The hefty price tag of buying second-hand clothes

Thrifting is in and buying clothes from fast-fashion giants are out. But this shift to thrift will be costly.

Photo credits: Pixabay

In the past year, there has been a surge in people using apps such as Depop and Poshmark, seeking out eclectic and unique garments to set their style apart from others.

This shift has come thanks to social media sites like Tiktok, where users have been educating consumers on the effects of textile waste and the impact fast-fashion companies like Shein have on the environment, animals and people.

The movement has come from Tiktok users like @Oldloserinbrooklyn, who urge consumers to find their personal style and veer away from micro-trends to find good quality and timeless pieces to include in their wardrobes that won't be discarded soon after purchasing it.

Trends are easy to buy into, but building a wardrobe of sustainable clothing that will be worn for years to come is something that takes time. Photo credits: Pixabay

However, this has led to people going to thrift stores to purchase clothes out of the children's section to sell for exorbitant prices on Depop, ultimately defeating the purpose of secondhand being considered a cheap option.

Dubbed "Depop scammers," these people are scrutinized for taking advantage of people wanting to buy pre-owned clothing. Since thrift shopping is well-known as the cheaper alternative to finding unique styles from the past, these high markups deter thrift-seekers from making the change.

Despite these issues, local thrift stores are still an option to obtain high-quality clothes for a lower price. Finding what you'd want is time-consuming, but setting aside time before heading out to figure out what you like will narrow down all of the options that secondhand stores offer.

Depop users have taken their frustrations out about scammers on Tiktok, and question those who mark up the prices of children's clothing to people seeking out specific styles. Video Credit: distemperedenby via TikTok.

Though fast-fashion brands offer easily accessible, low-cost and trendy clothing articles, someone is struggling to keep up with the high demand.

These low-cost garments often are made in sweatshops where workers get paid unliveable wages, the materials sourced use harsh dyes and have a detrimental impact on the environment, and the "trendiness" of a garment will most likely end up in a landfill in a year. The price of a cheap tank top could mean the cost of a life.

Although it isn't on the consumer to change how companies operate, we can all do our part in reducing the number of clothes we consume and be mindful of our purchases. Thrift stores continue to be the best way to reduce the amount of clothing that would otherwise be discarded in a landfill and gives it a second life.

To learn more about consciously consuming clothing, Good On You is an insightful website to see the impact a brand has on the planet.