Just a Trend? Or a Revival of the Good Ole Days?

“Fast Fashion” is a red flag term that we love to throw around when we hear about sites like Shein or Temu. The ethics of purchasing items that cost us pennies but pay workers even less are questionable, and the environmental detriment of cheap materials piling up in another part of the world is potentially fatal. So when younger generations started filling the thrift and craft stores, did older generations roll their eyes at the fad or did they embrace the movement to return to intentional shopping and creating? Were they correct in deeming this movement a trend faster than the cheap fashion being scrutinized? I would argue the reaction is just not that simple. While the speed of the Internet has cultivated a culture of rapid micro-trends, there are still some long-surviving movements that serve as the umbrella to those smaller fads. Thrifting and crafting, since 2020 anyway, has stuck around for longer than most would have expected. In the world of thrifting, there are shifts in what pieces are considered the most coveted finds. In the world of crafting, artists and creators frequently change directions on what they are making as TikTok and Instagram become infatuated with new homemade pieces. But the uptick in hobbies such as crocheting, knitting, and sewing is certainly an exciting variation from our frequent scrolling addictions. Purchasing used clothing and cultivating creativity are two trends that go against the rapidity of the algorithm. I don’t see why either should be demeaned or scrutinized when they are intentional efforts to return to a slower pace.