Has thrifting been gentrified?

Has the practice of thrifting begun to ostracise the people it was initially intended to help?

Thrifting has been lauded as the alternative to the high street for years due to its sustainability and affordability. But in recent years, the world of thrifting has seen a rise in vintage fashion, with many sub-cultures all boiled down to a “core” trend.

This, in addition to resale platforms like Vinted and Depop being flooded with overpriced second hand items, has ultimately prompted the question: has thrifting been gentrified?

Michaela, a thrifter from the US who was travelling around London, said: “Thrifting has been a lifeline for low income families to access clothing at a reasonable cost. But I’m not sure if the same applies here.”

During the dawn of online thrifting in the early 2010s, apps such as Depop, Vinted and eBay have transformed thrifting from a niche hobby into a profitable business. 

With this in mind, many sellers and thrifters have transformed the practice from one where the aim was to find something that was affordable and sustainable, to one where now thrifters have become collectors, with many willing to pay whatever it costs to archive unique pieces.

But it’s not all doom and gloom as social media platforms like TikTok have seen a wave of users countering the rise in expensive thrifting by sharing tips on sustainable places to shop, which includes charity shops that offer good quality clothing and car boot sales where you can interact with sellers directly.

Featured image credit: Hugo Clement via Unsplash