essay about second hand shopping

• December 5, 2021

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample: Buying Second-hand Products

In some countries, people are buying fewer new things and more second-hand things. 

What do you think are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or a negative trend?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

In some parts of the world, people prefer purchasing previously owned products over new ones. They opt to buy such items mainly for personal and financial reasons, and I firmly believe that this trend has far-reaching benefits.

There are two main reasons why many people believe that second-hand items are worth buying. First, such items usually come at a fraction of the price of brand-new products. For instance, people buy used vehicles to avoid the steep depreciation that occurs during the first few years of ownership, potentially saving them thousands of dollars. Second, some people believe that older items often come from a bygone era when quality was prized over quantity. This belief mainly stems from the fact that many new products, such as refrigerators, require costly regular maintenance, while the old ones continue to work without such requirements. Therefore, opting for quality used items is believed to help people be in a better financial standing at the end of the year.

The above-mentioned personal gains, in my opinion, are insignificant compared to the environmental and economic benefits of the second-hand economy, which supports my optimistic view of this tendency. From an environmental perspective, buying pre-owned products would decrease the demand for the manufacture of new ones, hence reducing the depletion rate of natural resources such as oil, water, and trees, which are used as raw materials. From an economic standpoint, such purchasing habits help local businesses to grow. For example, if a car manufacturing company received less local demand for new vehicles, it could focus more on export and expand into foreign markets, which will lead to more foreign currency earned. Eventually, all these benefits will improve the nation’s environmental and economic health.

In conclusion, the move toward purchasing pre-owned items is mainly due to the lower purchase costs and better reliability, and I think that its benefits positively impact the natural world and economy.

Read about our Student's Success!

Recent Posts

IELTS Writing Task 1 Formal Letter Sample | Festival Manager

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample: Taxing Fast Food

IELTS AC Writing Task 1 Sample Line Graph | TV News Broadcasting Time

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample: Financial aid from developed countries to poor nations

Esl fluency on facebook.

ESL Fluency on Instagram

Share this post with your friends

10 Reasons to Buy Second Hand Rather Than New

With the introduction of mass, low-cost production, more and more people feel less incentivized to buy used products. Regardless, the market for thrift items holds strong 3 . Many of us have at least one item we purchased at an auction, a second-hand store, or a charity shop. So, why buy second-hand when you can buy new ones?

Buying used goods, especially clothes, doesn't necessarily mean you cannot afford something new. It could be that the items in second-hand shops may be rare vintage, limited in stock, or something of significant value that you may never have the opportunity to buy again if you miss out on it.

But the most important reason is the environmental cost you'll be saving. Whatever your reasons, choosing to shop for second-hand items is a great idea. They offer great value to you while doing the environment a huge favor.

When talking about second-hand items or going thrifting , we might easily think of clothes and garage sales. Yes, shopping at online thrift stores for second-hand clothing and other fashion items is most common.

But we can also buy items like furniture, books, electronics, baby gear, a new car, pre-owned gift cards, tools, kid's toys and home care items, musical instruments, collectible toys, video games, and many others second-hand. Many of these make for perfect secondhand gifts .

Buying these items from swap shops does not only save money when compared with what a new one costs. It also encourages reusing, which is sustainable for the environment. In other words, you are doing yourself and the environment some good when you shop for second-hand items. 

We have discovered that customers' environmental motivation and willingness to act sustainably are quite different. Why, then, should you buy used items when you can afford a new one (or not)? Here are a few reasons that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

Why You Should Buy Second Hand

1. get high-quality products for a lower price..

This remains the driving force behind buying used rather than new. Many prefer buying clothes, handbags, furniture, and kids' items from thrift shops. Their reason is that several branded new items, especially clothes, are made with lesser quality materials and sold at high prices. 

Remember this the next time you want to buy some clothing, a book, furniture, electronics, and more. First, check out the thrift stores close to you, and you might find something you like more than the popular items. 

2. Decrease negative impact on the environment 

Our climate has, over time, experienced drastic changes due to our daily activities that have proven to be harmful and unsustainable. The fashion industry is the second-largest industry globally and the second-largest polluter of the environment . 

The production of cotton clothes consumes a lot of water and energy. When you buy and sell thrift clothes, shoes, bags, and other fashion items, you decrease the demand for new items hence, reducing the pressure on manufacturers to produce these items in large quantities. 

Furthermore, when you shop at local retail stores for secondhand goods, you support local businesses and help reduce emissions from shipping and traveling further afield. Purchasing locally is almost always better for the environment.

People who buy used cars help reduce the need for companies to source materials required to build the car and ship it around the world, thereby reducing pollution to some extent. According to a 2015 study, the demand for more new goods will decrease if there is a constant supply of used products that are still valuable. In other words, second-hand markets have a positive impact on the environment 1 . 

3. Discover some luxury brands

It's possible to find a lucky luxury when shopping second-hand. In fact, some people earn a side income by browsing for high-valued items and reselling them for a profit. You can buy those items you may only see online and are beyond your budget for less money or by using a gift card at a second-hand store. 

There are thousands of luxury products in stores like this, waiting for someone to rediscover them. Many of these stores have an app you can use to shop for these products.

You can find high-end designer outfits on eBay, Facebook, an online thrift shop, a garage sale, charity shops, or retail stores. And you might just find a rare vintage or luxury item you will love.

Instead of buying something new from fast fashion brands, buying secondhand clothes or products from a thrift store extends the life cycle of second-hand clothing or products, which is an incredible way to avoid waste pollution.

4. Avoid unethical and controlling strategies of manufacturers 

Second-hand shopping and ethical shopping work hand-in-hand. As a regular thrift shopper, you will be contributing less to the average output of manufacturers. This happens when we, as a global society, choose to buy fewer new products. Manufacturers make so much to sate a hungry market. Reduce the demand, and we reduce the activities that contribute to pollution and the degradation of our environment. 

Also, manufacturing strategies used by companies that mass-produce goods are not convenient and conducive for their workers. Increasing demand for these massed-produced goods will only support exploitative and unethical practices. Often, they defy human rights.

While there are good companies out there that are ethical and transparent with their methods and strategies, they are only a handful, and their products tend to be quite expensive, with their prices above what an average person can afford. 

So, each time you buy and sell used goods, you invest in building a fairer world by reducing sweatshops and slave labor. If we change our buying habits, then manufacturers will need to change their production strategies as well and produce more ethical fashion.

5. Decreases environmental pollution and saves resources

A considerable percentage of cotton grown for textile relies heavily on pesticides which acidify the soil and contaminate the nearby water supply.

One of many noteworthy fast fashion facts is that the industry produces about 20% of global wastewater and emits about 10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than what is emitted by maritime shipping and international flights when combined . This further proves how our activities cause more damage to the environment.

Rather than add to the problems, we can effect a change by adopting new buying habits to become sustainable and environmental-friendly.

Before buying those new clothes from your favorite retail store, think about the resources that went into their production and how we could have used them for an environmentally friendly cause. Even if purchasing from a sustainable clothing brand or one that champions eco-friendly production, manufacturing still requires energy and materials.

6. Extends the life of an item

Reusing ensures that we use items to their full capacity. Whether you cannot afford a brand new product or are environmentally conscious, build a habit of buying used.

Whether you shop secondhand to use that item, donate, or gift someone, you are making it useful and giving it a new life. Second-hand clothing also makes an excellent choice for upcycling clothes you already have through repair, patching, or restyling them.

If you buy it for personal use, make sure to use it with care. Keep the item in excellent condition so you can later donate, resell, or gift them.

Whichever you decide to do, the reuse and recycle process continues, making it one less item that would end up in a landfill.

Related: Check out our guides on how to clean used shoes , jewelry and wash thrifted clothes to ensure those new finds are sparkling for their first wear (and germ free).

7. Allows you to bargain for a better price

When you go to a garage sale to buy some thrift goods, everyone comes hoping to get a good deal. This includes both the buyer and the seller. Unlike mass-produced new goods that come with a fixed price, buying thrift goods allows you to bargain with the seller and saves you more money.

You can both negotiate on different products and come to an amount that works great for both of you. Although the seller may have fixed a price for each item, you can, in most cases, beat down the price.

8. Encourages community building 

It is almost impossible to buy used items from people regularly without building friendships and community relationships, one of the reasons thrifting has become so popular .

For instance, in the case of a garage sale, you may be inquisitive about the story behind certain items on sale. When you decide to ask the seller, it might stir up a conversation that will expand your perspective about an area and give you more reasons to buy from them.

Also, suppose you thrift shop regularly from a particular charity shop or thrift store around your area. In that case, you will likely become familiar with the salesperson, who may even give you a call each time there are new arrivals. 

Another community movement on the rise is "buy nothing new groups." Check if there is one already in your area, or you can set one up to facilitate second-hand trades, or start a buy-nothing-new challenge .

9. Support a good cause 

Many thrift stores donate some (or even all) of the money you spend on purchasing used clothing and other products to non-profit organizations.

When people donate their household goods and unwanted clothes to charities such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries, the U.S. government offers tax incentives to these individuals. This helps reduce the portion of clothing and textiles that would otherwise go to landfills or incinerators and provides jobs for more people.

To make sure that your money is going to good causes, do some research on the thrift stores in your area. Ask them if they have any charity affiliations and how you, as a customer, can do more. This way, you'll spend money to buy things you need while also helping others with their needs. 

You can feel (and enjoy) the shopping thrill for different reasons, including doing something good for your community. And the data shows that buying from charity-focused thrift stores is indeed helpful 2 .  

10. Prevent waste 

The sixth-largest expenditure for households in Europe is buying clothes. Although this isn't a waste of household income, some of that money can do well for other needs. Also, the effect of having so many clothes on the environment is extremely high. The clothing industry creates a vast amount of waste in the supply chain and at the end of clothing life, where it often gets thrown away in any area. 

End-users prefer throwing a lot of their used clothes in dumpsites and landfills, and the impact of such actions is not sustainable. Regardless of its size, no country in the world has the land space to sustain this waste practice. The ECAP offers several solutions 4 , including the option to sell these clothes as second-hand clothes. 

Where To Buy Second-Hand Items

Consignment stores .

If you want to buy high-end brands or antique pieces for lower prices, then visit a consignment store or look for one near you. These stores help brands who want a place to store their goods while allowing them to keep the items' ownership right until it gets sold. 

Charity shops

Since most items sold here are donated, buying them is almost like making donations for a good cause. Most charity shops have a list of commodities like kids' clothing and other things they accept for donation, so check their website to know the categories of things they need. 

Vintage stores

They usually have a range of products that are quite rare. The rarity of these products makes them sell fast. Since a vintage store always posts newly available items, you should follow them on social media for updates. When you see something you like, make sure you buy it at that moment because many people may be interested in that product.

Online marketplaces

There are lots of online shops/platforms where you can get quality second-hand commodities. Some popular options are eBay, Craigslist, Poshmark, and Facebook's online marketplace. Our list of the best online thrift stores also offers more options.

And if you're looking for product-specific thrift products like second-hand baby equipment or sports gear, a quick Google search can help you find the right second-hand stores. 

There are many benefits when you shop secondhand. Purchasing a product that will serve its purpose for a long time is more sustainable than one you may need to change now and then. Items that last well enough for the owners to resell are often made using high-quality materials.

You can ditch the easy-to-break, mass-produced, low-quality stuff we often see in stores with second-hand items. Let us take suitcases, for instance. Some of us may have seen those of our parents and grandparents. These suitcases were constructed with durable and quality products, lasting long enough for us and even our kids to see. 

Beyond quality and durability, buying second-hand means you're playing your part in reducing waste. When you buy second-hand, you maximize the resources taken from the Earth and deviate from the throwaway culture.

Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.

Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.

Home / IELTS, CAE, FCE Writing Samples / IELTS Writing Task 2: Second-hand goods

IELTS Writing Task 2: Second-hand goods

Nowadays many people are buying fewer new things and more second hand goods. What are the possible reason for this trend? Is it positive or negative ?

The trend of purchasing used goods is on the rise in comparison with people buying brand new ones (1) . The main reason for this kind of trend is the reduced cost involved in buying second-hand goods (2) . In my view, this trend has an adverse effect on the whole society, as it promotes consumerism and fourfold the rubbish produced all over the world (3) . One of the reason for consumers to show a great deal of interest in used commodities is the cheaper rate involved in buying second-hand goods (4) . One’s a person purchase any goods and wish to re-sell it, minimum half of the price gets reduced on the goods purchased (5) . This promotes people from the middle class to get needed things at a reduced cost in comparison with original price involved in it (6) . A recent survey from the OLX (a website for selling used goods ) shows an overwhelming response from people in buying used things in comparison with first-hand commodities (7) . The amount of money incurred in purchasing second-hand goods is increasing drastically, which have a negative influence on the community (8) . This is because people are involved in purchasing things which are not necessary (9) . This kind of behaviour promotes people to discard the working replicas of things at home and buy new ones at discounted price (10) . As an adverse effect of this consumerism, the amount of rubbish produced all over the world has extensively increased. Furthermore, this has drawbacks on the environment as the landfills to fill rubbish is on the rise. In conclusion, the whole world has modelled buying second hand goods in comparison with first-hand things (11) . This can be attributed to the low cost involved in purchasing used commodities in contrast with the high price of getting new things. Though this trend looks beneficial to people, it has adverse ramification on the whole environment. 315 words

The commentaries are marked in brackets with number (*). The numbered commentaries are found below. The part in  italics  is taken from the text, the word  underlined  is the suggested correction. Words in (brackets) are the suggested addition to the original phrase or sentence.

• The trend of purchasing used goods is on the rise in comparison with people buying brand new ones — there are no actual mistakes here, but the reader has to make a logical leap to understand that ‘new ones’ is used in contrast to ‘used goods’.
• The main reason for this trend is the reduced cost involved in buying second-hand goods  —’kind of’ doesn’t add anything to the text. Avoid littering your text with padding phrases that do not introduce anything new. See concise writing .
• In my view, this trend has an adverse effect on the whole society, as it promotes consumerism and fourfold the rubbish produced all over the world  — you have used ‘trend’ three times in three successive sentences, all in your introductory paragraph. Consider using a synonym (e.g. ‘notion’, ‘tendency’) or rephrasing your ideas to avoid using this word.
• One of the reasons for consumers to show a great deal of interest in used commodities is the lower prices of   second-hand goods  — ‘One of the reasons’ — one of many reasons. I have altered the second part of the text (underlined) — don’t make it complicated just for the sake of puzzling your reader. Stick to simpler constructions unless you are sure they won’t cause any confusion.
• One is that when a person buys and unwraps a brand-new item, its resale value goes down by at least 50% .— I get what you meant here and corrected the sentence accordingly.
• This  encourages people from the middle class to get needed things at a reduced cost in comparison with original price involved in it. — I have suggested a more suitable verb. You should also consider dropping the part after ‘cost’ as it doesn’t add anything new.
• A recent survey by  OLX (a website for selling used goods ) shows an overwhelming number of people buying used things in comparison with first-hand commodities  — a survey is held by someone. You don’t need a definite article here — see this entry on English articles basics .
• The amount of money involved  in purchasing second-hand goods is increasing drastically, which has a negative influence on the community  — ‘incurred’ has a different meaning. ‘To have’ in the second clause refers to the situation of increasing, which is singular.
• This is because people are involved in purchasing things which are not necessary — it is unclear what is not necessary — the things or the people.
• This kind of behaviour promotes people to discard the working replicas of things at home and buy new ones at discounted price — what are ‘the working replicas’? I haven’t corrected this but it has to be rephrased.
• In conclusion, the whole world has modelled buying second hand goods in comparison with first-hand things — I can only guess that ‘to model’ here means ‘to show, to demonstrate’. I didn’t correct it as I’m unsure what the author meant by it. As an addition, I wouldn’t use ‘first-hand’ to imply that the item wasn’t pre-owned. Stick to a more widely accepted ‘new’, ‘brand-new’.

While text has an adequate structuring and acceptable idea-development, multiple vocabulary inaccuracies make it difficult to understand. An extensive use of padding constructions (e.g. “This promotes people from the middle class to get needed things at a reduced cost in comparison with original price involved in it “) will drive the overall mark even lower. Consider using simpler constructions and breaking longer sentences into shorter ones.

UC Berkeley’s Premier Undergraduate Economics Journal

Rise of Thrifting: Solution to Fast Fashion or Stealing from the Poor?

NANDITHA NAIR – NOVEMBER 19TH, 2019                                                                                       EDITOR: ABHISHEK ROY

Prior to the industrialization of the fashion industry, the lower classes relied on homespun fabrics which were made through hand warping, a time-consuming process. These items were mended, reused, resized, and remade into new pieces until they were beyond wear—and even then, those scraps were used to stuff furniture. Even for the rich, consumption of fashion was quite limited. Any reader of Edith Wharton can tell you that the affluent and elegant ladies of the West in the late 19th century made, at most, an annual trip to the world’s fashion capital in Paris to buy the following year’s wardrobe, and that quality was always valued over quantity.

However, with the development of new technologies such as the spinning jenny, the sewing machine, and a system of standard sizing, it became possible for ready-made clothing to be manufactured en masse at low costs and sold at cheap prices. Naturally, as prices—at least outside of haute couture—dropped, consumption patterns also evolved. Lower prices meant that clothes were now considered more disposable, even for those in lower income brackets. Mainstream clothes manufacturers responded in turn to this change in mentality by churning out more and more “seasons” or sets of styles—from 11 to 52 seasons a year by 2014 —resulting in the highly consumerist “fast fashion” industry of today, where keeping up with the latest trends is the order of the day. With such fleeting fads dictating purchasing habits, gone were the days of buying pieces that could last half a lifetime. 

The 19th century industrial revolution, along with making manufacturing and consumption cheaper, created highly populated urban centers that produced large amounts of waste in a limited space. Consequently, central waste management systems were implemented by governments to deal with increasingly consumerist lifestyles and to improve sanitation and health. As waste disposal systems developed in the United States under the likes of pioneers such as Waring in the late 1800s, second-hand clothing stores and pawnshops began to appear in response to textile wastes. Despite hygiene concerns and racial stigmas which discouraged buying second-hand, these resale stores were well established by the 1920s and continued to grow with immigrant populations, whose main business involved peddling, after tailoring (p. 29, Le Zotte) . This was in part thanks to the efforts of charity stores run by Christian organisations such as the Salvation Army, which helped further destigmatize the practice of buying second-hand. Since then, “thrift stores,” as they have come to be known, have had a stable role in American society.

But in the past decade, thrifting has taken on a completely new life, especially among individuals of Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2010. The reasons behind the rise of thrifting are numerous. For one, the fast fashion industry has faced persistent scrutiny in the past decade following numerous controversies regarding the unethical treatment of its workers and unsafe working conditions in garment factories, most notably after the 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh. These revelations have encouraged discourse amongst the global consumer base about the ethics of fast fashion consumption, discouraging the practice in favor of circular fashion, and have resulted in greater transparency regarding garment supply chains from brands, such as H&M and Gap.

Secondly, Gen Z and Gen Y are, reportedly , more concerned about climate change compared to older generations. According to McKinsey’s “The State of  Fashion 2019” report , “Nine in ten Generation Z consumers believe companies have a responsibility to address environmental and social issues.”  Across all industries, companies have not been blind to the impact of these environmental interests on consumer choices. In the fashion industry, many of the hottest brands on the market (in terms of editorial recognition and celebrity endorsements), such as Reformation and Everlane, are ones that strive to treat their workers ethically, to minimize the consumption of resources such as water, and to reduce their environmental impact by using recycled fabrics and less toxic production methods. However, these sustainable and ethical brands are often much pricier than their fast-fashion counterparts. Thrift stores, therefore, service the environmentally and ethically conscious consumers of today who do not have the resources to buy from such brands.

Lastly, the internet has played a critical role in the rise of thrifting. The pressure to stay trendy is inevitable in a market where mainstream brands like Zara and H&M ship out new styles to stores biweekly, weekly, or even daily . Social media giants like Instagram and Youtube have no doubt reinforced these societal pressures, resulting in consumption habits that have been both unhealthy for both our bank accounts and the Earth. However, popular social media accounts like bestdressed , which showcase thrift-shopping finds and DIYs, have conversely increased the popularity of buying second-hand in order to maintain a trendy image on a tight budget. In addition, online second-hand resale platforms like ThredUP and mobile resale apps like Depop, have supported the shift towards thrifting. The McKinsey report on Generation Z identified its tendency to view consumption as “an expression of individual identity” and its appreciation of uniqueness. Thrift stores, with their one-of-a-kind donated pieces, therefore cater to these desires in a way that mainstream brands cannot.

All this seems like cause for celebration or, at the very least, lends some support to any self-perceived moral superiority held by Gen Z. However, what does all this mean for low-income consumers for whom the concept of thrifting was created in the first place? 

The rising popularity of thrifting among more wealthy consumers as an alternative to buying from sustainable and ethical fashion brands reduces the already limited options available to low-income communities when it comes to clothing. Thrifting no longer carries strong taboos of uncleanliness and poverty as it had in the past. So, in the name of eco-consciousness, many demographics that could afford to splurge on high-quality, low-impact purchases are deciding to thrift instead. This means there are less quality items left on the thrift store shelves for those who truly have no other affordable options, say, for buying professional attire that could mean the difference between impressing or crashing at a job interview. 

In addition, larger sizes are rare in thrift stores, just as they are in brand-name stores. Since the poor are disproportionately more obese than the rich , one has to be especially conscious of the effect of thrifting on such pieces. For all their online hype, DIY-ing clothing projects popularised online by creators like coolirpa often rely on thrifting plus-size clothing and crafting them into more stylish pieces meant for thin bodies. Such that, even if one does place these newly styled items back on the thrift market, they now serve a considerably smaller and more privileged demographic.

Furthermore, many individuals exploit their online popularity to make businesses out of reselling thrifted items at marked-up prices. Depop is notorious for this—some of its most popular users, who started out simply revamping their wardrobe on the cheap, now go thrifting exclusively to find items to resell for a profit on the app. Unique and vintage items at affordable prices targeted towards underprivileged and marginalized communities then end up on an online marketplace that serves both consumers looking to dress respectably on a budget and those who are invested in finding a unique look for any price. This is especially problematic when one considers that the privileged are at an advantage when engaging in such ‘entrepreneurial’ activities, which require the time-consuming practice of sifting through thrift stores and the time-flexibility of being able to visit these stores soon after they are restocked, which working individuals simply do not have. Popular users on the platform, like Bella McFadden aka “Internet Girl” and Celia Hodgson, started off selling unwanted pieces at large markups. One popular seller explains that her sale of a pair of trousers bought at £10 and sold on Depop for £45 was what got her into the business. The time and energy invested by such users into finding rare pieces and curating styles warrants a markup in prices, similar to sneaker resale markets where individuals like Josh Luber stand in queues for days to buy limited edition shoes and resell them for a profit. However, the moral question of how high that profit should be allowed to go requires serious thought, considering that such activity excludes lower-income communities from products which they otherwise had access to.

And if that wasn’t enough, the rise of thrifting may be cause for spending practices to shift even more towards quantity over quality. Since the value we place on items is often a reflection of their price, getting cheap finds at thrift stores may contribute to a culture of not maintaining and caring for the items that we buy, at least when it comes to higher-income consumer brackets. The high transactional utility , a concept which describes the happiness derived from getting a purchase at a discounted price, involved in thrifting can also lead to more purchases, eco-friendly or not. This works decidedly against any minimalist ideologies that proponents of thrifting often praise. Furthermore, combined with the idea that thrifting ‘ saves the planet ,’ the current popularity of thrifting could be a recipe for guilt-free and highly consumerist shopping habits under the guise of social awareness. 

On the whole, resale apps like Depop and thrifting present an optimistic change. The rise of thrifting entails an increase in donated materials, which requires that the consumer base also increases alongside it in order to prevent excess supply from going to landfills or being sent to the third world, where they saturate clothing markets and prevent the local clothing industries from flourishing . More purchases are not necessarily an issue as long as these are recirculated into the thrift market rather than ending up in the trash (i.e., the practices of donation and thrifting go hand in hand). Some thrift stores also actively combat class privilege by ensuring that poor communities get first pick of incoming stock. And if the stores in question are also non-profits which reinvest into the development of poor communities —like Goodwill and Housing Works (compared to for-profit thrift stores, such as Savers and Buffalo Exchange)—that gives even more reason to support the shift to thrifting. In conclusion, both store owners and individual consumers must recognize their privilege when participating on the second-hand market in order to ensure that communities in need are being served alongside any strides made towards environmental friendliness.

Featured Image Source:  9Lives

Disclaimer: The views published in this journal are those of the individual authors or speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of Berkeley Economic Review staff, the Undergraduate Economics Association, the UC Berkeley Economics Department and faculty,  or the University of California, Berkeley in general.

Share this article:

Related Articles

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Indonesia

The Long Decline of Global Interest Rates

The Wealth Tax: Pipe Dream or Path to Justice?

6 thoughts on “rise of thrifting: solution to fast fashion or stealing from the poor”.

This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. The article is nice and it’s pleasant to read. I have known very important things over here. Thank you so much for this post.

Thank you so much for this article. I tend to congratulate myself on cheap finds at the thrift store without thinking twice about the class privilege and consumerist habits I’ve brought into these spaces. It is commendable that Gen Z is striving to consume fashion more ethically and responsibly, but we still have a long way to go.

• Pingback: The Rise of Thrifting – Fashion University

Not a single claim was backed up. I’m open to the idea that trendy thrifting affects socioeconomically underprivileged individuals but every claim in this article might as well be opinions and hypotheticals.

I want to thank you for your time for this wonderful Article!!

I was looking for this information relating to rise of thrifting solution to fast fashion or stealing from the poor . You have really eased my work, loved your writing skill as well. I like how you have researched and presented these exact points so clearly. Please keep sharing more!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter!

• Practice Test
• Useful Tips – Tricks
• Full Writing Review
• General Writing Task
• Writing Task 1

Writing Task 2

• Writing Exercises
• Writing Sample – Topics
• Writing Vocabulary
• Speaking Vocabulary
• Intro Question
• Speaking Part 1
• Speaking Part 2
• Speaking Part 2 – Audio
• Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Books
• Recent Exams
• IELTS Vocabulary
• Essay from Examiners
• IELTS Ideas

IELTS App - For Mobile

Ready for the IELTS exam with our IELTS app. Over 2 million downloads

Popular Last 24h

Writing task 2: new technologies have changed the way children spend their free time, describe a dinner you enjoyed with your friends., process diagram #3 – the chart shows the process of waste paper recycling, ielts listening actual test 19 – full answer, ielts speaking part 3: money, describe a movie you watched that made you feel disappointed, listening full test 6 - section 1.

• IELTS Test/Skills FAQs
• IELTS Scoring in Detail
• Forecast Speaking – 2023
• List IELTS Speaking Part 3
• List IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Writing 2023 – Actual Test

Our Telegram

Join our community for IELTS preparation and share and download materials.

The information on this site is for informational purposes only. IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, or IDP Education Australia.

Latest Articles

Ielts speaking part 1: neighbours, writing task 1: the number of international applicants to the universities, ielts speaking part 1: flowers, c.a.m ielts 19 listening: test 4, most popular, describe a film that made you laugh, describe a person whom you met for the first time and made you happy, topic: experience is the best teacher, describe something difficult you would like to succeed in doing, in many countries，today there are many highly qualified graduates without employment..

ieltspracticeonline All Rights Reserved

Secondhand clothing sales are booming – and may help solve the sustainability crisis in the fashion industry

Associate Professor of Fashion Merchandising, Oklahoma State University

Disclosure statement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Oklahoma State University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

View all partners

A massive force is reshaping the fashion industry: secondhand clothing. According to a new report, the U.S. secondhand clothing market is projected to more than triple in value in the next 10 years – from US$28 billion in 2019 to US$80 billion in 2029 – in a U.S. market currently worth $379 billion . In 2019, secondhand clothing expanded 21 times faster than conventional apparel retail did.

Even more transformative is secondhand clothing’s potential to dramatically alter the prominence of fast fashion – a business model characterized by cheap and disposable clothing that emerged in the early 2000s, epitomized by brands like H&M and Zara. Fast fashion has grown exponentially over the last two decades, significantly altering the fashion landscape by producing more clothing, distributing it faster and encouraging consumers to buy in excess with low prices.

While fast fashion is expected to continue to grow 20% in the next 10 years , secondhand fashion is poised to grow 185% .

As researchers who study clothing consumption and sustainability, we think the secondhand clothing trend has the potential to reshape the fashion industry and mitigate the industry’s detrimental environmental impact on the planet.

The next big thing

The secondhand clothing market is composed of two major categories, thrift stores and resale platforms . But it’s the latter that has largely fueled the recent boom. Secondhand clothing has long been perceived as worn out and tainted, mainly sought by bargain or treasure hunters . However, this perception has changed, and now many consumers consider secondhand clothing to be of identical or even superior quality to unworn clothing. A trend of “fashion flipping” – or buying secondhand clothes and reselling them – has also emerged, particularly among young consumers.

Thanks to growing consumer demand and new digital platforms like Tradesy and Poshmark that facilitate peer-to-peer exchange of everyday clothing, the digital resale market is quickly becoming the next big thing in the fashion industry.

The market for secondhand luxury goods is also substantial. Retailers like The RealReal or the Vestiaire Collective provide a digital marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment, where people buy and sell designer labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès. The market value of this sector reached $2 billion in 2019 .

The secondhand clothing trend also appears to be driven by affordability, especially now, during the COVID-19 economic crisis . Consumers have not only reduced their consumption of nonessential items like clothing , but are buying more quality garments over cheap, disposable attire.

For clothing resellers, the ongoing economic contraction combined with the increased interest in sustainability has proven to be a winning combination .

More mindful consumers?

The fashion industry has long been associated with social and environmental problems , ranging from poor treatment of garment workers to pollution and waste generated by clothing production.

Less than 1% of materials used to make clothing are currently recycled to make new clothing, a $500 billion annual loss for the fashion industry . The textile industry produces more carbon emissions than the airline and maritime industries combined . And approximately 20% of water pollution across the globe is the result of wastewater from the production and finishing of textiles.

Consumers have become more aware of the ecological impact of apparel production and are more frequently demanding apparel businesses expand their commitment to sustainability . Buying secondhand clothing could provide consumers a way to push back against the fast-fashion system.

Buying secondhand clothing increases the number of owners an item will have, extending its life – something that has been dramatically shortened in the age of fast fashion . (Worldwide, in the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it’s trashed has decreased by 36%.)

High-quality clothing traded in the secondhand marketplace also retains its value over time , unlike cheaper fast-fashion products. Thus, buying a high-quality secondhand garment instead of a new one is theoretically an environmental win. But some critics argue the secondhand marketplace actually encourages excess consumption by expanding access to cheap clothing .

[ Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter .]

Our latest research supports this possibility . We interviewed young American women who regularly use digital platforms like Poshmark. They saw secondhand clothing as a way to access both cheap goods and ones they ordinarily could not afford. They did not see it as an alternative model of consumption or a way to decrease dependence on new clothing production.

Whatever the consumer motive, increasing the reuse of clothing is a big step toward a new normal in the fashion industry, though its potential to address sustainability woes remains to be seen.

• Sustainability
• Carbon emissions
• Water pollution
• Sustainable business
• Garment workers
• Louis Vuitton
• Fast fashion
• Fashion industry
• Young women
• Digital platforms
• Social problems
• Cheap clothing
• Environmental impact
• Affordability
• Secondhand clothing
• Consumer demand
• Clothing production
• Textile industry
• Ecological impact
• Apparel production

Head of Evidence to Action

Supply Chain - Assistant/Associate Professor (Tenure-Track)

Education Research Fellow

OzGrav Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Casual Facilitator: GERRIC Student Programs - Arts, Design and Architecture

Essay on Shopping

Students are often asked to write an essay on Shopping in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Shopping

What is shopping.

Shopping is an activity where people buy goods or services. It is done in shops, markets, or online. These places have a variety of items like clothes, food, electronics, and more. People can choose what they need or want.

Types of Shopping

There are two main types of shopping: in-store and online. In-store shopping means going to physical shops. Online shopping is done on the internet, using websites or apps. Both types have their own benefits.

Why We Shop

People shop for many reasons. Some shop for basic needs like food and clothes. Others shop for fun or to buy gifts. Shopping can also help people feel good and enjoy their time.

Shopping and Economy

Shopping is important for the economy. When people buy things, it helps businesses grow. This can lead to more jobs and wealth. So, shopping not only satisfies our needs but also helps the economy.

Smart Shopping

250 words essay on shopping.

Shopping is an activity where people buy goods or services. It can be done in different places like shops, malls, or online. People shop for many things like food, clothes, toys, and books. Shopping can be fun and exciting, especially when you find something you really like or need.

There are two main types of shopping: in-store and online. In-store shopping means going to a physical store to buy things. You can touch and see the items before you buy them. Online shopping is when you buy things on the internet. You can shop from home or anywhere with a computer or phone. It’s easy and convenient, but you can’t touch or see the items before buying.

Why do People Shop?

People shop for many reasons. Some shop because they need things like food or clothes. Others shop for fun, to pass time, or to find new things. Shopping can also be a way to relax and enjoy. Some people even shop as a hobby.

In conclusion, shopping is a common activity that people do for different reasons. Whether it’s in-store or online, shopping can be a fun and exciting experience. It’s a way for people to buy what they need or want, and sometimes, it’s just a way to have fun and relax.

500 Words Essay on Shopping

Shopping is a common activity that we all do. It means buying things we need or want. We can shop for food, clothes, toys, books, and many other things. Shopping can be done in many places like stores, markets, and even online. It is an important part of our daily life.

Places for Shopping

There are many places where we can go shopping. Supermarkets are big stores where we can buy many different things like food, clothes, and household items. Smaller stores or shops sell specific things. For example, a toy store sells toys, a book store sells books, and a clothing store sells clothes.

Another place to shop is at a market. Markets can be indoors or outdoors. They often sell fresh food, handmade items, and second-hand goods. Some markets are only open on certain days of the week.

Why Do We Shop?

We shop for many reasons. We need to buy food to eat and clothes to wear. We also shop to buy gifts for others on special occasions like birthdays or holidays. Sometimes, we shop for fun. It can be exciting to buy new things, especially if they are things we have been saving up for.

Responsible Shopping

Even though shopping can be fun, it’s important to be responsible. This means we should only buy things we need or can afford. We should also think about the environment. For example, we can bring our own bags to the store instead of using plastic bags. We can also choose to buy things that are made in a way that is good for the environment.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of second-hand clothing amongst younger generations. Why is this happening? Do you think it’s a positive or negative development?

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately

Linking words are very important in your essay.

To score effectively on your IELTS exam, you should make an effort to implement short concise sentences coupled with linking words.

Almost every sentence in your essay should have a linking word of some sort.

In fact, the only sentences that can omit linking words are your background sentence and thesis.

Linking word examples:

• in additional
• for example
• for instance
• even though

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

• Sustainability
• Carbon footprint
• Pre-owned garments
• Mass-produced
• Online marketplaces
• Self-expression
• Consumption model
• Hygiene issues
• Counterfeit products
• Cultural shift
• Materialism
• Check your IELTS essay »
• Find essays with the same topic
• View collections of IELTS Writing Samples
• Show IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

Scientists agree that many people eat too much junk food and it is damaging their health. Some people think that this problem can be solved by educating people, while others believe that education will not work. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

In some countries, owning a home rather than rent is important for people. why is this the case　do you think that this is a positive or negative situation, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using art in order to help people with emotional and physical conditions, a magazine wants to include contribution from its readers for an article called 'the book that influenced me most". write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influences you most. in your letter, describe what this book was about, explain how this book influenced you, say whether this book would be likely to influence other people, some people say history is one of the most important school subjects. other people think that, in today's world, subjects like science and technology are more important than history. discurss both these views and give your own opinion..

Three Essays on Vintage Products and Second-Hand Retail

PDF Version Also Available for Download.

Description

Now more than ever, consumers are deciding to forgo modern products and are buying vintage instead. Yet, despite the growing importance of vintage products in the consumer marketplace, research investigating why consumers buy old, often outdated products remains limited. Research that examines customer shopping behavior in second-hand retail markets, were vintage products are bought and sold, is similarly rare. What drives consumers to buy vintage products? What factors influence customer-shopping behavior at second-hand retailers? This three-paper dissertation addresses these gaps by developing better and more actionable insights into why some consumers purchase vintage items. Furthermore, this three-paper dissertation looks to … continued below

Creation Information

Schibik, Aaron J. August 2021.

This dissertation is part of the collection entitled: UNT Theses and Dissertations and was provided by the UNT Libraries to the UNT Digital Library , a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries . It has been viewed 51 times, with 4 in the last month. More information about this dissertation can be viewed below.

People and organizations associated with either the creation of this dissertation or its content.

• Schibik, Aaron J.
• Spears, Nancy
• Strutton, H. David

Committee Member

• Thompson, Kenneth
• University of North Texas Place of Publication: Denton, Texas

Rights Holder

For guidance see Citations, Rights, Re-Use .

Provided By

Unt libraries.

The UNT Libraries serve the university and community by providing access to physical and online collections, fostering information literacy, supporting academic research, and much, much more.

Descriptive information to help identify this dissertation. Follow the links below to find similar items on the Digital Library.

Degree Information

• Name: Doctor of Philosophy
• Level: Doctoral
• Department: Department of Marketing, Logistics, and Operations Management
• College: G. Brint Ryan College of Business
• Discipline: Business
• PublicationType: Doctoral Dissertation
• Grantor: University of North Texas

Now more than ever, consumers are deciding to forgo modern products and are buying vintage instead. Yet, despite the growing importance of vintage products in the consumer marketplace, research investigating why consumers buy old, often outdated products remains limited. Research that examines customer shopping behavior in second-hand retail markets, were vintage products are bought and sold, is similarly rare. What drives consumers to buy vintage products? What factors influence customer-shopping behavior at second-hand retailers? This three-paper dissertation addresses these gaps by developing better and more actionable insights into why some consumers purchase vintage items. Furthermore, this three-paper dissertation looks to explain customer-shopping behavior and drives consumers to make a purchase at second-hand retail establishments.

• Second-Hand
• Treasure Hunting
• Thesis or Dissertation

Unique identifying numbers for this dissertation in the Digital Library or other systems.

• Accession or Local Control No : submission_2589
• Archival Resource Key : ark:/67531/metadc1833538

Collections

This dissertation is part of the following collection of related materials.

UNT Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations represent a wealth of scholarly and artistic content created by masters and doctoral students in the degree-seeking process. Some ETDs in this collection are restricted to use by the UNT community .

What responsibilities do I have when using this dissertation?

Digital Files

• 118 image files available in multiple sizes
• 1 file (.pdf)
• Metadata API: descriptive and downloadable metadata available in other formats

Dates and time periods associated with this dissertation.

Creation Date

• August 2021

Added to The UNT Digital Library

• Aug. 26, 2021, 9:02 p.m.

Description Last Updated

• Oct. 24, 2023, 11:45 a.m.

Usage Statistics

When was this dissertation last used?

Interact With This Dissertation

Here are some suggestions for what to do next.

Search Inside

• or search this site for other thesis or dissertations

Start Reading

• All Formats

Citations, Rights, Re-Use

• Citing this Dissertation
• Responsibilities of Use
• Licensing and Permissions
• Linking and Embedding
• Copies and Reproductions

International Image Interoperability Framework

We support the IIIF Presentation API

Print / Share

Links for robots.

Helpful links in machine-readable formats.

Archival Resource Key (ARK)

• ERC Record: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/?
• Persistence Statement: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/??

International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF)

• IIIF Manifest: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/manifest/

Metadata Formats

• UNTL Format: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/metadata.untl.xml
• DC RDF: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/metadata.dc.rdf
• DC XML: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/metadata.dc.xml
• OAI_DC : /oai/?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=oai_dc&identifier=info:ark/67531/metadc1833538
• METS : /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/metadata.mets.xml
• OpenSearch Document: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/opensearch.xml
• Thumbnail: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/thumbnail/
• Small Image: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/small/
• In-text: /ark:/67531/metadc1833538/urls.txt
• Usage Stats: /stats/stats.json?ark=ark:/67531/metadc1833538

Schibik, Aaron J. Three Essays on Vintage Products and Second-Hand Retail , dissertation , August 2021; Denton, Texas . ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1833538/ : accessed August 24, 2024 ), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; .

Do a more advanced search »

Essays about: "Second-Hand Shopping"

Showing result 1 - 5 of 36 essays containing the words Second-Hand Shopping .

1. Conscious Enjoyment for Thrifting : A quantitative study of how Generation Z balances hedonic shopping values and sustainability in second-hand shopping online.

Author : Lisa Petersson Eid ; Lovisa Sundell ; Ellen Svensson ; [2024] Keywords : Generation Z ; Second hand fashion ; Circular Economy ; Online plattforms ; Hedonic shopping value ; Sustainability ;

Abstract : Purpose: This study investigates the hedonic shopping values of Generation Z in the context of online second-hand fashion shopping, focusing on how environmental concerns, ethical reverence, and cost considerations influence their behaviors. This study delves into the existing research gaps by examining the complex interplay between hedonic values and pro-environmental behaviors, especially among younger consumers. READ MORE

2. When second time’s a charm - Exploring consumers’ temporal experiences within second-hand fashion shopping

Author : Julia Stenmark ; Klaudia Urda ; [2023-07-03] Keywords : sustainable consumption ; second-hand fashion shopping ; shopping-as-practice ; temporal experience ; customer experience ; circular practice ;

Abstract : Second-hand fashion has emerged as a more sustainable way of shopping, promoting the circular economy while offering unique styles for a cheaper price. Although consumers generally express a willingness to adopt a more sustainable fashion consumption, this is not mirrored in their actual engagement in second-hand fashion shopping. READ MORE

3. Identifying the Barriers to Pre-owned Fashion: A Consumer Perspective

Author : Alicia Larsson ; Cajsa Schoultz ; [2023] Keywords : Consumer Behavior ; Pre-owned Shopping ; Multichannel Retail ; Business and Economics ;

Abstract : Thesis Purpose: This study aims to enhance the understanding of factors that discourage consumers from buying pre-owned fashion in a multichannel retail setting. Methodology: Rooted in a qualitative and exploratory method, this study is further guided by an abductive approach. READ MORE

4. “The Effects of Sensory Marketing in Physical Second-Hand Stores” : A qualitative study of how applying sensory marketing in a physical second-hand store can influence consumers to choose more sustainable options while shopping for apparel.  

Author : Kajsa Carlsson ; Carina Klingestam Lundqvist ; [2023] Keywords : Second-hand ; Sustainability ; Sensory Marketing ; Physical Stores ; Purchase Decisions ; Customer Experience ; Fast Fashion ;

Abstract : The emergence of online stores specializing in fast fashion apparel has presented a significant challenge to brick-and-mortar stores and has had detrimental consequences for the environment. Consequently, it is essential for physical stores to stay informed about emerging trends in physical store design. READ MORE

5. Triangle Of Reframing : A study of how organizations shape already existing markets through mobilizing market devices

Author : Ella Heed ; David Hellqvist ; [2023] Keywords : Market-Shaping ; Market Devices ; Actor-Network Theory ; Second-Hand Fashion ; Purchase Barriers ; In-Store ; Digital Media ; Social Media ; E-commerce ; Market Studies ; Sustainable Shopping ;

Abstract : This study addresses the issue of consumers’ wish to shop more sustainable fashion butinstead turning to fast fashion (Islam et al., 2021; Silva et al. 2020; Wang et al., 2022). READ MORE

Searchphrases right now

• models of development communication
• thesis corporation strategy
• technology on service industry
• what if analysis
• thesis on future groups
• internet threats
• sustainability IS
• Kontinuerlig Integration
• today s life

Popular searches

• advantages of mobile phone
• Supply chain risk management
• thesis on corporate social responsibility
• qualitative research in accounting
• AUTOMOTIVE thesis
• stress management thesis
• Community based tourism
• national unity of pakistan
• school management system Requirements specification
• PROBLEMS IN MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIZATION
• review of related literature about computer

popular essays yesterday (2024-08-24)

• Förekomst av spolmask (Toxocara canis) i svenska hunduppfödningar
• Pellet group count of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) at Herrevad Abbey : How has the hunting affected the population and how will it develop?
• Permaculture design in an ecovillage : in theory and practise
• Historical representation, memory, language and gender in contemporary Sámi literature : A comparative thematic close reading of Herrarna satte oss hit and Aednan
• The collaboration between auditors and IT-auditors : The effects on the audit profession
• User Identification Roadmap towards 2020 : A study of personal identification challenges for ubiquitous computing world
• ”First return, then explore" Adapted and Evaluated for Dynamic Tasks
• Searching for atmospheric signals in states of low Antarctic sea ice concentration
• SmartCane+ : A Modular Device for Transforming Traditional Canesinto Advanced Mobility Aids for the Elderly.
• The Right to Justice: Providing Legal Aid Services in Zimbabwe. A qualitative analysis of the legal frameworks that treat the provision of legal aid services & the realities of their implementation
• Popular complementary terms: advantages, disadvantages, thesis, role of, example, importance, trend, impact, case study.

See yesterday's most popular searches here . Essays.se is the english language version of Uppsatser.se .

© 2024 All rights reserved.

6 Things I Learned from a Year of Second-Hand Shopping

A more thoughtful and inspiring way to shop.

Last year, I set a goal to shop only secondhand for one year. Honestly? I didn’t fully believe I could keep it up. I’ve put myself on shopping bans before, but never for anything as long as a year. For the first few months of 2023, I didn’t shop at all. But then, I started to find my feet in the world of secondhand shopping. Truly—I couldn’t believe how much I learned about consumption, my personal style , and even myself from a year of buying nothing new.

Cristina creates interiors that balance your style, comfort and function so that your home supports your lifestyle. With a background in digital publishing, she also produces the online series Home School to make elevated home design accessible to every budget.

6 Lessons I’ve Learned From Secondhand Shopping

A past version of myself once thought that secondhand shopping wasn’t nearly as fun as buying new pieces. After all, I am human and attuned to the thrill of novelty that excites so many of us. However, after a year of honing my secondhand shopping skills, I’ve come to love the creativity the practice requires. It’s a skill and one that lets me flex my design prowess and love of curation.

Are you ready to dive into the secondhand shopping world? Ahead, discover my top lessons from secondhand shopping—and all the opportunities for fun and creativity I’ve gathered along the way.

1. Most Impulses Are Fleeting

Shopping is more accessible than ever before. With a simple swipe and click you have a package heading straight to your door. My commitment to shopping secondhand created a moment of pause. If I had the impulse to buy a new pair of boots, I had to find them first. The hunt may take a couple trips to a consignment shop or some time scrolling through eBay. I found that most of the time, I forgot about them after a day or two. If I kept searching with zeal, then I knew it wasn’t just an impulse.

2. Secondhand Shopping Is a Muscle

There is a whole rabbit hole of the internet dedicated to secondhand shopping. From watching videos and reading advice, I learned that it’s a muscle that you build through practice. Many avid thrifters pop into their local shops several times a week. Your first time will likely feel overwhelming, but with time you start to get a feel for the sections you like to look at, the prints, fabrics, or types of pieces that are worth spending time on. (And which ones aren’t.) Eventually, you get to a point where you can comb the store pretty quickly and develop an instinct for what’s a gem.

3. Secondhand Shopping Isn’t Just Thrifting

During my challenge, I discovered so many new ways to shop secondhand beyond the thrift store that may immediately come to mind. There are apps like Poshmark and Depop where you can buy directly from sellers, and vintage shops that you can follow on eBay, Etsy, and Instagram. There are also vintage and consignment shops and meetups with ladies who are looking to trade their pre-loved clothes.

You have so many options, and even if you’re not doing a challenge like I did, it’s worth adding a few of these into your regular shopping routine. The reality of our modern world is that so many of the clothes on offer have been worn once—just for photos! This is especially true for Instagram shops.

4. What You Want In-Store Is Probably Already for Sale Secondhand

Last year, I bought a bridesmaid dress new at a bridal boutique, but realized afterwards that the same dress was listed online, so I returned the new dress and bought the used one. It worked out perfectly! I learned that when I did fall in love with something new, I could do a quick search for the item online. Most of the time, it was already for sale secondhand online. You can find just about anything, including designer and boutique brands, on the apps and sites I mentioned above. On eBay, you can also set up a saved search so that you get an email if someone lists the item you’re looking for, which takes some of the legwork out of it for you.

5. Creativity Thrives

The overwhelming response I’ve heard from people who practice capsule wardrobes is that initially they worried they’d feel limited. In reality, they were able to create more looks they loved when they were forced to get creative. The same can be said for shopping secondhand. When I shop for new clothes I find myself recreating trending outfits that I’ve seen on Pinterest or Instagram, in some cases even buying the very same clothes. When I shop secondhand, I break free from the default trends and think more creatively about how I want to present myself.

6. You Can Find What’s Trending—But Better

The designs on the runway and in stores right now are largely based on silhouettes that were designed in the 70s or the 90s. If you walk into a Goodwill today you can actually find the original designs from the 70s and the 90s from high-end designers. (Bonus: They’ll look much cooler and are cheaper!) Yes, it might take a couple of trips to Goodwill to find the perfect oversized blazer or culottes, but when you do find them it will feel so much more satisfying than clicking on that Instagram post and buying the exact blazer you saw someone else wearing. Where’s the fun in that?

More Like This:

20 One-Piece Swimsuits Perfect for End of Summer—And They’re All Under $100

Pure European summer vibes.

Verdict Is In—These Are the Top 5 Things You Shopped in July

Find out what’s trending.

I Was Anti-Denim Shorts Until Now—These 10 Pairs Changed My Mind

The perfect short does exist.

Fashion Experts Agree—These Are the Best Linen Pieces of Summer

Warning: it’s all you’ll want to wear.

I'm a mom of 4 and have done back-to-school shopping for over a decade. These are the 3 things I've learned.

• I have two kids in middle school and two in college.
• Back-to-school shopping can cost me more than buying Christmas gifts for my whole family.
• I buy a lot of things secondhand and my kids can spend their own money for pricier items.

Back in the 80s and 90s, school shopping seemed straightforward and relatively inexpensive. While I'm not sure if the grandparents who raised me would agree, a recent survey shows that the average American family will spend just under $875 on back-to-school shopping for the upcoming school year. For families of college kids, the price is even higher at $1,364.

As the parent of four children who's been back-to-school shopping for over a decade, I have realized the real key to surviving this time of year is being creative.

I have kids in middle school and college

My kids range in age from 11 to 19. With two in middle school and two in college, back-to-school shopping costs me almost as much as (if not more than) our family's most expensive holiday, Christmas.

Not only do kids need school supplies, including headphones and calculators, but they also require shoes, clothes, backpacks, haircuts, and lunch boxes . Parents must also factor in the cost of electronics and sports, many of which now feature a modest fee.

As a parent in the expensive world of back-to-school , which features rising costs due to inflation, a chaotic political climate, and a fluctuating stock market, I've come to rely on many tips. From negotiations with teens to creative saving, I've become something of an expert.

I shop secondhand

One of the first things I did was to know my audience before I wrote down our list. Younger kids seem easier and less expensive to shop for than older ones. Hand-me-downs are more easily passed off as cool.

Related stories

A trip to the local Goodwill or consignment shop can be an adventure if sold correctly. I would even let my kids get a cheap toy or book once we had successfully navigated our list. Unless you're lucky enough to have a kid who loves retro items and views Goodwill as a trip to all things nostalgia or one who is into sustainability, older kids can be a harder sell when it comes to shopping secondhand.

Local buy-nothing groups and Facebook Marketplace can also be appealing.

We re-use a lot

Another thing I make sure to do before hitting stores is to go through last year's clothes to see if anything still fits.

I've set aside a section in my basement each year so I know exactly where to start in August. While this may not be an option due to growth spurts, it can be the perfect time to create your own secondhand store. I often took this time to pass down clothes from my older kids to my younger ones. I also had friends I would swap with, especially when my kids were little.

If nothing works out from last year's clothing, many secondhand stores will buy the kid's clothes that no longer fit. This money can then be used toward the purchase of new school clothes. One local consignment shop even lets us use the money as a trade for the clothing we purchase at their store.

We then figure out what supplies we may still have sitting around the house so we don't waste money buying what we already have. We review the kids' needs versus their wants. Sure, they want Nike and Lululemon, but that isn't always affordable.

They can use their own money for more expensive items

If kids have jobs, this can be a great time to begin teaching them about money.

I have allowed my kids to buy a more expensive name-brand if they are willing to put their money where their mouth is, which means going halfsies on these items. This way, they learn a valuable lesson about working for the things they want, and I keep my back-to-school budget on track.

Name brand wants have also helped me to teach my kids the fine art of compromise. My daughter wanted a $35 shirt from a stylish store. We saw the same one for a quarter of the price online. Since no tag displays the brand on either, she decided to save our budgeted money for more expensive sneakers. We then found those sneakers for $30 cheaper by buying the bigger size in kids' shoes.

The timing is important

When it comes to shopping, timing is everything. Shopping too early or too late can make things difficult. If I've shopped too early, my kids want to wear their clothes before school starts. To avoid this, I have to set clear boundaries and expectations ahead of time.

The kids may try on the back-to-school haul and show off to friends via Snapchat or TikTok, and then it is stocked away until school. The advantage of early shopping is the variety you will find. It also allows families to budget and take a specific amount out of paychecks throughout the summer.

The few summers where I've waited until the last minute proved difficult. I tend to pay more because I feel pressured, the selection isn't as great, and I haven't been able to space money out, lessening the blow of one gigantic shopping spree.

If the local salon has a back-to-school sale that kicks in the week before school, my kids have to wait for the haircut. I also plan on where to use my funds best and share that info with my kids. If they choose to spend more on school supplies, it will impact the amount they are allowed to spend on clothes. Normally, my kids prefer to spend on clothing and shoes, so picking up classroom supplies from the Dollar Store helps them and me.

As a mother, I'll take whatever tips I can to simplify our lives.

Watch: 4 ways of recycling waste into everyday items

• Main content