Due to COVID-19, shopping for clothes and accessories can be more challenging than ever. More and more people are shifting to online shopping to fulfill their fashion needs. Thrifting, shopping for second-hand clothing at cheaper prices, has become a popular trend in recent years. Now, individuals can thrift for clothes directly from their fingertips using apps.
In an Instagram poll, out of 85 ACHS students, 35 percent of them have thrifted clothing online before. This is likely due to convenience and the challenges of shopping during a pandemic.
There are various websites and apps people can thrift on. The list includes Ebay, Instagram, Thredup, Mercari, Poshmark, Depop, TheRealReal and Etsy.
“I thrift sometimes on Ebay” junior Logan Van Alstine said. “I got one of my favorite crew necks off the site. It’s in good shape and really comfortable.”
By shopping second hand, it helps prevent plastic waste ending up in landfills, decreases pollution, decreases the amount of resources used and wasted and helps out your wallet, according to UC Berkeley. This does not only benefit the environment and consumer; anyone can sell their gently used clothes and accessories on thrift apps. Senior Zoey Kue uses Instagram to sell her old clothes to make extra money and be sustainable.
“[Selling] is an easy way to get rid of some clothes other people may find a way to use,” Kue said. “The con is that finding people who are interested in your clothes takes time.”
Regardless of the time aspect, selling clothes on thrift apps or social media can still be a great way to give clothes a new life, so they don’t end up in a landfill. The internet makes buying and selling secondhand clothes even more accessible, and opens up consumers to a wider selection of attire.
