Have you ever experienced the thrill of finding a hidden gem while thrift shopping? It’s like a treasure hunt – you never know what you might discover among those racks of pre-loved items. Well, one lucky woman recently had a moment like this that she will never forget.
In a viral TikTok video by Niki “Ye” West (@nikicaoo), the excitement is palpable as she uncovers what appears to be a Kanye West hoodie. The video has garnered an impressive 2.2 million views, creating a buzz on the internet.
West wasn’t the only star of the show – Cao found a Yeezy Gap Balenciaga hoodie priced at $14.99, a steal compared to its retail price ranging from $115 to over $600.
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Cao deemed this discovery her “biggest accomplishment” in the realm of secondhand clothing. She exclaimed, “I think it sells for $250 OMG,” but later realized the oversized jacket might not be a perfect fit for her.
One user commented, “This looks amazing, but a Large is too big for me. I bought a Small!” Another shared, “It looks like I’m wearing a snuggie, might have to sell it.” The struggle of finding the right fit is universal!
West’s desire to collaborate with Gap at an affordable price led him to create an unconventional sale of 100 hoodies cut into pieces, each selling for $20.
While the pandemic has shifted consumer behaviors towards online shopping, Cao’s joy in nabbing a designer sweatshirt at a thrift store underscores the pleasure of scoring valuable items at a fraction of their retail cost, a thrill most thrift shoppers chase.
Data from the Association of Resale Professionals indicate a shift towards second-hand items, with 62% of Gen Z and millennials looking at used items first. Retail executives are adapting, with nearly three-quarters open to offering second-hand products to meet changing consumer demands.
The future of resale businesses like The RealReal, Poshmark, and thredUP appears bright, with predictions suggesting they could represent 20% of the apparel industry by 2031.