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From thrift stores to online apps to clothing share stores, secondhand shopping is becoming more popular than ever. So, whether you call it vintage or preloved, more people are leaving fast fashion behind, and Gen Z is leading the way.
In fact, reported WUSA9, the resale clothing market is growing five times faster than new retail and it is projected to keep gaining ground. Plus, secondhand shopping is transitioning from something that used to be a negative, like musty thrift shops with piles of clothing, into something that’s trending.
Going Mainstream
The shift from used to vintage has helped change the perception of secondhand clothing and the rise of online thrift shopping has made it easier and far more mainstream, according to DW.
Secondhand has always been a part of youth fashion, Elke Gaugele, Professor of Fashion and Styles at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, told DW. But pre-worn apparel is presented in more positive terms in the media now.
While the term vintage refers to an article of clothing at least 20-years-old, this is no longer the case. The hashtag vintage includes much newer items, but it carries a feeling of quality, exclusivity, and also a higher price.
“Buying vintage is incredibly closely linked to self-perception,” said fashion journalist and social media consultant Valentina Herbort who runs a Gen Z-focused Instagram channel that has more than 70,000 followers. “Thanks to globalization, Gen Z has much broader fashion choices than previous generations. This gives rise to the desire to find their own individual style.”
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More Value
Gen Zers also tend to focus on getting value for price. While fast fashion is cheap, the quality is also inferior to pre-worn clothing, especially when it comes to jeans. Buying vintage gives you more bang for your buck.
For young people who are just entering the job market in a very unstable economy, groceries and rent take precedence over buying expensive clothing, according to Who What Wear. Respondents to the ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report ranked affordability as the second reason for shopping after the desire to purchase authentic vintage items.
“Everything has gotten so expensive, but the quality has gotten worse,” one Gen Z respondent shared on the survey. “Buying secondhand ensures me clothes that live longer for cheaper prices.”
Sustainability
The environmental impact of fast fashion is also a big motivator for Gen Z shoppers, reported WUSA9. That’s because the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, produces textile waste, and uses large amounts of water to produce. Buying used clothing helps to reduce the carbon footprint of fashion.
Retailers have taken notice of these trends and major chains like Urban Outfitters have partnered with resale platforms. Patagonia has used clothing on its website.
But if you want to take sustainability one step further, you can rent clothing or join a clothing share, instead of buying, suggested Who What Wear. This allows you to wear high quality outfits to special events without shelling out big bucks.
Having access to the clothing in your community makes you an eco-friendly shopper and helps transform fashion into something that is sustainable, social, and community driven, something that appeals to Gen Z.
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