They say you should dress for the life that you want. However, it can be quite a challenge to live sustainably when the shirt you’re wearing has a heavy carbon footprint.
In case you don’t know it yet, the fashion industry is one of the world’s major environmental polluters:
It produces more than 20% of the world’s wastewater.
It generates more carbon emissions than overseas shipping and international flights combined.
It pollutes the Earth’s waters with microplastics.
Because of this sobering truth, clothing brands such as Levi’s are taking steps to make sustainable apparel more accessible. Clothing rental sites such as Gwynnie Bee offer rentable garments for your closet minus the environmental cost.
Despite being good for the planet, however, these options can run expensive. Sustainable clothing can be costly to produce, and some wardrobe-sharing platforms might demand pricey subscription fees.
But don’t fret—there’s another approach you can take to dress for less: online thrift stores!
Instead of spending money on brand-new clothes, thrifting for second-hand yet stylish outfits online via eBay, Etsy, or Asos is an excellent alternative. It’s also great for the environment as it encourages making use of clothing that’s already available.
Aside from the online marketplaces mentioned above, check out these five online thrift stores that won’t break your wallet or the planet!
1.ThredUP: Making Thrifting Sustainable
Price Range: $-$$$
ThredUP offers an expansive collection of stylish clothing for women and kids, from luxury labels to lifestyle clothing brands.
Their online store has detailed filters to help customers find their ideal outfits with ease. They evaluate clothing before they send it out, so it’s unlikely for customers to receive anything that’s ripped or damaged.
They also offer discount codes on top of their already-discounted clothing pieces. Imagine taking home a vintage designer dress below $100 and probably with free shipping. Cool, right?
Are they Eco-Friendly?
Every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean. ThredUP aims to minimise its contribution to the growing global plastics problem via its 100% recyclable mailer. Their signature green polka-dotted packaging is resealable, reusable, and made entirely from recycled plastic!
2. Urban Outfitters: Vintage Clothing Reimagined
Price Range: $$-$$$
Urban Outfitters is known for its contemporary take on clothing, but they are now being recognised for featuring vintage wear but with a sustainable twist.
The brand’s Urban Renewal collection features unique vintage wear for men and women that are upcycled from dated pieces. For as low as $20, you can buy timeless designs ranging from ’70s tie-dye tops to upcycled flannels from the 1980s!
Are they Eco-Friendly?
On a global scale, we produce more than 10 million tons of textile waste each year. Urban Outfitters is committed to making fashion more sustainable by cleaning, repurposing, redesigning, and upcycling each vintage item to give it a second life.
3. Poshmark: Spend Less through Second-hand Shopping
Price Range: $-$$$
Poshmark is a social commerce site with over 100 million garments for sale. This popular peer-to-peer clothing platform allows its 60 million members to sell and buy second-hand fashion items.
The site is a great place to look for women, men, and children’s clothing. The Poshmark community is so diverse, and so are the brands, styles, and prices of the items available for sale. You can even find ‘good-as-new’ Adidas trainers starting at $50.
Aside from their discounted prices, Poshmark also offers promo codes to help you spend less on preowned stylish fashion ensembles.
Are They Eco-Friendly?
The average person discards 70 pounds of clothing each year. Poshmark offers users a hassle-free way to sell second-hand clothes—all while preventing perfectly wearable garments from going to landfill and at the same time giving people a chance to score great fashion deals!
4. Depop: Sustainable Fashion in an App
Price Range: $$-$$$
Described as a cross between Instagram and eBay, Depop is a fashion marketplace app that allows users to buy and sell unique clothing—may it be preloved, designer, or even vintage wear.
As a platform known for selling second-hand items, Depop encourages users to keep unused clothing in their closets in circulation. Aside from being budget-friendly, Depop also has coupons and promo codes for free shipping and discounts.
Are They Eco-Friendly?
Aside from promoting second-hand clothes-buying as a way to minimise our consumption footprint, Depop sees shipment packaging as an opportunity to make fashion more eco-friendly. The store encourages its sellers to use eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging. More than 90% of packaging waste ends up polluting the environment; that is why Depop strives to make a small difference.
5. The RealReal: Authentic Luxury and Vintage Wear
Price Range: $$$
For authenticated luxury finds and vintage wear, The RealReal is your go-to online shop.
As a consignment store with over nine million members, the store features a vast collection of handpicked luxury and vintage dresses, shoes, and handbags from some of the biggest names in fashion, including Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Chanel.
Despite offering exclusive designer-label items, The RealReal offers users an affordable price point. For as low as $90, you can get a vintage piece from one of these brands and experience a major retro rewind.
If that sounds like a good deal, then you should try TheRealReal for free. As a new member, you will receive a $25 starting credit. Isn’t that great?
Also, if you’re wary of being duped by fake luxury products, you don’t have to worry about the items that you buy from this store. The RealReal employs more than 150 authenticators just to ensure the originality of their consigned clothing.
Are They Eco-Friendly?
The RealReal believes that the future of fashion is circular. It aims to empower buyers and sellers to extend the lifespan of their luxury items one consigned item at a time.
Now that you have acquainted yourself with these online thrift stores, you might consider making your wardrobe ‘green’ with sustainable yet great fashion deals from these sites.
Of course, using what’s already in your closet is best, but in case you need a new outfit for a special event, it’s better to check for second-hand options first before buying anything brand-new!
For more content like this, stay updated by checking out Vertex Virtual Assistance's Sustainability Series every now and then! Live sustainably!
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