There was a time when going to a thrift store was mostly about finding what you needed without paying full retail price. Maybe you were looking for jeans, a winter coat, or a kitchen item that still had plenty of life left. Coming across a vintage designer piece was an exciting surprise, but saving money was usually the main reason for shopping secondhand.
Thrifting looks quite different today. People search resale websites for rare vintage clothing, celebrities wear decades-old designer outfits on the red carpet, and online companies have turned used clothing into a massive fashion business.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times report, the secondhand clothing market has grown 20% over the past five years, reaching more than $240 billion. The report cites McKinsey & Co.’s State of Fashion report, which points to a major change in how people shop for used clothing. For many, secondhand shopping is now about personal style just as much as getting a lower price.
Secondhand clothing has become something shoppers want to show off
Finding a bargain is still part of thrifting, but plenty of shoppers have other reasons for browsing secondhand stores. Vintage designs, unusual accessories, and clothing that can’t be found in regular retail shops have become a big part of the appeal.
The Los Angeles Times describes how secondhand fashion now attracts everyone from college students hunting for specific vintage accessories to celebrities wearing older designer pieces at major events. Sometimes, the fact that an item is no longer available in stores is exactly what makes it appealing.
Social media has helped bring more attention to these finds. Thrift hauls, vintage finds, and clothing makeovers give people a chance to share pieces they’ve found rather than simply posting the latest items from a clothing brand.
Longtime thrifters know that finding something unexpected has always been part of the fun. The difference now is that millions of people can share those discoveries online, and businesses have found ways to profit from the growing interest.
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Resale companies have made thrifting easier to do from home
Shopping secondhand once meant visiting thrift stores, garage sales, and consignment shops and spending time looking through whatever happened to be available. Now, shoppers can search online for a particular brand, size, or style without leaving home.
California-based resale companies have helped make that possible. Platforms such as ThredUp, Poshmark, and The RealReal give people different ways to buy and sell used clothing. Some allow sellers to send in unwanted items, while others let people list their own pieces for buyers to browse.
Online resale has made secondhand shopping more convenient for people who don’t have the time or patience to sort through store racks. It also gives people another way to make money from clothing sitting unused in their closets.
Shoppers are no longer limited to the selection at a nearby thrift store. They can search a much larger inventory for a particular size, label, or vintage style.
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Younger shoppers are helping make secondhand fashion mainstream
For many younger shoppers, buying used clothing isn’t just something they do to save money. They may head to a resale site first when looking for a particular outfit, vintage accessory, or piece that stands out from what’s currently available in stores.
The Los Angeles Times report points to several reasons people shop secondhand, including lower prices, less waste, and the chance to find clothing that differs from current retail trends. It also reports that the secondhand market is growing at roughly four times the rate of traditional retail, citing McKinsey.
This growing interest has changed how people view thrifted clothing. It is no longer associated only with tight budgets; for some shoppers, it’s a regular part of putting together their wardrobe.
People who have been thrifting for years may recognize the appeal. Finding an unusual jacket, a vintage shirt, or a pair of jeans that fits just right has always been a reason to keep checking the racks.
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Saving money is still part of the appeal, but it’s no longer the whole story
There are now plenty of ways to shop secondhand, whether that means browsing a neighborhood thrift store or searching online for designer clothing. Prices can vary widely, and a used item isn’t automatically cheap just because someone owned it before.
For people who have relied on thrift stores for affordable clothing, the industry’s growth brings up a fair question: As more shoppers enter the market for fashion and rare finds, will it become harder to find a good bargain?
The Los Angeles Times report doesn’t prove that the resale boom has caused prices at local thrift stores to rise. It does show how much the public’s view of secondhand clothing has changed. What was once mainly a way to spend less has become a major part of the fashion business, attracting shoppers, technology companies, and investors.
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