With school dances like Sweethearts and prom coming up, the issue of finding an outfit is on the minds of many students at Park. Though there are many stores and websites to buy new, options are expensive, leading students, including myself, to wonder—is it worth it to spend that much on just one event? Especially when trying to save money for hanging out with friends or other activities, I find myself struggling to justify the cost of a dress I’ll only wear to one event. In addition, buying a dress for solely one night continues to add to the ever-growing environmental crisis we face today.
Buying used prevents this, while providing a budget-friendly and environmentally-friendly option for students that doesn’t sacrifice style, allowing students to find options that wouldn’t necessarily be available in retail stores. Thrift stores, both in person and online, carry many different options for clothing ranging from modern to vintage. Regardless of your style, if you’re willing to dig through the options, there is something for you. Buying used clothing increases the longevity of the item, allowing it to be worn again, and also makes for unique options for any outfit.
Park students have access to many thrift stores in the area, including the Clothing Closet—a DECA-run room in B224 that is available to anyone. All items in the Clothing Closet are free, meaning that all students have the ability to contribute to buying used clothing, rather than new. Other nearby options include Goodwill, Shop for Change and Eye of the Beholder. There are also tons of online options to buy used clothing, such as eBay, Depop, Poshmark and ThredUp. Although these stores may not be the first choice for where to shop, buying used is even more accessible to Park students than buying new.
Despite its benefits, buying used definitely has drawbacks. There is so much uncertainty about the quality of clothing and whether it will fit or not. Buying from online sellers like Poshmark or Depop means you can’t feel the item or see it in person before you order it. Buying in person is just as rough, with most thrift stores not having changing rooms or a way to see if the item fits how you like. However, if you find a used piece you truly love, sometimes it’s worth it to take that risk. This is not an uncommon opinion, with many people already shopping at thrift stores. According to The Blackprint, 83% of Gen Z already shop or are willing to shop secondhand. For special events like prom or Sweethearts at Park, more and more people have been wearing used dresses or suits. Students should continue to shop secondhand, both to save money and to help protect the environment.
As a high school student, it’s hard to feel like you have any sort of impact on the world. Yet, we have more impact than we think we do. According to Earth.org, the fast fashion industry is the second largest contributor to industrial pollution, making up a whopping 10% of global emissions. This includes massively popular companies, such as H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and more. While buying one singular item from these companies isn’t the end of the world, buying items frequently only adds to the environmental crisis fast fashion creates. Alternative options like buying from sustainable companies or buying used clothing, while not perfect, are worlds better than contributing to mass pollution. For me, the pros of buying used definitely outweigh the cons.
