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table of contents
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SUSTAINABILITY
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What is Sustainability?............................................5 What It Means to be Sustainable to Me.........5
Seven Forms of Sustainability................................6
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
What is Sustainable Fashion?...............................11
What Sustainable Fashion is to Me.....................11
Ways to Participate in Sustainable Fashion.......12 Why is Sustainable Fashion Important?..............14
SLOW AND FAST FASHION
What is Slow Fashion?...............................................21
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What is Fast Fashion?................................................23
Fast Fashion Cons........................................................25 How can Fashion and Sustainability Coexist?....26
THRIFTING
What is Thrifting?........................................................31
Who is Thrifting?..........................................................34
How is Thrifting Different from Fast Fashion?....35
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Why Thrift?.....................................................................37 Where to Thrift.............................................................40 3
S u s tain abil i t y 4
WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY? Written by UCLA Sustainability
The most often quoted definition comes from the UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable practices support ecological, human, and economic health and vitality. Sustainability presumes that resources are finite and should be used conservatively and wisely with a view to long-term priorities and consequences of the ways in which resources are used. In simplest terms, sustainability is about our children and our grandchildren, and the world we will leave them.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SUSTAINABLE TO ME Sustainability to me is being mindful of what I am consuming. It is making sure I am reusing or repurposing things like glass jars, take-out tupperware, and cardboard boxes, and clothes. It’s using reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, glass straws, not buying things I don’t need (that can be difficult), not buying clothes I don’t need even if it’s thrifting, etc. There is a lot someone can do to be sustainable and not everyone has to do everything they can. It can be really hard so even just one or two things can be really helpful to the Earth.
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S u s ta i n able fash i o n
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION? Written by Hannah Lang from good on you
Imagine a world where you can wander into any clothing store to shop and know right away exactly how your purchases will affect the environment, workers, and animals alike. You could browse through the collections with a light heart, knowing that a lucky find would benefit people and the planet instead of harming them. This is the ultimate goal that drives the ethical and sustainable fashion movement. The issues in the fashion industry are complex, and the definitions can be confusing, so we’re here to break it down for you—what is sustainable fashion exactly? And what about ethical fashion? Strictly speaking, sustainability means maintaining an ecological balance by avoiding the depletion of natural resources. But sustainability is commonly extended to social systems, ensuring they promote the well being of all the individuals and communities affected. Ethical and sustainable fashion are generally used interchangeably.
WHAT SUSTAINABLE FASHION IS TO ME Sustainable fashion to me is working with the clothes I already have. Re-wearing outfits, borrowing clothes from friends, selling, or donating my clothes that I do not wear anymore, and going thrifting or buying secondhand online. When buying new clothes, I think about how I could wear it with something I own, when I will be wearing it, and if it’s something I really want. Sustainable fashion is creating your own personal style and wearing what you personally like.
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WHY IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION IMPORTANT?
✴IT REDUCES YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT ✴IT SAVES ANIMAL LIVES ✴IT REQUIRES LESS WATER ✴IT SUPPORTS FAIRER AND SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS
✴IT IS HEALTHIER FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET ✴IT DOESNT SUPPORT CHILD LABOUR ✴IT TEACHES US
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HOW TO LOVE AND WEAR OUR CLOTHES AGAIN
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16 Photo by cottonbro on pexels
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18 Photo by cottonbro on pexels
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WHAT IS SLOW FASHION? Written by Madeleine Hill from good on you
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Put simply, slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. It encompasses an awareness and approach to fashion that considers the processes and resources required to make clothing. It advocates for buying betterquality garments that will last longer, and values fair treatment of people, animals, and the planet along the way.
Slow fashion has seen increasing support in the last few years as consumers demand higher sustainability and ethical standards. As research shows, 19% of the top fast fashion-related searches are linked to the environment, ethics, and sustainability. As awareness and popularity increases, the planet and all its inhabitants are set to benefit from this slower and more considered approach to fashion.
The past decade or so has seen a wave of change sweep through the fashion industry. An increasing number of brands are rejecting the principles of fast fashion and opting for a more sustainable approach to making clothes.
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Modern-day slow fashion has seen a reemergence of some of these old ways. Initially, it asks us to take a step back and decide if we really need something new, or if we can shop our closet for some forgotten piece that maybe just needs a small repair. It then encourages us to buy fewer garments less often, and opt for second hand when we can. When it comes to buying new, instead of purchasing six cheap polyester tops that will unravel after one or two wears, for example, conscious consumers invest in higher quality pieces. They will be made from more sustainable processes and fabrics that emphasize the art of clothes making and celebrate the skills of craftspeople, like one or two
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The term ‘slow fashion’ came about quite organically. It was coined by Kate Fletcher of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, following the phenomena of the slow food movement. Slow fashion opposes the fast fashion model that emerged around 20 years ago, in which clothes became cheaper, and trend cycles sped up.
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organic cotton or linen tops you know will last for years to come. Finally, slow fashion asks us to stop treating our clothes as disposable, and to make an effort to repair, upcycle, pass along, or responsibly dispose of them when they no longer serve us.
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There are countless terms in the sustainable fashion sphere, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed,especially when some of them seem to blur together! So what is ‘slow fashion’ exactly, and how is it different from sustainable fashion? We’re here to tackle the term for you and explain why slowing fashion down is crucial for a fashion industry that leaves a lighter footprint for generations to come.
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lower prices have grown alongside pressures on consumers to turn to the newest trends.
At its heart, the fast fashion business model relies on consumers endlessly buying more clothes. Brands tempt consumers by offering ultra-cheap garments (for example, Missguided’s £1 bikini) and ever-changing new ranges. Fashion brands have long used new styles and lower prices to attract customers, but previously brands would plan new ranges many months, even years, in advance. The pace of change was relatively slow and there were fewer products on offer. In comparison, fast fashion is focused on responding to everchanging consumer tastes as quickly as possible.
The rise of fast fashion is intertwined with social media and celebrity/influencer culture. A celebrity posts a photo wearing a new outfit, and their followers want it, so fast fashion brands rush to be the first to provide it.
Photo by cottonbro on pexels
WHAT IS FAST FASHION? Written by Alex Crumbie from Ethical Consumer
Fast fashion is ‘fast’ in a number of senses: the changes in fashion are fast, the rate of production is fast; the customer’s decision to purchase is fast; delivery is fast; and garments are worn fast, usually only a few times before being discarded.
Of course, the flow of causality is not that simple: fast fashion brands are not simply reacting to consumer demand, they are also creating it. But the essential point is that these brands operate on the basis of constantly producing new lines of clothes to meet the insatiable and ever-changing consumer demand for all things new.
The rise of fast fashion has had devastating consequences, from its reliance on plastic fabrics and its enormous carbon footprint to its erosion of workers’ rights.
In the last few decades, we have seen fashion trends changing more and more quickly. Pressures on workers to produce more and at
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Photo by cottonbro on pexels
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FAST FASHION CONS
List from Sustainable Jungle
Photo by Karina Tess on Unsplash
✴ HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ✴ COMPLEX SUPPLY CHAINS AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ✴THE RATE OF FASHION CONSUMPTION ✴ CHEMICAL USE IN FASHION PRODUCTION ✴ WATER WASTE AND WATER POLLUTION ✴ TEXTILE WASTE ✴ CLIMATE CHANGE
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IS FAST FASHION BAD? Excerpt from Sustainable Jungle
Fast fashion has essentially turned what was four seasons in into 52, one for almost every week of the year. So, designs go out of style as fast as they come in. And they’re so cheaply made it’s no surprise to find a hole after one wear. But no sweat because if it wears out, it’s mere pocket change to just buy a new one. Fast Fashion’s headliners include stores like Forever 21, Primark, Zara, and Target (yes, even Target). While pulling back on consumption is absolutely one solution, conservative shopping habits alone aren’t enough to eliminate fashion’s unglamorous dark side that looms beneath all the satin and sequins.
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HOW CAN FASHION AND SUSTAINABILITY COEXIST?
Written by Kelsey David of The Lux Authority
Perhaps you are a consumer, like many others worldwide, who is becoming more health, social, and environmentally conscious. Careful observation to these issues is crossing over into the fashion industry. You are aware of the waste in the landfills, pollutions in the air, animal cruelty, toxins and inhumane manufacturing. What exactly does this mean for fashion and does it matter? When buying fashion items, your money also supports the brand company behind the fashion. This includes how the product is made and with what materials. Fashion is a style, a certain look. Fashion is seen everywhere, like schools, malls, in movies, on faces, and in magazines. It includes clothing, furniture, accessories and textiles. How does fashion and sustainability co-exist? Fashion sustainability is also referred to as eco fashion. Eco-fashion means all products, such as clothing and shoes are made and used in a way that has low or even no impact on people, the environment, and resources. If you want fashion sustainability, you must first begin with where your materials come from. Also, socially, you want to know that the items you are buying are not being manufactured in a sweatshop, but rather ethically made. As a consumer who puts heavy emphasis on the life cycle and durability of fashion products, you have to research the entire production process of the product you are purchasing. You may think holding onto your clothes for years at a time is helping the environment. In a way, yes, you are. However, the clothes made with polyester, acrylic and nylon release plastic fibers while being washed. These thousands of fibers end up in the oceans and eaten by the fish. Scientific research shows these plastics are found in the fish eaten by consumers. This in turn also has adverse effects on human health. Do you still consider yourself environmentally conscious? More people now are starting to read labels on clothing. Be sure to read labels to find out what materials are in the product you are purchasing.
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You can research the brand online to gain insight as to the company’s beliefs and manufacturing practices. Find out what matters to you most and do your best to stick to what you want. After all, is that not what makes a happy and satisfied consumer?
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WHAT IS THRIFTING? Written by David Barbour from Pretty Old Clothing
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Thrifting is secondhand clothing shopping. It does not require the clothes to be vintage, nor does it require the clothes be in a particular store or sold by a particular vendor, thrifting simply requires that the clothes you are browsing and purchasing are used. Thrifting can be done anywhere, in-person or online, in vintage specialty shops or donation stores. Thrifting as an act of shopping is not exclusive to clothing items, you may also thrift for furniture, old machines or technologies, homegoods, sporting-goods, and entertainment. Ranging from garage sales to donation network stores and specialty used-goods shops, the offerings and their pricing vary based on the store and the product being evaluated. Thrifting is almost always the process of searching through rows of unique items grouped by category (with occasional duplicates - usually grouped together on the rack because they were purchased or donated at the same time). “Thrifting” is a verb to replace shopping, thrifting also defines the type of stores and shopping you will be doing. To go thrifting is to shop in used clothing stores. Thrifting does not limit you as to where you ultimately find the clothing, so long as the intent was to buy secondhand items. Finding used clothing at a garage sale, flea market, estate sale, charity store, donation center, or a used clothing store, thrifting has evolved into a fullday's worth of stores and places to visit and shop.Some stores will directly call themselves “thrift stores.” This just means that they sell secondhand goods, either via consignment, donation, sourcing and reselling or any other combination or distribution method. Thrift stores are for everyone and finding amazing pieces of clothing in them is less difficult than one would imagine.
Photo by Allsion Christine on Unsplash
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Ecommerce stores or marketplaces that sell used goods to the public. The only difference between sites that sell used clothing and other items to online users is if the site is operated and curated by a single vendor, or if it is a marketplace with listings made and submitted by various vendors/individuals. The level of curation is also important in this case, since you can not see the physical piece in person and touch the fabric and inspect it for damages and compare it to your size, you must rely on the words of the used clothing seller. Making the relationship between online thrift sellers and thrifters one of mutual benefit if done well. Thrifting online is a fast and highly selective process, reducing the amount of random items you need to wade through to find what you want. Online thrifting can be done with a simple search for the exact piece you are looking for, or searching through an online collection of used goods until a particular item peaks your interest. Secondhand clothing shopping online is growing and sellers are getting better at catering to the interests of their expanding audiences. According to ThredUp research, the secondhand clothing market will reach $64 billion by 2024. And online thrifting has played a massive part in this growth, online shopping for secondhand clothing is projected to grow by 69% between 2019 and 2021. This is largely thanks to the proliferation of secondhand clothing marketplaces like Depop, Etsy, Ebay, Mercari, Poshmark, and more - but the growth of individually owned and operated online vintage stores is not as visible.
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HOW IS THRIFTING DIFFERENT FROM FAST FASHION?
WHO IS THRIFTING? Written by Ariel Chu from ReUSE Berkeley
It’s no secret that thrifting has been pushed into the limelight of popular culture. Over the last couple of years, fashion influencers like Emma Chamberlain have rebranded thrifting to be the new aesthetic, yet sustainable way to buy affordable statements for your wardrobe. The overall decreasing stigma of thrifting, as covered previously in our blog, has only further propelled thrifting’s popularity. While lower-income individuals have long been represented as the face of thrifting, this seems to be no longer fully applicable. When taking a closer look at who represents the average thrift store shopper, research has shown a massive shift in the socio economic demographics of thrifters in the past decade. More specifically, while secondhand clothing continues to be largely utilized by lower class shoppers, this has actually shifted towards individuals of a higher socioeconomic status—especially the middle class. Not surprisingly, a study shows that there has been a significant increase of the middle class shopping at thrift stores for clothing. In line with the thrifting habits of lower-income families, there has also been a shift of middle class shoppers buying second-hand furniture, electronics, and household items more than ever before. However, while more middle class shoppers are turning to thrifting, statistics show that higher-income individuals continue to be less likely to purchase thrifted items. In fact, James’ study states that “the odds of shopping for furniture, clothing, and housewares at thrift stores were four times higher for those from the lower income category than those from
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Article written by Goodwill
the higher income categories.” We see that while more middle class consumers have been drawn to the popular choice of incorporating thrifting into their shopping habits, higher income shoppers continue to steer away from buying second-hand items (excluding antiques and trinkets).
Thrifting is different from shopping fast fashion because thrift stores sell gently used clothing (and other things such as furniture and books), at a discounted price and fast fashion while also fairly decent prices are all new clothes and made in a factory and made for each season. "Shopping at a thrift store is different than shopping at a retail store. When you go to a thrift store, you don’t necessarily go with a list. Thrift shopping is more about the hunt than locating one particular item. Because thrift stores are full of vintage and off-season goods, it’s fun to see what you might find. Whatever speaks to you, whatever you love, that’s what you buy! Plus, when you get to the checkout line, you’ll notice your bill is significantly lower than it would be at a retail store."
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on pexels
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WHY THRIFT?
Article from 2nd Ave. Thrift Superstores
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There’s something wonderful about heading to a thrift store and finding a unique piece of clothing that fits your style perfectly. The “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” saying is quite truthful. Now more than ever, people are donating clothing, home goods, electronics, and other objects that are in terrific condition. Whether they’re clearing out clutter or making room for more stuff, this propensity to buy and buy has made thrifting an even more rewarding habit for your wallet. But apart from the personal advantages of shopping secondhand, thrifting is a great benefit for the environment. Put the “reduce, reuse, recycle” slogan into even better practice, donate more and thrift often! Learn more about how thrifting is good for the planet below. First, it keeps clothes out of landfills. Think back to that reduce, reuse, recycle slogan we’ve all been taught since elementary school. When we were first taught this, it typically had to deal with plastics and paper. Many people don’t realize that recycling incorporates more than the typical plastics and includes textile recycling as well. Just because you’re not putting your clothes in the blue bin and leaving them at the edge of the road doesn’t mean thrifting is not an important form of recycling. One of thrifting’s biggest advantages for the planet is that it keeps clothes out of landfills. People now more than ever are recognizing that the clothes they no longer
want will make much more of an impact when donated and brought to thrift stores, rather than tossed in the garbage. When clothes are thrown away, they sit in landfills for hundreds of years. Especially now that a lot of clothing is made out of synthetic material that won’t degrade, these clothes tossed into landfills take up a vast amount of space and contribute to the greenhouse gases plaguing our planet. Even clothes made out of organic materials won’t biodegrade properly in landfills and will output methane gas. When people donate clothes and shop secondhand, they’re playing a great role in keeping clothes out of landfills. Second, it can contribute to charities. Shopping secondhand also plays a role in boosting community development. Your money is typically used to help local charities and businesses, rather than corporations that take advantage of the planet. Better yet, these charities that the stores benefit will often help out community members in need or strive to help the planet. Think about it this way, when you shop secondhand, you’re supporting a business that strives to help others. When we’re helping others, we’re helping the environment in some way as well. This contribution to charities can take the form of assisting those in need in the community and can help an organization that’s planting more trees or supporting third-world countries and their water sources. Third, it can lower your carbon footprint Another
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significant way thrifting is good for the planet is that it lowers your carbon footprint. This is another one of those phrases we were taught young—carbon footprint. We often think that the only way we can do this is by biking to work instead of driving or by reducing our shower time. Though these are wonderful ways, thrifting is one of those steps to reducing our carbon footprint that doesn’t take much effort. All it asks is that you head to a thrift store rather than engage in online or fast fashion shopping! We mention fast fashion because now more than ever, a ton of energy goes into clothing manufacturing. The whole process—transportation of raw materials to the production processes and shipping to stores takes up a plethora of energy and time. The fashion industry is moving faster than ever, creating millions of clothing items every day to fill up the stores every week. When you buy secondhand, you’re preventing that massive waste of energy and resources on the production of new clothes. Thrifting is an easy way to make a difference in your own carbon footprint and take the small steps to lower the world’s. Fourth, It helps preserve water. In a similar sense, thrifting helps preserve water. Like we’ve mentioned, clothing production is a process that takes up a lot of time and energy; it also uses a lot of water—water that we need dearly and are slowly running low on. Water consumption is extremely high in every single stage of clothing production. Take a cotton T-shirt, for example.
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When made unsustainably, even simply growing one kilogram of cotton requires at least 10,000 liters of water. That’s just the beginning of the production process. There’s wet processing and printing, packaging and transportation processes—all these steps add to the overall water consumption. When you shop secondhand, you’re playing a part in preserving water. As we’ve stated, textile recycling is a part of the whole “reduce, reuse, recycle” mentality, and water preservation is just as important as that. When you recycle clothing— either donating or buying secondhand—you’re preserving water. It’s just as important as driving less, eating green, and shutting off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Lastly, it can reduces chemical pollution. Another great way that thrifting helps the planet is that it reduces the chemical pollution induced by creating and buying new clothes. Let’s think back to cotton—the production of cotton not only uses tons of water, but it’s also highly pesticide intensive. This means that when cotton is produced and manufactured, it causes soil acidification and water contamination. And this is from material that many people consider sustainable. In general, textile-manufacturing processes involve the use of harmful dyes and crude oil by-products. The process of creating and shipping new clothes contaminates surface and groundwater, pollutes the air, and so much more. Shopping secondhand begins to eliminate the constant chemical pollution that results from clothing production. In general, when we take the time to shop the clothes that are readily available to us in secondhand and thrift stores, we’re not only finding those unique products that match our beautiful personalities, but we’re helping the planet as well. There are so many wonderful benefits of thrift shopping, and when we take the time to visit and shop these special places, we’ll get to reap those rewards. The next time you’re looking for something special, turn to a 2nd Avenue Thrift Store, one of the best thrifting opportunities in Philadelphia. We’ll make sure you find those pieces you’ve been dreaming of and benefit the planet in the process!
Photo by cottonbro on pexels
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WHERE CAN YOU THRIFT?
✴Depop
is a secondhand shopping app where people all over the world can sell their own clothes, jewlery, books and more. ✴ Thredup is an online secondhand shopping app of clothes for women and children. The clothes are from big names like Calvin Klein, Gucci and Target. You can order a free bag to send your own clothes that you want to get rid of and you can recieve credit! ✴Poshmark is similar to Depop, you can post your own clothes or items to sell secondhand.✴Flea Markets are a type of street market where vendors who specialize in secondhand goods can sell their items and clothes.✴Thrift Stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army are places people can donate their clothes and items.✴Antique Stores specialize in antiques, and for things to be antique, they have to be secondhand of course! You can find some really unqiue pieces in antique stores. ✴ Etsy is a global marketplace where people create their own shops to sell a range of different things. There are many secondhand shops where you can find vintage and thrifted clothing.✴Garage Sales are informal events; usually neighborhoods have a garage sale weekend and people can sell unwanted items and clothing.
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Where to shop secondhand based on your zodiac sign Horoscope written by Elizabeth Stilwell
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AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18
Aquarians are typically uninterested in material pursuits, making you a hard sell for any kind of shopping experience. However, you are community-minded and Poshmark’s secondhand market is powered by “seller stylists” who both sell their personal style and curate looks for their shoppers — anyone can buy or sell via the site or the app. The result is a vibrant and connected community that you will appreciate. And by being one of the first of these types of stores, Poshmark has a dedicated following and a steady supply of items to choose from to satisfy your sign’s endless curiosity.
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PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20
What began as a way for founder Kate Sekules to achieve her dream of a giant shared closet, Refashioner is a quirky shopping experience Pisceans will love. Driven by a respect for the personal value of an item, you will likely dive into the “closets” of sellers and read the stories attached to each piece. The selection can be more limited than other sites, but your sign is leans into the eclectic — so enjoy the experience and if you find something meant to be, snap it up!
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ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL19
Aries, you are a competitive sign that will relish the thrill of the hunt in the world of secondhand fashion. With SnobSwap, you have access to vetted boutiques located throughout the nation, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington D.C. Never content as a passive participant, you can stalk your favorite boutiques, designers, or even trends — high quality, authenticated items are consigned and waiting for you to pounce. Further competition awaits you should you decide to consign your own items through them.
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TAURUS APRIL 20 - MAY 20
Taureans need time to strategize before they make decisions, so stability is of great importance to you. ThredUp has proven its staying power even as similar mid-range secondhand sites have disappeared from the web. Their jam is convenience and value, which also appeals to your thrifty nature. But that doesn’t mean you are destined for second rate style — your keen eye for aesthetics will help you discover overlooked gems within the largest of the online secondhand sites. With women’s fashion ranging from mid-range to designer to maternity, ThredUp is like a reliable friend that opens her closet to you when you’ve got someplace to be and nothing to wear: “I’ve got just the right thing,” she says.
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GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20
Masters of communication and technology, Geminis might be the only sign to truly appreciate app-only Depop. A marketplace for secondhand, handmade, upcycled, and DIY goods, it’s kind of like Etsy, but without the doilies and bridesmaid gift paraphernalia. Their target market skews younger, but that shouldn’t keep other demographics away. It’s the perfect place to find unique items, sell your own stuff, or to haggle over prices through the app’s communication channels. But buy at your own risk and don’t expect any authentication services from this one. I expect they will be bought out by a larger company at some point, so enjoy the creative and freewheeling vibe of Depop while you can.
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CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 22 Cancers, finely tuned to the care and needs of others, will make quick use of Vestiaire Collective, a marketplace with goods for the whole family, plus pets! Your sign’s foundation is tied to home life, so you’ll be pleased to know they also carry secondhand home goods. You’ll be able to spruce up your nest, buy gifts for family members, and pick up some OG vintage for yourself all in one place. You can even sell your own unwanted items and make some cash
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LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 22
Shameless show-offs, Leos like to be trendy, but you are surprisingly motivated by your values too. For you, Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal embodies this creative plus conscious idealism. They take dull secondhand items (think denim shirts and surplus pants) and transform them into trendy items. It’s like a shortcut to the stuff you would thrift if you had the time and desire to hunt for it. Everything they sell is vintage or recycled and (re)made in the USA so you can proudly wear it as both unique and ethically made.
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VIRGO AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22
Here’s the thing about Virgos: you’re sensible. And Tradesy is a sensible place to get luxury fashion at up to 90 percent off the original price (in a highly manipulated market, as you well know). The price tags can still be beyond what you consider practical, but if you find something you will wear and love to death, take a chance on it. Or you can sell your own pre-loved fashion on the site to fund your next purchase as well as earn additional credit by referring your friends to Tradesy; they get $20 off their first purchase of $50 or more and you get $10 of credit with their first purchase.
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LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22 Libras, in your quest for equality and balance, will love Union and Fifth, a market on a mission to raise money for charities by selling secondhand fashion. An online and upscale version of your basic charity shop, Union and Fifth makes it simple to donate or buy for a cause from the comfort of your own home. To donate, print a label or request a bag to send in your items for free and then choose one of their charity partners or your favorite cause to fund. The charity receives 75 percent of the sale price and you get a tax donation. Items that don’t sell are donated to other charities in an effort to keep things out of landfills. When you shop, peruse the site by type of clothing, designer, or charity to best suit your style and passion.
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SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21
Clothes and attitude are your armor, Scorpios, so you will appreciate the extraness of the ASOS Marketplace. A UK based marketplace within a marketplace, they host unique, vintage items brought to you by over 1,000 boutiques. There’s always a ton of stuff to choose from — hopefully plenty to occupy your creative and curious mind. FYI, as you are in there coveting just about everything, be sure to stay within the vintage section or click the “vintage” filter within a boutique to buy truly secondhand items. More industrious Scorpios can also set up their own boutique in the marketplace, bringing their need to be seen full circle.
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SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21 Material World is upping the ante within the secondhand online boutique industry, and notoriously adventurous Sags will be interested. On top of the usual buy-sell arrangement, Material World is now offering a box delivery service in beta. Billed as “pre-owned designer looks at fast fashion prices,” a personal stylist will curate your box and select 5 pre-owned pieces to be delivered to your door. For each box (you choose the frequency), there is a $39 styling fee, which is waived if you purchase at least one of the items. As the known life of any party, Sagittarians will appreciate the joy of receiving a box each month with surprise items inside.
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CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19 With their white glove service at their IRL boutiques, in-home pickups for consignors in major cities, and personal stylist services, status-driven Capricorns need Luxury Garage Sale in their lives. Your discerning sign will appreciate the authenticated, designer and high-end men’s and women’s fashion available on the site and in their boutiques — their flagship is located in Chicago, but they have several locations and pop-up shops throughout the U.S. While this luxury boutique may be out of reach for some Caps, you can search by price range and may find a deal to match your budget.
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This magazine was made for Graphic Design Senior Studio at Wayne State University.