At Encinal High School, senior Morris Yiu is widely known for his unique style built around niche, thrifted clothing. Yiu works at Savers Thrift Store, surrounding himself with what he loves. He wears secondhand clothes that are trendy yet original, often paired with a smile. For Yiu, thrifting isn’t just about the urge to shop; it’s something that brings him joy and contributes to his identity. Two of his favorite thrifted pieces include a pair of pink Needles sweatpants and red Timberland shoes, both of which typically carry high retail prices.

At Alameda High School, sophomore Komali Wallace can be seen wearing clothing with bright colors and an assortment of patterns and sequins, all of which align with current trends. Each of her thrifted pieces seems to match her bubbly personality. For Wallace, thrifting is about the social connections the experience can create, as well as saving money. Two of her favorite thrifted items are a teal, beaded patterned top and a pair of what she describes as “really cute” jeans.

In the Bay Area especially, thrifting has become increasingly popular, with Gen Z leading the trend. According to Capital One Shopping, “64% of Gen Z search for an item secondhand before buying it new.”

“It’s kind of like a treasure hunt,” Yiu said. “You can find really cool pieces for cheap, and once you get something cool, you’re happy with yourself.”

Yiu later expanded on why he prefers thrifting to other forms of shopping.

“Number one, it’s cheaper. Two, it’s really fun, especially if you go with friends,” Yiu said. “And I just like the uniqueness about it. You can find little niche pieces.”

Wallace feels similarly.

“It’s important to me since it gives me a chance to connect with my friends and buy new clothes for cheap,” Wallace said. “It’s also good for the environment because you’re reusing stuff that other people might have thrown away.”

Affordability is key for teenagers, as many do not have a consistent income, leading them to thrift stores. A poll conducted by The Encinal Echo showed that 98 students said they thrift, compared with 16 who said they do not. The Bay Area is known for its abundance of thrift stores, and Alameda alone has 14.

Yiu and Wallace were both asked about their favorite thrift stores in Alameda.

“Probably Salvation Army or Goodwill,” Yiu said. “They’re the biggest ones, and they’re the most reliable.”

Wallace agreed.

“[I like] any Salvation Army because they’re the biggest and often cheaper than boutiques,” Wallace said.

Both Yiu and Wallace said Alameda is one of the best places to thrift, even with nearby options such as San Francisco and Berkeley. Wallace said prices outside of Alameda tend to be higher, and while other cities are fun to explore, she prefers shopping locally.

“Alameda might be one of the best cities for thrifting,” Yiu said. “One of the top in the Bay Area. We have Salvation Army, Savers and the really small random ones, and we still manage to find something good.”

Both expressed a dislike for smaller boutique “vintage” shops. When asked about the worst thrift stores, Yiu said, “The random ones, like Thrifty Kitty or something. All the random junk is terrible.”

One monthly event in Alameda that combines thrifted items, vintage pieces and unusual finds is the Antique Faire. The fair is hosted on the former naval base the first Sunday of each month and attracts visitors from across the Bay Area. Wallace said she feels the event is overrated.

“I think it’s good, but it’s overhyped, and oftentimes the stuff you find isn’t even that special,” Wallace said. “You can find it at a regular thrift store.”

Prices at the Antique Faire range from $50 for a vintage T-shirt to $5 for a pair of jeans. Finding cheaper items often requires setting aside time for a thorough search.

When asked to share advice, both offered tips for students interested in thrifting:

1. “Whatever area the thrift store is in is probably going to determine your outcomes,” Yiu said.

2. “Don’t spend too long deciding whether to get something. Just throw it in the cart and check later,” Wallace said.

3. “Be consistent. It’s kind of luck, so the more you go, the more your chances increase,” Yiu said.

4. “Wear clothes you can try stuff on in, and always try things on,” Wallace said. “It could look cute and end up being ugly.”

5. “Going in the morning is pretty good,” Yiu said. “If you can go early, you get first pick.”

6. “People judge thrifting after going only twice,” Wallace said. “You should visit a store multiple times before deciding if it’s good or bad.”