India is a land full of different religions. With different religions come different cultures, different clothing styles, and traditions. But there is one thing in common that has been passed on from generation to generation, that is the utilisation of "used clothes". From baby clothes to sweaters and dresses, yeah, we have already experienced "Thrifting" by wearing things that were bought for our elder siblings.
Cut to today's scenario: due to rapid industrialisation, we are facing a huge Environmental Pollution problem. When related to Global Textile waste, India accounts for a whopping 8.5%, and that is concerning. Along with preventive measures, it is also crucial for us to start adopting Sustainable Living and daily usage of Sustainable Products.
1. What is a Thrift Store?
It is a concept wherein you can visit an Online Thrift Store or a brick-and-mortar thrift Store and purchase used/second-hand clothes, books, shoes, accessories, and many more. This "Thrift Store" concept helps in a big way towards reducing landfills as the products mentioned or available in Thrift Stores are used to their full capacity. It aids in making your wardrobe/closet greener and also circular.
Now let us scroll through a few of the prominent Thrift Stores in India:
2. List of Top Thrift Stores in India
2.1 Bodements
Bodements is a thrift store that houses handpicked and unique vintage clothes/garments and designs from all over the world. Their collection boasts of clothes that are upcycled and showcasing quintessentially vintage designs.
2.2 Bombay Closet Cleanse
The main aim of this women-run thrift store is to promote circular fashion. One can shop for upcycled products or even used clothing online and also at their physical store in Mumbai. The owners are always trying out new ways of creating less waste and also preventing clothes from reaching the growing landfills.
2.3 Curated Findings
It is an online "Thrift and Consignment Store" with the aim of renewing the creation of fashionable textile products. You can shop for handpicked thrift fashion items and home accessories from their online store, thus providing an affordable, sustainable proxy when compared to buying fast fashion products.
2.4 Relove
This Mumbai-based OnlineThrift Store is a leading player when it comes to reselling clothes from India's leading brands and Luxury Designer collections. Their strong portfolio consists of 50+ brands, and they are growing at a faster pace in the reselling vertical.
2.5 Paradime Shift
Paradime Thrift's primary target market is Men, but they also house products for Women. This Online Thrift Store upholds its policy of offering "Pop culture-inspired clothing and pocket-friendly upcycled vintage clothing".
2.6 The Vintage
The Vintage is one of the best Online/Instagram Sustainable Thrift Stores for buying Antique Jewellery, Baggy T-shirts, Quirky Trousers, and many more at a very affordable price. There's an extensive list of purpose-driven, sustainable thrift shops apart from the ones listed above. A few prominent Instagram Thrift Stores with significant followers are Lulu Thrift, Vintage Laundry, Panda Picked,Discovery Culture, Kiki Closet, Mirinwon, Threadripper, and Believe It Thrift It.
Conclusion
Today, the Millennial and Gen Z shoppers are choosing sustainability over "fast fashion".Young people are getting more environmentally conscious and turning their backs on "fast fashion" products. Now is the right time to tap this demand and promote circular fashion and circular economy. The best part is that the products are used to their total capacity, which curtails them from adding to the growing landfills of old clothes or accessories. Thrifting also helps push back
against carbon emissions by textile companies. So thrift and lessen the rift caused by pollution, thus helping to realise a greener earth.
