>Young thrift shop enthusiasts enjoy spending their afternoons at Buffalo Exchange to support sustainable, low-cost fashion, and be a part of the hunting process.
The first time you step into Buffalo Exchange on Broadway Avenue in Manhattan, you are welcomed by the sound of pop music and young, hip people. Colorful, vintage garments fill the store, which attracts a variety of customers.
As much as people like the low cost of the items, they like the experience of hunting for a garment just as much, which makes them loyal customers. It’s hard to walk in and ask to find something specific — you have to fish around for something that sparks your attention. Many customers like the sustainability aspect of thrift shopping, and share an unwillingness to buy fast fashion. The store gives customers the opportunity to sell their clothes in exchange for gift cards and store credit, which has worked as an incentive for some to come back. Thrifting is an experience that has been a trend since the 2000s — and it is not dead.
Patrick Less
What item are you looking to buy?
A pink turtleneck by Daisy.
What attracted you to it?
So, I’m a sophomore Tisch Photo student. I’m working on this photo series called “Patron Saint Of.” Basically, I am placing minority people, specifically Black women, in the positions of catholic saints. So, I basically had this list, and a bunch of models select from a list — or any saint throughout history in the catholic church, or outside the catholic church — that they identified with the most. This week we are doing a shoot on Saint Valentine, in honor of Valentine’s Day. I’m kind of flipping the concept on its head by not only placing a Black woman in the role — but also emphasizing different types of love, so pinks and reds.
Where are you wearing it to?
[It’s not] me, per se, that will be wearing it, but it’s for the photo shoot.
What were you thinking of pairing it with?
I have a pair of leather pants that the model is going wear, and I’m also making this 18th-century clown collar thing out of this heart-shaped mesh I got.
Do you thrift often?
I thrift for myself often, but this is the first time I’m doing it for a photo shoot. This seems like a more ethical option — cheap clothing I can recycle. I know I’m not buying any fast fashion that’s going to end up in the landfill.
Sophie Howery
Can you talk to us about the item you’re buying?
I’m not set on it, but it’s a mini bodycon dress with tie-dye. It’s a hallucinogenic vibe in this pattern, which is not usually what I go for. But I like these colors. And I have some things going on this weekend that I need to buy dresses for, so I’m trying to find something that I like, which sometimes can be tough.
What drew you to the item?
Probably the colors at first, then afterwards the silhouette.
What is the occasion you would wear it to?
I’m visiting some friends at a different college, and they have a little Greek life event.
Do you thrift often?
Yes, very often. Not as much in the winter just because it’s harder to get out, but generally I would say once a week or once every other week. I would say I buy something maybe half the time.
Are you an undergrad?
Yeah. I go to NYU Gallatin. I’m 20 years old.
Christina Venoles and Colin Creighton
Can you describe what you’re buying?
Colin: I’m colorblind, so [Christina] helps me choose stuff. I don’t have any denim shirts yet, never have, so I thought I might as well give it a shot and not have to pay normal J. Crew prices. And then for this striped shirt, I don’t even know what color this is. She liked it and I tried it on, and it works.
Do you guys thrift often?
Christina: I do.
Do you like the thrifting experience more than shopping at stores?
Christina: Yeah, it’s nice especially in New York, you can thrift things that are basically new, and things that you wouldn’t find in the stores anymore for a good price.
Just casually shopping today?
Christina: Yeah, shopping for fun.
Erica Pappas
Can you describe the item that you chose?
I found this really insane dress that is, like, rubber material, and I was just trying to decide if there’s ever going to be anywhere that I could possibly wear this. I hope so. And this is a simple black top.
What’s the occasion you were thinking?
My birthday is in August, so I was thinking I can hold off until then to wear this, maybe? I don’t know — I came in here because I have a gift card, and didn’t really have anything specific in mind.
Do you thrift often?
I do. Most of my clothes are thrifted.
Do you like the thrifting experience more than shopping at stores?
I do, yeah, and it’s important for me to support sustainable fashion, and not buy fast fashion clothes.
Ella McMullin
What are you looking at?
I’m looking for sweaters, and I’ve got this very orange one and this cobalt blue one. I’m quite into bold primary colors, so that’s what I’m shopping for today.
What attracted you to your items?
I want something appropriate for the season, so sweaters are great for that. Again, I love a solid bold color. That’s just my thing right now. I love this orange so much. So, that’s kind of what brought me to it. When I’m thrifting or shopping, if I decide I’m going in a fitting room, I have a low standard for how things are going to look. I’m going to grab as much as possible.
Do you know where you might wear them?
I just got a new job, so I decided, you know, clothing is confidence. So, I’m switching up the wardrobe and trying some new things. I love Buffalo Exchange because I have a hundred dollars in credit. You bring in your clothes, and they give you a credit for the store, or you can get cash at a lower price. So, it kind of feels like a free shopping spree, which is fun.
Do you thrift often?
I do just because it’s sustainable. It’s financially sustainable as well. I think there’s kind of a fun to it because you get to sift through and find things. It’s like a hunt, and when someone asks you where you got it, you’re like, thrifted. Usually, they can’t really go out and find it themselves.
Urooba Abid
Can you describe what you’re buying today?
Just a few tops, whatever I find. I just sold some things, so I have some store credit that I’m thinking about spending.
Is there an occasion that you’re thinking of wearing it to?
Not really, I think I usually base it off of what I find, so I do have a vacation coming up in Orlando with some high school friends, so if I find something for then, I’ll find it. But if not, you can never really tell what you’re going to find.
What attracted you to those items?
I’m really into like pastel colors right now, or neutrals. I’m looking for simple clothes I could wear to work from home or to go out shopping, something like that.
Do you thrift often?
Yeah, 80% of my wardrobe is second hand.