Does thrift shopping price out those who need it most?
Thrift shopping is often marketed as the sustainable way to consume fashion, but my recent visits to charity shops in London showed prices creeping up to $30 for a plain Zara blazer. If second-hand clothing becomes a trend, the actual low-income shoppers who rely on it for basics get priced out, turning a necessity into a luxury. So is buying vintage really an ethical choice if it inflates the market for those who need it most?