The Art of Reinvention: How Gen Z is Breathing New Life into Old Clothes
PROVO UT - With nothing but a seam ripper and an old Juilliard hoodie, Trent set out to prove that fashion can be funny, original, and a rebellion against monotony.
Thrifting is more than a way to save a few bucks; it's becoming a full expression of oneself and standing out against modern trends. While Gen Z embraces the idea more than others, young entrepreneurs like Trent are turning this fad into something more. By reworking thrifted items into something witty and new, Trent has fully embodied this new shift. What is the appeal of thrifting, what is the rage and reason behind reworked articles, and how is it turning into something more than a budget-friendly shopping spree?
Thrift stores began in the 19th century to provide used but durable clothing for the impoverished and needy people entering the bigger cities. However, in recent years, thrifting has shifted from a way to save money and clothe your family on a budget to becoming a form of self-expression and overall creativity.
As a more environmentally conscious generation, many Gen Z’ers turn to thrift to combat the environmental and humanitarian toll that fast fashion has on the world; as noted by Eva, a local thrift store worker, “For Gen Z, thrifting is about being aware—aware of what you look like, what
Inside a Deseret Industries (DI) thrift store - Courtesy of Tommy Van Dyke
makes you stand out, and how fast fashion impacts the environment.” From the racks of worn jeans to old jackets your parents may have worn, thrifting provides an opportunity to find clothing that tells a story and is often full of character. “Most fashion trends now follow a certain algorithm,” Eva added. “Thrifting guarantees you’ll find something that no one else has.”
Thrift stores are growing in popularity, attracting more than just thrifty shoppers - Courtesy of CBC News
For many, the real appeal isn’t just finding nice “fits” for a bargain and reworking discarded items for the modern aesthetic. As Adrian says, “Gen Z loves to revamp discarded things to fit the aesthetic of the time.”
But for young creatives like Trent, thrifting is more than just finding unique pieces; it's about making them into something completely different and, more importantly, something that shares a message.
Trent’s journey into reworking thrifted clothing started with a single hoodie—and his mom's seam ripper. With patience, he took an old Juilliard hoodie and removed some letters to make something with a completely different personality. “I ripped some of the letters off and made it say ‘liar,’” Trent said with a laugh. “It didn’t start out as spite, but it started a thought that inspired it.” This set the ball in a direction he didn’t think he would initially take, turning thrifted items into conversation pieces.
Trent Pope working on a new design - Courtesy of Tommy Van Dyke
There’s an art behind the madness, and Trent follows his own self-imposed rules while creating each piece. “The rule is you have to use everything that you have,” he explained. “You can’t add other letters; that would be cheating. It’s like solving a puzzle every time.”
His most recent creation, a rather popular design, is a reworked BYU hoodie that now reads, “Ugh Boring,” a playful jab at Provo's predictable and too-consistent culture. “It’s a silent tease, but it works,” he said. “It’s funny and true, and that’s why people connect with it.”
Trent’s work isn’t just to turn heads or make people laugh; his goal is to get people talking,
stirring up discussion in a way that challenges the status quo many are used to. Regarding a concept that drew much attention, Trent stated, “When do clothes ever stir the pot like that? Not like, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s wearing a crop top at BYU,’ but making people think.”
Pope with his "Ugh Boring" design - Courtesy of Tommy Van Dyke
Trent’s ideas and designs reflect a more significant cultural shift with the rising generation. A shift that embraces new ideas starts conversations that aren’t being had and turns the old into something new.
Thrifting and reworking clothes promotes sustainability, encourages individuality, and fosters creativity. “There’s a sense of accomplishment.” Adrian says, “The thrill is in hoping to find something good. With buying new clothes, you know what to expect.” Thrifting resonates with this new generation because there is joy in the unexpected, leading to a hunt to find more and use less. “Thrifting is a great way to upcycle clothes and keep the pile of clothes thrown away or burned smaller,” Eva said.
For creatives like Trent, thrifting is more than a sustainable trend. It is a chance to spark conversation and help others with the idea that it’s okay to stand out and stand for a better message. His idea encapsulates the entire idea of thrifting, taking what’s out there and giving it a new life, because a ratty old hoodie can become something entirely your own with just a little imagination.
Close up of Pope's "Ugh Boring" shirt- Courtesy of Tommy Van Dyke