The History of Thrifting

Thrifting is more than just a way to save money. Thrifting has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that encourages sustainability and individuality within society. It is very much welcomed in a very heavy, fast-fashion and consumerism-focused world. The joy of hunting for unique treats and the rewarding feeling you get when you find something is great. 

Not many people realize that thrifting is not new. In fact, it has a very rich and complex history that is rooted in early practices of repurposing. What started as a small and humble activity has now become a mainstream activity. If you are interested in thrifting, then you may just be interested in its unique past that showcases human behaviors, changing social values and economic shifts. 

The roots of reuse 

People have been “thrifting” since before the term became popular. Before online retail and shopping malls, it was the norm to find ways to reuse and repurpose items out of necessity. As people grow up today in a society that has everything available at a click with next day delivery, it can be hard to see how things were before. It wasn’t just due to a lack of funds or resources, but just good practice to make the most out of items.

Passing items down from generation to generation used to be the norm, and even goes back as far as ancient civilizations. From clothes to tools to food, families and communities have always made good use of items. 

During times of economic hardship and war, people were well-practised in making do with what they had. For many, they didn’t know any difference, not until big retail in modern society became popular. At times, repurposing was a matter of frugality, and at other times, it was for survival. 

Clothing used to be expensive to make, especially in Europe, so reusing garments had been a long-standing practice. This meant that clothes were worn until they could no longer be mended. Garments were also altered or recycled into other useful items.

The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries introduced new clothing and mass production, making these items easily available. This sparked the first wave of consumerism in society. 

The birth of secondhand retail 

The concept of secondhand retail began to form in the 19th and 20th centuries. Charity shops began to spring up, with the simple idea that if you had items you no longer wanted, they could be sold at an affordable price to raise money for charity. Charity shops were known as thrift stores, with the first opening in the UK in 1899. In the United States of America (USA), charity shops didn’t catch on until the early 20th century, with Goodwill Industries spearheading the efforts. They had a dual-purpose – offering low cost items to people who needed them the most while helping people donate their items rather than throw them in the trash. 

In these early days of thrifting, these shops were not seen as fashion but more necessities. The shops were used by those who needed something. Glamor was not something that was associated with thrifting at the time. 

The rise of consumerism 

After World War II, consumerism exploded in the USA, as well as other Western nations. The American Dream became a thing, which was very much centred around new items and abundance. The economy boomed, with mass-produced goods hitting the market and their contents becoming ingrained in everyday life. It was not a great time for thrift stores, as they were overlooked and shadowed by the culture of “new is better”. 

A shift in attitude soon swept the nation in the 1960s and 1970s. Movements began to emerge that rejected consumerism and mainstream values. Thrifting, in a way, became a form of rebellion. Secondhand clothes enabled people to find and create unique styles that helped them to express themselves, be more individual, while rising up against consumerism. The hippie movement was a big part of this. 

Around the same time, concerns for the environment were becoming more present. The idea of recycling and reusing items was pushed and made more appealing, as overconsumption was not good for the environment and was encouraging a lot of waste. Society became quite a “throw away” culture in the rise of consumerism and just buying more or new. Long before the green movement took shape, thrifting became an early way for people to be more conscious of the environment.  

Grunge fashion emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, popularized by bands like Nirvana. With the anti-fashion ethos, thrift stores were embraced. Grunge fashion was built on ripped jeans and vintage items, which were commonly found at thrift stores. Thrift stores become less about the financially disadvantaged and more about the unique, edgy fashion looks that young people were creating. 

Thrifting was at the heart of both rebellion and style. Celebrated for their potential, thrift stores were helping bold fashion statements and indirectly supporting secondhand shopping. 

Thrift stores become mainstream

Thrift stores had become more mainstream by the 2000s. Television shows like Sex and the City helped to encourage and normalize secondhand shopping, as thrifting was integrated into the work of the costume designers to create unique looks. Vintage clothing became extremely popular. What had once been associated with necessity and poverty was seen as trendy. Thrift stores became treasure troves for unique finds, even for fashion influencers and designers. 

Online platforms like eBay and Etsy also helped the online resale market, opening up opportunities to sell secondhand items, collectibles, vintage items and more. 

The push of technology and fast fashion also played a role in the growth of thrifting. Many people began to question the ethics of mass-produced clothes at such low costs. 

A new era of resale culture 

Today, you can see that thrifting has clearly evolved into an economic and cultural powerhouse. With the rise of social media, flipping and repurposing items has become extremely popular and fuels the desire to shop second-hand, be more eco-friendly and express oneself with clothing. 

Millennial and Gen Z generations are embracing thrifting over mass-produced items. It isn’t just about shopping for cheap clothes (while that is a bonus during a cost-of-living crisis) but more about ethical fashion and individuality. 

You can see through the history of thrifting the creativity and resilience of individuals. With social and economic conditions changing, people adapt and continue to care about the environment. As the world continues to face challenges, thrifting is a practice that will likely continue to grow.