Thrifting has become increasingly popular among college students thanks to its affordability, sustainability and trendy fashion options. As most college students’ budgets are tight, thrift stores can offer high-quality clothing and accessories at a fraction of the cost of new items.
Fast fashion is dominating the fashion industry, which can drive up waste, undermine quality work and contribute to environmental damage and poor working conditions.
鶹’s School of Fashion is consistently ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world, prioritizing sustainability and eco-friendly practices in its program.
Luckily, Kent State has a plethora of thrift spots on and near campus. Here are some of the thrift hot spots where students can find hidden gems, save money and combat textile waste.
On-Campus Options
The Fabric Pantry
This non-profit student organization makes fabric and sewing materials available to Kent State students at zero cost. Founded on the mission to reduce textile waste, the Fabric Pantry is there for students who have a difficult time accessing materials.
Located in Rockwell Hall on the Kent Campus, the Fabric Pantry always accepts donations such as fabric, buttons, sewing supplies, trim and more. Its initiatives help support the School of Fashion’s dedication to creating sustainability within the fashion industry.
“I think that sustainable fashion is the most important thing to focus on for the future of fashion,” Carly Dowling, senior fashion design major, told Kent State Today. “Prioritizing sustainable fashion and thrifting could make a huge dent in the textile waste problem.”
Kent State Career Closet
As students prepare for a professional career after graduation, finding professional attire can be difficult and expensive. Fortunately, the Kent State Career Closet is an available resource. This free service offers Kent State students, faculty and staff access to new and gently used professional attire.
Pieces for men and women, ties, hangers and gift cards or donations for dry cleaning are accepted. Located in the Career Exploration & Development offices and the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Kent State Career Closet saves time, money and stress for students who need a professional wardrobe.
Off-Campus Options
Branded In Kent
A popular option near Kent State is Branded In Kent, which specializes in 1980s and 1990s vintage clothing and limited-edition sneakers. Vintage tees, crewnecks, jackets, hats and denim are standout items on the racks at Branded In Kent.
As a consignment store, Kent State students have the option to buy, sell or trade clothing items here. Branded In Kent has a strong commitment to combating textile waste, with often focused on educating its audience on the issue.
Branded In Kent receives weekly deliveries of hand-picked items, leaving no shortage of options in store. Dowling, a frequent customer, suggests taking a close look through the racks to make sure no hidden gems are left behind.
“I would recommend giving clothes a chance and try to see the vision. You never know what is going to look good or not,” Dowling said. “But I would avoid buying something just because it’s cheap. You might not wear it as much as you think, which is the purpose of sustainable fashion.”
Sun in Leo
This thrift option is a circular marketplace, a system where products are reused, recycled or shared to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Sun in Leo, created by Kent State alumna Justine Gallo and located in Acorn Alley, accepts jewelry and textile donations, determining which items can be repaired, upcycled or properly recycled.
Sun in Leo creates unique pieces, such as pants and shorts made from upcycled blankets. Many other items are featured in-store and on their website, such as sweatshirts, tees and shoes.
With its vintage and ethereal vibe, Sun in Leo can serve as a top resource for statement pieces in Kent State students’ closets.
Excelty
This thrift store specializes in men’s and women’s plus sizes XL and up. Located on Water Street in Kent, Excelty offers affordable options in a variety of styles.
As the only exclusively plus-size thrift store in the Kent area, Excelty stands out as a unique and inclusive option for Kent State students.
Excelty regularly offers sales on items in addition to its already low prices, making it one of the most affordable options in this guide.
Goodwill Kent
As a nationally known thrift store, Goodwill has a plethora of options for Kent State students. Located on OH-59 near Walmart, Goodwill accepts donations of clothing, accessories, home furnishings, decor, jewelry and more.
The store has consistently low prices, serving as a very affordable option for Kent State students. On Tuesdays, students receive a 10 percent discount in all Goodwill stores.
Dowling has created many upcycled pieces from items she found at Goodwill Kent.
“I turned a bed sheet I found at Goodwill into a dress,” Dowling said. “I also used old jeans and a denim jacket and turned them into a new pair of jeans.”
Dowling has been thrifting since her freshman year of college.
“I started thrifting because it was a cheap way to find cute clothes. If people compliment my outfit, I like to tell them that I found it myself at the thrift store.”
As thrifting continues to increase in popularity, it’s important to remind Kent State students of the benefits it brings.
“I think thrifting is going to become an even bigger trend in the future,” Dowling said. “If you’re just starting to thrift, remember how it impacts the fashion industry and the environment. There are a lot of good options around Kent State.”