Ava Creech, 17, and Sarah Kaz, 15, are high school students with a passion for thrifting, regularly discovering stylish pieces that perfectly compliment their unique clothing aesthetics. For them, thrifting isn’t just about finding affordable clothes– It’s about uncovering hidden gems that fit their individual styles.
“I prefer thrifting over regular buying,” said Kaz. While she has found cute clothes while shopping at regular stores, the price tags often makes her rethink her purchase. “As soon as I see the price, I usually put it down,” said Kaz.
Thrifting allows her to find what she wants without breaking the bank. Thrifting to her not only provided unique and affordable pieces, but it also gave Kaz and Creech the opportunity to express themselves in a way that feels personal and creative.
Creech’s favorite spots include any Goodwill store and, most of the time, Pablo’s store and Cause for Paws. Her mom got into thrifting because she loves thrifting as well, and she likes to find vintage jewelry, accessories, or cute tops.
Kaz’s most memorable find is focused on clothing; she often finds herself exploring the decoration and jewelry/accessories sections. Many times she would just go to her closet, and build up a new aesthetic to find more very new vintage pieces to go along with her desired aesthetic she wanted to go for that day. Kaz’s goal is, every time she goes thrifting, to find something new and fitting that would go well with most of her clothes aesthetic. Many times, after a thrifting trip, Kaz would go straight to her closet to try on new finds, mixing them with her existing clothes to create unique looks. It’s not just about buying this; It’s about adding new elements to her wardrobe that feel like a perfect fit for her style at that moment.
“I found a pair of Nike Air Forces for just $5. It was a good deal,” said Kaz.
When sharing her thrifting journey, Creech also shared interests similar to Kaz’s. She usually rotates through many Goodwill stores around RTP and finds gems in the bins. Creech’s friend originally got her into thrifting, and Creech has loved it ever since. Creech also follows social media accounts dedicated to it.
For Creech, her Cartier ring is a big memory, but Creech also mostly remembers a time when she found a bunch of nice Carhartt items left together in denim and thick jackets that she got at a good price. Thrifting for Ava is about the thrill of the hunt as well, finding items that speak to her personal style while also scoring amazing deals. Creech recalls the excitement of discovering the Carhartt pieces all grouped together, as if they were meant for her. “It was like a whole set of things that just matched perfectly,” said Creech. Not only did Creech get stylish, high-quality pieces, but she also managed to snag them for a steal.
“I’ve scored some vintage designer pieces, including a Cartier love ring for $2.50, and it was proven real later,” said Creech.
Both Kaz and Creech have similar aspects of the pros and cons of thrifting. “The pros are that it’s fun to explore, it builds skills, and the prices are cheaper,” said Kaz. Along with the pros, there are often cons.
“Sometimes there are ripped holes, bad quality, or items that end up being too tight or stained. It can be hard to find exactly what you want.” said Creech.
However, Creech warned it can be harder to find specific things, and some stores have a lot of low-quality products.
“Thrifting is sustainable; you can find quality items for much less. The clothes are also coming from good charity causes,” said Creech.
Both Kaz and Creech shared how exciting it is to visit their favorite thrift stores, where every trip felt like a treasure hunt for unique finds for them. Many people resonate with Creech’s perspective, Including Sarah. Developing an eager interest in high-quality clothing can be more than just a hobby—it’s a fun experience.
“It’s not just about the clothes; it’s also about the adventure, the stories behind each item, and the thrill of discovering unique finds in a world overflowing with fleeting trends,” said Creech.
