Every piece of clothing has a story to tell. Fashion doesn’t have to always be about over-consumption.
In a consumerist world where, fast fashion dictates the choices of people, trends have come to last as long as a month or even less. Amidst this decades-old hedonic treadmill, thrifting has always managed to find its rebirth. For some, thrift stores have become a budget-friendly alternative to retail therapy. People who want to embark upon a more sustainable lifestyle often find themselves dipping their toes into the world of thrifting.
Although the word ‘thrift’ is associated with the pursuit of frugality, today it has come to acquire new meaning. It is the people who live and breathe a culture of sustainability that gives it meaning.
Source:- https://econreview.berkeley.edu/rise-of-thrifting-solution-to-fast-fashion-or-stealing-from-the-poor/
Thriftiness may have been born out of economic hardships during the early 19th century, but today it is more of a lifestyle choice that celebrates conscious-living and welcomes individuality. The most prominent form of thrifty culture was emboldened during the counterculture movements of the ‘60s and ‘70s, wherein people squandered the glorification of gated forms of high fashion and art and looked towards an alternative space for expressing individual style and uniqueness.
Thriftiness then meant a revolutionary act. In the later part of the century, the digitalization of fashion enabled the trading of second-hand clothes through platforms like Etsy, Depop, and the like. A renewed interest in thrifting also came most recently, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Millennials and Gen-Zs have done away with the prejudiced notion of associating thrift with cheapness or tackiness, and instead, elevated it as a more stylish conscious-driven revolution. What’s more impactful than the act of prioritizing affordability while also de-prioritizing overconsumption, right?
The act of spending money on thrifted clothes (preloved or newly sourced) which brings a durable advantage is nothing short of revolutionary. The art of revamping old clothes whilst managing to stand out from the crowd is one that requires skill and vision, and many young designers have surfaced in the fashion scene globally. A personal favorite is Nigel Xavier, the worthy winner of the show Next in Fashion (2023). His designs are grounded on upcycled materials, primarily denim, and using ensembles of thrifted materials.
This goes on to show how the art of thrifting (with a little added flair of personal touch!) breathes new life into forgotten pieces by utilizing the craftsmanship of bygone eras. Come to think of it, it is no longer a thing that people do out of pure necessity arising out of meager-ness or poverty but rather as an intended pursuit of creative craftsmanship as well as styling that is mindful of utility and ecology.
The fashion industry alone, amounting to nearly 10% of global carbon emissions (UNEP, 2018), is still grappling with the challenges of overconsumption, environmental pollution, and social/ethical issues. Moreover, statistically quoting – Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills every second, i.e., an equivalent of one garbage truck of clothes every second (UNEP, 2018). The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years, i.e., many items are worn only seven to ten times before being tossed in landfills (UNEP, 2018). Around 20% of industrial wastewater pollution worldwide originates from the fashion industry (WR1, 2017). Therefore, thrifting offers a way for individuals to make a difference on a smaller scale.
Not only does thrifting imply an appreciation of the future, but it also harvests a newfound passion for style by allowing people to experiment with an eclectic mix of clothing. It is not just about discovering affordable fashion without breaking the purse but also about finding a journey through time and history. Honestly speaking, hunting and sourcing for unique items is itself an activity that gives you an adrenaline rush. However, if you are sprucing up your wardrobes with an unnecessary amount of thrifted clothes too, you are missing the point. For instance – Some fabrics like polyester can clutter your closet and are not sustainable in the long run, so cotton and linen fabrics can be sustainable options to source for, and it is best to keep classic cuts and silhouettes in mind as well.
Without a doubt, the fascination of finding exclusive pieces and the initiative to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry simultaneously have added to the desirability of the thrifting experience.
Article by:- Arshia Ningthoujam
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