Thrift shopping: Making fashion more sustainable

Secondhand shopping, also known as upcycling, is one of fashion's fastest-growing trends. Correspondent Serena Altschul looks at how getting new use from unwanted clothes is becoming a $35 billion market.
"CBS Sunday Morning" features stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and Americana, and highlights unique human accomplishments and achievements. Check local listings for CBS Sunday Morning broadcast times.
Subscribe to the "CBS Sunday Morning" KZbin channel: bit.ly/20gXwJT
Get more of "CBS Sunday Morning": cbsn.ws/1PlMmAz
Follow "CBS Sunday Morning" on Instagram: bit.ly/23XunIh
Like "CBS Sunday Morning" on Facebook: bit.ly/3sRgLPG
Follow "CBS Sunday Morning" on Twitter: bit.ly/1RquoQb
Subscribe to our newsletter: cbsn.ws/1RqHw7T
Download the CBS News app: cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8
Try Paramount+ free: bit.ly/2OiW1kZ
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@susanmarie2231]

I love thrifting. Classic pieces never go out of style.

[@michelesfo7799]

Try estate sales too. I bought an Italian-made summer dress for $20 that is so gorgeous.

[@helend6774]

I've been thrifting since the 80's. Yard/garage/estate sales are my choice. I've clothed my family and furnished my home all with second hand items. Every spring and fall, I volunteer at a HUGE rummage sale. We collect donations for 2.5 weeks. Then, over the course of 4 days, we sell everything and make between $500-700k for local charity.

[@cmarq817]

Addicted to thrifting here. Love the access to mire natural materials in older clothes while everything is polyester in the current brands. Really appreciate silk, cashmere, wool and cotton

[@49lucky]

Everyone keeps saying old musty clothes, where do YOU shop. All my consignment and 2nd hand stores have gorgeous clothes and cheap I make or buy 2nd hand clothes I won't buy cheap China Walmart Target clothes.

[@janetownley]

@Millicient Aspinet Oh my GOD! No one would ever have thought of that!

[@janetownley]

Yeah, we shop at ACTUAL THRIFT STORES, not rich-lady consignment shops.

[@virginiahopkins5735]

You are right; have to no where to go; I have found one in Greenville SC. paid 15 dollars far a blue jean jacket never worn; looked it up on line; cost far this jacket was over 100 dollars; it was from the loft; paid 30 dollars far coach purse that was new still had the paper inside it; Some people brag about how much they pay far things; I brag about how little I pay. lol

[@margaretlong5508]

I've been thrifty shopping for over 30 years. I enjoy looking for the next treasure. Whether clothes, shoes or furniture.

[@stoundingresults]

Add baking soda to laundry cycle to neutralize warehouse odors from clothes. And sometimes there's like a Tag sale where color codes tags are discounted even more. Books are cheaper at Goldwill too, good titles for $5.00.

[@pamelaspooner8335]

But no charge at all if you use a Library. And you don't have the burden of storing or cleaning or hauling them back to Goodwill or Half-price books...who only give you 1-2 dollars for beautiful coffee table or untouched cookbooks, greedy sods.

[@deannamadrigal7503]

Yes! So fun when your traveling, it's fun to go into consignment and thrift stores to check out, never know what your going to find.

[@GoldenRainbow1987]

ooooh great idea!! 🥰

[@purpleness64]

Agree

[@TheTishy44]

I Find the best stuff at thrift stores….now, that takes time and patients, because out of 3 visits you find one thing if your lucky. I once found 2 pieces, 1 was a brocade jacket from late 50’s great color and the other a silk Japanese jacket from same era, I have a feeling someone passed away and this was newly dropped off, because they were both the same size and same faded old perfume smell. When I wear them, I get so many compliments. But I do have a rule, I bring one thing in and I must donate one thing out….or my closet would be over run. Also I only paid $5 for each item, not like high end consignment stores, there is a big difference on prices.

[@DM-lc2cf]

This is about expensive clothing, being trendy by buying 2nd hand. Not the reality of a lot of people who can't afford new regular clothing. Thread up gives you nothing for clothes you sell to them, and they charge a lot for them. Many of the items I bought from them had damage, they don't check them very well.

[@andyroo9381]

Interesting. I had never heard of ThreadUp until this story. As a man, it seems like this industry is geared more toward women. I've tried to take my clothes to second hand shops but it seems all they want are men's t-shirts and jeans. I don't shop at The Gap or Banana Republic, etc. I'm not an old man either but I don't wear t-shirts to an event. Where do I go to resell my clothing?

[@tishw4576]

Thank heaven's you have this video. The clothing market is a huge cause of waste and global warming. Buy 2nd hand. I'm not creative, so I have a seamstress I use who alters the clothing to fit my shape. I look unique and am constantly asked where I buy my clothing.

[@buddhaganesh6318]

I've been on to this for decades 🤗

[@Polkadotpup]

I have a gorgeous wardrobe of EXPENSIVE clothes. All are curated by thrift shopping.

[@coolaunt516]

I've been shopping at second hand stores for decades now. It's about time everyone else caught up lol.

[@debbiegibson3604]

I've been shopping secondhand for years. My greatest buy was a $900 Lafayette 148 jacket for $22.99 at Goodwill.

[@doriwilson6991]

I know some real fashionistas who have adorable clothes and it's all from second hand stores and consignment shops.

[@maxlinder5262]

Consignment shopping is NOT the same as thrift shopping .....I thrift shop and maybe pay ..$2.00 per shirt ....I have coats I paid .$3.50. each...$10.00 ..for jeans ...etc... that's thrift shopping 🛍️....

[@donnavannostrand2378]

You got it! Been doing that for decades, before it was cool.

[@samanthab1923]

That’s why I hate consignment shop prices, too high

[@maxlinder5262]

@@donnavannostrand2378 Agreed 👍...

[@maxlinder5262]

@@samanthab1923 Agreed 👍...

[@MothGirl007]

Exactly!

[@sburris65]

I started thrifting in the 80s as an assignment for a retail management class. And I have been doing it ever since. I have brought so many clothing items with the expensive tags still on them. I have designer dress and never spent more than $20. I have over 50 designer purses all under $20. My best find was a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes for $25! I also get a lot of my furniture there and the only place I get my vintage Pyrex from. We have a beach condo and when we go I love visiting the Goodwill Boutique. They have some amazing stuff.

[@janetd4862]

I lost a significant amount of weight, and gave a lot of my clothes to Goodwill. Then I started thrifting…. I switched to selling my old clothes on eBay, and bought all my “new” clothes at thrift stores, and on eBay. The only things I now buy brand new are undergarments, sleepwear, and shoes. I knit my own socks, so don’t have to buy those!

[@jtstacey83]

You can't go to thrift stores anymore. Everything is near or at retail. Imagine a place getting clothing or anything donated for free, than charging nearly the full price, it's insane. I used to get work clothes for $5 to $10 a outfit now I'm lucky if I can get a shirt for $15. Stories like this have ruined it for regular shoppers trying to shop on a budget. Now you see these places running color tag gimmicks where each day a certain color is 25% to 75% off. It's really gotten stupid and overly complicated for something that use to be simple and straight forward.

[@samanthab1923]

Yup, like everything else prices have gone up. But I blame resellers. I used to get fabulous things for a few bucks.

[@myothercarisadelorean8957]

It's true!. I've been an eBay reseller for almost 20 years now. Not really for profit, just part time at home fun. Thrifting use to be fun when Thrift stores were oblivious to the 2nd hand market. When you could find a luxury item that cost a buck, put it on no reserve auction and watch the bids grow. Now today you go into any Goodwill or Salvation Army and they have Air Jordan's, Louie Viton and Gucci items locked in glass case at high price.

[@gasparma2316]

Yup that’s totally true I thrifted during my college years and it helped but now cuz also of internet and resales online it’s gotten more expensive some are worth and others just better off new

[@ApplePie..]

Yep. Thrift stores are taking advantage of this trend and raising the prices.

[@dancingmeerkat2078]

Having different sales every day also gets you to keep going back to the store and buy more stuff.

[@juliannehannes11]

I used to LOVE thirfting until it got popular and Savers and Goodwill raised their prices to $7 then to $9 a shirt rather than $2, thirfting is now commercialized and ruined for everyone who isn't a rich teen

[@traceycarr-camper931]

This started with a Oprah show. One day on one of her shows she showed the audience how you can save money by purchasing second hand clothes from places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill. After that boom. Prices of 2nd hand clothes went up.

[@desiderium3243]

2:23 crazy deal if that Omega Speedmaster is authentic

[@drewconway7135]

This is great… if you’re a woman. Good luck finding quality used men’s clothes at any of these sites. And if you wear big or tall sizes, forget it.

[@debbiegibson3604]

My Goodwill has a lot of good quality men's clothing in all sizes.

[@samanthab1923]

I always did better for my husband, who was 6’4 at rummage sales.

[@SandyWolf-]

I donate all my old clothes and other people's clothes I always had kid clothes I've passed down to others with kids that size . If someone was moving I'd take their clothes just so they wouldn't throw them away and donate them! Places like Haiti that have had disaster after disaster could use some of these clothes!

[@uncooked_ham]

My husband loves going thrift shopping, brings home lots of bargains too! Only last week he managed to find a second hand fleshlight (still working, barely used) for 3 quid! It was something that was sorely needed in these uncertain times so he snapped it up immediately. He has an eye for a good bargain that man :)

[@steveconn]

Jane always puts a smile on stories about the ever widening gap between rich and poor. Thrifting smelly fall-apart clothing. Yay!

[@virginiahopkins5735]

I love thrift shopping; been doing it far ever; Well dressed older lady; When I buy from high end store go to 75% off rack; end of summer and spring; always buy classic clothes that are well made; Mainly buy things like shoes etc that are not second hand.

[@aarononeal9830]

CBS Sunday Morning needs to talk about Ecosia they are a search engine that plants tress

[@CLB30ROX]

Thrifting is life to me 😁😁😁

[@beccawolfe777]

It's not only online People tend to forget that Goodwill has been doing this all along. I've found some great stuff!

[@sunshine09944]

we all have too much stuff

[@samboescondido5609]

Rent-A-Swag was ahead of its time

[@andyroo9381]

This seems to be more for women than men. I have tried to take my clothes to thrift stores but they don't seem to want them. Polo, Nautica, etc. is what I take in but am refused. It seems like they only take t-shirts and jeans as far as menswear is concerned.

[@susannpatton2893]

Y'all late to this party. I've been doing this for over 20 yrs. Where's my story? Take me to any thrift store and I will come out looking like a magazine cover.

[@bbygrlpt2]

Buy less too.. whether new or used ppl need to stop buyin so much unnecessary clothes

[@beckigreen]

I think there was a Thread Up in JCP. Thread Up was outrageously priced.

[@Iluvcollecting]

Yes! Finally! Thrift!!!!!!

[@ovh992]

I promise you those resellers could care less about the environment and sustainability. Their carbon footprint is HUGE considering they charter planes to fly 1 used t-shirt cross country. If you care about the environment shop at your local thrift store and walk there.

[@susannpatton2893]

Not everyone can. Some states have neighborhoods no where near a town so that idea only works in certain places. The country is bigger than California or New York ya know

[@ovh992]

@@susannpatton2893 every small city I have ever lived in had a thrift store. If u live in so small a city that there are no thrift stores available then u knew what u were getting into.

[@susannpatton2893]

@@ovh992 I'm referring to their statement about walking to one. Not everyone can, not every area offers public transportation too. Not the thrift store.

[@ovh992]

@@susannpatton2893 do we have to know all your problems? Do we care? I am sure there are people who can't make it to the thrift store because they are in wheelchairs or need a babysitter. Or who are living the Little House On The Prairie life. Those are not the people I am referring to. I am referring to the VAST MAJORITY of people (not like you) who live in a normal town with normal things like grocery stores and banks and a post office. Calm down girl. Go back to your Sears catalog.

[@Bluesbabesrv]

@@susannpatton2893 there are at least 5 thrift stores within a 3 mile radius of where I live. You must live in the rural area.

[@nalisajackson547]

Where I live ppl never thrift.... We just wear our clothes until it starts ripping up then we use it as wash cloth, then throw it away

[@AlisonCrockett]

The real problem is that we are producing too many clothes. We can’t even buy our way out of the problem with thrifting because of the massive volume of cheap clothing. I’ve been doing 2nd hand and thrifted clothes, furniture and housewares for years. But individuals can’t change how companies operate. This is the time for governmental action of finding ways for companies to make money, consumers to have options and us not to destroy the planet for our habitation.

[@margaretpeabody243]

I love that, "thrift", is now a verb

[@Anamer22]

I have not bought a single new clothing item since I moved back to my country from the States three years ago. I can get good quality US-products for as little as 95% off their original price.

[@hollitheexaltedempress6957]

It's good for the environment but it's bad for the folks who can not afford the high price of quality clothing. Some families buy at these stores as a staple for access to good clothing during various special occasions. When the prices increase because of high demands once again those who earn a meager income are priced out of their dignity. There is no place else for them to go to purchase "good" clothes and other items. So one thing that can be done to maintain their family's needs might be not to advertise thrifting. Used item shopping has been around for decades but most shoppers were too snooty to buy from "thrift" stores. For once save the planet and the people don't make a necessity into a trend.

[@sidneyboo9704]

I really like thrifting. Can I pay full price? Absolutely, but the environmental results of always buying new has definitely left an everlasting impression. Glad its gaining momentum.

[@jaydibernardo4320]

2,000 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans is equal to the amount needed to make a hamburger. We have to be more conscious of our water usage.

[@bzh7648]

This is very eye opening

[@pamelamays4186]

We "Boomers" have been thrift shopping for decades.

[@virginiahopkins5735]

That's right

[@emiliachidester3250]

I USE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON CLOTHES IT WAS RIDICULOUS? I HAVE BEEN BUYING EVERYTHING IN GOOD WILL FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, I CONCENTRATE ON QUALITY, LINENS, SILK, BRAND NAMES, ALTHOUGH EVEN GOOD WILL IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE NOW.

[@emiliachidester3250]

@Millicient Aspinet SOME ARE WELL STOCK, OTHERS NOT SO MUCH.

[@sirreadsalot786]

Buying clothes from the real real is not thrifting.🙄

[@MothGirl007]

Not at all. Totally agree.

[@noemisolano4748]

I have been shopping second hand for many years now. My work clothes and weekend clothes I get from the thrift store. Yes Goodwill might have raised their prices but in my opinion I am still getting a good deal. The other day I went to Goodwill, I found a Columbia coat in excellent condition. Yes I paid $12, I was shocked 😳 at the price. But when I looked up the same coat I just brought online, online a Columbia coat costs $140 plus taxes and shipping and handling fees. So I saved alot of money on that same coat I brought in Goodwill. Meanwhile if you shop at Kohl's or Target, one blouse or one pair of pants will cost $30 and up. I can go to the thrift store and get so much stuff with $30 ☺️ For me thrifting is fun, I look fabulous and I saved money

[@Bluesbabesrv]

My daughter bought a full length black coat. In the pocket was a pair of $150 leather gloves. My granddaughter is always finding low cost vintage shoes. She comes home and looks them up online and they are usually $$$ new. I can find clothes that have never been worn, with the original price tag still on (Columbia, REI even Patagonia).

[@Carpenterdane]

I've shopped yard sales and thrift stores for years. My motto: It's only one wash away from being yours.

[@janetownley]

Those are not “thrift stores”! Those are high-end resale clothes. That woman is rich and privileged. I’ve never set foot in a thrift store which looked like those expensive high-fashion shops.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Looking very nice...

[@cueball7428]

There's going to be lots of thrift shopping in this country for the next several years😢

[@ElyseTager]

staggering stats!

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Anna Wintour sure knows how to teach women how to cook.

[@sophiasummers1637]

Making clothes from sustainable fibers instead.of strands of plastics, which are a by product.of.gasoline production would.make.fashion more sustainable and Incidentally your clothing would.be #afer and free of BPA

[@appnzllr]

Thrift shops are inundated, and much of what they get end up in land fills.

[@SirManDudeGuy1]

Honestly if there is to be a big change in the industry, then the idea of materialism needs to be fought. People need to realize simple is best, especially women. I am dude and other than my band shirts and boots, everything in my wardrobe is pretty inexpensive.

[@stephanietorres5679]

I am referring to orlando florida.

[@janeforever]

This show used to have wonderful indepth segments. Now there seems to be bunches of 3-4 min pieces leaving viewers wondering what the heck is going on over at Sunday Morning????

[@ciaojeffitalia]

I'll shop second-hand when Celebrities do. Plus, shipping clothes means packing waste. Give me back Plastic Bags.

[@Mideezhanti]

Is it a trend??? It's just a lifestyle for me lol, thrift stores are my mainstay for 20 years.

[@patricialavallee8286]

Upwardly mobile Goodwill yuppies Look for GREED based prices

[@jeretso]

Most of the new stuff is less quality and more synthetic.

[@virginiahopkins5735]

I find better quality clothing at second hand store than regular stores;

[@stephanietorres5679]

It is difficult for me to find plus size clothes and are thrifty $$

[@serena9543]

Thrid up is ok. But still too much for me.

[@th2k864]

Great now affordable clothes will be marked up to the skies because of this segment. Not doing anybody any favors CBS.

[@aneasburkhartsmeier6469]

Thrifting is t the same no more . Nothing is there anymore because people hoard them and up charge on an old tee .

[@joed7185]

Boomers now discovering thrifting 🤣

[@ceceliawavrick1370]

This boomer grew up in clothes from Goodwill, Salvation Army, and St Vincent de Paul stores in Oakland, CA. Shopping “thrift” nowadays is a challenge: if you’re not average size/height and are looking for bargains. Whoever sorts through the donations clearly culls the “good stuff” and sells it to the posh consignment or upscale, trendy second hand vendors…or prices the items out of reach for budget conscious browsers. Wonder what the next new trend will be…🤔

[@mikeywestside8509]

If you live on the coast of an ocean or a gulf you probably wouldn't understand this story

[@colleenpowell462]

Yawn...

[@bloatedsodium7301]

A nap is colleen you. 😂

[@debbie5728]

Buying old used clothes.. Perfect segment for the Biden economy..

[@cynthiablair8706]

How to tell us you’re completely out of touch with reality without saying word Trump

[@debbie5728]

@@cynthiablair8706 I’m not sure if I’m understanding you correctly... But I never brought up “trump”.. You did.. (which if you meant this as an insult, didn’t you indict yourself ? ) My apologies if you meant this aimed at Biden sycophants..

[@Gabi-lt4mx]

people all over the world by second hand because they aren't have enough money. thank God that you don't need old used clothes.