Although the concept of thrifting has been around for hundreds of years, its popularity has recently skyrocketed, mostly because of Gen Z and social media, which praises it for its sustainability and aesthetic. This new trend has beneficially influenced thrift culture, but has also harmed the community through aggressive reselling. This changing culture raises the question: has this newfound popularity helped the thrifting community or just put it in danger of trend and demographic hawks looking to resell for a quick cash grab?
Thrifting, buying used clothes, has long been a way for people to find affordable and unique pieces. It has recently grown in popularity among Gen Z, a result of the spotlight social media platforms have put on it. This trend has both boosted the community and culture of thrifting while simultaneously fueling reselling practices that undermine its accessibility and community spirit. Although it was once a way to find cheap, timeless clothing, thrifting is now caught between community culture and reselling hype.
Lindsay Samkia, a senior, runs a popular Instagram page, @bpsfitss, highlighting student fashion through tiny mic interviews and fit checks. As a fashion enthusiast, Samkia believes that social media “plays a very big role because it sets the standards for what kids in our generation are wearing … it’s the main influence on students’ clothing.”
As someone who reviews student outfits and the brands they came from, she observed that a “majority of kids are stepping away from fast fashion and finding those older items, timeless pieces that last longer.” Samkia’s observations show that more Bellarmine students are starting to transition from fast fashion shopping to more sustainable practices like thrifting.
Sophomore Peter Patulot recently started thrifting a year ago, influenced by his friends and Instagram feed. When asked if there was a big thrifting community at Bellarmine, he said, “100%. I even remember last year, I went to a Thrift Club meeting. It’s definitely starting to become a big community for sure.” Peter’s experience exemplifies how thrifting culture has expanded and captivated the attention of Gen Z.
Outside of Bellarmine, local thrifting events like the 206 Fresh Fits Competition, Tacoma Sunday Market, and Thriftpalooza attract thousands of people, fostering a strong fashion and thrifting community in Washington. In the 206 Fresh Fits Competition, content creators invited their followers to participate in a fashion contest, hosted by Seattle fashion icons. Thriftpalooza, founded in 2021, and the Tacoma Sunday Market are curated thrifting events that generate excitement and engagement within the community.
However, this positive cultural shift within the thrifting community becomes increasingly complicated by the presence of resellers, or “scalpers,” who purchase thrifted items cheaply to then sell them at inflated prices. What was once a way to access affordable and stylish clothing is becoming less attainable for many, as competition and price inflation create barriers for everyday shoppers. With thrift stores like Goodwill and Value Village feeling “picked over” of clothes, thrifting may start to feel less like a community activity and more like a contest over scarce resources.
Despite these challenges, some individuals are working to preserve the accessibility and community spirit of thrifting. Justin McCathren, B’23, runs Sweet Music Clothing, a small reselling pop-up. He aims to challenge the typical reseller model by prioritizing community over profit.
On the importance of pricing, McCathren explained, “Keeping the prices low was something that was very important to me because I knew the audience that I was selling to, youth.” McCathren’s approach addresses tension in the thrift community; social media can make thrifting trendy, but without careful consideration, it can exclude the very audience it was intended for.
Continuing, he said, “I know that when I started thrifting, prices were really low and I wanted that experience for the people who are doing it nowadays.” Rather than capitalizing on trends, McCathren focuses on providing community experiences.
Social media has brought thrifting both fame and complication. Resellers show how when something becomes trendy, profit often is prioritized over accessibility, and consumers will always continue to consume. Due to this, thrifting risks becoming just another face of consumerism. Yet behind the hype and competition, its original purpose remains vital, which is to make clothing affordable and accessible for all. Preserving that spirit requires awareness, intention, and a community that values people over profit.
