It is undeniable that fast fashion is a huge problem plaguing our environment today. The UN Alliance stated, “The fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for 2-8 percent of global carbon emissions.” While companies provide fashionable items at a cheaper cost, they come at the price of the planet’s health. With tons of clothing items being burned and polluting the atmosphere, microplastics contaminating the oceans, and other detrimental issues affecting the environment, it’s important to start approaching fashion differently.
Purchasing second-hand clothes minimizes the negative environmental impact by not directly supporting these large polluting companies. Thankfully, this has been easier than ever with the several apps and websites dedicated to buying used clothes. Here are the best apps you can use to start your thrifting ventures:
Depop
A great place to shop for secondhand clothes online is Depop– an e-commerce platform for both buying and selling used clothes and accessories. Their tagline “buy, sell, discover unique fashion” is a concise summation of the platform, you’ll find all sorts of clothes that run out of the mainstream. With Depop’s search categories, it’s easy to narrow down the clothes you desire.
I like the enhanced search algorithm to find clothes from different generations. Let’s say you love clothes from the 1990s, all you have to do is type “90s” in the search bar and you’ll come across a plethora of listings from that period. Additionally, many pieces on Depop are modeled by ordinary people, making it helpful to picture yourself wearing the clothes. It deviates from other apps where you’ll find yourself browsing through clothes on boring mannequins.
Even though Depop is technically not a thrift shop and is more similar to a consignment shop, it’s a great option for those who choose not to support fast fashion and want to lessen the detrimental impact on the planet.
Poshmark
Beyond second-hand clothes, Poshmark is a marketplace to buy and sell all kinds of used items. From electronics to kitchenware, you’ll find them here. What’s cool about Poshmark is its unique social features, one of them being “Posh Parties,” which are virtual events to buy and sell items. Like standard thrifting apps, you can like listings and message sellers, but on Poshmark you can also leave comments on listings, providing an additional way to share and express your thoughts.
Poshmark focuses on generic mainstream styles more than its quirky counterparts, making it more appealing to more mature individuals. Even though the Poshmark interface isn’t as “aesthetic” as other apps, the prices and features you find on Poshmark are often as solid as any other.
ThredUp
An online thrift and consignment store with a great interface and many deals to take advantage of, ThredUp is a great choice for your pre-owned fashion wishes. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of garments displayed on mannequins. When you click a listing, you can check out the sustainability impact when purchasing the item over a brand-new one.
I appreciate the “Thrift the Look” feature, a part of the platform that showcases pictures of influencers and outfits curated by ThredUp stylists. If you like a clothing piece, you can click on it and ThredUp will scour their store and present you with look-a-like items to thrift. This adds a neat extra dimension to your online thrifting experience.
Even though online thrifting isn’t a flawless resolution that will fix most environmental problems we’re experiencing, it is significantly a better option than the alternative. We have to put the breaks on fast fashion and fashion overconsumption by making wiser decisions regarding our shopping behaviors moving forward.
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
