Fast Fashion: Is Thrifting the Solution we Think it is?
“I’m gonna pop some tags only got twenty dollars in my pocket.”
The popular line from Macklemore’s hit, “Thrift Shop”, has never been more relevant: Overconsumption and accessible fast fashion are now the norm. It is possible to buy an entirely new wardrobe and have it delivered in 1-2 business days. In addition, the army of social media influencers promoting shopping hauls on Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok have built an insatiable desire in young people for the perfectly curated wardrobe.
However, many consumers are aware of the negative impacts of fast fashion. For example, fast fashion has devastating effects on the environment, from the use of sweatshop labour to the encouragement of overconsumption. As a result, society – especially younger generations – has made conscious efforts to minimize such impacts, which has paved the way for second hand clothing stores, like thrift stores.
Not only do thrift stores present a better alternative to fast fashion, they also provide a creative outlet for shoppers to build their wardrobe with original pieces that are often no longer sold in stores, and all for an affordable price! For individuals from low income households, thrift stores are not just a recent trendy choice; instead, they are essential for providing clothing at an affordable price.
Conversely, it is important to note some of the drawbacks of thrift shopping. One of the aforementioned impacts of fast fashion is its role in promoting overconsumption, and, unfortunately, hobby thrifters may continue such practices when thrifting. Often, items’ prices reflect their value, and thrift stores sell items generally at inexpensive prices. Naturally, this may cause consumers to care less about the items they buy at thrift shops than the brand-new items bought at hefty prices.
More alarmingly, the recent proliferation of thrift stores has contributed to its rapid gentrification. Gentrification is a term primarily used in urban planning to describe the process by which the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses. It typically displaces current inhabitants in the process, increasing wealth disparity, homelessness, and food insecurity.
Individuals from low income families relied on thrift stores before it was fashionable, but the recent influx of hobby thrifters increased the demand for once affordable items. Furthermore, many entrepreneurial-minded hobby thrifters utilize e-commerce clothing marketplace platforms such as Depop and Poshmark to resell finds from the thrift store at marked-up prices. As a result, people are thrifting clothes they don't need in order to sell them online, which deprives people who actually need those clothes to be deprived of their essentials. Stores that were once low-cost shopping solutions have become a competitive arena for resellers’ profit.
Despite the highlighted dangers of thrift shopping, it is a sustainable and creative alternative to fast fashion. Its recent proliferation has helped destigmatize thrift stores, which were once seen as primarily for low income individuals. However, it is imperative that hobby thrifters understand where to draw the line between participating in a more sustainable way to shop versus harming lower income families. One way to do this is by staying mindful of what is thrifted. According to psychology major Morgan Smith, it is best to avoid buying coats, jackets, and boots during the winter months because for some, thrift stores are the only affordable option for winter essentials. Also, it is important to donate old clothes to local thrift stores or charities.
All in all, practicing ethical consumption behaviours is an ongoing journey, and it is important to be aware of the negative consequences of mainstream shopping habits
Resources:
'Looking for buried treasure': The benefits and pitfalls of thrifting
How thrifting became problematic
Thrifting is losing its stigma: second-hand clothes are sustainable — and cool
To thrift or not to thrift: the thrifting trend
Rise of Thrifting: Solution to Fast Fashion or Stealing from the Poor?