Jenna Bacon, Campus Carrier arts and living editor

Secondhand shopping or “thrifting” has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially amongst Gen Z. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are filled with “thrift with me” videos and “thrift hauls” where content creators share their secondhand treasures. This is an interesting development given the past stigma associated with buying used clothes. Online, it’s common to see individuals taking used clothing items and either repurposing or altering the items to give them new life. 

The excitement around thrifting has certainly made its way to Berry. Junior communications major Efrain Iglesias has channeled his passion for secondhand shopping into an Instagram account, @berrypicking.thrift, where he showcases and sells his most interesting thrift store discoveries. Online re-sellers such as Depop and Poshmark have also gained popularity with the rise of secondhand shopping. These services offer a convenient way for shoppers to find unique clothing pieces without the need to sift through every rack at their local thrift store. Some online retailers however, re-sell used clothing pieces for way more than they are actually worth. In an effort to avoid that, Iglesias has chosen to keep most of the items he re-sells under $20. 

“I’m kind of re-selling things at a more reachable price point for the common person,” Iglesias said. “Yeah, I do the work by going to thrift stores and finding pieces that are worthwhile. But I try to sell items that college students would like at a price they can afford.”

Through shopping secondhand, thrifters may stumble upon some more sentimental, homemade pieces, making them even more special. Junior environmental science major Emily Boeing shares why she enjoys these kinds of pieces at the thrift store. 

“I feel like when you thrift clothes it always feels like you have a more personal connection to the clothing because a lot of times things have a story,” Boeing said.  “There are usually very unique pieces that somebody handmade.” 

If someone is going into the thrift store for the first time, what’s the best way for them to find neat clothing items? Senior Environmental Science and Anthropology major Myriam Saldarriaga shares her method for  thrift shopping. 

“I usually create a Pinterest board, and I try to make a list of what I’m looking for,” Saldarriaga said. “You want to check how the stitching is and if there are any holes or stains.”

Aside from saving money and finding cool clothes, thrifting is also a way to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce the amount of waste you produce. With the rise of fast fashion, we are seeing more clothes being made and discarded than ever. According to KQED, Americans purchase nearly 20 billion garments annually. Data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) reveals that from 2000 to 2014, clothing production doubled, with the average American buying 60% more items than 15 years earlier. However, these garments are now kept for only half as long. 

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Studies Adrienne Ernst provided insight into how many resources go into creating these fast-fashion clothing items. 

“We have to have land that’s dedicated to the farming of those crops,” Ernst said. “Furthermore, cotton takes an incredible amount of water to grow. There are lots of issues with insects, so they use a lot of pesticides. I think it’s just really important to acknowledge the fact that one textiles themselves are just incredibly resource-intensive and also have significant environmental impacts to go into any sort of production.” 

Overall, thrifting is a really great way to update your wardrobe in a sustainable, budget-friendly way. There are a number of thrift stores in Rome including the Hospitality House Thrift Store. All proceeds from the Hospitality House Thrift Store goes towards providing shelter and individualized services to women who are victims of domestic violence and their children. By shopping there you can update your wardrobe, reduce your carbon footprint, and donate to a great cause  all in one outing.