Underconsumption trend

[heretoreaditall2019]

Pls delete if not allowed but just had a random thought and no thread to put it on would love to discuss with likeminded people!

I’ve just seen Florence Given’s wardrobe sale come up on my FYP…… and wtf! It’s like an estate sale (love this content on TikTok, it’s a US thing where homes of usually elderly people are opened up for the public to come in & buy their bits, it’s a nice glance at the past!) but for a woman who hasn’t yet turned 30 afaik? SO much stuff it feels pretty ick to see that volume of stuff being surplus to requirements 🫣

 

[zetta buttons]

Just parking! I volunteer in a charity shop and as you say, it’s understandable when we get huge amounts in from elderly people who have died or moved into care homes. However, it’s becoming increasingly common for us to receive large donations from 20-40 year olds of unworn Shein/ASOS clothes. We can’t really sell them because thrifty students/customers want “vintage” and quality clothes (90s Hobbs etc). If people want Shein, they’ll buy it brand new.

I find the amounts obscene tbh. After the 10th neon blazer with tags, I feel like I’ve lost the will.

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

it’s becoming increasingly common for us to receive large donations from 20-40 year olds of unworn Shein/ASOS clothes

This is so interesting! I’d always assumed the Shein consumer would be more inclined to either resell or bin clothing rather than send it to charity. If you don’t mind me being nosy have you seen a decline in the quality of donations since Vinted has gained popularity? As it makes reselling quality stuff so much easier?

 

[zetta buttons]

We’ve totally seen a drop off. Although it’s hard to say whether that’s because of Vinted or because the flurry after covid (people at home doing big clear outs and no longer needing so many work clothes) has slowed or whether it’s a combination of the two.

Tbh although I’m a Vinted buyer ( and seller of a few things), it would totally freak me out if I had to sell the amount some donors are bringing in. Five/six rammed big bin bags of clothes.

Luckily for us, our students love the “older” stuff. So the proper wool jumpers and brushed cotton shirts that come from older donors sell immediately. I don’t know how charity shops in a town that isn’t dominated by a university fare.

 

[Pesky Tarian]

You may enjoy this YouTube channel, she makes well considered content about consumerism/over consumption.