Slow-fashion starter guide

Most people know about fast fashion, but few are aware of its eco-friendly alternative: slow fashion. Sustainable clothes shopping is about making ethical choices, like thrifting and choosing the right materials, while keeping up with the latest trends. Slow and steady wins the race.

Looking to turn up the volume on your wardrobe? Offering everything from vintage clothes to luxury brands, Depop is your go-to for online thrifting. Its vast pre-loved collection is easily personalized by picking your brand preferences when you sign up. Build retro looks with statement pieces, or consider upcycling your own used clothing by becoming a seller.

Digitize your closet with Indyx, mixing and matching your own clothes for the perfect outfit. Beyond shortening your morning routine, this app connects you to fashion enthusiasts, and for a fee, to a personal stylist. Indyx stands behind the idea of learning how to maximize the clothes you already own, dressing well instead of shopping more. Take a quiz to polish your unique style, or even sign up for a fashion workshop.

You look good when you feel good, and Good on You ensures peace of mind when making clothing and beauty purchases. Its brand catalog rates sustainability efforts on a scale from “great” to “we avoid.” Along with articles on slow fashion, it also calls attention to activists, entrepreneurs, and labels that are changing the game. It also offers discount codes for eco-friendly sites and products.

If you’re wanting to class up your style, Vestaire is for you. By spending more, you spend less often, choosing to invest in durable wear. Vestaire showcases pre-owned designer pieces from all over the world, each one thoroughly authenticated. Many items are selected for daily deals, and you can even negotiate the price on these luxury goods.

Use Pinterest to find new ways to wear your clothes. Look up trends like cottagecore or satin skirts, and get inspiration on how to revamp your outfits. Pin anything you like, make a board of pinned posts with a friend, or clip and copy your favorite images from pins to make a collage. Plus, Pinterest’s filters are inclusive of all body types, tailoring your feed to your exact taste.

Upload a photo from your phone or Instagram to ThredUp to get recommendations for similar, previously owned pieces. If you want to sell your clothes, ship them to ThredUp, and they will take care of the rest. When someone buys something of yours, cash out or stack up shopping credit. ThredUp also has a spotlight for sustainable fashion brands, and you can use the app to assess your eco impact.