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KABIR: It’s noon. I’m on hour two at the thrift store. I’ve been through three racks of jeans but have yet to find the perfect pair. The fluorescent lights shine against the tiled floor reflecting the washed out tones of the store. But, nothing beats the feeling of finding those perfect jeans: high waisted, good condition, baggy and blue like the sky. 

CALDER: It’s more than just finding clothes, it’s a fun activity.

KABIR: AND THAT’S WHY I GO THRIFTING. That’s sophomore Calder Wong. He has been thrifting for a few years now, so much that it has turned from just a way to find cheap clothes, to something he can enjoy with friends. 

CALDER: I think the most obvious answer is that it’s a lot cheaper. You can find stuff that is in good condition for a lot cheaper than it would be. But I also think that looking for clothes is exciting and fun when you find cool new stuff, its the same thing with shopping, you can go with friends or family and it’s enjoyable. 

KABIR: Since the end of the pandemic, thrift stores both online and offline have popped up around Chicago, helping students rediscover an agelong pastime. But this time, it’s about much more than just finding old styles. 

CALDER: I think teaching my friends how to get to these thrift stores and which stores are good, we go to the same stores most of the time. Teaching them and some of my friends now go by themselves, and with other friends is pretty cool.  

KABIR: Thrift stores are all over the place, from Pilsen to Wicker Park. Not only have these stores helped recycle and reuse old clothes, they have helped students rediscover new parts of the city through public transportation. 

CALDER: I used to go late morning to early afternoon. If I’m with friends we’ll take the train, go to a few shops, eat some food and go to some more shops for like two to three hours. 

KABIR: Thrifting is not always about finding a piece of clothing that fits you or something that was once designer but now is cheaper. It’s about finding something that is different from what you normally wear and see. 

SINEAD: I like to find a lot of pieces that are like really interesting fabrics because like even if the outfit itself doesn’t fit me or it’s like not the silhouette that I want if it has a really interesting fabric or design, I really like to use it upcycle into other materials, so I like to look for really colorful and crazy things that stand out.

KABIR: That’s senior Sinead Nugabauer. Her experiences in thrifting haven’t only taken place in Chicago but in places such as Greece. On her Greece trip, she experimented and discovered new types of thrifting that are not as widespread and common. 

SINEAD: I really fell in love with thrifting when I was on the Greece trip, it was the first time I ever did this thing called going to kilo shops. Where are you purchasing things based on their weight and that’s how they are priced. It was a great experience because we were stranded, and it was a great way to distract yourself from the fact that you are stuck in a different place.

KABIR: As people look for new activities and new ways to express themselves, thrifting can be a way to get out of your comfort zone and enjoy something new. It’s not just a way to find new clothes and accessories but a way to enjoy time with friends and family. It can be relaxing yet rewarding with the chance of finding something you love on the line. 

KABIR: Reporting for the U-High Midway, I’m Kabir Joshi

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