Everyone loves to thrift, but does everyone always have the time for it? Driving to and from different thrift stores and taking hours out of your day rummaging through racks with a hundred clothes on them just to find that one lucky pair of Urban Outfitters jeans does feel rewarding but can be time-consuming. That’s why some people instead are referring to online thrifting through Instagram or Depop where you can search up anything you are looking for and purchase it in just two clicks. Of course, Instagram closet accounts have seemingly been around forever, but some take their account to the next level by creating a specific brand image with impeccable customer service and intense care into how their Instagram page looks to their audience. Students Kim Le (12) and Ben Nganga (12) have been able to do just that through their successful Instagram thrift accounts.

Kim Le –  @mythriftedwardrobee 

Le’s account originally started out as a place where she only sold her own old clothes, but she soon found that process ineffective because of a low customer reach. So, she decided to up the ante during her junior year, putting her social media, photography and marketing skills to use. Through that, she was able to create a brand that promotes sustainability awareness by selling popular clothes she spots at thrift stores. 

“I would always find good items [at thrift stores] and realized that I should incorporate this into a small business and make it into something more,” Le said. “The thrill of finding something you really like at such a great price is what really inspired me to make my thrift page.”

Le’s thrifting journey started when she was younger back when it was stigmatized and not as mainstream as it is now. Thrifting was not always a trendy way to spend your time but grew popular thanks to social media platforms such as TikTok, Youtube and Instagram.

“It’s not just for one particular source of income anymore; no matter how much you make, everyone likes thrifting,” Le said. 

To obtain inventory, Le thrifts every Saturday, driving to as many thrift stores as she can, keeping receipts and buying clothes to sell based on how trendy they are. Next, she inputs the price and size information into a spreadsheet and takes pictures of all the clothes she will post, making sure to notify her customers on her Instagram stories before a big drop. Her favorite part of the process is packaging the items for shipments and even includes a handwritten letter for all her customers. 

“I want to build a brand that shows that thrifting is not just something cheap to have; it’s something that can rebrand the fashion world by being unique in your own way through finding these pieces of clothing,” Le said.

Ben Nganga – @shop.selectthreads

Nganga started his thrift account last December and has already amassed over 900 followers. He focuses on posting college apparel for his fellow seniors and wants to branch out to sports clothes when his account grows more popular. He gets his inventory from a collection of vendors and from thrift stores. 

“I’m just trying to make it easier for people to buy their sweatshirts, so I’m like the middle man really where I buy sweatshirts, and then I sell them,” Nganga said. 

He usually has around 40 to 50 customers when he posts his new inventory with a first come, first serve policy. Nganga’s satisfied customers often use their social media to flaunt their purchases.

“My favorite part about it is getting the pictures of people wearing my sweatshirts on my Tiktok feed,” Nganga said. 

In addition to the joy of people wearing his inventory, the flexibility of the account makes it easier for him to also be the captain of the golf team, participate on the debate team and coach golf.

“It’s honestly easier than working a regular job because I don’t have to spend time clocking in and clocking out,” Nganga said. “It’s just more flexible because I can post when I want to and be my own boss.”