Dad, Why Would Anyone Buy Used Stuff on Purpose?

Dad, is thrifting the same thing as antiquing?

Typical 10-year-old question while holding up a faded band tee from 1992 he found at a thrift store.

Short answer? No. Long answer? Not anymore.

When we were kids, if your mom said you were going antiquing, it meant two things.

One, you were going somewhere that smelled like old books and pipe tobacco.
Two, you were not getting anything cool.

Fast forward to now, and thrifting is not only cool, but it is also strategic.

What changed?

1. The stigma evaporated. For years, secondhand meant you could not afford new. Now it often means you are smart enough not to pay retail. Gen Z in particular has embraced thrifting as a badge of creativity.

2. Sustainability became real. Buying secondhand extends the life of clothing and reduces waste, if you’re into that sort of thing. You can love flannel and still care about landfills.

3. Style shifted. Thrifting is no longer about finding your grandma’s teacup collection. It is about vintage Carhartt jackets, broken in denim, old band tees, and furniture with actual character. There is something deeply Kentucky about that. We respect things that hold up.

In Kentucky, thrifting has always existed. We just called it yard sales, flea markets, and trading with your uncle. The difference now is intentionality. People are curating. They are flipping. They are hunting.

And if you think thrifting is just about clothes, walk into a Goodwill on a Saturday. You will find cast iron, tools, boots, books, and occasionally something that makes you question humanity.

That is the fun.

It is treasure hunting without needing camo.