Through racks of clothing, piles of books and shelves packed full of trinkets, the scraps of life once lived all come together in the same place.
In a world where trends flicker out as quickly as they ignite, thrifting has become strangely endearing for many. Acting as a hushed form of rebellion against a society obsessed with what is new or the next big thing, thrifting is how history, memories and stories from those before us are brought back to life. In Hattiesburg alone, there are over 20 thrift stores, including Second Chance Thrift Shop, Jacob’s Well Thrift Store, Treasure Tails and more. Some of these thrift stores, such as Edwards Street Fellowship, have been in Hattiesburg for more than 10 years, making a lasting impact on the community.
It is inevitable that trends will cycle back around. For people that are passionate about fashion and want to stay on trend, thrifting is a much more sustainable and personable way to do so.
“The grandma chic phase is in,” said Rebecca Brown, the Second Chance Thrift Shop’s director. “A thrift store is the only place you are going to find authentic grandma chic. There is no way you are going to walk in any department store and find anything someone bought from the 70s, 80s or 90s.”
Stepping into a thrift store over any retail store are two completely different feelings. Rather than being surrounded by clothing that was made to be specifically sold off the rack they are currently on, with thrift stores, you walk into a room full of things that have already been cherished in another life. There is a certain timelessness to the act of discovery, and when going into a thrift store where the possibilities are endless, there is plenty of discovery to be done.
“I prefer thrifting over shopping retail, because it feels like a treasure hunt,” said Emily Graham, USM Senior architectural engineering major. “You can also find vintage pieces that aren’t sold anymore.”
Brown and Penelope Elwin, the store’s manager, recounted a moment that really stood out to them. They had made one of their normal Instagram posts, promoting some of the new items they had in stock. Shortly after, they received a message from someone asking if they still had a painting that was in one of the photos. They begged for the painting to be put on hold, as it was something her great aunt had created. She had never been able to see one of these paintings before.
In recent years, thrifting has become more than just a way to stay affordable. It acts as a mirror of self-exploration, allowing people to try new things without damaging their funding significantly.
According to The Association of Resale Professionals, “With new stores entering the industry and current establishments opening additional locations, the industry has experienced a growth—in number of stores—of approximately 7% a year for the past two years.”
Thrifting intersects with sustainability, individuality and nostalgia. However, even though thrifting has become a great way to remain sustainable among the fleeting trends, it is important for consumers to remember not to go too crazy. Too much of anything can be a bad thing.
“I think the rise in thrifting has been caused by capitalism,” said Grace Bowers, USM Junior nursing major. “The rise in everything price-wise has forced so many people to turn towards thrifting. I think it can fuel over consumption if the person's intentions are wrong. Like if they are in there to buy the new, tagged items to resell for a much higher price. I think that fuels overconsumption and the amount of fast fashion seen so easily tossed to the thrifts. I think overconsumption has to do with larger corporations like fast fashion and the government rather than thrifts themselves. Thrifting is mostly sustainable in my eyes.”
Thrifting is a bridge between generations. It gives people a way to express themselves in a way that department stores cannot replicate. It is more than just shopping. It is a journey, an experience and a way to bring people together. Living or passed on.
