From sifting through racks at the Andover Thrift Shop to scouring online marketplaces, thrifting has become a popular pastime on campus. Fueled by a surging social media presence, the practice has evolved into a long term, sustainable lifestyle for many students.
Magdalena Mercado ’26 reflected on her thrifting journey, which began by interacting with online marketplaces for second-hand shopping. Once on campus, she and many other students shifted towards local options — particularly the Andover Thrift Shop. Offering a rotating selection of unique pieces, the store has quickly become a regular downtown stop for students.
“I like to do a lot of online thrifting, such as on Depop and Poshmark and Mercari. I also go to big chain stores such as Goodwill. Since coming to Andover, I’ve been to Andover Thrift a ton of times because they have a bunch of unique pieces that I find myself wearing all the time for a relatively good price. I’ve also become good friends with the people who work there,” said Mercado.
Having been in business for 84 years, the Andover Thrift Shop in downtown Andover has become a special fixture for local residents and Andover students. According to manager Missy Blanch, the store is committed to serving the community, offering a shopping option that is affordable and sustainable.
“[The store] has been in business for 84 years. [It] started out in a basement in one of the buildings here in town, and we moved to this building [around] the 1970s. I would say there are Phillips Andover kids in here just about every day. Our mission is to serve the Andover community with goods that are affordable to a cross-section of the local community… We also strive to recycle and reuse as much as humanly possible. We try to be an affordable source for everybody in the community,” said Blanch.
For Eliza Francis ’26, thrifting is a way to promote creativity and craft a distinct, personal wardrobe. With an eye for potential and durability, Francis values the uniqueness of older pieces compared to mass-produced trends.
“I’ve found the best pieces back in my hometown. Smaller towns, especially where there aren’t a lot of fashion-forward teens shopping, tend to have the best hidden gems. I look for potential. That’s really important to me. I’ve taught myself how to alter clothes, so sizing isn’t a huge issue. The quality is often better. A lot of modern clothing, especially fast fashion, is made really cheaply. Older pieces tend to last longer. Thrifting also helps you develop a unique style. I’m not anti-basics at all — dressing basic can be really cool — but if you’re looking to express individuality, thrifting is a great way to do that,” said Francis.
For students shopping on a budget, thrifting offers a practical and cost-effective alternative to mainstream retail. Emiliano Bobadilla ’26 shared his favorite thrift finds, emphasizing thrifting as an affordable entrance point for fashion enthusiasts.
“I would thrift either because I’m shopping on a budget or because I can’t find any clothes that I’m looking for at the stores that I shop at. [With] thrifting, you could definitely get good deals and bundles. My freshman spring, [the Andover Edition] had collaborated with PA Wings Initiative, and I was able to acquire [an] Abloh shirt that I got for 20 dollars, and it goes for 150 dollars, so that was a good steal. It’s the place to start if you want to start getting into fashion on a budget,” said Bobadilla.
The growing presence of local secondhand shops and influences from social media trends have helped make thrifting well known amongst students. However, despite this traction, opinions on it still vary.
“The kids at Andover have started to thrift more, [but] I think the demographics are still all over the place. There’s some people I know who think it’s weird and others who are on the same wavelength as me. The biggest influence is the internet. I feel like I’m pretty influenced by the internet. [Thrifting is] relatively talked about over campus and we have a few places downtown where you can go second-hand shopping, so that’s a big part of it,” said Mercado.
When thrifting, the experience itself is equally as exciting as the thrill of discovering one-of-a-kind items. According to Francis, the cycle of donation and renewal infuses each thrifted piece with special purpose and meaning.
“It’s just such a joyful experience. It’s a way to treat yourself and others… One of my favorite friend dates is grabbing coffee and going thrifting. It’s an experience in itself, just as enjoyable as the clothing you walk away with. And there’s a certain richness to it. Your clothes have a story. I like the idea that someday I’ll donate something, and some other teenage girl will find it and give it new life. Plus, you walk away with a new piece you love. What’s not to like?” said Francis.
