“Hey, Macklemore, Can We Go Thrift Shopping?”

In 2012, you may have heard a certain song on repeat. It received tens of millions of views on YouTube and made it onto Billboards Top 100. The song? None other than Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ song “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

A Music and Thrifting Collaboration

The song incorporates elements of funk and retro hip-hop, giving it a nostalgic and playful vibe, which mirrors features of thrift shopping. Macklemore starts the song with a repetitive "What-what, what, what?" line that creates anticipation for the rest of the song when he then starts singing: “I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket.” What he’s referring to in this line is buying lots of nice clothes and accessories for super cheap. Smart man.

A Small Town Local Thrift Store

"I Love Thrift Shopping"

When asked why he thought the song was so popular in an interview with MTV, he said that most people rap about throwing their money around, so “It's obviously against the status quo…How much can you save? How fresh can you look by not looking like anybody else?” He loved that it turned that concept around, and that it was also a personal message that reflected his own life and spending habits. Macklemore stated, “I love thrift shopping. It is something that has been a part of my life since I was a young kid.” And, based off of the song’s popularity, the message clearly resonated with other people as well.

Thrift As a Family and Save Money

An Increase in Thrifting

Because celebrity endorsements make a huge difference when it comes to the population’s participation and feelings regarding a certain activity, the singer’s song made a huge impact. The amount of people who began to shop second-hand greatly increased, and there’s no denying that his message was especially effective because of his blue-eyes and strawberry blonde hair. You could hardly go anywhere without hearing someone singing the lines: “Hey, Macklemore, Can We Go Thrift Shopping?”

The Younger Generations Started to Thrift More

Current Trend of Winter 2023

And there’s no denying that he was definitely onto something with his lyrics because they’re still applicable today. In his song he sings: “Draped in a leopard mink, girls standin' next to me,” and fur has actually come back into style this year. People have been seen wearing fur vests, coats, hats, and scarves this winter. They’re typically black, brown, or red, but there have been all types of fur sightings this year. So, if you ever need outfit inspiration, make sure to check out this song’s music video where Macklemore dons an oversized tiger print coat with a massive fur collar. It’s sure to give you some ideas as the weather gets colder.

Macklemore Wearing His Iconic Fur Coat

Save Money and Look Good Doing It

Now, Macklemore may not be as popular today as he was back then, but it’s safe to say he knew his stuff. The song’s message that people can save money and look good has lasted the test of time, so make sure to take a page out of his book, and when you go to the thrift store and see something you love, make sure you’re “Coppin' it, washin' it, 'bout to go and get some compliments.”