As many teens look away from major fast fashion brands and instead turn towards secondhand shopping, thrifting, and clothing recycling, some have created a business out of the changing trends.

Junior Sydney Shriver has spent the last couple of months dedicating her days to selling handmade earrings and thrifted pieces on her Depop account (@sydneyyshriver). She receives clothing in donations from other people or purchases clothes herself to turn around and sell to customers on the app.

Selling good quality, secondhand vintage clothing items benefits the environment by halting the fast fashion cycle created by rapid purchasing of cheap clothing goods only to throw them away a short time later. It takes 2,700 liters of fresh water to produce a single cotton t-shirt which places additional strain on already stressed water supplies, using enough water to meet one person’s drinking needs for over two years.  

Shriver gained most of her experience thrifting with her grandma. They have been thrifting together all over Sacramento since Shriver was years old. 

Sydney currently has seven items of clothing, and 27 unique handmade earrings on her Depop she is constantly teaching herself new jewelry techniques through Youtube.  Shriver says that not only does thrifting make her a profit and allow her to run her own business but it is extremely enjoyable and relaxing for her to sift through the aisles of a Goodwill to find the perfect items to sell.

“Thrifting can be so therapeutic for some people, I think everyone that gets the opportunity too should try it,” Shriver said. “There’s something for everyone at thrift stores.” 

Sydney has used the free time that we have been given to quarantine for a positive way and suggests that everyone find a hobby to keep them busy while on lockdown. Possible ways to stay creative include making jewelry, painting, drawing, gardening, cooking, and just taking a break away from phones and laptops.