A common challenge with secondhand shopping is finding affordable yet high-quality pre-loved clothing online.
I received a question about this from a Slow Fashion Saturday newsletter subscriber but it’s something I know many readers struggle with! Not everyone has access to great local secondhand options or has the time to sift through thrift stores, which makes online shopping a solid alternative.
While there’s no shortage of secondhand clothing, navigating sizing and assessing quality online can be tricky. Here are my top tips to help!
Note that the following a few includes affiliate and referral links to some of my favorite secondhand sites.
How to Decipher Quality
Let me just start off addressing that determining “quality” can be confusing. So if you’ve ever felt unsure whether something is high-quality, you’re not alone!
One issue is that many brands use the term “quality” without much meaning behind it. It might even be the next greenwashed buzzword in sustainable fashion!
Another common confusion is the difference between durability and quality.
For example, Primark recently released a “Durability Framework” and study claiming that cheap fashion can outlast more premium-priced fashion.
While I agree that price doesn’t always equate to longevity, the report and subsequent media coverage felt oversimplified to me.
“Durability” is only telling us how long a product can withstand wear and tear. Sure that’s one element of long-lasting pieces, but durability is just one element of quality!
In the context of fashion, quality can also include the fit, design, hand-feel, comfort, and performance. Quality also tells us how long and how often we want to wear that garment.
Even if the sweater is still in one piece, does it feel good or does it feel itchy? Do those jeans fit like a glove or do they gap at the waist? Do those synthetic blouses breathe or make you uncomfortably sweaty?
A holistic view of high-quality considers things like:
- Fabric and Function: Does the material suit the garment type? Are synthetic fibers used with a real intention or just to cut costs?
- Construction: Look for even stitching, straight seams, finished edges, and reinforced high-stress areas. Avoid loose threads or pilling on new or barely worn garments.
- Fit & Design: Does it fit well, feel comfortable, and perform appropriately (i.e. keep you warm if it’s a sweater, or cool if it’s a summer dress)? Did the brand do fit testing
- Components: Are the zippers, buttons, and other components securely fastened or already looking loose?
For more on spotting quality clothing, check out this Conscious Style Podcast interview with design educator Zoë Hong!
Now let’s talk about how to assess these qualities when shopping online.
How to Find Quality Clothes Secondhand Online
Here are some of the ways to apply the above tips to online secondhand shopping.
Check the fabric content.
Personally, I like to look for natural fibers only, unless it’s too limiting in a certain category, like activewear and outerwear.
If you also want to look for natural fibers, online resale site thredUP has a “Material” filter where you can select “Natural Materials” to avoid synthetics completely in the search results. That filter is a game-changer for me! I used to have to check the material content on every individual item when thrifting.
Want to try it out yourself?
Get 45% off + free shipping on your first order with my thredUP referral link! (Transparency note: if you make your first purchase through my thredUP links, I’ll receive thredUP credit.)
Check the brand.
If you’re unfamiliar with the quality of that brand, search online: “Is [BRAND] high quality?” You’ll likely find a range of forum posts and niche reviewers.
Sometimes, though, brands will be hit or miss with their quality depending on the product. If the product (or something similar) is still being sold by the brand, you can check product reviews on that brand’s website or on a retailer that sells that brand. This isn’t an end-all-be-all, but can be helpful.
And as you start to experiment with different brands while secondhand shopping you might start to develop go-to’s for the future.
For example, my friend gave me a pair of her pre-loved jeans and while I wouldn’t normally shop from that brand new since it doesn’t meet my sustainability criteria, I really like wearing that pair of denim! They’re comfortable and they’ve held up well. So now I’m looking for jeans from that brand secondhand online.
Check the condition notes.
If you don’t want to invest the time or money for repair, check the Condition filters on the resale sites and only mark “excellent” or “new with tags” (or equivalent).
What if you can’t find this information?
The fabric, brand, and condition are usually listed on on brand-owned or third-party resale platforms like Vestiaire Collective, thredUP, or The RealReal but that information is not always available on peer-to-peer marketplaces like Poshmark or Vinted.
However, if you’re buying through an independent reseller, don’t hesitate to ask them questions on size, condition, and fabric! They should be able to offer that information. And if not, then it might be worth questioning if it’s a worthwhile purchase.
How to Find the Right Size with Secondhand Pieces
Sizing can be tricky when shopping secondhand. Some platforms, like Poshmark, don’t allow for returns for fit issues, and the return fees on other secondhand platforms can add up quickly.
So it pays off to invest some time to take your measurements and check the measurements on the product page.
The most important measurements to take are:
- Bust
- Waist
- Hips
- Inseam (inner thigh to ankle)
- Length (shoulder to hip or wherever you’d like your top to hit)
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a specific type of garment, you may also want to check the measurements of a similar garment already in your closet that fits well. You can use those measurements to compare to the measurements of the secondhand garment.
You might be asking: Why should I take my measurements if I know my size?
While looking at size can be a good place to start, each brand’s sizing can run a bit differently. It’s useful to have your measurements handy so you can check their size chart and see where your measurements fall into the mix.
Also, sometimes pre-worn garments have been washed and put through the machine dryer, so there could be some minor shrinkage. That’s why I like to see measurements taken of the secondhand piece and not just generic sizing information from the brand.
If you received the wrong size or the measurements were different in-person than what was posted online, don’t worry. Some platforms, like thredUP, will refund you fully if the sizing issue was due to a mistake on their product listing. Many thredUP customers have confirmed this in forums.
What to Do When It Doesn’t Work Out
Despite our best intentions, mistakes and oversights happen! Here’s how to handle items that don’t fit, listed from lowest lift to most effort:
- Make minor adjustments to see if it can work (roll up sleeves, cuff pants inside with double sided tape, belt oversized items etc.)
- Swap it, sell it, or give it to a friend
- Donate it somewhere that has full transparency into how they manage used garments
- Take it to a tailor (if you have many pieces to get altered, some alteration shops do quantity discounts)
- Bring it to a consignment shop to resell or consign it back to the place you bought the piece from
- Sell it online on a peer-to-peer marketplace (or local peer-to-peer marketplace)
- Take the alterations into your own hands if you have the skills (or are able & excited to learn)
- For the creative and talented sewers in our midst, upcycling could be a fun option as well
I hope these tips can be helpful as you search for secondhand gems online!
The post How to Find High-Quality Secondhand Clothing Online appeared first on .
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
Get organized in style with the beautiful sustainable dressers, wardrobes, and armoires from these furniture companies using responsibly-sourced FSC-Certified wood or upcycled wood.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase through these links.
What Makes A Dresser Sustainable?
As with anything in sustainability, there are various approaches that can make something “sustainable”.
Secondhand
With over 12 million tons (or 24 billion pounds) of furniture getting wasted each year in the United States alone, it’s definitely a great idea to look used when possible!
Secondhand not only helps divert furniture from the landfill, but reduces the need to extract new materials, whether that’s metal, wood, cotton, or increasingly, petroleum for synthetic fabrics and plastic.
Here’s where to look for secondhand dressers:
- Garage sales and estate sales (check EstateSales.net!)
- Facebook Marketplace
- OfferUp
- AptDeco
Responsibly Sourced Wood
Most storage furniture, like dressers, are made from wood (or engineered wood). While wood is a natural material, deforestation is a significant driver of climate change.
So, look for domestic or certified sustainably-sourced wood when purchasing wooden furniture. The largest most common certification is FSC, which stands for Forest Stewardship Council.
Even better is if you can find furniture made from reclaimed wood! This is basically upcycled wood that is being repurposed. This reclaimed wood can come from old barns, ships, factories, warehouses, or even wine barrels.
Non-Toxic Finishes
Unfortunately, many wood finishes contain harmful petroleum- and chemical-based solvents which can emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. While the toxicity is most severe during application and does reduce with time, the chemicals can build up in your home, so you may feel most comfortable minimizing risk of VOCs.
Why does this matter? Well, the EPA reports that indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air — largely due to what we bring into our homes, from furniture to household cleaners.
Look for low-VOC finishes, water-based finishes, or natural oil finishes like linseed oil.
Where to Find Sustainably Made Dressers
I’ve done the grunt work for you and curated furniture brands with sustainable dressers, armoires, and wardrobes below!
1. Urban Natural
Highlights: Sustainably-Sourced Woods,
Price Range: $1,245 – $9,000+
For a one-stop shop for sustainable storage furniture, look no further than Urban Natural. The retailer has a stunning selection of timeless sustainable dressers (including non-toxic dressers for nurseries) made with responsibly sourced wood and several with non-toxic finishes too.
Urban Natural’s workshop partners use materials like solid oak, cherry, maple, and walnut — and many of the brands prioritize local sourcing as well.
2. Avocado
Highlights: Reclaimed or FSC-Certified Wood, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Zero VOC Finish
Price Range: $1,939 – $3,999
Avocado’s sustainable dressers are made in Los Angeles in their own FSC-certified woodshop. Beautifully designed with a timeless mid-century modern or Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, Avocado’s dressers are also built to last. Each dresser is made with either responsibly sourced FSC-Certified wood or reclaimed wood. Most of the company’s non-toxic bedroom furniture is also finished with a non-toxic zero-VOC finish to you can sleep easy.
3. Thuma
Highlights: Upcycled Solid Wood, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Modular
Price Range: $1,165 – $3,495
Designed for maximum functionality and versatility, Thuma’s sustainable dressers give you endless options. Configure a couple drawers for a nightstand and add on more drawers vertically or horizontally for a full dresser that can fit any space.
The modular setup may be especially useful for families with evolving needs — you can add on more drawers if your needs grow or separate a large dresser into two smaller ones.
4. Medley
Highlights: Non-Toxic, USA Made
Price Range: $4,136
Medley’s sustainable dressers are handmade to order in California. The wide dresser pictured here comes in maple or walnut sourced domestically in the US.
The tops and sides are solid hardwood and FSC-certified, low-VOC CARB 2 compliant hardwood plywood is used in the rest of the dresser. The piece is finished with non-toxic natural beeswax.
5. MasayaCo
Highlights: FSC-Certified Reforested Wood, 1.2 Million Trees Planted
Price Range: $2,295 – $2,395
MasayaCo is committed to responsible sourcing for all of their sustainable storage furniture. Each FSC-Certified piece is made to order by skilled artisans in Nicaragua from 100% solid teak wood that comes from their own reforestation projects. Even more impressive, the company leaves 40% of these projects completely untouched to thrive on its own.
Their stunning credenzas could easily be used as dressers, too.
6. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection
Highlights: Non-Toxic and Responsibly-Sourced Options
Price Range: $879 – $2499
West Elm is a large retailer with options for more eco-friendly dressers. Among their selection, you can curate by filters such as GREENGUARD Gold Certified, crafted in Fair Trade Certified facilities, made from responsibly-sourced wood, and/or Contract Grade (i.e. high quality + durable).
7. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified (Honorable Mention)
Price Range: $899 – $2,699
While Crate & Barrel does not have as many sustainability efforts as other large retailers like West Elm, the company has a vast selection of FSC-certified wood storage furniture, including dressers, chests, and full wardrobes or armoires.
You’ll find an array of woods and finishes as well, from weathered rustic natural wood to dark espresso-finished wood.
More Guides Like This:
21 Best Places to Find Sustainable Furniture
8 Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around
Best Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Sofas to Relax In
The post 7 Sustainable Dressers and Armoires to Store it All Away in Style (2026) appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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