Thrift Shop - Old charm in a new era

11:10, 10/07/2023

" Fashion may fade, but style endures forever" - Yves Saint Laurent.

The 21st century has witnessed many unique and innovative fashion trends. Fashion enthusiasts particularly favor bright, eye-catching outfits; renowned fashion houses have diversified their layering techniques, focusing on modern details. But amidst these trendy trends, the influence of the past is once again revived and "reimagined" through the Thrift Shop trend. With its impressive fashion personality, the Thrift Shop trend has become a source of inspiration for young people who are passionate about rediscovering classic beauty in contemporary fashion.

Photo: Minh Thu

Unboxing: What is a Thrift Shop?

1. "Thrift Shop" - More Than Just Clothes

From the perspective of today's youth, some haven't grasped the true meaning of the popular "Thrift Shop" trend. We often think of thrifting simply as "buying used clothes for new owners," but in reality, "thrift" has never been a term used exclusively in the fashion industry.

"Thrifting" is not simply about clothes (Photo: Minh Thu)

"Thrifting" means you can buy anything that's been used, like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, etc., as long as it's on the shelves of a thrift shop. The items sold here are all used, so their lifespan is somewhat reduced, but they are still reusable and their original functionality is largely guaranteed. Moreover, the items sold at thrift shops are reasonably priced for all customer segments, especially students who want unique items or essential products but have limited finances.

2. A "Thrift Shop" is different from a "Second-hand" shop.

Along with the misconception among young people that thrift shops are only associated with the fashion industry, the concepts of thrift shops and second-hand stores are often mistakenly considered the same or even identical. In reality, second-hand stores tend to focus on business and profit, while thrift shops primarily sell goods for charitable purposes. A portion of the proceeds from thrift shop sales is used to maintain the store, and the remaining revenue is donated to volunteer, charitable, or non-profit organizations. In other words, the business objectives of thrift shop owners are usually more humanitarian than profit-driven.

Stamped with: Thrift Shops and Young People in the 21st Century

The fashion industry is constantly changing, so even new clothing designs can inadvertently become "outdated" or "outdated." However, thanks to the convenience and practicality of thrift shops, unwanted secondhand items can reach those who need them, making it easy for anyone to buy a variety of outfits at reasonable prices.

1. Hidden beauty attracts young people.

Fashion designer Marc Jacobs once said, "I always find beauty in the strange and the imperfect." While people today prioritize new items with their full utility, items "coming from" Thrift Shops, labeled "strange," "imperfect," and "simple," still fascinate young people. This demonstrates the appeal of pre-owned, secondhand items. The hidden beauty of Thrift Shops explains why young people fall in love with these imperfections!

The desire to express personal style through unique items.

The diverse range of designs commonly found at Thrift stores (Photo: Khanh Linh)

A unique characteristic of Thrift Shops is the exclusivity of each item. At each secondhand shop, you'll encounter incredibly diverse fashion styles. Thanks to unusual designs and a wide variety of styles, today's youth can easily find diverse outfits and unleash their creativity in any style. Ms. Huong, Founder of De Country – a Thrift shop, shared: “I like secondhand items because you can't find anything exactly the same elsewhere. If you find something, it feels like you belong to me. I think people increasingly like to assert their individuality, so most gravitate towards unique, handcrafted items because they are deeply personal.” Therefore, the items found in Thrift Shops, though unique, patiently wait for their future owners to stumble upon them, instead of appearing everywhere like the mass-produced items on the market.

Affordable prices, suitable for all budgets.

Undeniably, Thrift Shops are the optimal choice for young people looking for a unique style while still saving money. To own items sold at Thrift Shops, you only need to spend a very small amount, even 1/10 of the original market price. The reason is that the items here are all used, so they are sold at extremely reasonable prices, suitable for those with limited financial resources. "I chose to run a Thrift Shop because it's high-quality yet incredibly affordable. They have some well-known branded items, but they only sell for 100-200 thousand dong," said Mr. Dat, an employee at Bach Hoa 26 – a store selling secondhand items at reasonable prices.

An enjoyable experience for both buyers and sellers.

Science has proven that our bodies produce two hormones, oxytocin and endorphins, which make people feel more excited when shopping. This feeling isn't limited to shoppers; thrift shop owners also experience excitement when receiving items delivered for various purposes. Besides personally selecting and inspecting the used items, shop owners get to witness different personalities expressed through the unique styles of each item. They never know who will be the next owner of these items, or who will be the next person to "match" that unique style.

2. The meaning behind the "relocated" items

It's like a "hard drive" that stores values from the past.

Fashion trends are constantly changing with each decade, and the enduring values of vintage items preserved over the years are proof of the concept: "The stitching creates a chapter in history." Once preserved, these garments are not simply clothing items but also glimpses into the era they represented.

Fashion blogger Tri Minh Le's statement, "Fashion is a cycle," has transformed thrift shops into "sketches" documenting diverse styles across different historical periods. The fashion inspiration of the 80s and 90s is once again trending, thanks to the trends created by second-hand stores and thrift shops. Through incredibly trendy yet nostalgic publications on various media platforms, fashion styles from previous decades such as Y2K, Dark Academia, and Vintage are being revitalized and quickly becoming trends in today's era.

A haven for forgotten items.

With the mentality of "if you don't buy it, you'll miss out on a great deal," it's undeniable that our generation today tends to shop uncontrollably. Newly purchased items may not even be worn completely, while old items remain "silently" present until we forget about their existence in our wardrobes.

These designs have taken on a timeless quality (Photo: Minh Thư)

The reason people choose to visit thrift shops isn't because they don't want to spend money on expensive items. Many people prefer thrift goods partly because they're affordable, but many others cherish the vintage, time-worn look of these items because only they truly reflect their personality and character. Thrift shops are created partly from these profound ideas, becoming a "temporary resting place" for items that have strayed from a person's life. It serves as a "crossroads" for an item's life between two worlds , and also as a place where the original owner can return those items to someone who appreciates them and truly needs them more in their life.

"Green" for the earth and the environment

According to Thrift Shop owners, they've noticed that their customers are primarily interested in finding unique items that suit their personal tastes at affordable prices. However, these preferences "inadvertently" help young people embrace a greener lifestyle, partly pushing back against the stereotype that "fashion pollutes and destroys the environment." In other words, Thrift Shop is a green clothing supply chain creating a trend that is both economical and "civilized" for 21st-century youth, contributing to environmental protection.

Unique and novel items at Thrift stores (Photo: Khanh Linh)

Label: What do we need when visiting a Thrift Shop?

1. Tips for choosing and putting together outfits when shopping.

Choose your clothes:

#1. The first and most important thing when visiting a thrift shop is to understand your body shape, figure, and personal style. Even the most unique outfit won't flatter your features if it doesn't suit you. Meanwhile, inexpensive, simple, well-fitting items will help you make a better impression.

#2. Understanding the specialized items of each Thrift Shop will make it easier to choose items you like. Depending on the shop, the owner will usually specialize in selling a certain type of product. For example, some Thrift Shops mainly carry items such as sweaters, jackets, and short-sleeved t-shirts, while others specialize in Japanese or Korean chiffon blouses.

#3. Checking for defects before finalizing any purchase is extremely important. Second-hand clothing has a reasonable price because it's not brand new with tags still attached, so we need to balance its future usability with the price before buying it.

Foreign passengers visit the Thrift Shop (Photo: Minh Thu)

Get dressed:

#1. Clothing with easy-to-remove designs in neutral colors like beige, cream, and white is a good choice when shopping for secondhand clothes. These colors are usually easy to mix and match and can be combined with items you already own for everyday wear.

#2. Washing and drying clothes in the sun is essential before we wear those "new clothes." Second-hand clothes are often dusty from not being used for a long time, and there's a risk of them containing bacteria or even harmful detergent chemicals that can affect our health when they come into contact with our skin.

#3. Besides vintage items, we should also invest in some high-quality accessories. Using accessories that match the style is a great choice whenever we get dressed up. New outfits paired with matching jewelry can both enhance the beauty of the outfit and clearly express each person's unique personality.

2. Si Map: Popular Thrift Shop Locations

Thrift shops are always the perfect choice for young, stylish individuals. Therefore, the following Thrift stores are must-visit destinations if you want to build a diverse wardrobe: