The Great Debate: Thrifting vs. Buying New

Photo Credit: Neighborhoods.com

By: Christina Limmer

There’s no denying the resurgence and quirky appeal of thrift stores recently. Thrifting takes more time, patience, and a (literal) hands-on approach than typical retail shopping, For those without access to the closet of a once-fashionable mom or chic spinster aunt, thrifting is the next best option to get your hands on unique retro pieces and timeless designer gems. While there’s no right or wrong answer as to which is better, we’re going to delve into the benefits (and bummers) of each so that you can decide for yourself which works best for you!

the appeal of thrifting

Thanks to social media, tons of influencers are sharing some of the best-kept secrets as far as thrift shops to scour. Emily Polner covered a huge variety of NY/NJ-based thrift stores in her Tiny Thrift Store TikTok series last year—it’s an insanely helpful beginner’s guide to finding some the best spots in the area. A perk (and occasional downfall) of thrifting is that when you see a shirt that feels like it is made for you, it truly feels that way, since it’s unlikely that there’s an entire rack of them on display. The potential downside of this is that you have to cross your fingers and hope that this piece is in your size. If you have the patience and a stroke of luck, you can leave with some pretty notable pieces and outfits that are truly unique! Finding that perfect outfit among everything is the ultimate thrill of the chase. Let’s not forget that you can get your hands on vintage and gently-used luxury items thanks to sites like eBay, Fashionphile, and Rebag (who guarantee authenticity) just to name a few. If you’ve been looking for a discontinued or limited-edition item, thrifting or consignment shopping will likely be your best bet to find the item of your desire. (Again, patience is key, but can pay off!) Also, did we mention that buying secondhand more than likely means buying at a discounted rate? A definite benefit!

not every visit is successful

Not every visit (whether in person or online) is a guaranteed success when it comes to shopping second-hand. There’s no guarantee of merchandise in stock, available sizes, and the condition of the merchandise. That said, we believe the potential benefits outweigh the cons in this situation. If you dig long enough, you’ll often come across a buried treasure.

when to buy new

If you’re looking for new releases and interested in purchasing something readily available, buying new may be for you. There’s something to be said for the comfort of going into your favorite store and seeing a rack filled with the dress you were looking for in every size. (Or that pair of shoes you were eyeing… or that new designer bag that has you drooling…) Buying new is reliable, almost a guaranteed win every time, and doesn’t always require you to rummage to find what you’re looking for. Retail therapy can be calming and rewarding when you find exactly what you’re looking for.

so, which is better?

As you can see, there’s no clear winner here. In the ongoing debate of thrifting and buying new, the decision is entirely up to you! Some of the greatest closets have a mix of both. The best part of fashion is that it’s completely individual, and any fashion rules are meant to be broken. Combine your love of secondhand and brand new, and give the art of thrifting a go if you haven’t yet. You may be surprised with what you go home with!