As proved true by the cycle of life, material goods diminish over time. Clothes grew too small, bags ripped and shoes faded. Once old, these items were discarded or left to collect dust in garages. Thrifting, popular both in past and current years, emerged as an affordable, sustainable and creative way to repurpose used items.
Across the United States, thrift stores evolved into hangout spots for high school and college students. These stores collected second-hand clothes, appliances and accessories and resold them for a fraction of their original price. Everything from designer brands to ’80s bomber jackets could be found among the endless racks and bins.
Marley Quirk, freshman social work major, became a thrifter after seeing the trend on social media and encouraged her friends to go with her to the nearest Savers.
“[Thrifting has] just been a kind of tradition for my friend group now because we all just enjoy it together,” Quirk said.
“We’re going thrifting” became a regular phrase among college students. Working together, students sorted through what was once considered junk, finding treasures for both themselves and their friends. Quirk articulated that the real satisfaction of thrifting was in finding the perfect item.
“I like to think that [thrifting] activates the scavenging part of the human brain,” Quirk said, “And so I found a lot of pieces that I [would’ve] normally never picked out in store.”
While students could buy bags and shoes from stores like Target, everyone had access to the same products, creating visible trends. Thrifting offered one-of-a-kind pieces, allowing students to purchase items exclusively available to them. The culture of thrifting became first-come, first-served, a race to stand out.
Alejandra Reyes, sophomore worship arts and ministry major and avid thrifter, said thrifting shaped her individual sense of style.
“In main stores, I feel like everything kind of looks the same. And it’s like what you’re finding everywhere,” Reyes said. “Everyone is wearing the same thing, but if you go to thrifting… it kind of makes a style more individual and more unique and kind of makes it you.”
Julie Goodman-Bowling, professor of anthropology and chair of the division of family and culture, said this desire reflected a generational shift.
“I don’t think that people care so much about the brand name of things the way that they used to,” Goodman-Bowling said.
Instead, thrifters are asking, “How can I repurpose this thing and make it my own?”
In response, major retailers began selling vintage-inspired clothing that mimicked “good thrift finds” such as quilted jackets and patchwork jeans. However, stores like Free People or Anthropologie, Goodman-Bowling said, “charge so much,” creating an idea that “you have to be able to afford to look like you paid very little.”
This drove students back to authentic thrifting, where creative expression felt more genuine. Rather than seeking brand recognition, students looked to reimagine and renew old garments.
“Old isn’t even the right adjective,” Goodman-Bowling said, “It’s just something to be reimagined. You might find… [a] 1972 cardigan. And then you see somebody who just thrifted it and they added a patch to it, or they change the style, or they cut and re-sewed or repurpose [it].”
“Having something that no one else has in a sense that you had to search for it and find it in an unconventional way, I think, is really cool,” Quirk said.
Thrifting offered students the opportunity to tailor their closets to their personalities, collecting pieces that stood apart from mainstream fashion. The hobby not only built friendships and inspired creativity, but also encouraged students to embrace their individuality.
