The Shift In Thrift

Jan 29, 2021

Macklemore was right when he said one man's trash is another man's come up.

I remember when there was a time when I’d sift through used clothes and shoes, analyzing a fabric’s brand and condition, trying to find the best deal I could.

There was always something exilierting about going into a store with the possibility of finding a one-of-a-kind piece, or something so vintage that someone was last seen wearing the item a good 30 years ago.

I used to go to a thrift store maybe 3 to 4 times a week, with no clear idea of what I wanted to buy. I’d enter, greet the workers like I had known them for years, and minutes would turn into hours.

I’d spend just enough time to find outfits that would cover me for the coming month.

Then COVID-19 hit. Stores were shut down. People stayed inside with nowhere to go.

The lights dimmed, and the thrift store lost its magic.

At least, that’s what I thought.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, online thriftshopping is booming. Apps like Poshmark, Depop, and thredUP are becoming the new norm for thrifters. These apps allow users to buy and sell second hand, or even new, clothing, shoes, accessories, handbags… You name it, they have it.

And I, myself, am partaking in all the buying and selling (more so the buying though, shhh!).

My most recent find is a pair of Dr. Martens Platform Boots. From a store like Journeys, these can normally cost over $180 if bought firsthand.

However, I snagged them for $130 (including shipping). And guess what? They’re practically brand new. The boots were only worn once before a “Posher” (the name Poshmark uses for its sellers) that goes by the name @oliviabrynxo sold them to me.

One of my favorite finds, however, is a $40 burgundy, overall pinafore from the brand Denim&Co. While Denim&Co is a well known brand in the United States, this particular item is exclusively from a store in Scotland. The user goes by the name @miatheunicorn, and she sells tons of items from her travels across the globe.

If you love the thrill that comes along with finding the perfect item, but COVID-19 is making it difficult to get to the stores, or you’re a college student looking to make a little extra cash selling your old clothes, these apps may be for you. Like the saying goes, one's trash is another’s treasure!

As you’re sitting in the comfort of your home, any item can be bought, or sold, with the click of a button. While we wait for our favorite shops to open back up, online shopping provides a convenient alternative during these inconvenient times.

And, to the shoppers, what are we to do with all these savings? Reserve it for more online thrift shopping, of course!

...Or maybe another iced coffee will do?