Rack Attack: Freshman Quick Picks

By Ania Bolden and Emily Salazar

Published May 11, 2026

Thrifting is becoming a major trend among students who want to save money while expressing their personal style. Instead of buying brand-new clothes at high prices, teens are exploring thrift stores for unique, affordable pieces. What used to be overlooked is now seen as creative and even profitable.

SCTA Freshman Silas Bonham shared how quickly thrifting worked for him. “I started thrifting last year… it only took me about three days to find something that was really good,” he said. His experience shows that even beginners can have success early on. He also emphasized the importance of having fun, especially with friends. “Just keep going for fun… It’s a lot funnier than going by yourself,” Bonham explained. This shows that thrifting is not just about clothes— it’s also a social experience. One of the biggest advantages of thrifting is the potential to find valuable items for cheap. Bonham shared one of his best stories: “I found JNCOs… I sold them for like 200 bucks… I bought that for like 12.” This highlights how thrifting can become a small side hustle for students willing to put in the time. In addition, thrifting supports sustainability. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, millions of tons of clothing are thrown away each year, so buying secondhand helps reduce waste and protect the environment.

Photo Credit: Emily Salazar

Caption: Silas Bonham posing after being interviewed about his thrifting style.

However, thrifting is not always easy. Bonham admitted he struggled with money at first, saying he “had trouble actually paying for stuff… but then I just got a job.” This shows that while thrifting is cheaper than retail, it still requires effort and budgeting.

Overall, thrifting is more than just a trend—it’s a smart choice for students. It combines fashion, savings, and sustainability into one experience, making it a great option for today’s generation.

Photo Credit: Ania Bolden

Caption: Jaylin Gallegos posing after feeling a little cute.

Thrifting is common amongst many of our age, but not all. Some thrift because that's all they can afford, others thrift for a different style, and the list goes on. You can get many styles from thrifting, and that's what this article, Thrifting Styles, focuses on. Thrifting styles go along with the way teens are dressing now, based on what they're looking for, as well as what they end up buying and why. Thrifting is a hobby used to gain fashion. Many people, like Jaylin Gallegos, a SCTA freshman studying Finance and Business, enjoy thrifting because it’s affordable, fun, and good for the environment. Her experience shows that being patient, creative, and careful can help you find some really cool clothes.

Gallegos started thrifting because a friend she’s known since elementary school invited her to go shopping with her. At first, it took a few hours to find good clothes, but she says that’s normal. Her advice for new thrifters is to spend enough time looking through the store, especially in the fitting rooms, because that’s where a lot of good clothes are left behind. She also recommends going to stores like Goodwill because they have a wide variety of clothes to choose from. Gallegos's advice for new thrifters is, “...some of the clothes can be…really dirty and…they might have…stains on them so…before….you try something on or…you buy something, make sure you look at…the whole…clothing item to make sure it's not ripped or anything.”

One of the best things about thrifting, according to Gallegos, is that you can find trendy and high-quality clothes for much cheaper than in regular stores. She says, “...you can definitely find...a lot of good stuff for…cheaper…prices and…it also just saves you a lot of money, and it's like you're reusing…old clothes so…basically you're just…helping…not to rent…a bunch of trash.” Thrifting saves money and helps the environment because it encourages reusing clothes instead of always buying new ones. This is important because fast fashion, which is buying lots of clothes quickly, harms the environment. Thrifting helps reduce waste and gives people a chance to wear unique, fashionable items.

Gallegos remembers finding a really cool shirt at Goodwill that she calls a “jackpot” moment. It was a trendy piece that she loves and feels special about because it’s unique. She recommends thrifting to others because you never know what treasures you might find, including designer or high-end brands, for a lot less money. Over time, thrifting has changed how she sees fashion, making her more creative in how she styles her clothes and encouraging her to think outside the box. Of course, thrifting can sometimes be tricky. Gallegos says some clothes might be dirty or stained, so it’s important to check the clothes carefully before buying. Still, she believes that the benefits of thrifting, like saving money and helping the planet, make it worth the effort. She also donates clothes back to thrift stores, which helps keep the cycle of reuse going.

In summary, thrifting is more than just a way to save money. It’s a cool way to express your style while also helping the environment. Jaylin Gallegos's story shows that with patience and creativity, anyone can find stylish, meaningful clothes at thrift stores. As more people try thrifting, it’s becoming a popular way to stand out and do something good for the world. Thrifting is definitely a fun and responsible way to keep up with fashion.

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