Thrifting embodies a dual purpose: Marrying fashion with sustainability. If you love thrifting, you probably understand its economic value and its environmental impact. This mindful practice directly curtails the demand for new production, resulting in reduced waste and carbon emissions. But if you’re new to thrifting, you probably struggle with where to start and what to thrift–or what not to. The good news is, thrifting’s growth outpaces that of the global apparel industry, offering consumers a broader array of secondhand and vintage fashion options. According to the ThreadUP 2023 Resale Report, the global thrifting market has surged 28%, reaching a valuation of $177 billion in 2022.
So if you’re game to try out thrifting, we’ve picked out the three hottest fashion essentials that you absolutely should consider buying secondhand or vintage, to make a positive change without compromising on style.
1. Luxury Bags
Luxury bags are often coveted for their craftsmanship and brand prestige, and thrifting them presents a sustainable alternative. ‘Thrifting has always been my go to option to purchase luxury bags’, says Prerna Singh Butalia, founder of Pretty As You Please. ‘These bags are too expensive to buy off the shelves, and the money isn’t really helping anybody but the brand’. A recent research from the Indian Institute of Fashion Technology titled Sustainable Fashion Practices, 2022 emphasizes that choosing to thrift leather bags not only reduces demand for new leather production but also decreases water usage and chemical pollution.
Luxury bags are highly sought-after thrifted items due to their sizeless nature, and they eliminate fit concerns and enable access to a diverse range of shoppers. Unlike clothing, their universality makes them a convenient choice for all. Thrifting luxury bags offers the freedom to accessorize with versatility, enhancing a spectrum of outfits, be it vintage or modern.
- Buy offline from: Exclusive boutiques offering pre-owned luxury leather bags.
- Buy online from: Websites like ReTag, The Luxury Bargain, and Luxepolis authenticate and showcase a plethora of thrifted luxury bags.
2. Outerwear
As winters approach, the necessity of coats and jackets becomes apparent. Instead of purchasing new coats each year, consider exploring secondhand options for coats that doesn’t only conserve newer resources being spent but prolongs the life cycle of these pieces.
Thrifting outerwear has gained quite a popularity, with a number of thrift stores offering designer trench coats, athleisure outerwear, embroidered denim jackets and vintage jackets, including options from top luxury brands. Unlike items such as shoes or dresses, jackets provide a forgiving fit that accommodates various body sizes and shapes. Moreover, their weather-resilient functionality, indispensable role in the wardrobe, durable designs, modest cost and versatile appeal makes them an attractive choice, offering both warmth and style. Thrifting coats allows individuals to access classic pieces that remain relevant beyond seasonal shifts, making them a preferred and sustainable option for fashion-conscious consumers.
- Buy offline from: Fleamarkets like Sarojini and Janpath in New Delhi are stocked with a diverse range of coats, from classic wool options to trendy parkas.
- Buy online from: therelovecloset, thegoodbadgirl_shop, capsule_vintage, thelocalvintage_, shop.90somethings, heart_it_vintage, bygoneechoes.
3. Shirts
Shirts are the building blocks of a versatile wardrobe. Over the recent years, thrifting shirts have gained quite a popularity due to their quirky designs and flattering fit for all body shapes, especially the vintage shirts. . Plus, shirts are quite versatile in nature. You can style them, anything l, from oversized men’s shirts that can be repurposed into dresses or casual cover-ups, to fitted women’s shirts that can be styled in countless ways.
- Online thrift shops: shop.with.loveee, vintage.laundryy, bodements_, bygone echoes, heart_it_vintage, capsule_vintage.
Do mention in the comments, if you feel like any other item deserves to be in our thrifting list.
