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 .
Curating a conscious home is a thoughtful process involving much consideration — who made my products, how they were made, and what are they made from — and this guide aims to support you on your journey towards finding ethical and sustainable home decor you truly love.
What is Sustainable Home Decor?
Sustainable home decor includes any home decor that is made in a way that takes into consideration both the makers and the planet. Sustainable home decor will be ethically made using eco-friendly and natural materials. Eco-friendly decor will also be produced using sustainable supply chain practices. This includes using renewable energy and recycled or compostable packaging.
While there are numerous sustainable home decor brands, some of which are featured below, first consider what’s already been made in order to prevent contributing to new waste. Secondhand, used, or DIY home decor options are typically more sustainable than buying new.
What is Ethical and Fair Trade Home Decor?
Ethical and Fair Trade home decor is produced in a way that adheres to Fair Trade standards and is, ideally, Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade means paying artisans and makers a fair, living wage and providing ethical working conditions. Ethical home decor also includes supporting goods made by artisans using traditional heritage techniques and art forms. Many cultures around the world are at risk of losing their age-old artisanal crafts forever in the age of mass manufacturing.
It’s important to note that sometimes a major brand may use an “eco” fiber while still supporting irresponsible labor practices, and excessive production amounts that inevitably lead to a lot of waste. This is not true sustainability in my mind!
Most artisan-made home decor is ethically produced and directly supports the makers. However, it’s important to check if a brand or marketplace is transparent about their business practices to ensure they are ethical or Fair Trade.
Where Can You Find Sustainable Home Decor?
In terms of environmental sustainability, looking secondhand and vintage is always a great first place to look for sustainable home decor.
But if you’ve scoured those options and haven’t found what you’re looking for and/or if you’re looking to financially support artisans and traditional crafts around the globe, this shopping guide is designed for you. You’ll discover many brands with artfully designed and artisan handmade goods for furnishing any space among this list of decor brands.
All of the brands in this guide use natural and/or recycled fibers and avoid the use of virgin synthetics like polyester; however, some brands do use materials that are not the most environmentally-friendly option on the market, such as conventional cotton.
And of course, I wanted to choose brands that followed slow, thoughtful production practices, prioritizing artisan handmade over factory labor and quality over quantity.
So without further ado, here are my favorite small-batch, artisan-made, and ethical home decor brands.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links — as always, we only curate brands vetted for sustainability that we love (and that we think you’ll love too).
1. Urban Natural
Categories: Accent Pillows, Tabletop, Lighting, Wall Art & Mirrors, Blankets & Throws
Eco-friendly home retailer Urban Natural is on a mission to curate high-quality furniture (and other home goods) built with quality and free of toxic chemicals. Urban Natural carries several sustainable home decor brands, including artisan brands Ethnicraft and Jaipur Living as well as ethically USA-made brands Farmhouse Pottery and East Fork.
2. GOODEE
Categories: Pillows, Lighting, Wall Decor, Planters, Baskets, Blankets, Candles
GOODEE is an ethical marketplace featuring numerous sustainable artisan brands and designers. You’ll find a variety of beautifully crafted home decor goods to suit a wide range of styles. Goodee is a Climate Neutral and B Corp Certified company. They publish an annual impact report so you can easily ensure their business practices align with your values.
Our favorite brands on Goodee are Texidors, Baba Tree, Makaua, and Tensira.
3. Healthier Homes
Categories: Rugs, Lighting, Tabletop, Baskets, Wall Decor & Wallpaper
Founded after years running an award-winning healthy home building firm and publishing a book by the same name (Healthier Homes) this retailer is a go-to online destination for finding non-toxic home goods. The eco-friendly home decor on Healthier Homes is primarily made with natural materials like clay, cotton, seagrass, mango wood, and bamboo,
4. Will & Atlas
Categories: Baskets, Tabletop
Will & Atlas is a women-owned small business making most of their homewares from plant materials like jute, palm leaf, and hogla grass. Their natural fiber baskets are flexile but sturdy built to hold blankets, pillows, laundry, magazines, toys, or just to stand alone as a decor piece. You’ll also find jute coasters and placemats in their tabletop collection.
The brand is committed to ethical practices, partnering with nonprofit fair trade artisan groups in Bangladesh and craftspeople in the U.S. to build long-lasting production relationships.
5. Ten Thousand Villages
Categories: Baskets, Pillows, Throws, Candles, Wall Art, Planters & Vases
Founded 80 years ago, Ten Thousand Villages is the original fair trade store. Throughout the decades, the nonprofit business has continued their commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, as well as sustainability.
As a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, with artisans around the world from under-resourced communities. Most of the products they carry are made from recycled, upcycled, and natural materials.
6. MagicLinen
Categories: Curtains, Kitchen Linens
Linen is an exceptional material for home decor — there’s a reason we say “kitchen linens!” It’s natural, beautiful, and is often high quality.
I purchased a set of linen curtains from Magic Linen one year ago and they remain one of my favorite home decor pieces. The fabric they use meets the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, meaning its been tested for harmful substances.
7. Passion Lilie
Categories: Pillow Covers, Table Linens
Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion and lifestyle brand with ethically made home decor, too. The Fair Trade Verified brand has handwoven cotton blankets, organic cotton kitchen linens, unique ornaments, and hand-dyed throw pillow covers.
Each piece is made by Passion Lilie’s partners in India who pay living wages and ensure a safe working environment. Beyond this, the brand supports efforts to enable artisans to continually develop their skills and creates opportunities for community development.
8. 54kibo
Categories: Throw Pillows, Wall Hangings & Artwork, Mirrors, Baskets, Rugs, Lighting
A destination for modern African artisanal decor, 54kibo curates a stunning selection of ethically made home decor. The pieces on 54kibo are made with time-honored techniques using locally sourced materials with rich histories. The designs are exceptional, but the stories behind them make the pieces beautiful additions to your home beyond the surface.
9. The Citizenry
Categories: Baskets, Planters & Vases, Tabletop, Wall Decor, Mirrors
The Citizenry partners with artisans around the world, ensuring safe conditions, fair wages, and offering grants to their artisan partners so that they can expand their businesses.
Their online collection features small-batch artisan-made home goods made from locally-sourced and natural materials like palm leaves and indigo dyes.
More Sustainable Home Guides:
Sustainable Furniture Brands to Furnish a Conscious Home
Best Eco-Friendly and Zero Waste Kitchen Products
Easy Swaps for a Low Waste, Sustainable Bathroom
The post 9 Beautiful Places to Source Ethical and Eco-Friendly Home Decor appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
9 Beautiful Places to Source Ethical and Eco-Friendly Home Decor
Take a look at why hemp is heralded as a hero material and discover 14 hemp clothing brands that have tapped into its sustainable potential.
The exploration of fabrics has always been a starting point for sustainable innovation in fashion. After all, fabrics provide tangible proof that change is possible while having a direct impact on the environment in one way or another. Plus fabrics are responsible for an outsized proportion of a fashion brand’s carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, including biodiversity loss and pollution.
So, What is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is a bast fiber produced from the cannabis sativa plant, where every part of the plant can be utilized for over 25,000 industrial uses including clothing, biofuel, bricks, paper, and textiles.
Contrary to its popular association, hemp is actually the sober sister to marijuana. Unlike its recreational sibling that’s grown for its psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) properties, hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, a value that was the driving force behind the legalization of hemp production in the 2018 Farm Bill. So while you can’t really get high from hemp, you can definitely enjoy its material benefits — which are plenty!
What is Hemp Clothing?
The simple answer is that hemp clothes are garments made from hemp fabric! But the important caveat here is that most hemp clothes on the market today are not made from 100% hemp fabric. They are usually blended with other fibers, like cotton.
At this point, hemp fabric manufacturing is not at the scale or technological level that the manufacturing of cotton (the most popular natural material) is, making 100% hemp clothing more expensive to produce. Also, pure hemp fabric is also known to be quite stiff until a couple dozen washes later, so blending it with a fiber like cotton can make it softer and easier to wear on the offset.
100% hemp fiber content clothing does exist, it’s just rare at this point. Though we do think this will change with more sustainable material investment happening in the textiles industry.
Is Hemp Clothing Comfortable?
It depends! The softness of hemp clothing will vary based on how the fabric was produced and if it is blended with other fibers like cotton or lyocell. Pure hemp clothing can be rougher than cotton, but hemp is known to get softer with every wash.
Also, since hemp is a natural bast fiber that comes from the softer parts of the plant’s stalk or stem, it is softer than the coarser leaf fibers.
Can Hemp Clothing Protect From The Sun?
A lesser known benefit of hemp clothing is that it can reportedly even help shield you from harmful UV rays. According to skin cancer research, a fabric’s UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) value is a number that coincides with the fraction of UV rays it allows to pass through and hit your skin — the higher the UPF number, the better the protection.
Research claims that hemp has a UPF of >50 (according to European standards) due to natural pigments and lignin within the fibers, which act as UV absorbers.
Is Hemp Clothing Sustainable?
There are a lot of benefits to hemp clothing. But don’t just take our word for it, we’ve listed some of hemp’s most impressive sustainable qualities below:
1. Hemp is not resource-intensive
Hemp can be grown under a variety of agricultural and ecological conditions and has a capacity to grow rapidly.
Hemp clothing vs. cotton: With a high yield of 250% more fiber than cotton, hemp requires less land to grow, has no need for harmful pesticides or chemicals, and needs as little as 1/3rd of the water compared to conventional cotton. (Though individual use cases may vary based on the region that each of the crops are grown.)
2. Hemp is a restorative plant
Growing hemp can also help contribute to the maintenance of soil quality, courtesy of its anchored roots which prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss.
In fact, research shows that hemp can be used to restore contaminated soils through ‘phytoremediation’ — a process that has proven successful in the early 90s when industrial hemp was planted in some of the polluted Ukrainian regions near the Chernobyl disaster where much of the land was rendered useless. The experiments showed that hemp helped remove radioactive elements from the soil.
3. Hemp can absorb carbon more than other plants
Hem can act as a carbon sink. According to a Cambridge University researcher, a hectare of hemp can absorb between 8-15 tonnes of CO2, giving hemp plants a vital role in reversing carbon emissions.
Impressed yet? Ahead, discover 14 brands that have some of the best takes on this sustainably versatile fiber.
Note that this guide includes affiliates. As always, all brands meet very high standards for sustainability and are brands we love that we think you’ll love too.
Where to Find Sustainable Hemp Clothing
1. Patagonia
Have an outdoor adventure coming up? Run for the hills in some of Patagonia’s functional hemp styles that’ll have you covered no matter what path you set foot on. Whether it’s a jacket, sweatshirt, pair of overalls, or technical pants, these styles are hard-wearing and made to last.
Patagonia stands by hemp as one of its hero fabrics and claims to consciously partner with suppliers that use unique processing techniques to minimize waste. The brand has also created unique performance materials by blending hemp with organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL
lyocell.
Many of Patagonia’s clothes and gear are sewn at Fair Trade Certified factories that ensure all workers earn a living wage.
Size range: US 0–18
Price: $$-$$$