Trendy. Cheap. Decent-Quality.
The rise of the fast fashion industry grew exponentially over the past decade, promoting the purchase of low-cost, fashion-forward clothing which is especially popular among pre-teens and teens.
The fast-fashion model caters to rapid production and distribution, at the whim of changing trends. The rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has only continued to support this industry, with trends reaching unprecedented heights. Brands like Urban Outfitters, Zara, and Brandy Melville benefit from this increase in demand and cheap mass production, to name just a few.
The fast-fashion industry leaves negative impacts on our environment, though. It is responsible for more than twenty percent of global wastewater and ten percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The world consumes around 80 billion pieces of new clothing a year, 400% more than two decades ago. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean come from the laundering of synthetic textiles like polyester.
In response to the growth of fast fashion, many people are pushing the idea of shopping sustainably. This includes thrifting, upcycling, or shopping from environmentally conscious businesses, big and small. The benefits of thrifting reach beyond reducing one’s carbon footprint. It supports small businesses, especially amidst a global pandemic.
Thrift stores and sustainable clothing are the new frontiers for small businesses. While many reselling websites exist, such as Depop and Etsy, local shops like Pushcart Vintage are taking a more personal and old-school route to resell. Opening amidst a global pandemic in the summer of 2020, Pushcart Vintage is a quaint vintage store on Prospect Park West between 17th Street and Prospect Ave. It is run by the friendly and free-spirited Bonni, who ventures to large donation stores around the Tri-State area, finding unique clothing items, jewelry, and other items and selling them for reasonable prices. You can find anything from formal dresses from the 80’s to vintage 1950’s children’s books.
The importance of supporting local businesses is even more prevalent today. Pushcart Vintage helps sustain not only the local economy, but proves that we must maintain our community relations, even at a distance.
Pushcart Vintage is a prime example of capitalizing on the demand for sustainable fashion while simultaneously supporting the environment and the local community. Thanks to people like Bonni, we are moving one step closer to a safer, happier and more fashionable world.