If you have ever wondered why the younger generations enjoy thrifting and flea markets so much, it’s because it’s very hard to find cheap, quality items that don’t harm the planet. In a world of fast fashion, rising prices, and ever-changing fashion standards, flea markets and thrift stores are the way to go during the holiday season.  

During the holidays, you might hear family members or friends talking about a new fashion trend, and asking for items that you know they will not be wearing in a year. Enter thrift stores. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, thrift stores became increasingly popular. Many people could not afford to purchase new clothing, so business owners began creating second-hand stores for affordable options. People then began to sell their items to these stores for profit, a concept that keeps the thrift industry afloat years later.  

Thrift stores are an amazing place to go when you are balling on a budget, especially in NYC. From Buffalo Exchange to Goodwill, and Salvation Army to Urban Jungle, NYC has many unique thrift options. It is important to do your research! When thrifting, make sure you have a list of the stores you will be visiting, their average price, and what items you are looking for. Some stores like Urban Jungle are a bit pricier than Goodwill, but it all depends on the quality and items you are searching for.  

Being in college, it is well recognized that most students are either “broke” or budgeting, which can make the holiday season very stressful. Each year, as you grow older, it seems as though there are more people you are responsible for buying gifts for. Whether it’s extended family or college friends, thrifting is your friend during the holidays. But just remember that a lot of families rely on these stores to buy gifts as well.  

For this reason, it is important to be very ethically conscious when thrifting. Some dos and don’ts include: don’t buy in excess. People rely on these stores to clothe their families. Buying a few items at a time is fine, but don’t buy more than you need. Don’t buy items that you intend to re-sell, especially not during the holidays. Sometimes, people send expensive and rare items that are damaged to thrift stores for someone else to buy (usually because they don’t know the worth). If you find one of these, just keep it for yourself or gift it to others. Do know what you are looking for. For example, if your mom wants a pair of jeans in size 12, make sure to keep that in mind. Thrift stores can be overwhelming, and you can get sidetracked shopping for yourself! They are a great resource, and it is important to not abuse them. 

Flea markets are another story. These places are more of an open-market style rather than a retail store. You can negotiate prices and usually find amazing deals for a lot of items. However, these locations are much more of a gamble than thrift stores. People sell pretty much anything, including items that are broken or just plain dirty. So sometimes, the cheaper option at flea markets is not always the better option. But you can find some really amazing things! Just keep in mind that prices on tags are not always final, especially when you are aware that the item is not worth that much. Flea markets can also include vendors, which can be great while shopping. If you’re not going to an expensive market (like Williamsburg Flea), all the food should also be relatively cheap as well.