I’ve been on my sustainable fashion journey since 2015, and a big part of that process has been completely giving up fast fashion. As a fashion lover, however, every once in a while I just fall in love with a fast fashion item. I became obsessed with this checkerboard quilt-like bomber jacket last Fall but did not want to compromise my goals or morals by buying it new from Target (a fast fashion brand). But as you can tell, I now own this jacket!! Here is my best advice for how to buy fast fashion sustainably.
How I bought this fast fashion jacket in a sustainable way
I first saw this jacket on TikTok and became obsessed, but I didn’t want to buy it new from Target. Though Target isn’t one of the worst fast fashion brands, I still try to avoid fast fashion as much as humanly possible. So I kept this jacket in the back of my mind and kept that TikTok in my saved videos.
About five months after first seeing the jacket on TikTok I finally saw one listed on Depop. I spend the next few days on Depop, Poshmark, and Mercari looking for any more that were available. This jacket came in 7 different patterns but only a few of the patterns were available on these secondhand apps. Originally I had wanted one of the darker or bolder patterns, but in the five months I had waited to add this jacket to my closet I learned a lot more about my personal style. I don’t wear patterns very often and if I do, they’re pretty neutral. So I decided to buy a beige and white checkerboard jacket that I found for $16 on Poshmark.
Why I’m glad I waited to buy this jacket:
- I saved money! I got this jacket for $16 + shipping instead of $35 + shipping.
- I avoided an impulse buy. If I had bought this jacket when it was first on sale I would have gotten a different pattern. I also may have gotten it in multiple colors… Instead I was able to take a step back and pick a more neutral pattern that I knew I would wear more often.
- I avoided buying new fast fashion. I extended the useful life of this fast fashion garment by purchasing it secondhand and didn’t have to give my money to a fast fashion brand.
- I bought something I LOVE. I’ve worn this jacket a few times a week since I got it and I don’t see myself getting tired of it any time soon.
How to buy fast fashion sustainably
Wait it out
Find something you love? Put it on your wishlist and check back in a few weeks to see if you still want it. This will force you to think about whether you want or need this item, and if you want it why you want it.
Look for it secondhand
If you wait long enough you’ll likely be able to find the exact item you want secondhand.
Here are some of my favorite online secondhand marketplaces:
- Poshmark – great for mainstream brands
- Depop – better for indie brands
- Mercari – beware of dupes!
- Ebay – toggle your search for “secondhand” or “pre-owned” items
- ThredUp – narrow down your search by brand, size, style, etc.
- Influencer closet sales / Instagram shops – especially great if you love a particular creator’s style! (see the comments on this post for recommendations)
- There are also some brands with their own resale / secondhand markets. Check out this post to see some of those brands.
Fast fashion items are overflowing in thrift stores nowadays, but there are some more curated secondhand/consignment shops where you could find higher quality fast fashion items:
- Crossroads Trading Post – carries lots of current trends and popular brands
- Buffalo Exchange – more known for eclectic and vintage items
- Plato’s Closet – tends to have lower quality fast fashion brands (Forever 21, Fashion Nova, etc.)
- Uptown Cheapskate – similar to Plato’s closet
- other chain thrift / consignment stores
If you’re going to buy fast fashion new, buy it consciously.
Regardless of where you shop and what you buy, do your best to consume consciously. Here are some of my favorite resources for slowing down your purchasing process, choosing the best items to add to your wardrobe, and keeping your clothes in good condition.
- Ask yourself lots of questions before you buy anything
- How to avoid impulse buys
- Reflect on the clothes you already own and wear to ensure you choose something you’ll wear a lot
And always remember that there are free ways to advocate for a better fashion industry!
One Response
I recently did this with a linen dress I wanted from Zara. It took about 4 months to find it on EBay, but it was worth it! One of the harder parts for me of secondhand shopping is how the original buyer cared for the item. I’ve learned my lesson when buying from sellers who don’t list measurements and won’t upon request!