Woman Questions Sense of Style After Buying ‘Ugliest Thing’ at Thrift Store

The saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” perfectly captures the essence of thrifting. However, the lure of a low price can sometimes lead to questionable purchases, as showcased by a woman who has recently racked up 2.5 million views on TikTok.

Chrystal Frost (@chrystalfrost) turned to social media for some opinions on a quirky lamp she purchased for $9. She begins the video by saying: “I think thrifting has made me lose my sense of style” before showcasing the item.

Holding a lamp with a blue armchair as the base and a black and white cat lounging on top of it, under the cream lampshade, Frost says, “I’m not even a cat person.”

She says she initially thought it would look “cute” in her craft room, but now she’s reconsidering after a friend called it the “ugliest thing” she has ever seen.

After giving viewers a closer look at the lamp, she concludes the video by asking: “Is this actually that ugly?”

Generation Z and millennial consumers are more likely to look for secondhand items before buying new, according to NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals. And many even consider the potential resale value of an item before purchasing it.

It seems Frost wouldn’t be short of a buyer if she chooses to get rid of the lamp, as the comments section is filled with many positive reactions. Shared on May 17, the clip has been a huge hit online, receiving over 444,000 likes and 11,600 comments.

“When someone tells me it’s the ugliest thing they’ve ever seen that’s how i know I’ve found something great,” said one user.

Another said: “She wants you to throw it away so she can steal it for herself.”

A third commenter said: “Thrifted IS a style.”

Frost replied: “My logic is… get MORE thrifted stuff and then my house will look more stylish. Right now it’s just a bunch of random Knicknacks everywhere.”

In another comment, Frost told one user that she looked up the brand and found out it’s called a “Vintage 1995 Figi Graphics Cat Nap Lamp.”

Figi Graphics, founded by Todd Figi, started as a small candle company and later specialized in giftware, home decor and collectibles. The company was known for its distinctive collectibles featuring popular characters from Looney Tunes and Disney. In 1998, Figi sold the company to an investment banking firm, according to a story in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Newsweek reached out to @chrystalfrost for comment via Instagram not verify the details of the case.

If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured in Newsweek‘s What Should I Do? section.