Resale- the white knight of sustainable fashion

Before the rise of resale as a trend, shopping second-hand had a sort of stigma: hand me downs and ancient garments covered in the scent of mothballs. But for those who love thrifting, it's like a treasure hunt; there’s a rush that comes with finding a vintage designer piece accidently priced less than your lunch. Shopping through resale- whether it's at a thrift store or on Depop- allows you to decide for yourself what's “in style” with the opportunity to view items that haven’t been professionally merchandised. 

@fashionability.co

Posted on December 10, 2019

It is no secret that the manufacturing processes involved in the fashion industry are extremely harmful to the environment, with extensive carbon dioxide emissions and water usage. Fast fashion essentially has a “buy it and toss it” agenda, where cheap pieces are almost made to be thrown away. However, in recent years, millennials and Gen Z have taken large strides in combating fast fashion’s carbon footprint- embracing thrifting in search of authentic, unique, and vintage pieces. 

@emmachamberlain in a thrifted top and vintage bag

Posted on January 31, 2021

Resale sites like Depop, Poshmark, and TheRealReal, all of which launched in 2011, have made buying second-hand clothing as easy as scrolling through a social media platform. With the claim that environmentalism and sustainability have always been driving forces in their businesses, companies like these fuel the appetite for eco-friendly clothing options among today’s youth. As more and more people are seeking out second-hand in hopes of finding eccentric pieces, other brands are being pushed to recognize this concept and find a way to adjust their business models in pursuit of sustainability- potentially creating fewer new products. 

@devonleecarlson in a vintage Gucci belt from The RealReal

Posted on January 23, 2021

There is so much joy to be had in shopping second hand- it provides a space to experiment with individuality and personal style while simultaneously leaving a more positive impact on the environment. Buying something pre-owned allows you to create a wardrobe of archived collectibles, where every piece has a unique history behind it. Resale has become the white knight of sustainable fashion - by promoting reuse over purchasing new, you can stop creating the need for over-consumption. 

-Riley Kubaska