Fast fashion has been making steady inroads and inundating the world of style for the past two decades. The pace has only accelerated with the proliferation of sub-trends, cores, and all the try out hauls on social ; the endgame being to go viral — if you’re lucky! But what if you could give more cred to your sense of style by choosing vintage and thrift items?
The concept of dressing using secondhand clothing is not new; however the fashion aspect is.
The Origins of Thrifting
In 1897, The Salvation Army launched its “salvage brigade” which collected used clothing in exchange for food and lodging. Goodwill followed in 1902. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, thrift stores became more widespread as they provided many families with economical ways to dress.
With the rebel streak from the 1970s, thrift stores experienced a surge in popularity, largely driven by countercultural movements. Hippie and bohemian styles blossomed, and these shops became treasure troves of pre-loved fashion offering unique pieces that reflected individuality, while simultaneously pushing back against mainstream fashion norms. Think Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac and all the bands of the era; influencers of sorts that gave fuel to these iconoclastic looks.
In the 1990s, grunge — again, another musical style — fired up the passion for vintage with slip dresses, grandmotherly mohair cardigans, and plaid shirts. That’s when thrifting went more mainstream, — the creative anomaly in a mostly sterile fashion panorama with boring basics taking centre stage. Celebrities loved the look and embraced the idea of going for unique and precious vintage finds. While thrift stores evolved into more organized and curated spaces catering to a larger consumer base that was not necessarily familiar or comfortable with the idea of dressing in secondhand clothes. Oh, but the pull of trends…
At the onset of Y2K, the massive growth of the Internet ushered in the era of buying vintage pieces online. That’s when eBay and Etsy boomed, allowing everybody everywhere instant access to the most unique and exclusive vintage pieces. Some prestige auction houses like 1stDibs also got into this market by offering high-end vintage fashion, luxury accessories, and designer pieces, some of them almost museum-quality finds.
Right now, there are a ton more resale platforms enabling us to repurpose clothes (and make cash!) we’ve only worn a couple of time or even just once for an event.
Thrifting to Save the Planet
Because of the democratization of information and whistleblowers, we now know the real impact fast fashion has on the environment.
Chile is a hub for discarded secondhand and unsold clothing. Approximately 59,000 tons of them arrive each year in the South American country. These items, originally manufactured in countries like China or Bangladesh, pass through Europe, Asia, or the United States before ending up in the Atacama Desert, known as the driest desert in the world. It’s the biggest dumping ground for discarded clothing from around the globe, posing serious environmental challenges.
Most of our current clothing has added synthetic fibres (acrylic, polyester, nylon and spandex) making it non biodegradable and thus unacceptable for municipal landfills. When left out in the open or buried underground, these clothing piles release pollutants into the air and underground water channels. Clothing, whether synthetic or treated with chemicals, can take up to 200 years to biodegrade and is as toxic as discarded tires or plastic materials.
And that’s without counting the tons of unsold items some big luxury brands destroy by slashing or burning, creating rarity on the market to keep their prices high.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion. And GenZ is particularly sensitive to this topic. Secondhand glam and thrifting provides other ways to dressing stylishly, while being mindful of our shopping habits.
Thrifting, the Ultra-Fashion Way
Yes, there are people who have an extraordinary sense of style and can create magic literally out of thin air, whipping up a stunning outfit in two seconds, flat. And because of this talent, they have often developed a loyal following for their unique fashion flair.
Of course, it’s always easier to just buy a ‘fit. But there are ways to help you choose your thrift items like a pro.
Just like home décor, the most stunning fashion looks often include a savvy blend of different items that come together in a beautiful, harmonized way. Essentially, the secret is all about the styling. Not so much about the individual items.
But what to choose? How to mix & match?
- Fabric first, style later
Unless you find your vintage treasures in a boutique, where the owner or buyer has already carefully edited the best pieces from bigger thrift emporiums like Value Village, Renaissance, Goodwill, or estate sales, when you so set foot into these immense repositories of used clothing you are presented with literally tens of thousands of items. So start scouting with method. By focusing first on great quality fabrics and materials such as linen, cashmere, natural silk (NOT polyester), and cotton canvas, you are naturally eliminating lower quality items that are simply not worth it. Then focus on unique prints, colours, overall fit and style.
- Mix Eras
If you feel your fashion style is strong and are not afraid to stand out, be bold and blend different decades. For example, you can easily pair a sheer seventies flower print blouse with a pair of high-waisted ’90s mom jeans. It’s always the juxtaposition of styles that creates an interesting look.
- Layering Magic
No, it’s not your imagination. The quality and craftsmanship was better in the era before fast fashion. That’s why vintage pieces often have unique textures and patterns that resist the test of time better than current, but similar, ones. With this in mind, don’t be afraid of pairing a delicate lace camisole under a chunky knit cardigan, for example, or go with a slinky slip dress under a denim shirt knotted at the waist. Layers add depth and visual interest, so play with proportions.
- Tailoring Matters
Vintage finds might not fit perfectly. So to get that killer look you will have to invest in the best alterations to ensure a flattering fit. Hemming pants, taking in waistlines, shortening sleeves, or even completely resizing a piece to your exact measurements is something that a great tailor can accomplish, when you just can’t leave behind an item you’ve just laid eyes on.
And remember, confidence is key. Think like a fashion superstar when putting together your unique finds into a well-edited look. When you feel good, you radiate instant style. Remember, thrifting is about celebrating individuality and sustainability. Each piece has a story—now it’s your turn to tell it through your unique vibe!
