Featuring student writers from WHS! Second hand places first in my heart

On a rainy day, you can often find me scouring the racks of a thrift store. As I walk through the electric doors and stroll through the endless rows, I feel at home among the eclectic collection of clothes and knick-knacks.

The first time I went to a thrift store was in 2020 and it marked the beginning of my clothing journey. Thrifting allows me to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that can’t be found at the mall. It also helps me save money, as I don’t need to drop hundreds of dollars on a single outfit. Thrifting has helped me curate my individual style and explore my creativity through clothing.

My favorite crewneck, pink with embroidered flowers, and favorite jeans, Levis with the perfect flare, were both found at the thrift store. Part of the fun is the hunt for the perfect item. Sandwiched between someone’s middle school hockey jersey and a freebie cotton t-shirt lies the perfect sweater waiting to be discovered. That’s why I can spend hours browsing through the racks.

Second hand shopping is good for your closet, wallet and the planet. According to greenamerica.org, Americans generate 16 million tons of textile waste each year and 10 million tons are sent to landfills. By purchasing clothes secondhand, this waste can be reduced. Instead of purchasing new clothes from fast fashion companies, buying from a thrift store helps eliminate textile waste and give old, discarded clothes a second life.

I am not perfect by any means, and still shop fast fashion regularly, but thrifting helps to minimize my environmental impact in a realistic, manageable way. Thrifting is an opportunity to save money and minimize overconsumption of fast fashion clothing. The unique styles that are bound to become wardrobe staples are just added bonuses.

Next time you have the urge to fuel your shopping addiction or need a fun activity to do with friends, consider taking a trip to your local thrift store instead of heading to the mall.

Westfield+Cranford Local Magazine & Social Media is proud of our partnership with the journalism department at Westfield High School and publishes a monthly column from the students working at the newspaper and magazine!