A Gucci bag. The perfect denim skirt. Fun going-out tops. TikTokers are finding some real treasures at thrift stores. And their ‘thrift hauls’ are inspiring many — maybe even you — to join the hunt in search of big savings, one-of-a-kind items, or in the name of sustainability. Yet, even thrifting has spurred debate. To learn more, we spoke with personal shopper and stylist Micah Russell, who has built a large TikTok following by selling custom secondhand clothing bundles. Here’s what she had to say...

Q: Many people have recently gotten into thrifting because it offers an alternative to fast fashion. Was that the case for you?

I think the more people talk about [the problems with fast fashion], the more people thrift. And the more people thrift, the more they enjoy it … I’ve always been into thrifting because of my grandma — she owned a thrift store when I was little … Fast fashion didn’t really come into play [for me] until these Shein hauls and “outfit of the day” (OOTD) videos. I would make videos doing the same thing, but only with secondhand pieces … I would get on TikTok and talk about how every time you buy something [from these fast fashion companies], you’re saying, ’This is what I agree with.’ So when you support Shein, you’re supporting [alleged] forced labor, child labor, and unfair wages … People would respond with the reasons why they had to shop at [fast fashion] brands, like they have more plus-size options or it’s what they can afford … That’s when I was like, ‘I need to create a solution to this.’ Because I realized people felt it was their only option.

Q: There are many ways to make fashion more eco-friendly. What’s the benefit of thrifting, rather than, say, buying from “sustainable” brands?

With thrifting, the pieces already exist. While sustainable brands are great, they’re still producing more pieces … Thrifting repurposes things already out there, which I think is true sustainability. Of course, some people argue that [thrift shops] are intended to help people who don’t have a lot of money, and if you shop there, you’re taking pieces from them. But some of the thrift stores where I live in Oklahoma City say they put out [approximately] 2,000 pieces a day — and throw out or donate thousands of other pieces to giant warehouses. So there really [seems to be] a surplus.

Q: Critics have also argued that the recent explosion of interest in thrifting may consequently lead to the gentrification of thrift stores. Is that something you’re concerned about?

I’ve already seen it happen, with thrift stores raising prices and selling online. For example, Goodwill no longer sells jewelry in stores. They sell it online. They also now have boutiques, with pieces from high-end brands. I’ve heard some argue that resellers are at fault for [this], but resellers have been around forever. [A lot of it may be] inflation ... but I also believe it’s these big thrift store chains trying to capitalize off the popularity ... [Particularly since] I don’t see these issues yet in nonprofit thrift stores or smaller mom and pop stores.

… Even on TikTok, I see all these videos where people are going thrifting — but they’re at a vintage store or an antique mall. That’s not thrifting ... [I think] thrifting means everything’s donated. Whereas, antique malls and vintage stores are all curated. Everything there has been bought at a thrift store, estate sale, garage sale, or somewhere else.

Q: If someone does thrift, what advice do you have for those who find it totally daunting?

Go in there with an idea of what you’re looking for ... Don’t go in feeling like you have to look through every item. Go to the aisle with the type of piece you’re looking for and as you’re walking, look at the patterns and feel the fabrics ... Let your fingertips tell you what they’re feeling, and you’ll find a piece. That’s what I do ... Also, don’t underestimate the kids’ section. They love to put women’s clothes there.

Q: What thrifting find are you most proud of?

I have two. Do you know [the watchmaker] Swatch? [It made these] giant clocks that look like watches and go on your wall [which were popular in the ‘80s]. I found one in allecondh my favorite colors — pink, lime green, and orange — for $7 at a Goodwill here in Oklahoma City. I took it to my shop and it sold within 30 minutes for $700. Then, I found this gold zodiac mirror … I [first] saw it on a vintage store’s Instagram, but it had already sold … I started Googling to see if I could find one on Facebook Marketplace, but they were selling for $2,000. I kid you not, I go to the thrift store the very next day and there’s one for $30. I still have it.