Loathing in Clothing: Episode 3: Is Need-based thrifting still possible?
Description:
Following our surprising discoveries about the high prices at certain thrift pop-ups, we wanted to know whether need-based thrifting is still possible today. How does need-based thrifting differ between shoppers of different classes, cultures, and needs?
To investigate, we speak to two guests: a long-time thrifter in both small towns and gentrified areas whose Asian American culture has shaped her thrifting habits, and a Pittsburgh native thrift store owner with long-time experience in the thrift and fashion industries.
Together, we unpack how need-based thrifting has changed over the years with gentrification and migration, who it serves, and paint a more complete picture of what need-based thrifting looks like today–including where you may be able to find some well-priced pieces for yourself.
Bios:
Keira Leal (Host):
Keira is a sophomore at CMU studying statistics and machine learning with an additional major in Decision Science. She grew up and loves her hometown of Austin, Texas. As a lifetime hobby sewist and lover of thrifting, she was impressed by Pittsburgh’s pop up thrifting scene.
Lovina Xiong (Host):
Lovina is a sophomore at CMU majoring in Statistics & Machine Learning. She became interested in investigating thrifting in Pittsburgh discovering that the majority of clothing stores near campus are small, personally-owned thrift stores. This is very different from where she is from, Beijing China, where many people still shop for clothing in large malls. Her personal experience with this stark cultural contrast was part of the inspiration behind this season of Loathing in Clothing.
Dillon Rush (Editor)
Dillon Rush is a sophomore at CMU studying Statistics and Data Science. He grew up in his hometown of Plum, Pennsylvania, located in the Pittsburgh area, where he was introduced to thrifting by his mother. She would take him to thrift stores near home as well as antique stores, where he was given an old telephone that looked like a car. Dillon has recently become more interested in the thrifting scene due to living in the more centralized part of the city. He hopes to put all of his past experience into making the Loathing in Clothing podcast a one for the books.
Friend (Interviewee)
Our first guest is one of Lovina’s friends. A second-generation Asian American, she grew up in Maryland and currently attends university in Pittsburgh. A regular thrifter 5 years, she is poised to speak about the changes in price, quality over time, the differences between thrifting in small towns vs. gentrified urban areas, as well as how her Asian American culture has influenced her shopping habits.
Jessica Erceg (Interviewee)
A Pittsburgh Native, Erceg founded the What’s Good thrift store on Craig Street after moving back to Pittsburgh from New York several years ago. In New York, Erceg styled various fashion shows and worked at American Eagle corporate for three and a half years. Erceg shares her insight on how local, thrift stores, even in gentrified areas can remain successful and accessible amidst the influx of big thrift.
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