The Evolution of Thrifting Culture
The University of Oregon loves thrifting. It’s a common weekend excursion for many students. A hangout with friends requires an iced coffee and perusing the many different shops Eugene has to offer. This social activity has only grown in popularity in recent years.
Thrifting as a hobby has become more common over the past decade. Before the glamourization of sustainable shopping, thrifting was viewed unfavorably. In elementary school, kids were teased for wearing second-hand items. The concept of thrifting was undesirable to those who typically wore name-brand clothing.
Environmentalists have long promoted the reuse, reduce, recycle mantra, including for clothing. The majority of thrift-shop enthusiasts prior to 2015 were those who cared deeply for the environment, and those without the money to purchase new clothing frequently. Both groups– whether they thrifted out of necessity or personal choice–were ridiculed for participating in something“gross” for wearing clothes owned by others.
In 2015, only 18% of Americans were thrifting annually. That number has risen significantly in recent years.
As social media has become more prevalent, especially in the age of TikTok and Instagram, where short-form videos highlighting thrifting hauls are the "cool" thing to do, thrift shops have begun to get new visitors. The untapped audience of teenage girls and young women hit the market. Individuality became the cultural switch. People want what nobody else has; thus, the emergence of thrifting for the everyday person has emerged. Unique and vintage pieces are the stars of the show.
10 years later, a 2025 report states that over 66% of Americans are regularly thrifting. The idea that the average person is practicing sustainable shopping seems wonderful, but at the same time that thrifting is rising, so is consumerism.
Thrifting is no longer purchasing the essentials. It’s influencers buying fifty items, doing try on hauls for their followers, and listing the remaining items on Depop for an upcharge.
Social media influencers are called influencers for a reason. They have an impact on many people. Young women who respect and look up to said influencers follow the trend of overconsumption and buying more than they need or could wear. The sustainable choice now sits in the back of a closet, forgotten and unused.
Overcompensation creates a cycle of overpriced secondhand items that are now unavailable to the original consumers of those who thrifted out of affordability.
When thrifting in the future, consider purchasing items that you need or know will regularly wear. At the end of the day, thrifting is to reduce clothing waste while showing your creative vision.
Mia Lange is a first-year student majoring in public relations and minoring in sociology. She enjoys hiking, reading, and pickleball.