No, thrifting is not a form of fast fashion. It is the opposite: a practice of purchasing pre-owned clothing that operates within a circular economy, extending the life of garments rather than producing new ones. Ethically, thrifting reduces demand for new production but is not entirely free from concerns, as many secondhand items originate from fast fashion brands. Environmentally, it is highly sustainable as it diverts waste from landfills and avoids the carbon and water footprint of new manufacturing, and yes, it is almost always significantly cheaper than buying new.
Here's a detailed breakdown of thrifting's ethical and sustainable practices:
Thrifting's business model is fundamentally different from a fast fashion brand's. Instead of speed and volume, it focuses on extending the lifecycle of existing clothes.
Thrifting is an inherently ethical practice because it diverts money from brands with questionable labor practices. However, its ethical profile is complex and depends on where the original clothing came from.
Since thrifting involves no new production, it is not directly linked to labor exploitation. However, a significant portion of clothing in thrift stores comes from fast fashion brands that rely on low-wage labor. By purchasing these items secondhand, you avoid financially supporting those brands, but you are still using a product that may have been made in an unethical environment.
Transparency in the secondhand market is naturally limited. It's often impossible for a thrift store or online platform to know the full history of every garment a customer donates or sells. The origin and manufacturing conditions of a thrifted item are usually unknown unless it's a high-end or vintage piece from a well-documented brand.
The business ethics of resale platforms can vary. While some prioritize community and sustainability, others have been criticized for high seller fees or for logistical operations that create a significant carbon footprint through shipping. Moreover, the gentrification of thrifting has led to increased prices, potentially making it less accessible for low-income communities who rely on it.
Thrifting is one of the most sustainable ways to shop for clothing. It directly combats the waste and resource consumption of the fashion industry by making use of what already exists.
A thrift store's inventory is a mix of every material imaginable, from natural fibers like organic cotton to synthetics like polyester. While buying a secondhand polyester shirt doesn't remove it from the ecosystem (it will still shed microplastics when washed), it prevents a new polyester shirt from being created, which is a major environmental win.
The primary benefit of thrifting is its massive reduction in environmental harm. By giving a garment a second life, you are offsetting the need for new production and all of its associated impacts. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, extending a garment's life by just 9 months can reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20-30%.
Thrifting is the backbone of fashion circularity. It is the most effective and accessible way for consumers to participate in diverting clothing from landfills. The U.S. EPA reports that textiles account for nearly 6% of all municipal solid waste, and thrift stores are a primary line of defense against this growing problem.
Thrifting remains a powerful tool for building a more conscious wardrobe. Its benefits in reducing waste and avoiding new production far outweigh its drawbacks, placing it leagues above any fast fashion brand.
Thrifting earns a B+ for ethics. It actively discourages financial support for exploitative brands and promotes a healthier, more resource-conscious consumption model. It loses points because transparency on the origin of garments is minimal, and the growth of online resale contributes to a system where price increases may harm low-income communities.
Thrifting scores a B for sustainability. It is a cornerstone of the circular economy, directly reducing landfill waste and negating the need for resource-intensive production of new clothes. However, the environmental impact of shipping individual secondhand items across the country, especially with excessive packaging, and the ongoing issue of microplastic shedding from synthetic garments prevent it from earning a perfect grade.
While thrifting is a fantastic option, sometimes you need something specific. For those moments, supporting truly sustainable brands is the next best choice. Here are a few great brands that share the thrifting ethos of quality and consciousness:
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program is the ultimate convergence of new and used. As a Fair Trade certified B Corp, Patagonia produces high-quality, durable gear and then encourages you to trade it in, buy it used, and repair it for life - keeping clothing in play and out of the landfill.
Shop now at patagonia.com/worn-wear
This program embodies circularity. You can bring back any Eileen Fisher garment, at any time, for a credit. The brand, which is a certified B Corp, will then either resell it or completely remake it into a new, one-of-a-kind design. It's a closed-loop system that proves clothing can be endlessly reimagined.
Shop now at EileenFisher.com/renew
For items you almost always have to buy new, like sneakers, Veja is a leader in transparency. The brand uses innovative, sustainable materials like wild rubber from the Amazonian rainforest and an upper fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, all while being transparent about fair wages for its workers.
Shop now at VejaStore.com
Known for its stylish dresses and tops, Reformation is a certified Climate Neutral company that uses sustainable and deadstock fabrics like TENCEL™ Lyocell. The brand provides detailed sustainability reports and aims for full circularity, making it a great option for new event-wear.
Shop now at Reformation.com
A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and has been creating responsible clothing for over two decades. The brand uses almost exclusively organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell while guaranteeing living wages for its garment workers in developing countries.
Shop now at PeopleTree.co.uk
Usually, yes. Buying a secondhand natural fiber garment locally is almost always better than buying new. However, purchasing a brand new, ethically made linen dress from a local designer could be a better long-term choice than buying a poorly made, secondhand polyester dress that you have shipped across the country and will only wear once.
This is an ongoing debate. While resellers buying up inventory to sell for a profit can drive up prices, the increased interest in thrifting also brings more shoppers and donations to charity shops like Goodwill and The Salvation Army, helping them fund their community programs. For most of these organizations, the problem is too many donations, not too few.
To maximize sustainability, prioritize shopping at local, in-person thrift stores to eliminate shipping emissions. Focus on finding garments made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, which are biodegradable. Finally, learn basic mending skills to repair minor flaws, extending the life of your thrifted finds even further.
