As the old proverb goes: one generation’s trash is another generation’s treasure.
Welcome to the heyday of the baby boomer estate sale, where Gen Zers are cleaning house and cashing in, per Business Insider.
Whether to shop more sustainably, save money amid rising costs, or a nostalgia-fueled resistance to disposable monoculture, a younger crowd is increasingly lining up at estate sales. And, in some cases, reselling their hauls on sites like Depop, Whatnot, and Facebook Marketplace.
From hashtags to price tags
Estate sales are nothing new. But thanks to the "boomer stuff avalanche," they're on the rise.
Estate sales' rise in popularity among Gen Zers is often attributed to influencers like Macy Eleni, who began sharing her hauls and tips on TikTok and Instagram during the pandemic.
Now, countless #estatesale posts on TikTok and Instagram share tips, preview sales, and show off the latest finds. EstateSales.net is even aiming to attract younger shoppers via social media, and is one of many sites to see an uptick in younger participants.
For Gen Z, estate sales are a way to slow down, touch grass, and live more intentionally:
- Avoiding fast fashion and cheap furniture in favor of high quality finds for a fraction of the cost.
- Purchasing items with a backstory while connecting with fellow thrifters IRL.
- The trend also dovetails with the rise in offline "grandma hobbies" and the pandemic-fueled rise in "cottagecore."
Plus, there's the thrill of treasure hunting inside someone's home without feeling creepy.
The Martha Stewart aesthetic
Pinterest notes that Gen Z are increasingly thrifting:
- Searches for “dream thrift finds” increased by 550% last fall.
- “Martha Stewart aesthetic” of farmhouse vibes was up by 2,889%.
- This spring, “grandma core kitchen” was up 545%.
While vintage clothes and collectibles are perennial favorites, Gen Z is also on the hunt for:
- Art Deco furniture, including bar cabinets and sculptural light fixtures.
- Ornate antique jewelry, including colored stones and large brooches.
- Quirky serving items like vintage caviar trays and oyster plates.
- Heck, even spice jars from the 1980s are coveted.
Now, if only we could find some more affordable housing options to go with these oyster plates.
