Roving Teen Reporter: Thrifting Teens

Your hands skim the denim shorts, feel the soft linen dresses, and eye the silk shirts. You select your choice and turn to pay, delighted with the discounted prices. To many, the beauty of the flea market extends past the attractive prices and becomes a sort of art, lifestyle and opportunity for discovery.

Three Torrey Pines High School seniors share their experiences with thrifting. Joy Ma says, “Thrifting played a pretty significant role in my overall approach to fashion – it made me think creatively about how to express myself and put my own spin onto second-hand pieces. I thrift mainly for environmental sustainability; it’s a win-win because it’s something I can do to help the environment and also add to my wardrobe.”

Taya Meluk began thrifting in sixth grade. “I love that it is possible to find one-of-a-kind, vintage pieces. It’s like a lottery, for a fraction of the price. Thrifting has allowed me to progress my personal style immensely.”

Fayez Sweiss says, “You can find an expensive thing for such a low price. It’s also a great way to find your real style.” He says it “opens up a whole new world of how you want to dress for yourself.” One example: “a really old, 80s Carhartt jacket. I was just freaking out over it,” he says. “I wasn’t really into the vintage scene…but when I found that piece, I was just like, wow.” He started to see fashion in a different light. “It changed my personal style.”

Meluk has her own story, about finding her perfect pants. “My favorite thrifted piece is a pair of vintage, bell-bottom pants,”she said. “I had been looking for the exact pair, with the exact wash, for years, and I finally found them in my exact size for an extremely cheap price.” She adds, “Fashion is definitely a very important part of my self-expression.”

Similarly, Ma feels that thrifting has helped her feel more connected to her sense of self. “The more I go to thrift stores and flea markets, the more I feel grounded to the colors and fabrics and styles that make me feel like the most confident and truest version of myself,” Ma said.

Thrifting is a personal journey that has brought immense fulfillment to the many. San Diego is a hub for thrifting. The best part? An affordable opportunity for self-expression, and an upgrade to your traditional wardrobe.