Thrift Shopping: The New Fashion

Thrift+Shopping%3A+The+New+Fashion

Marina Murillo, Writer

For today’s youth, it is tough for teenagers and young adults to express their sense of style when most don’t have the funds or resources to spend money on additional fashion statements that their parents claim they “don’t need.” However, thrifting is a way that teenagers can buy vintage fashion at an affordable price while supporting a good cause.

Second hand stores have been around for many years. An example is Goodwill, which opened in 1902. The movement started when items such as used household goods and clothing were collected from wealthier homes and were reconstructed, repaired, and sold at inexpensive prices. As years passed by, thrift shopping became a gateway to affordable prices on stylish clothes.

Thrift shopping is a way that teens can reduce their carbon footprint in a trendy way. According to ABC News, an estimate of 98% of clothing is made from abroad. This means clothing is constantly being shipped, using up energy and polluting the world with coal and natural gases. Buying apparel donated to thrift shops from locals saves a lot more energy.

Teens who care about animals are able to buy leather and suede clothing from thrift shops because, while they can’t do anything to reverse what happened to those animals, they can invest in a charitable cause. Instead of giving money to corporate companies that harm animals to make their products, they can use the clothing in an innovative way by wearing aged clothes that would be thrown away otherwise, which would give no justice to the animals.

In 2017, teens have the pleasure of enjoying trends of many decades. Clothing like bell bottoms, peasant tops, mesh, and flare pants recur in fashion, making appearances in stores all over. Instead of buying high priced clothing from overrated stores, a teenager has the choice to buy authentic clothing for lower prices. Clothing from second hand stores have a meaning and a story to them. Thrifted clothes represents the youth of every decade. Everyone will eventually grow out of their clothing, but clothing can be shared with others and passed on for years to come.

There are many thrift shops around New Jersey where teens can not only discover vintage clothing, but also have a historic experience. St. Agnes Thrift Shop in Atlantic Highlands is  family operated for over forty years and is located in a three story Victorian house once owned by a NYC actor in the late 1800’s. The house has thirteen rooms which are all categorized. This is a classic thrift store where teens can find anything from antique jewelry to old fashioned toys.

Greene Street consignment shop in Red Bank is a great thrift shop if a teen is looking for current and modern fashion. At this consignment shop, they buy and sell clothing at decent prices. Teenagers will be able to find everyday clothes as well as high-end clothing and items like hand bags, shoes, and hats.

Depop is an app where young entrepreneurs are able to take what they find from thrift shops and sell it, making a profit off of vintage clothing. A buyer can find a lot of limited edition items that they won’t come across in modern stores. Depop is a great app to browse and discover old/new fashion trends.

Teenagers take risks when buying clothes with no idea where they come from or who is donating them. However, being a teen is the time in a person’s life when they are able to experiment with clothing and wear fashion statements that no one else quite understands. Thrift shopping is an approach at fashion that connects to history. Second hand stores teach teenagers about clothing from many generations along with different time periods.