Marin County offers numerous second-hand clothing stores that reduce “fast fashion,” the mass production of factory-made clothing that has affected the world’s manufacturing industry since the 70s. Thrifting, buying used items at a store that specializes in secondhand merchandise, has become a popular method of shopping among younger generations, supporting environmental preservation and offering financial benefits.
In 1993, Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), relieving tariffs on commonly produced goods, including clothing. This allowed economic growth among the signatory nations, including Mexico, Canada, and the US, as well as new opportunities for manufacturers. The agreement led to the increase and success of fast fashion and consumerism.
Manufacturers in the fashion industry have needed to evolve and adapt to more digitized approaches in their marketing strategies, manufacturing processes, and methods of labor to increase their profitability. As technology has advanced, it has become a tool for manufacturers to discover their target audience and adapt to that audience’s preferences and needs.
Producers are required to quickly follow trends to appeal to global audiences, often using resources and online platforms to influence purchases. Archie Williams freshman Cybil Pennock believes that the advancement of technology has been helpful, but has also increased fast fashion because it makes over-shopping easier.
“I think that the advancement of technology has impacted [fast fashion], because it’s a lot easier for people to [shop online]… I think it’s helpful because you see more stuff that [is personalized to you], but it also possibly leads you to buy more because you like it and then want it, even when you don’t need it. Once a trend is over, [people] get rid of [the clothes] and maybe don’t wear them again, leading to more and more fast fashion,” Cybil said.
With the increase in clothing production, there is a growing demand for laborers to assist in the manufacturing or assembly of those garments. Fast fashion, reliant on low foreign labor costs and irreplaceable natural resources, enables manufacturers to charge inexpensive prices due to low wages and poor-quality materials. Cybil assumes that machinery in factories that are effective in clothing production impacts factory employees.
“I would think that since there’s a lot of factories and machines that can easily produce clothes, [that] the people who work in factory production [stage] probably don’t get paid very well,” Cybil said.
The U.S. Department of Labor Blog highlights the perpetual cycle of producing the latest fashion trends at minimal costs, often leading garment producers, manufacturers, and retailers to prioritize profit over workers’ wages and violate minimum wage laws.
As well as human labor costs, buying poor-quality clothing products also encourages single-use clothing, a phenomenon thrifting attempts to reverse. Thrifting has recycled an estimated 10-15 percent of textiles in the U.S. and found new purposes in people’s closets. Retail manager for The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop thrift store in Novato David Mattos believes fast fashion makes no positive contributions to the environment and local community.
“I see little benefit to fast fashion organizations and companies, rather like Temu. Their clothes can’t be worn for long, and therefore have no value other than to pollute the environment and fill landfills,” Mattos said.
Many ways to thrift exist, from online websites that sell second-hand clothes such as Depop, to in-person thrift chains such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army. Marin also offers local thrifting locations, including The Marin Humane Thrift Shop and The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Mattos says one the best benefits of thrifting is bringing in old styles and more durable clothing due to its better manufacturing quality.
“Older goods were made [with] more durab[ility], attention to detail, [and] more styling; that’s why they’re still around. Things that were produced this year have a higher chance of making their way to the trash bin. Fast fashion isn’t made with quality, a lot of the time they’re [clothes] laden with chemicals,” Mattios said.
The rapid growth of fast fashion and its chemical reliance has contributed to the escalating climate crisis. According to the World Economic Forum, the fashion industry accounts for approximately 10 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This CO2 is released into the atmosphere, directly contributing to the Earth’s surface rising in temperature, a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect.
Switching to thrifting contributes to a decrease in CO2 deposits while providing personal benefits for individuals. Thrift stores, according to GOBankingRates, often have designer pieces at a fraction of the retail costs, making them accessible to those who would otherwise be difficult or expensive to obtain. Thrifting not only offers stylistic freedom and opportunities to individuals but also significant financial savings, averaging 1,760 dollars annually per person, according to CouponFollow. Founding member of the Archie Williams Thrift Club junior Esme Charles believes that thrifting is more cost-effective than fast fashion brands, while still offering quality clothes.
“I think that it [thrifting] can be cost-effective…[because] you can find clothing of high quality, like pure cotton that might be priced expensively when new but when found in a thrift store, they’re way cheaper in comparison. I think that one of the great things about thrift stores is there’s [a variety of] clothing, [which] can definitely be inclusive to all age groups since there’s so many generations of clothing… [but be] cheaper than average,” Esme said.
One of the most well-known misconceptions is that thrifting is embarrassing and is targeted towards “poor” individuals. However, Archie Williams sophomore Henry Oliver believes thrifting is for everyone.
“I do not think that thrifting is a thing to be ashamed of. You can get great deals. It’s great for all people of all walks of life,” Henry said.
Thrifting has grown in popularity as an alternative to fast fashion, offering opportunities to reduce waste and save money. For many, secondhand shopping also allows them to explore unique clothing options and support local businesses.
