Getting Thrifty in the Age of Tariffs
Jorts, juicy couture, and low rise jeans. The rise of thrifting has certainly seen a revival in decades old trends, from the eclectic of Y2K to rockstar girlfriend grunge. Nostalgia has become a powerful aesthetic — one that is currently reshaping the next generation of fashion moguls.
Courtesy of Harper's Bazaar
Yearning for the past seems to have permeated even the runway. This year, we saw Victoria Secret pay homage to their better days by bringing back their iconic runway show by bringing back models that were the hallmark of the early 2000s.
Courtesy of CNN
All this to say, what trends will dictate our outfits in the next five years? What about the next ten? Will there come a day where our children comb through scattered Goodwill racks for burgundy cowboy boots and coastal grandma blouses?
In answering this question, we must take into consideration the current realm of fashion merchandising. As of late, President Donald Trump has introduced steep trade tariffs on a myriad of countries. If they go into effect, these tariffs are projected to exponentially increase the cost of foreign-made goods. In other words, your bank account might take a hit next time you place an order for a pair of those summer worthy sandals.
Even now, fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu have warned consumers that their goods will definitely become pricier in the wake of the U.S.-China trade war. While the vast majority of retail appears to be safe, the volatile nature of Trump’s economic strategies could easily change this. The majority of our clothing in the U.S. is from abroad, so consumers will be forced to seek different outlets.
Courtesy of Fox Business
Amidst the chaos, thrifting offers a breath of fresh air. Sustainable shopping has always been lauded for its access and jaw-dropping prices. In an era where price tags seem to be playing seesaw, thrifting just might be the solution to our fashion woes. In fact, the sale of second hand goods seems to be experiencing an unanticipated boom. In just the first quarter of 2025, app downloads for online resale behemoths like Depop, Poshmark, and the RealReal went up by 3%. These apps faced a sharp spike in downloads during the first week that Trump announced his tariffs. It’s no surprise that the tariff-free nature of second hand goods gives them a boost. The waning competition from foreign companies will definitely be an asset to thrift stores looking to appeal to their growing audience.
With uncertainty looming on the horizon, the homegrown fashion market will definitely take on an unmistakable importance for consumers. In the new age of fashion, it appears that our trends won’t just fulfil an appetite for past decades. More than an aesthetic, nostalgia will become a tool for the vast majority of people to continue to rendezvous with clothing they love.
Featured Image Courtesy of Ero Edge