By Venessa Anthony
There has been a surge of online thrift stores popping up all over Instagram in the recent past, and by now it’s unlikely there is anyone who doesn’t have at least a small grasp on what online thrifting is. The trendy new way of shopping is getting more and more popular.
The idea of thrift shopping became a trend very quickly, but unlike most trends, thrifting has stuck around.
The Morning Brunch had a chat with Kumarini and Tiffahny Hoole, the two ladies behind Chakre Shop, an online thrift store that recently celebrated its second anniversary. Opening the store was a natural step for them; they found themselves owning way too many clothes. And as unlikely as it is to hear anyone say they have too many clothes, these two figured out a clever way to keep their wardrobe roaring with fresh, trendy clothes.
What does the ‘Chakre Shop’ mean?
We wanted our business to be meaningful to its core. The term “Chakre” (not Chakra) means “cycle” in Sinhala. Thrifting is essentially circular fashion. This is why we thought it to be most appropriate. But the cycle we had in mind wasn’t merely where a customer purchases an item previously owned by another; we wanted it to be something that would also allow their money to be channelled towards a charitable cause.
Why use online thrift shops?
It’s a lot cheaper! And more often than not, the clothes are in pretty good condition. You can spot some amazing finds for a very low rate. You get to pick from millions of clothing items at extremely discounted prices, and above that, bidding and negotiations are available from almost all sellers.
It’s also a sustainable option; by choosing to thrift, you are also helping our environment. Fast fashion is a huge problem in the world today. Big chain brands produce thousands of items while exploiting workers. Workers get paid minimum wages for extremely hard work. Along with that, fast fashion also contributes to overproduction and pollution. Online thrift stores allow people to recycle old clothes and limit the number of people who buy from fast fashion.
How do you get the clothes that you sell on your page?
We receive clothes from third parties who approach us through our Instagram page. They’re required to send us pictures over direct message on Instagram along with their phone number and the most suitable drop-off location. Upon approving the items, we take pictures of the clothes, along with all their details including their measurements and branding. If we notice defects on the clothing after receiving them, we notify the owners and ask whether we can upcycle it.
Tips to thrifting
- Set a budget before you enter an auction. If you find your dream jumpsuit, you might find yourself getting caught up in the thrill of the bid and spending way more than you initially planned. There’s plenty of clothing in the world and your chance will come again.
- Try not to be too picky. Be more open-minded when it comes to selecting clothes; remember that you’re thrift shopping – there’s a chance you won’t find exactly what you’re looking for. You might even develop a new fashion sense!
- Since you don’t have the option of trying on clothes when online thrifting, it’s always good to know your exact measurements. Keep in mind that these are pre-loved clothes; there’s a chance they may have shrunk after being washed or expanded after being worn.