The rise in popularity of thrift shopping can be seen all around the world. Websites and phone apps have been created to make it even easier for consumers to buy and resell clothing, and the number of thrift stores is consistently increasing each year. It’s no wonder why there is a song written about thrifting! Secondhand clothing shopping offers communities the opportunity to increase local engagement, practice environmentally conscious ways to shop, and help support the local businesses of their area. Consequently, universities and colleges nationwide should model after the University of Colorado Boulder pop-up “Thrifty University” and incorporate thrift store pop-up events on campus. 

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The secondhand market has a trajectory to last for the foreseeable future, with an expected global market value of $350 billion by 2027, $70 billion being from the United States. That is a growth three times as fast as the clothing market overall. A large driving force for this sustained growth is the incredible participation of younger generations like Gen Z and Gen X. As their purchasing power increases, they are expected to account for almost two-thirds of the spending for the industry. As these groups age into college students, it would be wise for universities to capitalize on the market that their students are so invested in by including thrifting opportunities on campus. 

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The inclusion of these secondhand clothing campus events also spreads the message to students of the importance and ease of sustainable shopping. The current global climate state is an infamous topic younger age groups are very familiar with, and because of this, they are more aware of how their everyday choices affect the state of our planet compared to past generations. Gen Z has made it clear that they are doing their part to move towards more sustainable living, as sustainability is one of their top motivators when making purchasing decisions. Even further, almost half of Gen Z refuse to buy anything from clothing brands that aren’t making environmentally conscious efforts. 

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One aspect of Thrifty University that attracts so many students is its particularly curated selection of clothing. Something noticeable between thrift stores nationwide is the difference in clothing items available based on where you are geographically. Knowing this, vendors aim to understand what kind of clothes their audience is looking to purchase, which is going to change based on the pop culture, sports teams, and other unique aspects in each part of the country. 

A vendor at Thrifty University, Michael (@randumbapparel), has a goal as a reseller to make thrifting easy and convenient for his customers. “I think [Thrifty University] is an opportunity for the students to find a really nice curation of vintage pieces,” he commented. “You can thrift for hours and be lucky to find one item you’re really happy about, and that’s why we’re the diggers. We’re the ones putting in the time so that people can just come shop and enjoy and feel like they’re confident about something they like.” 

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Another aspect of the event that is responsible for its popularity is the convenience of its location. Having a central space on campus where numerous vendors can present their products has been key to not only the success of Thrifty University but also to bringing together communities that are mutually beneficial to each other. Students can window shop as they walk, or use their in-between class time to find a vintage jacket they enjoy, and it’s helpful for the sellers too. “When we’re merging your guys’ school community with our community, and it's right here, and you guys have 10 minutes, we’re like ‘Hey, look how easy it is to be sustainable, look how easy it is to get involved with our type of community,’” another vendor of Thrifty University, Abigail (@karmaligncreations), stated. 

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The pop-up provides benefits to both parties, but still, there are valid reservations. Some may argue that the items being sold at the event are too expensive for the average college student’s budget. While, yes, there are items with higher prices than your typical Goodwill, these are the more sought-after items that have been specifically picked out by the sellers. They usually are meant for a distinct customer and are often left on display. Vendors are aware that their customers likely won’t pay for high-priced items, are open to negotiation, and almost always provide less expensive options as well. 

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Another argument that might be made is that buying secondhand and reselling clothing takes away from those who are shopping at thrift stores out of necessity, those with lower income and economic status. The thought is reasonable, however, it is important to note the tremendous amount of garments that end up in landfills each year—as much as 92 million tons. If anything, the increasing amount of thrift stores and clothing resellers will lead to less clothing being thrown away and contributing to the global climate crisis. The rise in fast fashion brands has sustained the outpour of clothing being thrown away, which then provides a constant need for secondhand clothing businesses.  

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Thrifty University has offered students an opportunity to appreciate their campus and participate in events in a new innovative way. It benefits the vendors, who have taken the time to create personalized curations, and the students, who now have an opportunity to find affordable and unique clothing right in the middle of their school day. More importantly, it contributes to the aid of our planet conveniently and practically. If other universities were to implement similar events on their campuses, it would make that much more of an impact on our lives today and in the future.