Thrifting Trends among Students Help Save Money and Reduce Waste

 By, Muhammad Syakir bin Roslan

Buying clothes at thrift stores has become more popular among students in recent years. Although it used to be seen as a choice for the low income and older people, the increase in thrifting among Gen Z and younger generation can be attributed to several factors, including social media. Apps such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube all have flashy videos of people showing off their items from their thrifting hauls.

The thrift store demographic has changed, they are now also university and high school students in search for quality clothes or a unique vintage style of clothing that is hard to find these days. At a thrift store, they can get items at a fraction of the price they would pay at a retail store. 

Besides imitating trends from the social media, lots of young people particularly students tend to go shopping in thrift stores because of their low prices. Unlike retail stores, such as Uniqlo, Brand Outlet, H&M, Giordano and others, where prices are often marked up to cover their branding, marketing and production costs.

Thrift stores usually sell secondhand items still in great condition for a fraction of the original price. Through this, students can buy quality items including branded ones for much less than their retail price. Furthermore, thrift stores also frequently offer a wide variety of items, from clothing and shoes to household goods, that can allow students to find unique items that they normally would be unable to afford. With a student budget that is not much because of tuition fees, textbooks, and living expenses, shopping at thrift stores is a smart alternative to buying new items at an affordable price without worrying about their quality.

In addition to being able to save money, thrifting plays a crucial role in decreasing waste by giving used items a second life, which can help to ease the demand for new products. As we all know, the fashion industry is known for producing large quantities of clothing with low cost without prioritizing quality, resulting in clothing being quickly discarded and replaced by consumers. This endless cycle can result in a huge amount of textile waste with millions of tons of clothing sent to landfills every year.

Plus, thrifting helps prevent chemicals and dyes from being released into our environment, as these are commonly byproducts from the creation of new textiles. Thrifting not only does help decrease landfill wastes but it also contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Thus, the rising popularity of thrift shopping among students is not only for saving money but also a meaningful step to reduce waste and promote sustainability. When students are opting for secondhand fashion, it is an eco-friendly fashionable choice aligned with the frugal values of being a student and also alleviating from the harmful effects on our environment.***