Secondhand shopping is on the rise — and for a good reason. Increasingly, people are combating fast fashion with a more intentional approach to curating their closets. Whether you’re trying to own less, experimenting with your style, looking to be more environmentally friendly, or all of the above, there are major perks to purchasing or borrowing pre-loved clothes.
Subscription clothing rentals and thrifting platforms are gentler on the planet and people’s wallets. You can find high-quality items and try new trends for less, and buying secondhand stimulates the economy by allowing products to be sold cyclically. It can also put money back into the pockets of individuals.
Sustainable shopping is also good for the Earth. According to the U.N., new clothing production generates 8 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. If it continues at that pace, the greenhouse gas emissions from this particular industry are expected to rise almost 50 percent by 2030.
ThredUP's 2023 Resale Report notes that extending the life of one item through resale reduces its environmental impact by 82 percent. Shopping secondhand also increases the chances of digging up a one-of-a-kind, discontinued, or limited-edition piece. Who doesn’t love to brag about a unique top or bag they found on sale?
For those seeking to change their relationship with clothing or start a sustainable fashion journey, small actions can have a positive impact over time. Here are five online outlets that are conscientiously working to reduce textile waste and excess packaging through resale.
Nuuly
On the forward-thinking fashion website Nuuly, members can both rent and thrift outfits. For $88 a month, you can borrow up to six items from more than 300 brands, ranging from up-and-coming designers to vintage pieces. You don’t have to worry about laundry or damage. It’s included. If you fall in love with an item, purchase it, and send back the rest.
With Nuuly’s thrift option, you can buy secondhand clothes and sell your own through their peer-to-peer resale marketplace. You can transfer your earnings to your bank account or convert them to Nuuly Cash for new-to-you threads at a 10 percent discount. The credit can also be used at retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie.
Rent the Runway
Heading to a wedding or other important event? Rent the Runway offers designer dress rentals in more than 18,000 styles. You can borrow or buy fashions at a onetime price, or do a monthly membership for up to five items at a time starting at $69, or 10 items for $99. You can also shop for your dream work or weekend wardrobe and opt to receive a garment, handbag, and accessory once a month or week.
Wedding guest dress rentals come in two different sizes at no extra cost. Everything can be reserved in advance for a specific date and arrives at your doorstep via two-day shipping, dry-cleaned and ready to wear in a reusable, recycled garment bag. Every order comes with a prepaid return label. Minor damages and stain removal are covered.
Poshmark
Poshmark is the sustainable social commerce marketplace where users can buy and sell both new and secondhand clothing. The site and app, which has more than 80 million users, also allows members to part with or purchase purses, shoes, home goods, beauty products, electronics, and pet items. The platform offers curated looks for those seeking a splash of inspiration from brands like Nike, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, Coach, and Chanel for much cheaper prices than retail.
You can shop by interest through their Posh Markets or attend Posh Parties, which are real-time virtual shopping events where users meet up in the app to shop, share, and sell clothing. There are commission fees, but sellers are issued prepaid shipping labels.
thredUP
Shop for high-quality secondhand clothing as well as vintage and antique finds at online consignment and thrift store thredUP, which boasts tops, denim, and dresses for as low as $10. They’ve also teamed up with refurbishment experts to keep pre-loved items repaired and out of landfills by replacing buttons, patching holes, and cleaning stains.
Follow thredUP’s DIY tutorials to learn how to give a second life to your own clothing. If you have clothes lying around that you’re looking to get rid of as you expand or reinvent your closet, you can also box them up with their Clean Out program and receive cash or shopping credit when eligible items sell.
Treet Shop
Treet Shop is a branded resale marketplace full of pre-loved items for shoppers to sift through with no hassle. In their online shop, sort through thousands of items from small fashion businesses that Treet has helped craft a sustainable approach to clothing sales.
Treet’s up-and-coming collaborators include flowy women’s garments from Vetta, classic men’s staples from Cuts, and elevated kid’s clothing by Rylee + Cru. All the shops help clothes live longer and encourage brands and stores to go green through secondhand shopping.
Mia Brabham is a staff writer at Shondaland. Follow her on Twitter at @hotmessmia.
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