Thanks to thrifting, hand-me-downs are glamorous





“Look at these gems!” exclaimed my friend, as she fanned out several clothing pieces on her living room sofa. “Aren’t they something?”

They certainly were. A glitzy gold top perfect for a holiday party. A silk scarf of many colors. An elegant cardigan that belonged in a 1950s catalog. All were items that would’ve cost a pretty penny at a regular department store, but she had found them at a gigantic thrift shop near her daughter’s house.

Was it the charm of the items that enthralled her? Or the pleasure of getting a bargain? I suspect both. She got into the habit of buying second-hand clothing in college and never abandoned the practice, even when there was no longer any need to count pennies. These days she does it for the sheer pleasure of discovery.

She’s not the only one with a keen eye for finding treasure in unusual places, but she is, by far, the one with the most experience. Another friend has furnished a rental investment apartment for less than $100. All she needed was cash, a pickup truck and willingness to scour various websites. A third has purchased amazingly eclectic pieces for both her wardrobe and her home during her monthly garage sale jaunts.

These friends have mastered the patient art of finding treasure amid junk, value among castoffs. But it wasn’t always something they bragged about. Back in the day, secondhand shopping was more covert than celebratory. Buying pre-owned items was not a mainstream activity, and it was prompted more by necessity than by curiosity or by love of a bargain. Those who frequented a Goodwill mega-store didn’t always admit to it, even if they were secretly proud of managing a trendy look without paying department store prices.

Times are definitely a’changing, however. Unlike my generation, the ever clever millennials and Gen Zers flaunt their discoveries, many of which they’ve found online at used-goods websites that have worked wonders in spreading the message that style doesn’t have to be new or expensive. Thrifting has become cool, super cool. It’s been elevated to a form of politically correct consumption, and these days wearing “pre-used” sustainable fashion classifies as both credential and buzzword.

In fact, the secondhand market has been hailed as a retail savior of sorts. It’s expected to account for $77 billion in sales by 2025, up from $36 billion this year. To get a better sense of its popularity, consider this statistic: The “pre-owned” sector is growing at 11 times the rate of the broader retail clothing sector, according to a report from the retail analytics firm GlobalData and the online thrift store ThredUp.

I understand why. Buying used has lost its stigma. Even celebrities boast about their finds. Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts and Lorde thrift. So does Paris Hilton and the iconic Helen Mirren. They flaunt their finds as proof that they’re not only eco-minded — apparel and footwear industry account for about 10% of climate impact — but that they’re also just like us.

If my recent reading is any indication, this pre-owned retail habit has taken on a new glow for the season. For the first time ever, I’ve encountered several articles on how to buy secondhand gifts. I doubt such pieces would’ve been published a decade ago. Now, however, they even claim thrifting could be the answer to our holiday shopping angst.

Worried about shortages? Not at a secondhand shop. The product is on the shelf, not languishing in a cargo container. Concerned about blowing your budget? Fear not. I’ve never bought a piece of clothing or household item at a thrift store for more than $10. Bothered that a recipient might scorn it? Remind the person of the value of conscientious consumption, not the price tag.

Thanks to thrifting, hand-me-downs are glamorous. Thanks to thrifting, twice-owned accessories can be as chic as anything purchased at Tiffany’s. Thanks to thrifting, we may have finally entered an era where a $20 bill stretches farther than we ever thought. What’s not to like?

Ana Veciana-Suarez writes about family and social issues. Email her at avecianasuarez@gmail.com or visit her website anavecianasuarez.com. Follow @AnaVeciana.