Students are becoming more involved with the art of shopping in thrift stores as a way to save money as well as express themselves in an easy and fun way.
One of the main factors that attracts students and other people to thrift shopping is how efficient it could be for saving money. When shopping in local stores such as Plato’s Closet, Savers and Goodwill, shoppers can find unique, style specific items that one wouldn’t find in regular brand name stores. Not only that, but items found here can be drastically cheaper than if one were to have found them in regular stores.
It is difficult for many teenagers to achieve their true style when they have a limited budget and limited choices. When given the option of thrift stores, students are finally able to afford clothes and decor that truly make them happy.
“They see different celebrities wearing certain clothes and celebrities have an unlimited budget […] the younger generation can put that look together at a lower cost through a thrift shop. They don’t need to have the amount of money that they see online or around school,” said art teacher Marie Adamo.
Adamo is the adviser of the fashion club and goes to thrift shops often for home decor and antiques.
Some students turn to thrift shopping in order to express individuality and to discover who they truly are through clothing. As students get older, it can become increasingly difficult to portray who they are through words. For students, art and music often serve as creative outlets to express themselves. Similarly to these hobbies, thrift shopping can encourage students to begin to use their creativity to create new, unique outfits or alter clothing items to their liking. It is a popular way for students to express their individuality while being inventive.
“Students our age don’t have much control over their lives because they are still children so parents and other adults still dictate most of the things they do so a lot of kids feel like the only way they can do the things that they want to do is by dressing a certain way,” said sophomore Paz R.
High school is often a time for students to learn about themselves. Students take this time of their lives to learn more about themselves. It is a time in which they should be exploring hobbies, styles and interests.
“[Thrifting] lets you express yourself and possibly learn more things about yourself or more styles you didn’t know you even liked when you go thrifting,” said sophomore Giselle F.
For some people though, thrift shopping is a necessity. Some can’t afford to shop in regular brand name stores that might be more expensive. The world is positively impacted by the establishment of thrift stores because it is giving an affordable option to people who may struggle financially.
“If more kids are thrifting that means that more kids are also donating clothes, which is really helpful to people who might thrift because they have to,” said Paz.
Many local thrift stores such as Plato’s Closet, located on Jericho Turnpike, will buy clothes from customers and give out coupons, while other thrift stores will give coupons towards the next purchase if a donation is made. This opportunity ignites generosity in people in the community, encouraging them to donate items they don’t want anymore instead of throwing them out.◼️
