How to Be A More Ethical Shopper: Realities of Thrifting & Fast Fashion
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
Let’s face it. TikTok has had a larger societal impact than most of us would like to admit; trends from whipped coffee, oversaturated aesthetics, curtain bangs, and face framing highlights. Many of these have arised from what is called, “Alt TikTok,” which is supposedly the opposite of, “Straight TikTok.” Moreover, the app accelerated the thrifting trend that had already been popular for Gen Z shoppers. Users began posting videos of their thrift hauls, where they would show items they purchased. They additionally vlogged their time spent at the thrift store.
Gen Z is a generation that cares a lot more about being socially aware and ethical than the generations before it. 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.” That is one of the main reasons thrifting has increased in popularity in recent years. Thrift shopping is known to be an environmentally conscious act because you are buying clothes that have already been produced instead of adding to the waste that is inevitably made in the process of clothes making.
In contrast, thrifting used to be the main way lower-class individuals could afford clothes. It was shamed more than praised for wearing other people’s used garments. Now it has become a trendy and quirky activity for people of better means to partake in. The increased use of thrift stores has caused prices to steadily rise over time, affecting lower-income communities by putting them at a greater disadvantage for affording clothes. There is gentrification of thrift stores occurring without it being talked about. Wealthier consumers take away from the already limited options that low-income communities have for shoes and apparel.
There is also a concept of high transactional utility that exists with the thrift shopping trend. Because consumers can purchase goods at such a low price, oftentimes they end up over purchasing, going against the ideology they had in the first place of helping the environment through minimalist purchasing.
Image Courtesy: ABC News
On the other hand, fast fashion has also been on the rise. Fast fashion is defined as low-priced clothing that is brought to market quickly and copies fashion trends created by luxury brands or small, independent designers. Aided by globalization, social media exposure, disposable income, and low-cost supply chains, online retailers like Nastygal, Shein, Asos, and Missguided changed the way consumers shop, leaving stores like Forever 21 and H&M in the dust.
Fast fashion is constantly being criticized ethically because of its terrible treatment to their employees, underpaying them, and putting them in horrible conditions. Fast fashion also hurts the environment through their factories’ overconsumption of resources such as water and the use of toxic production methods.
There are many reasons why thrifting seems like a better alternative to fast fashion. Sustainable and ethical brands are oftentimes too expensive for even most middle-class individuals to afford. For the most part, the rise of thrifting shows a good chance for the long run for shoppers. More clothes will be donated through resale apps like Depop, allowing fewer clothes being sent to landfills. More purchases will be okay as long as they’re recirculated back into the thrift market. Some thrift stores actively work towards combating class privilege as well by focusing on allowing lesser income communities to get stock first. Overall, it’s hard to know how to be the most ethical shopper. But, keep in mind that if you recognize your privilege while thrifting, and work to ensure that communities who need it are being prioritized, then stopping by the shop for a few items wouldn’t hurt.
Strike Out,
Writer: Melek Turkmen
Editor: Joey Flanagan
Graphics: Gracyn Holloway
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