I recently did a blog post on how to shop for high-quality clothing pieces. Today, I want to talk about how to have a more sustainable wardrobe and how to make that transition. Don’t worry, I have included some online second-hand clothing stores as well as sustainable and ethical brands you can shop for new clothes to make more conscious clothing purchases.
Before we get into the stores, let’s do a quick explanation of what it means for a brand to be sustainable and ethical as well as a definition of slow fashion.
Sustainable And Ethical Brands
Essentially, sustainable and ethical brands are defined by sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing their brand by taking into account all environmental and social aspects.
There isn’t a solid definition, but the brand needs to have a positive impact on the fashion industry and on the world. Like biodegradable packaging, fair/transparent wages, organic materials, recycling fibers, and acceptable working environments.
Knowing and understanding how a company operates helps you to make more conscious clothing, food, and home purchases. Do your own research on your favorite brands and where you shop. Just go to Google or the website directly.
There are different websites out there that will tell you how the brands are either trying to be more thoughtful of their production and their plans for the years to come. If brands aren’t 100% sustainable but are actively trying, we should celebrate them, not cancel them.
Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion
Along with sustainable and ethical brands there is a thing called fast fashion and slow fashion.
Fast fashion brands release new styles every couple of weeks to keep their store inventory fresh. With quantity being the main priority, quality is not a necessity. Therefore the pieces don’t last long being thrown out and filling the landfills with unwearable clothes. Check out my blog post on how to shop for high-quality pieces even from more affordable stores.
Slow fashion brands focus on longevity and quality and are designed to help you purchase more conscious clothing choices to keep in your wardrobe for a long time. It encourages more sustainable and ethical practices to slow down the manufacturing and be thoughtful of their values and impact on people, the industry, and the earth.
Not All Fast Fashion Brands Are Equal
Not all fast fashion brands are bad. There definitely are some that are a no in my book, but there is a website called Good On You that rates the brands based on their impact. Then you use this research for your conscious clothing purchases in the future to support the brand values you agree with.
You aren’t going to make the change overnight. It’s a process from shopping at these stores and buying new pieces for your wardrobe to thinking more about where and how you are shopping. Give yourself some time to adjust and understand how you can implement this idea into your life.
Along the lines of all fast fashion brands aren’t created equal, the same goes for not all conscious clothing consumption practices are the same. Start with the mindset of slow and steady and try not to overwhelm yourself. Sometimes it starts with slowing down your purchases, doing more research on brands and how ‘sustainable & ethical’ you want to be, then donating and selling items you don’t wear to narrow down your closet to pieces you actually like to wear.
But Making The Change To More Conscious Clothing Purchases Can Be Difficult
First, if you are trying to make the change to more conscious clothing purchases, don’t go and throw away or get rid of all your clothes because that defeats the purpose.
Sustainability is also using what you have even if it’s from a fast fashion brand that is bad. Unless you really can’t get down with it, then donate it. If you wear it, keep wearing it. If it’s still in good condition, keep it.
The next step of making the change is to make more conscious and logical purchases. Do some research, compare, ask to know how your purchase is also impacting the workers, the fashion industry, and the world.
Shopping From Sustainable Brands – The Negatives
If you already have a body shape that is hard to shop for, sustainable brands can be tricky. Depending on the structure and material of the clothing piece it might not be best for you. If you do a majority of your shopping from brands that are ethical but you have to buy your jeans from a fast fashion brand, I think that’s fine. Some people might disagree but at least you are trying.
Also, many brands that are sustainable are pricey. Even if you save up and do research it can still be out of your price range. And buying a piece that needs tailoring sometimes isn’t an option for everyone especially if the piece is expensive AND they have to pay for a tailor. Sometimes it’s just easier to buy from a fast fashion brand that is more affordable and fits properly.
Also, sometimes the experience of thrifting or buying second-hand isn’t what people want to do aka it’s not glamorous. If you are doing it to be more sustainable, it has different ideas than someone going to a thrift store because they can’t afford to purchase something new. One person’s experience is different than others.
Example: People who have more money can buy directly from a sustainable brand that has tops for $100-$200. However, someone who is on a budget goes to a thrift shop to help with being sustainable. Yeah, it’s cool now, but it still is kinda looked down upon in some communities. Two different experiences and for some people, that is why they are turned off from the idea of sustainability.
Honestly, just do your best if you want to help make a positive change in your shopping habits that will benefit the world and your circumstances.
Second Hand Stores and Thrift Shops For Conscious Clothing
If you really want to be sustainable with your wardrobe, second-hand stores are a great way to shop. By purchasing an item from a thrift store it’s usually well made if it’s lasted years, reducing the clothing waste, and helping a local shop. Win, Win!
There are ‘chain’ thrift stores like Goodwill but there are usually local vintage or thrift shops you can support. Online second-hand stores have been a more recent thing that is a great option. I personally like to see the item in person and try it on as items are unique and sometimes have weird quirks to them.
Online Second Hand Stores
Online second-hand stores are making the “thrifting” experience more fun and accessible for conscious clothing shopping. Many of these online stores you can sell your clothing as well for either money or in-store credit.
- ThredUp – you can shop or sell your clothes on this second-hand site. All you do is create an account and you can request a kit to send in your items and they will sell them for you and you’ll get a commission. Or you can purchase items as well. You can get $10 on your first purchase by using my link! You can shop by brand or category.
- eBay – Who doesn’t know eBay? They have been doing a bit of a rebrand this year and they are a great place to find designer pieces for less. Make sure you are on the authentic part of the site to ensure it is real.
- Poshmark – This is the site I am on most of the time. I sell all my clothes here and have bought a few pieces as well. If you haven’t made an account, you can use my code at sign up (you have to put this in as you are signing up) to get $10 off your first purchase. CODE: Annierosette
- swap.com – You can sort the clothing items by condition, category, and collections. You have 30 days to return a piece if it doesn’t fit which is really nice as the second-hand fit is sometimes tricky. Use this link to get 40% off your first purchase.
- The Real Real – I have sold some designer pieces to this site. I haven’t purchased anything as I am trying to wait until I find that perfect handbag to splurge on. This site has some great pre-loved designer pieces from clothing to shoes to handbags.
- Tradesy – Tradesy is like The Real Real I haven’t used this service but The Skinny Confidential loves it and I fully trust her recommendations. This site seems to have more variety, but the price points see pretty high.
- Depop – Depop is similar to Poshmark where you can buy and sell items. I haven’t used this app because I don’t need 2. But this site is easier to navigate via the App.
- Vestaire Collective – Vestaire Collective is in between Poshmark/Depop and The Real Real. It has designer pieces and high street pieces that are more affordable.
- Rent the Runway – This is an amazing option if you are someone who goes to an event or likes having different clothing pieces for different occasions. You rent dresses and return them. Better for the environment, your wallet, your closet, and Instagram. You can have a monthly membership and new pieces all month.
Sustainable & Ethical Clothing Brands
- Alternative Apparel – This brand is great for basics. They have organic and recycled materials and focus on fair wages for their workers. They also have biodegradable packaging.
- Kotn – They focus on conscious creation and consumption and work with family-fun farms for their fibers and ensure there are fair pay and safe working conditions at those farms. Also, they have clothing & home stuff. Get 10% off your first 2 purchases by signing up with this link.
- Pact – They use organic cotton and partner with Fair Trade Certified factories. They mainly have basics and are a great option for underwear and socks. For new customers, get 20% off your first purchase by clicking this link.
- Sancho’s – They have very transparent clothing and labor pricing and have the option to pay what you can so you can make ethical purchases. Some of the pieces break down the price point of the item.
- Tentree – natural and recycled materials in their clothing and plant 10 trees for every purchase. The item shows how much water, CO2, and waste is saved from each piece.
- Everlane – I’ve ordered Everlane jeans and they are really well made. The items have links to the factories where they were sourced from. Everlane is the most affordable and versatile in the style department.
- Patagonia – Their products are all safe, fair, and legal humane working conditions. As well as portions of each sale go to different environmental organizations. Patagonia is more expensive but their stuff is great and lasts a long time.
- People Tree – the website looks like it needs an upgrade but they have white t bodysuits and I have been looking for a good one for a while! People Tree is a little pricey ($120 for a jumpsuit) but it is made out of organic cotton, fair trade, and it’s vegan.
- Vetta – If you want a capsule wardrobe, this is a great place! 5 pieces and 30 outfits. You can take a style quiz, shop by item, and of course care about responsible fashion with their work environment, fabrics, and the details of the packaging. It’s a little pricey but if you do the cost per wear formula, it’s a great price! Most of the items are worn different ways to give off different looks.
There are so many sustainable brands out there that you can research to find but there are the ones I sifted through that I like.
Cute? Check!
Affordable? Check!
If you want to start making the switch to a more sustainable wardrobe, start small and do some research. That about how your purchases are affecting the environment, your closet, and your wallet. Slow fashion brands are great but sometimes are not in everyone’s budget and sometimes, they aren’t cute. My personal style is jeans and a t-shirt, but I don’t want a big tree on it to show that I am making a conscious purchase.
How are you trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
XO, Annie