This is a story that ran in the Sidelines 100th Anniversary Edition newspaper, a print edition meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sidelines.
A century ago, MTSU student shared opinions of trading stamps, but today, students are discussing the surging trend of thrifting and its economic convenience. With tuition, housing and grocery bills on the rise, people are looking for ways to save money now more than ever, and one way is thrifting.
Thrifting is the art of shopping for second-hand goods at thrift stores, antique stores, flea markets and garage sales. Instead of shopping at big retail stores, many people shop at smaller markets for affordability, sustainability and uniqueness.
Many college students use this shopping method to save money and find clothes that match their style. Murfreesboro has several great spots to find quality items at great prices, such as Outreach Thrift, Steered Straight Too Furniture & Thrift and Uptown Cheapskate.
Christina Askew, a junior at MTSU, believes thrifting is trending due to fast fashion, but worries that its popularity is diminishing its affordability.
“I feel like fast fashion taking over is what made us love thrifting so much,” Askew said. “I just wish that the thrift prices would go back to what they were before everyone started doing it. The clothes are still used, and I’m sure most times, resellers get them for little to nothing. I think $60 for a sweatshirt is kind of insane.”
With so many people looking to move away from big retail stores and fast fashion, shoppers can have a hard time finding pieces they love or feel like they aren’t looking in the right places. Here are three suggestions finding that perfect match:
1. Go in with an open mind
When shopping at a thrift store, shoppers can’t go in looking for one specific thing as they can at a big retail store. While there is a disadvantage to this, there is also a beauty in the unknown.
Mabel Adams, a junior majoring in Apparel Design, says thrift stores can hold a wide variety for shoppers.
“Thrifting is one of the best ways to shop for clothing because it encourages recycling by reusing old clothing,” Adams said. “Thrifting allows you to find the most unique pieces because thrift stores often carry vintage clothing — even vintage designer clothing — that cannot be purchased off the regular market. I only thrift my clothing due to the wide, unique range of style choices at such affordable prices.”
2. Look through everything – and that means everything
While most stores maintain specific aisles and sections for their items, some places, such as antique stores, adopt an open floor plan. With this in mind, it’s best to look through every aisle, section and item because you never know what you might discover.
MTSU student Brea Dames says that some of her best finds came from thrifting.
“Thrifting feels sustainable and creative at the same time,” Dames said. “It’s like styling with intention. Some of my best outfits started as random thrift finds.”
If it becomes too overwhelming, take the store section by section. This way, you still get to look at what you want without the hassle of searching through endless racks of clothes or shoes.
3. Take your time
With the first two tips in mind, it is crucial to be aware that while thrifting can be a quick errand, it is better to have some time to shop. With more time, there is a better chance of finding quality items that may be overlooked by a quick glance.
Lily Claire, a Nashville-based influencer, vlogs her thrift-store trips on TikTok. In her videos, viewers watch her make a day of shopping, allowing her to find some of the best pieces.
This new fashion movement can feel a little overwhelming for beginners, but it’s certainly not hurting the environment or your wallet.
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