don’t take into consideration the environmental benefits when they thrift. In the beginning of the article it said only 1.4% of those who took the survey thrift because of environmental concerns, which makes me wonder if Levi markets their pricy secondhand jeans mainly to those who shop because of the environmental concerns, will they have many customers interested? I am curious to see how successful they become and I might consider browsing their secondhand jeans myself! Overall I felt this article was very relatable to me and many others who are consumers in the thrift shopping market and effectively brings to light the ethical aspect behind thrifting that I have never took into consideration before.

Gen Z Students Teach Their Professor About Thrifting

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