Thrift stores are known for selling good quality second-hand goods at affordable prices but one shopper was far from impressed when they saw what was on offer at a shop in their area
There are numerous options available when it comes to choosing where to buy new clothing nowadays, including high street retailers, supermarkets and online shops. Increasing numbers of people are exploring alternative routes, such as charity shops and Vinted that specialise in selling pre-owned items that are typically still in good condition and carry lower price tags than traditional retail outlets.
Many consumers are devoted fans of charity and thrift shops, particularly those who enjoy hunting for bargains, as these establishments provide an extensive range of goods from clothing items to furniture to books to toys at reasonable prices. They are also eco-friendly as they encourage reusing products and minimising landfill waste, which matters to ethical shoppers attempting to steer clear of fast fashion, the approach by major retailers of rapidly manufacturing cheap garments to match the newest trends.
However, it appears that these products have now made their way into the pre-owned marketplace.
A Reddit user revealed that their local thrift shop now features a section dedicated to Zara clothing that is being sold for 60 per cent below the original retail price.
Expressing disappointment at this discovery, they remarked: “I come to the thrift store to get away from fast fashion and unethical brands to try and shop more consciously, but I can’t escape it.”
They mentioned that there were plenty of racks filled with garments from the Spanish retailer and there were also pieces by Shein and other fast fashion labels.
The ethical shopper noted: “The majority of them were ripped or had some other defect to them. When we got to the front to check out, there was Zara jewellery locked away and was almost full price.”
Other users expressed their frustration, with one commenting: “Yeah, it’s frustrating. Thrifting used to mean finding well-made, unique pieces, but now it’s just flooded with disposable fast fashion.
“It’s wild to think that in a few decades, ‘vintage’ might just mean a Shein dress that somehow didn’t disintegrate.”
However, not everyone was as critical of Zara as a fast fashion brand. Another user said: “I’ve bought a lot of stuff in Zara and frankly it’s not much worse than expensive brands.
“In fact I have some clothes that have lasted much longer than supposedly good brands. If you take care of your things it can last very long.”
Another person added: “I would argue that purchasing a fast fashion brand like Zara from a second hand shop is far more ethical than letting them go to the landfill.
“The item was already made, and if it’s in a thrift store then Zara isn’t going to get a cut of it and gain incentive to make more. The garments had already been made, might as well put them to use!!
“I know the issue is they may be lesser quality so they’ll wear away faster and you’ll have to buy more things but quite honestly of all the fast fashion brands I purchased in the past, maybe 95% of them have held up well and are in great condition still.”
Thrift shops are renowned for offering quality second-hand items at reasonable prices, helping to reduce textile waste and giving clothes a second life.
However, with the rise of fast fashion, these shops are increasingly swamped with poor-quality garments designed to wear out quickly.
Fast fashion contributes to a host of environmental and social problems. Earth.org states that of the 100 billion clothing items produced each year, over 101 million tonnes end up in landfills.
According to the UN Environment Programme, the fashion industry accounts for roughly 10 per cent of global carbon emissions and is a significant consumer of water, using around 79 billion cubic metres annually, enough to satisfy the water needs of five million people.
On the social front, fast fashion heavily relies on low-wage labour in developing countries, where workers often suffer from poor working conditions and lack basic labour rights.
Zara and Shein have been contacted for comment.