Thrifting 101: the differences between thrifting, consignment, and vintage

Thrifting is all the rage these days; from being sustainably efficient to allowing people to find unique and special clothing that fits their style at significantly lower prices, what's not to love? However, the lines between thrifting, consignment, and vintage aren't always clear- here's a breakdown on the difference.

Thrifting pros:

• Affordability: Thrifting shopping allows you to acquire clothing at extremely affordable prices

• Uniqueness: You can explore “one of a kind” pieces at thrift stores that you probably wouldn't find in other mainstream stores.

• Sustainability: Second hand purchases can help reduce the environmental impact by diverting clothes from landfills and minimizing the need for new production

• Thrill of the Hunt: With affordability in mind you never know what you’re going to find and on a good day you’re bound to come across a steal.

• Ethical Considerations: Thrift stores often benefit charities therefore enabling support for causes you resonate with.

• Macklemore said so: If you only got $20 in your pocket nothing is stopping you. Just go pop them tags!

Consignment unpacked:

A Consignment store sells stores on behalf of the owners therefore taking a percentage cut of sales prices. Consignment stores have similarities to thrift shops but what creates the bridge between them is the benefits that are created for the sellers through the consignment stores such as:

• Return Unsold Items: The sellers can get their money back from the consignment stores if their items don't sell.

• Hassle-Free Transactions: Once the sellers relieve ownership of their items to the store, the store handles the selling process.

• Exposure to Target Audience: The stores usually have their target audience so sellers are more likely to reach an audience specifically interested in their products.

Why is Vintage so Cool?

Vintage signifies at least items that are 20 years old but less than 100. These pieces hold a special significance not just because they’re tied to the past, but because their value often appreciates over time. While vintage stores have similarities with consignment stores and thrift stores their distinction derives from their specialized curated clothing and their unique items of historical value.

Does the nostalgia of vintage fashion intrigue you? Or does the sustainability of thrift shopping align with your values? Perhaps you're looking to sell secondhand items for extra income? Now that you know where to start, don’t wait—get ahead of the game!