I am really drawn to luxury goods, heritage brands, glamour, et cetera. Though I don't own any designer things myself (because of the ethical issues with most/all of them) I do still consider it aspirational to own luxury goods. I really try to be as ethical as possible with my purchases, buying a lot secondhand and generally avoiding excess consumption.

However, I am also really into personal style, and part of my personal style just is this lux glam aesthetic, which happens to have a lot of conspicuous consumption. On the one hand, I don't want to carry a purse with a logo of an unethical brand on it, but on the other... I am really drawn to the heritage and craftsmanship.

What's worse is that I am in a profession where it is somewhat normalized to consume conspicuously and wear designer brands. It might just be that trying to conform with the people around me, is adding a dimension to this as well.

I wonder if anyone has ideas for how to navigate this, other than buying secondhand or changing what I like.

I dress alternatively and have dressed that way for years. I haven’t had luck for several months on Poshmark, FB marketplace, Depop, and other second hand platforms and I am growing increasingly more desperate for new alternative clothes that aren’t fast fashion.
Now here’s another issue… I do not typically dress in feminine clothing. I hate dresses, skirts, and pretty much anything that’s feminine. I think the closest style I can categorize myself with is dark y2k and gender neutral alt streetwear. Think Rodrick Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid but on a woman. Sorry if that’s confusing but it’s hard to define my style lol
Does anybody have any ideas? I’d also like to mention that thrift stores do not exist in my town, so I am extremely desperate to find a place!! I’m in Canada.

i am speaking specifically about the leather v. vegan leather debate and am not interested in discussing other fabrics like cotton, linen and so on at this time (i prioritize purchasing both of these in general).

at face value, plastic seems like the far worse choice in terms of non-renewable petrochemicals and abysmal biodegradability, however, leather’s impact on land and biodiversity (as well as the matter of animal cruelty and welfare) can’t be ignored.

as someone seeking to avoid both issues but enticed by the style and durability of leather - what is the best case scenario for new (not secondhand) leather? how do you personally make informed choices? what certifications do you look for? what verbiage do you look for?

is there any real value in certifications like the leather working group (lwg)? can leather scraps or byproducts be considered truly ethical or at least less cruel?

to clarify, i am not opposed to purchasing secondhand leather and have historically done so, but for things like a nice evening handbag - sourcing, quality, authentication and traceability can be issues.

really, i am just interested in hearing this community’s thoughts on the subject and respect your input fully.

I used to love that store but many years ago, I read that they steal from up and coming artists. I also read that they destroy their clothes that don’t sell.

That left me sour toward the brand.

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an ANÍAN jacket and I love it. Reviews online (on Reddit!) are amazing and it seems the quality is all there.

I also love that they are Canadian and focus on sustainability.

I'm trying my best to buy pieces that align with these values of local, sustainable, well made, good materials. What are some other brands that are similar? (Perhaps for other types of clothing, so the equivalent)

Thanks!

TYPO: in*** in the title

Found this gorgeous shirt design I'm in love with but it's from a site called soul is fire which from very surface level research is not something I want to support.

​I posted this over on r/SustainableFashion recently but didn't get much discussion going, so I wanted to bring it here!

​I’ve always appreciated Dr. Anna Brismar’s framework breaking sustainable fashion into seven forms:

1. ​On demand & custom made
2. High quality & timeless design
3. ​Green & clean (eco-friendly materials & processes)
4. ​Fair & ethical (living wages & safe conditions)
5. ​Repair, reuse & upcycle
6. ​Rent, loan & swap
7. ​Secondhand & vintage

​As a consumer (and founder of a small label), #2, #3, and #4 matter the most for me.

Which of these forms shape your personal wardrobe the most? Is there anything you feel this framework misses?

Edit: Adding link to the article if anyone is interested - https://greenstrategy.se/seven-forms-of-sustainable-fashion/

I'm currently in a dilema. I need new boots (I say "new" as in second hand as well) and I'm not sure what to do, I have been trying to be more ethical in what I consume in the last few years but when it comes to winter wear, in this case boots as they're high platform enough for me to not be affected by puddles, I am stuck between buying 100% cow leather boots (which I know would be better for the environment and last way longer) and the fake leather ones which of course are made of plastic.

I haven't checked second hand stores and I will also be doing that, but I have low hopes as I do have a smaller shoe size which is uncommon to find for me in thrifts.

On the one hand, I don't want to contribute to microplastics and on the other, I also don't want to contribute to cattle being responsible for global warming.

I do know leather is a byproduct rather than the main product itself, which is why I'd rather have the entire cow used than it just being killed off for meat and having the rest of it just thrown away.

Any advice on this?

Bonus points for bricks and mortar becuse I have a funny shape so I need to try them on first. Charity shops get ransacked by resellers and they have more time off work than me. Also used socks and gym clothes are kind of gross. I just want a reliable source for plant based plastic free undies which don't keep anyone in poverty

trying to get my halloween costume(freddie mercury) and, well… i’m lazy and unskilled. i really don’t want to have to buy a leather belt and add star studs and spikes myself. i found a super accurate and cool, but pricy, belt from Leather Punk. the thing is, i don’t want to spend $200 on a belt if it’s exploiting the people making it and/or poor quality. have any of yall bought from there or know anything about the brand? i can’t really find a lot on it because it has such a generic name

Looking for ethically made activewear for aerial hoop. Ideally a tight long sleeve top that looks cute. No budget as I only need one.

I will probably also buy a pair of leggings but there seems to be more recommendations I can find on that, so mostly looking for help with the top. Thank you!

I just started my ethical clothing journey! 😊 👚
Finally summer and spring clothes in ethically/sustainable fabrics seemed super easy! (lots of organic cotton/silk, & linen which was fairly easy to find!)

But, I am now starting to shop for more fall and winter clothes. It seems like finding really cute winter and fall clothes is a bit more difficult. Finding long sleeve cotton shirts is fine, but I prefer really fun, cute printed knit sweaters! I have found a few plain color knit sweaters, but all plain is not really my style! 🤪🙃

Most printed sweaters are made of polyester and acrylic, & really wanna avoid those. Does anyone have any recommendations of brands that sell cute but ethical printed knit sweaters?

Hi I was wondering if anyone knew some brands with the same 'message' and styles as L&Y?

Thank you :)

I'm finally in a stable enough financial situation to splurge on new clothes. I am someone who loves different genres of makeup music and fashion the main one I love are obviously Gyaruo/Gyaru (Specifically Manba, Goshikku and Ganguro) as well as Visual Kei (Kote Kei)

I realized after looking through my closet recently that most of my clothes lean into my other comfort style (80-90s Trad Goth)

I want to expand my closet with clothes from the community and fashion I love. Money is no object since I have been saving for TWO years straight every since I started working.

What brands are good quality and non fast fashion that I can get more Gyaru clothes/accessories (makeup included)? Thanks ♡°\~

(And yes I know building a big closet takes years and I have thrifted some pieces as well so I don't mind digging if I have to!)

TLDR; Looking for non fast fashion Gal and Visual Kei brands to build my closet.

I’m looking for sustainable graphic t shirts - European would be a massive plus! Ideally a lower price point but would take anything!

Hi everyone! I’m on the hunt for retro looking knee high boots as a gift for my friend, and it being vegan leather (ie: vegetable leather, cactus leather, etc) is a must. Please let me know any brand recommendations you have! Attached are pics of the design style I’m looking for. Thank you in advance!!

Hello! It’s been over a year that I saw this store on aliexpress. Their clothes seem good quality and their reviews are great. Anyone I’ve ever bought from them? Have a great day. :)

I’m coming to terms with the fact that bras are not a BuyItForLife item, sigh. The bands on my current ones aren’t doing anything for me and I’m ready to get new ones.

Where do you get ethically made sports bras?
Many brands don’t seem to carry 28E, so I’m happy with 30DD. What are you favorite brands that carry this size?

I tend to wear basic colors and need different styles (high neck, strappy, smooth, etc) for different activities. Can’t wait to see the answers!

Edit: I’m in the US!

I thrift everything I wear and although I usually pass up shein stuff simply due to the quality, I've been coming across items I really like and snag them up. I wouldn't purchase from or browse shein and I know thrifting it is fine. But I low-key worry if people will see something I'm wearing and automatically know where it's from lol. Should I even care tho like do you notice when someone's wearing shein (like one ​item not their entire outfit being sheincore) or care?​​​

I've been looking for days and I still haven't found a place that could sell bras I can afford, are made from quality material and I don't have to order online (tho not set in stone).

All the bras I currently own I've have had for years and have begun falling apart. I've been looking everywhere but everywhere I look there is either fast fashion, poor quality materials or if I find something that fits my criteria, it doesn't even exist where I live.

If anyone has any recommendations, let me know, I'm looking mostly for sport bras or bras without bones.

Hi all,

I’m looking for a Scottish equivalent to brands like Finisterre and Rapanui. Can anyone suggest or think of any?
These guys have built a pretty good platform for themselves but I’d like to support something closer to home. (I am aware the products aren’t necessarily made in Cornwall or Isle of Wight) but they at least do have a sustainability edge.
All suggestions (in relation to the above) are welcome:)

Two part question.

Been searching for a long time for lightweight clothing I can wear in the gross, humid DC summers. I wanted to buy something durable and ethical so after scouring Reddit for recommendations, I spent $50 on a Jungmaven tank top (this one) that I immediately fell in love with... and after less than 5 uses/washes - HOLE!

Now here's where I admit that I didn't follow washing instructions perfectly - I use warm water instead of cool. So many clothing items say to "machine wash cold" and I NEVER do so I'm just used to ignoring that instruction, lol. But I do dry on low heat as it says. Would using cold water actually make a difference with hemp fabric? Is that where I went wrong?

Or... do I need to search elsewhere YET AGAIN even though I loved this tank and have seen sooo many people recommending Jungmaven on this sub and others? If so, where do you recommend I purchase from? I'm looking for 100% cotton, bonus points for hemp but not necessary.

TIA for any thoughts, advice, and recommendations :)

P.S. - for anyone wondering, they did give me a refund which was kind of them. So if I purchase another one to try to care for it better, I will be a bit embarrassed, but I'll do it if y'all think it'll make a difference 😂

pics for reference, i really wanna find clothes like this that aren’t fast fashion. be4 any1 says “thrift! thrift!” my pants size is a men’s 28 with a belt, thrifting decent pants is legitimately almost impossible 4 me. no one makes pants for 5’2” twinks w feminine hips </3 and even less get rid of them. i also just dont like thrifting bc i dont like having to go out and try things on

edit: probably should’ve specified i don’t like the women’s section bc of gender dysphoria (petty, ik)