From Fast Fashion To Thrift Store Hauls: How Thrift Shopping Trends Are Harming Low-Income Communities
A once looked down upon necessity for low-income communities is now at the epicenter of the latest shopping trend. And the fad is stirring up some major debate.
Open up TikTok and search the word “thrift.” You will find that videos using this hashtag have collectively gained over six billion views.
The platform has become the go-to spot for sharing the latest fashion tips, hacks, and finds. But, these “fashion finds” have slowly transitioned from sharing clothing company names to flaunting “thrifting hauls.”
The act of “thrifting” is now a highly popular activity in which fashion influencers and lovers scan through thrift stores and buy out second-hand vintage, knock-off, or even designer items at next to nothing.
This movement took hold after fast-fashion companies came under fire for overworking factory workers and contributing to global pollution.
You might even remember when certain “hauls” were taking over the internet. But, that trend quickly ended after people realized the harmful working conditions imposed on workers and the immense amount of clothing waste their hauls of poorly-made clothing were contributing to.
So, the thrifting trend emerged in hopes of lowering the demand for unsustainable fast-fashion companies.
And while this is undoubtedly positive for the environment, the switch is now hurting a different demographic.
Before thrift shopping went “in style,” the stores were a safe haven for low-income communities. Now, the increased demand has led to low inventory and rising thrift store prices across the nation.
AntonioDiaz – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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Moreover, some people have turned “thrifting” into a personal side hustle– sweeping up the most valuable inventory, gauging the prices, and selling it on platforms such as Depop to turn a profit.
Items that can land a high re-sell profit often include necessities such as winter coats, jeans, and shoes that are too expensive for financially-strapped families to buy elsewhere.
Additionally, even children’s clothing is being bought up and marketed as “crop tops” to teens and young adults.
This is particularly harmful since children continually grow out of clothes, and parents regularly need to invest in new items.
As more people from lower-income communities have spoken out about these adverse effects of the thrifting movement, the debate about sustainability versus socio-economic morality has grown online.
Blazedandglazed, the TikTok account run by Macy Eleni, is currently home to the most liked “thrifting haul” video on the platform. Visit Macy’s comment section, and you will find tons of people advocating against the practice.
“This is the problem, not just fast fashion,” commented one user.
“Remember when Value Village was for people in poverty?” wrote another user.
“As someone who goes thrifting because my family genuinely cannot afford stuff at the mall, it does make me a bit upset,” added a third.
The real question now is, how should people try to shop sustainably without harming other demographics?
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