Thrifty, nifty, new: thrift store shopping increasing

Thrift stores are the Narnia of the 21st century. Each item holds a story that brings back another world, and each store contains tons of gently used items waiting to tell their story, join a collection, or be worn another time. “Used” is the new “new” and there’s no way around it.

Goodwill is gaining rank for students and staff with its slightly used items and amazing savings. Young adults are beginning to realize that the negative stigma around thrift stores is a thing of the past, and saving a couple extra dollars is a priority of the present when planning for college and future expenses. There’s value in re-using old things, and it seems as though more people are catching on.

“It’s like hand-me-downs, but not from your family,” said senior Maddie Maroney.

Over-consumption is now paying off by providing lightly worn clothing to anyone that is looking for new business attire, or just a more cost-effective way to update their wardrobe.

“It’s so much less expensive,” said Media Para Mary Peters.

Due to donated goods, Goodwill is able to completely avoid the price-ups of production and manufacturing costs while providing used clothing with another place to go, aside from landfills.

“You can make your own style with it,” said Maroney. “You [can] find something just as cute as you’d get at Forever 21, but it’s not as expensive,” she added.

Trends of clothing are constantly changing, and it can be hard to ensure an all-original style. However, stores like Goodwill make it easy to not have to worry about seeing a newly-bought shirt on somebody else’s back; and maybe that shirt will end up setting the next trend!

“I honestly enjoy having to look through all the nasty stuff, but then finding something cool. You’re kind of working for it, in a way,” said senior Ana Souffront.

Young adults usually lack money, but when they acquire some, it doesn’t usually last very long in today’s economy. That money isn’t typically earned on a day-to-day basis for students with sports, clubs and other after school activities. Trips to the mall, although a great way to reward oneself for earning a paycheck, tend to take away a fresh check within a few hours and leave the teen penniless. However, that’s a little harder to do at a thrift store where fewer items are likely to be advertised and any items that catch one’s attention will be lower than “low-priced.”

Goodwill isn’t only for Halloween costume hunting and a place to find the best ugly sweater, but a new-found way for teenagers to reach out and embrace the originality of their culture and expressing it through clothes that are unlikely to be found elsewhere. Furthermore, the treasures that have been hiding in the corners of the neighbor’s attic have finally broken out and are just waiting to be picked up by someone who can re-purpose them. The best part is that Goodwill is not only unlikely to break your wallet, but makes sure that you can get Starbucks afterwards.

uses Goodwill to hunt for things to update her bedroom. She once found a painter’s stool which she now uses as a bedside table.

“[The] chances are, [the clothing] has been used before,” said Souffront.

The after-return-date-but-accidentally-put-in-the-dryer mishaps can be almost always avoided when buying used clothing since they have likely been worn and laundered by previous owners.