Want to avoid fast fashion? Try these apps that make sustainable fashion affordable. Your closet and the earth will thank you.
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The best way to embrace sustainable fashion is to shop what you already own, reuse, and support sustainable brands. Each of these are a solution to the damaging side effects of fashion- plastic pollution, staggering amounts of waste, and the environmental impacts from fast sourcing. Since many of us have become accustomed to the jaw-droppingly low prices and fast turnaround of fast fashion, apps have become one way to make sustainable fashion affordable.
As many headlines are quick to note, supporting sustainable fashion brands can feel unachievable for a majority of people. Where a fast fashion brand might sell a t-shirt for $5, a sustainable brand will sell it for $30 or more. The reason for the price difference has a lot to do with how a garment is made and a brand’s ethos. Using organic cotton instead of plastic plastic based polyester or finding manufacturers that recycle water or use more natural dyes instead of conventional ones are just some of the steps that a brand might take to minimize a garment’s impact. Wages are also comparably higher for sustainable brands too. Labor rights groups have blasted fast fashion brands for paying garment workers wages as low as $1 in cities like Los Angeles where the minimum wage is $15 per hour.
For those of who can afford to to support ethical and sustainable fashion brands, these are all good reasons to make the switch from fast fashion. And, thanks to resale and rental apps, there are ways to embrace sustainable fashion and popular brands while reducing waste. Considering that we send an estimated 11 million tons of textiles to landfills yearly, embracing other modes of looking stylish like renting and resell are a good way to reduce the negative impact of fashion.
Whether you’re looking for an app to find sustainable brands or a way to shop pre-loved, here are 4 app that help you to look stylish sustainably.
Good On You: Sustainable Fashion Guide
Good On You is an app designed to help you discover ethical and sustainable brands.
Download it on Google Play or Apple.
Explore sustainable fashion tips and edits, discover ethical brands, and receive exclusive offers from top-rated brands.
More than one million individuals trust and use Good On You to help them decide whether or not a brand is environmentally and socially responsible. With a transparent scoring system, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the top sustainable clothing apps to discover ethical brands that truly follow through with their values.
The comprehensive rating system checks and compares brands, scoring them on a scale from ‘We Avoid’ (1) to ‘Great’ (5) according to their impact on people, planet, and animals. With a collection of more than 3000 ethical brand ratings, the app offers a wide range of options. In case a particular brand is not found, users have the option to request it to be rated.
thredUP: Fashion Resale For Popular Brands
thredUp is an online consignment shop where you can find popular brands like Zara, J.Crew, Patagonia, Everlane, and Madewell.
Download it on Google Play or Apple.
This platform makes sustainable fashion affordable by making it easy to buy and sell clothes from popular and sustainable brands including J.Crew, Reformation, Patagonia, Zara, Everlane, and The North Face. With thredUP, the experience of thrift shopping is now available on your mobile device.
Those familiar with Thred Up know that the consignment store that operates online. The app follows the same format, allowing users to purchase and sell pre-owned clothing and accessories from more than 55,000 renowned brands. These consigned items are discounted at rates of up to 90% off the original retail price.
*Looking to declutter your closet? Request thredUP’s Cleanout Kit to receive either cash or credit for your gently used items.
Depop: Fashion Resale For Vintage & Unique Finds
Depop is a resale app that makes sustainable fashion affordable through a model based on shopping influencers’ closets.
Download it on Google Play or Apple.
Depop originally launched as a marketplace in the UK for buying and selling secondhand items. Now, they’ve expanded internationally with an innovative app that combines social media and secondhand shopping.The app design is fun to use and imitates Instagram, but instead of simply following, it allows users to peruse modern fashion options for both men and women, featuring popular brands as well as emerging labels from influencers and stores.
With a design that centers around people rather than brands, the primary focus of Depop’s app is on the fashion community and fostering creativity. Join the community and you’ll discover unique and affordable finds for both men and women while snagging great deals on high-end fashion.
By connecting with friends and influencers, you can also receive personalized style recommendations and stay updated on the latest offerings from your preferred stores, all based on your individual interests.
Rent The Runway: Fashion Rental
Rent the Runway is a fashion app that lets you literally rent the runway for special occasions or a wardrobe refresh.
Download it on Apple.
In need of an outfit to wear for a special occasion? Consider renting instead of purchasing a dress that you’ll only wear once. Rent The Runway is an app for renting designer clothing at a discounted rate, making it a great choice for finding your next wedding, gala, or black-tie event.
Those who are simply looking to elevate their style with the latest trends can also indulge sustainably through the subscription service that will rotate your closet without creating waste. Sign up for the subscription service and enjoy a monthly delivery of 5-20 items from a selection of over 750 designers. Along with this, you will also receive personalized styling advice and have the option to keep the items for as long as you like.
For special events such as weddings, one-time rentals are also an option. This is perfect for those looking to rent for a specific occasion. And for ease of use, each purchase comes with a complimentary replacement size and all garments are professionally dry-cleaned.