The secondhand apparel market is booming, and financial experts say there's real money to be made both as a savvy shopper and a seller. According to a new report from ThredUp, the U.S. secondhand market has exploded from roughly $28 billion in 2020 to approximately $56 billion today, with 62% of Gen Z participating in secondhand shopping last year.
But while the opportunity is real, so is the potential to turn a financial win into a spending trap. We asked finance experts for their best approaches to capitalize on this trend without letting low prices trick you into mindless spending.
Before committing to a regular thrift habit, you need to find a place where you actually enjoy shopping. Not every platform or store will feel right, and that's fine.
As Melanie Musson, a finance expert with Quote.com, explained, "If you walk into a massive Goodwill store, you may feel overwhelmed and have a strong desire to leave. That's okay. If you walk into a local hospital boost club thrift store, and it's so tiny with low ceilings and you feel closed in, it's okay to leave. However, if you love the experience, embrace it."
Musson recommended checking out at least five different stores or platforms to find what works for you.

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