Many members of the younger generation are changing their mindsets on thrift stores. What was once a place to send old, outdated clothes, is now a spot people flock to for great deals and unique secondhand styles. 

Thrifting has numerous benefits whether it be financially, environmentally or just to get more interesting pieces. For junior Cecilia Bruce-DeMuri the reasons are plentiful. 

“I like finding unique clothes that really match my style. I think thrifting allows me to express myself, and it is a good way to find clothes for cheap while also supporting the environment,” Bruce-DeMuri said.

According to the Huffington Post, a survey was conducted that showed the average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing each year. An alternative could be donating unused clothing to local thrift stores.

“It is a great way to recycle. I find so many things that no one else has, but also when I want to get rid of an item I donate it and someone else can get to use it. It is one big cycle,” junior Keziah Fredenberg said.

Another reason for the rise of thrifting popularity is the social media influencers that encourage and partake in thrifting themselves. This has sent many people on a search for similar pieces for their wardrobes.

“A lot of times I go to the store with outfit ideas in mind or an item of clothing I want to complete a look. I recommend looking on Pinterest before you go to get inspiration and an idea of your style,” Bruce-DeMuri said.

The dangers of fast fashion are also a motivating factor to people who thrift. Fast fashion is the idea of stores rushing the items production process to keep up with evolving trends. This can be very dangerous and be a host for unsafe working conditions. 

Avoiding fast fashion can be difficult as it is the cheapest, most accessible option.

“I have done my research on shopping sustainability, but I hope to become more educated on it in the future,” Bruce-DeMuri said. “There are a lot of stores online that I have spent time on that source all of their items sustainably, but unfortunately that can be really expensive.”

The alternative to fast fashion is supporting sustainably sourced brands. Although they can be more expensive, Fredenberg says the quality makes it worth it. 

“I prefer to buy my clothes from a sustainable source and wear those items consistently, rather than buying items from a fast fashion store and only wearing it a couple of times before it either goes out of style, or becomes damaged because it is cheaply made,” Fredenberg said.

Fredenberg’s advice to those thrifting for the first time is to stay open minded.

“Look through all the sections, even if you feel like you won’t find anything in those sections. I usually find stuff I love in the places I was least expecting,” Fredenberg said.