If you are looking to splurge on your next staple piece, here are some of the top rated more ethical and sustainable luxury fashion brands for you to browse.

It would make perfect sense to assume that paying more for clothing and supporting luxury brands is a more ethical way to shop. Somehow, the hefty price tags that come with designer items must (at least in part) signify the items’ ethical production, right? Unfortunately, this is generally not the case, and many designer brands have rather damaging practices that continue to hurt our planet and its inhabitants. In fact, only one of the 30 most popular luxury brands we recently analysed managed to secure a “Good” rating.

But there’s good news: there’s a growing number of more conscious luxury brands that offer high-quality and beautiful pieces that are also more responsibly made. If you are looking to invest in your next staple piece, here are some of the top rated more sustainable luxury fashion brands for you to browse.

More sustainable luxury brands to support

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Sandals are a summer wardrobe must-have. But finding a pair of sandals that is cute and comfy, and also has a lower impact on people, the planet, and animals, is not as easy a sit seems. Lucky for you, we went on the hunt for some of the best more sustainable and ethical sandals to see you through the summer. 

Summer sandals: the indispensable warm weather staple

As the weather gets warmer, a great summer sandal is a must-have shoe that will see you through all your warm-weather adventures—from those long walks on the beach, to picnics in the park, and backyard pool parties.

What makes a more sustainable or ethical sandal?

When it comes to more sustainable and ethical footwear, think of brands incorporating lower-impact materials into their shoes like innovative pineapple and apple leather, organic cotton, and repurposed plastic or rubber. You can also opt for pre-loved shoes from second hand resale platforms or your local charity shop to reduce the impact of your purchase. If you prefer vegan fashion, go for brands that steer clear of animal-derived materials, and if prioritising fair wages is top of mind for you, you can easily check the ratings of brands on our directory.

All that said, to ensure you are comfortable and well-equipped for the season, we rounded up some of our favourite comfortable, trendy, and responsibly-made sandals to keep your feet happy this summer. We’ve included different options, like practical alternatives to Birkenstocks, classic thongs or “flip-flops”, chic heeled sandals, as well as some second hand pieces if that’s more your vibe.

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Whether you are new to the pre-loved market or an experienced thrifter, there are more options than ever for shopping second hand online and off. Here’s where to start.

Shopping second hand is a treasure hunt

Shopping second hand or vintage is a bit like a treasure hunt. To find the hidden gems, you often have to dig, scour, examine, research, and occasionally make some wrong turns along the way. But what once required hours of sorting through racks of clothing and shelves of shoes, bags, and homewares, we now have access to from the comfort of our own homes, with the ease and convenience that is online shopping. Wondering where to buy second hand clothing? Whether online or in your local area, this guide will help you on your way to finding your next favourite pieces.

In our globalised world dominated by fast fashion giants, buying vintage and second hand provides a refreshing (and not to mention, more sustainable) way to shop. It allows us to add items to our wardrobe without using additional resources in the manufacturing process, to give unwanted items a second life, and to discover unique and special pieces along the way. As more sustainable and ethical consumption resonates with more and more people, vintage and second hand fashion has become increasingly popular. People who once turned their nose up at the idea of using someone else’s hand-me-downs are quickly converting for both price and the planet, which we love to see.

In our globalised world dominated by fast fashion giants, buying vintage and second hand provides a refreshing (and not to mention, more sustainable) way to shop.

In fact, in resale platform thredUP’s 2023 Resale Market and Consumer Trend Report, it is reported that “the global second hand market is expected to nearly double by 2027, reaching $350bn.” This prediction comes off the back of massive growth in the sector in recent years, with second hand growing 28% in 2022 alone.

So whether you are new to the pre-loved market or an experienced thrifter, here’s a comprehensive guide on where to buy second hand clothing to help you find your next vintage treasure in person or online.

Happy thrifting.

Where to buy second hand clothing online

Vestiaire Collective

A peer-to-peer platform that allows you to buy and sell luxury items. Vestiaire’s items are independently authenticated and evaluated to ensure the described condition matches the actual item you receive.

Cerqular Resale

A responsible fashion retailer that makes shopping more sustainable easily accessible and affordable. Every one of its sellers and products is verified as “sustainable, organic, recycled, carbon neutral, vegan, eco-friendly, or circular”. Going a step further, it helps you shop from sellers closer to you, supporting local businesses.

thredUP (US and Canada only)

A popular online second hand shopping destination boasting 15,000 new arrivals daily. It is the world’s largest fashion resale marketplace with over 35k brands—from Gap to Gucci—at up to 90% off retail prices.

Thrift+ (UK only)

A social venture that sells your donated clothes for you and splits all profits equally between you and your nominated charity, while also boasting a huge selection of second hand items to buy.

Farfetch Pre-Owned

A global platform that offers a curated selection of pre-loved luxury items looking for new homes. You can even search by pre-owned Positively Conscious pieces, which is part of the project we at Good On You teamed up with Farfetch to curate.

The RealReal

Empowering consignors and buyers to extend the life of luxury items, the RealReal is a popular luxury reseller that offers a large collection of authenticated designer pieces.

Reluv (AU only)

Reluv is one of Australia’s largest online retailers of second hand clothing and accessories. From new with tags to gently used, plus size to premium brands, if you are looking to shop for clothing and minimise your impact on the planet then Reluv is for you.

Zalando Pre-Owned (Spain, Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, and The Netherlands)

Zalando’s Pre-Owned is closing the gap between new and pre-owned clothes for European customers, all with unmatched convenience in the usual Zalando fashion.

AirRobe

The fashion of today largely becomes the waste of tomorrow, and Australia-based AirRobe is tackling this urgent problem through tech innovation—creating a new way to shop and a new way to extend the life of your purchases.

Re-Fashion (UK only)

Re-Fashion believes the future of fashion is circular and wants to eliminate clothes waste for good. That’s why they resell pre-loved pieces for up to 85% off the original price. Better yet, every purchase raises funds for charity.

Retykle

The go-to place to buy and sell pre-loved maternity wear and kids’ clothing. Kids grow so fast, so second hand just makes sense for the little ones.

Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia is a forerunner in sustainable fashion, and their Worm Wear used clothing program reiterates that. Find a wide selection of clothes that are either directly second hand, repaired, or even completely recrafted, because “the best thing we can do for the planet is cut down on consumption and get more use out of stuff we already own.”

Depop

A peer-to-peer social shopping app, commonly used by fashion bloggers, where you can list items that you are selling, and purchase from other users.

Vinted (EU only)

Gain access to a large online community where you can buy and sell pre-loved clothing, boasting 25 million members, thousands of brands, and a whole lot of second hand style.

Poshmark (US and Canada only)

A social commerce marketplace to buy and sell new and used clothing, shoes, and accessories.

eBay / Gumtree

Old school sites like eBay and Gumtree have stood the test of time for a reason. The auction format always gives you a shot at getting pieces for less than you originally thought, if you’re lucky.

Second hand store directories

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, there are plenty of guides and directories that help you locate second hand and vintage stores near you for the classic thrifting experience. Here are a few to browse:

Thrift Stores In London

A handy guide to thrifting in London and the UK by Thrifty Londoner.

Australian OpShop Listing

A detailed list of Australian stores selling goods for the community and charitable organisations.

Opshops

Another good option for Australian and New Zealand op shops, it includes online and in-person options.

The Thrift Shopper

A curated and comprehensive US thrift store directory that lists only charity-driven thrift stores so your purchases and donations will be going to a worthy cause.

The Best Places to Thrift

This article by The Pretty Planeteer lists top thrift store by city across the US, Canada, Europe, and Oceania and also has some useful tips on finding the best places to shop pre-loved IRL.

Google Maps

It may seems obvious, but one of the easiest ways to find charity shops nearby is to jump into your Google Maps app and search phrases such as “charity store”, “thrift shop”, “op shop”, and similar depending on where you live. We suggest you skim over the reviews before popping by—there’s an active community of thrifters and second hand shoppers that review top spots on Google Maps, and their thoughts might help you decide if it’s the right kind of spot for you. While it may not be the biggest help in big cities (the guides above are better for that), for smaller destinations or for areas where you’re looking for spots in close proximity, it’s an excellent starting point.

Clearing out your closet? Here’s our tips on how to sell used clothes

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There’s a newer wave of fast fashion brands that have picked up the destructive business model and do and say almost nothing about sustainability. In this article, we’re looking at fast fashion brands we avoid, the ones that have little to no relevant or concrete information on their websites about their supply chains and as a result, are rated “We Avoid”.

A world of overproduction and microtrends

When most of us hear “fast fashion brands”, we think of the big brands like Zara, H&M, Forever 21, and Topshop. Sustainable fashion fans have rightly called these big brands out for their poor practices and waste. But there’s a newer wave of brands that have picked up the same destructive business model and sped it up even further, while doing and saying almost nothing about sustainability.

Rather than just being a category, fast fashion is a model of mass-producing cheaply made, “of-the-moment” items that are sold at a lower price point. They’re also deliberately made to have a short lifespan (breaking down or shrinking in the wash) and therefore need to be replaced very quickly with newer and trendier items. 

What’s the impact of fast fashion?

Fast fashion’s impact on the planet, people, and animals is enormous. The pressure to reduce costs and speed up production time means that environmental corners are more likely to be cut: fast fashion’s negative impact includes its use of cheap, toxic textiles and dyes, and the creation of an alarming amount of textile waste.

Garment workers have also been found to work in dangerous environments for low wages, and without basic human rights. Animals are also impacted by fast fashion, from their skin and fur being used to make products, to the toxic chemicals and microfibres that are released in waterways and that are often ingested by ocean life.

Finally, fast fashion can impact consumers themselves, making us believe we need to shop more and more to stay on top of trends, creating a constant sense of need and ultimate dissatisfaction.

The fast fashion brands we avoid at all costs

Besides the big names, there are other brands that use the same unethical fast fashion model but have largely escaped the criticism that has followed the likes of Topshop around. That means they haven’t even had to think about doing the right thing, and they have little to no relevant or concrete information on their websites about their supply chains, which is why they are rated “We Avoid”.

In some cases, the brand may even make ambiguous claims that look like greenwashing. Transparency is the first step towards a more sustainable business, and we think you have a right to comprehensive and accurate information about how a brand impacts on people, the planet, and animals.

So what are the worst fast fashion brands? Who are these “We Avoid” brands?

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Kinder jewellery for luxury moments

Whether you are finding that special piece to celebrate a milestone, to pop-the-question, or for that spontaneous “just because” present, luxurious jewellery is bound to be that sparkle you didn’t even know you were missing. What makes jewellery even more special is ensuring that each piece you select for yourself or your loved one is ethical and kind to people, animals, and our planet.

From our everyday pieces that almost feel like part of our skin, to our go-to statement pieces that form part of our signature look, jewellery is the kind of accessory that can really transform how you present yourself to the outside world. By supporting ethical jewellers, you embody the message that beautiful jewellery can (and should) be created more sustainably and compassionately, with respect for our Earth and all its inhabitants.

So if you are in the market for an investment piece, then look no further. Here are 16 more ethical and sustainable luxury jewellery brands for that next treat-yourself moment—or that special gift to win you infinite brownie points from your loved one.

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Plastic is everywhere

It is an unfortunate reality that plastic infiltrates almost every aspect of our lives, and our wardrobes are no exception. While we may not automatically associate plastic with clothing, the rise of fast fashion has brought with it the domination of synthetic fabrics (most commonly polyester), which currently represent about 60% of the clothing material manufactured worldwide.

Synthetic clothes are one of the largest sources of environmental pollution, being responsible for more than one-third of all microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5mm) polluting our waters.

A recent study showed the shocking amount of microfibres lost through the wash of synthetic clothes from two fast fashion brands (H&M and Zara) and two sports brands (Adidas and Nike). On average, a whopping 9 million synthetic microfibres go down the drain in an average load of washing in Europe!

Our washing machines and sewage treatment plants are simply not equipped to stop these fibres in their tracks, which means that the vast majority pass undetected through our wastewater treatment systems and end up in our air, our water, our food chain, and eventually inside our bodies.

One of the partners of the fast fashion study is the Plastic Soup Foundation, an Amsterdam-based organisation dedicated to fighting plastic pollution in our waters and in our bodies. They work to identify and target pollution at its source so that it doesn’t become an even bigger problem. The foundation runs campaigns such as Beat the Microbead to prevent plastic microbeads in personal care products from ending up in the sea, and Ocean Clean Wash to stop microfibre pollution from synthetic clothes. They also partner with researchers to better understand the effects of plastic on the environment, including being part of the EU-funded LIFE – MERMAIDS project. Developing solutions to the problem is also a top priority, and their recent work with Planet Care, an organisation that has developed filters to trap more than 80% of microfibres in the wash, is a great example of that.

We spoke to Laura Díaz Sánchez, Project Leader and Campaigner at the Plastic Soup Foundation, about the urgent need to stop microfibres going down the drain, and what we can do as consumers to help fight the good fight.

Why is it important to stop microfibres from polluting our waters?

We now know that microplastic (including microfibres and microbeads) is not only polluting the environment we live in, it is actually making its way into our bodies. We now have proof that it is in the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the water we drink. The problem is not only the amount of plastic that we are inhaling and consuming (which is reported to be the equivalent of a credit card per week), but what should be equally alarming is that most of the plastics inside us are nano-particles (particles so small, they may even be going through our skin), and we currently do not know what they are doing to our bodies – if they are staying or if they are releasing further toxins. This is perhaps the most concerning and dangerous aspect and we need to stop it while we are discovering the consequences.

Up until now, the plastic industry as a whole (not just the synthetic clothing industry) was generally not interested in doing anything about the issue and just trying to beat time.

We think that the industry needs to take responsibility for the clothes they are making, because we now know that it is not only about the environment, but also about our own health.

People now see that it is not just the turtle in the sea that is being disentangled with plastic, but that there is also plastic inside us, our children, and everyone around us. Perhaps this increasing understanding of how big and bad the problem actually is, is what will get people and the industry to take action; and if consumers ask for change, then companies will have to change.

What can we do?

There are so many things that we can all do every day, big and small, to reduce our plastic footprint and our overall exposure to plastics. To assist people, we have our Beat the Microbead app that lets people scan the barcode of their cosmetic products to check if they contain microbeads, and our My Little Plastic Footprint app that educates people about the plastic crisis, and has challenges and pledges that people can take to reduce their own footprint. We also recently launched the plastic diet as part of our health campaign, which gives people tips to recognise the use of plastic in the top six areas of their lives – kitchen, bathroom, travel, leisure, garden and household – and how to reduce it, including simple tips such as switching to reusable bags, water bottles, and coffee cups. We try to make it as easy as possible, and there is always something you can do in every aspect of your life.

We understand that it is difficult to go back to the days when there was no plastic, as almost everything around us is made of plastic. We know that change needs time and we need to work together with consumers and the industry to make people aware of the issues; to reduce overall plastic production, and to stop the leakage of microplastics.

Everybody should know about it and everyone should say no: no to breathing in microfibres; no to plastic in our cosmetics; no to plastic on our skin, and no to plastic in our bodies.

Perhaps it is your favourite fleece sweater, your cutest summer dress, or your most comfortable workout gear that is made of (at least some) synthetic material. Whatever it is, the fact is that more and more plastic is being created every year, despite an increasing amount of it being discarded into our oceans – threatening not just our wildlife, but our own health. While plastic continues to surround us in our everyday life, we should all be mindful of how our clothes are polluting the planet and challenge ourselves to reduce the impact of our laundry.

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Marieke has been speaking publicly about sustainable fashion and lifestyle for the last 15 years, a career that included working with the Clean Clothes Campaign for nine years, co-founding the international fair fashion trade show MINT, and being nominated as Amsterdam Citizen of the Year. Her book, This is a Good Guide – for a sustainable lifestyle, explores sustainability across fashion and accessories, beauty, food, home, work, travel and leisure. She walks you through the steps to take across all aspects of your life and includes interviews with Livia Firth, Safia Minney (Founder of People Tree), Elin Larsson (Sustainability Director of Filippa K) and Andrew Morgan (Director of The True Cost), just to name a few.

We recently caught up with Marieke to discuss her new book, views on ethical fashion and tips on living more sustainably.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

The book is my attempt to answer all the questions I have been asked over the years from people who would love to take more steps, be more conscious in their behaviour and really try to be part of the movement for a better world, but do not know where to start. I tried to include as much information, options and possibilities in one comprehensive book, because if you need to look for too many different things in too many different places, it makes it harder. There are so many entry points to a more sustainable lifestyle, beyond just fashion choices and what you can buy – such as the way you wash, use energy in your home or the way you travel. I wanted there to be something for everyone.

It was also important to me that the book showed that choosing a more sustainable lifestyle is really something positive and not a negative choice at all. People often think that if they choose to be more sustainable, their life will become boring, sparse or limited because they are not allowed to do certain things, but I think a sustainable lifestyle actually gives you more; more quality, more options and more positiveness. I hope the book demonstrates that you can live a really good life and still do good at the same time.

Why is sustainable living important to you?

During my time with Clean Clothes Campaign, I learnt so much about the amount of resources from our planet and the people that are required to produce everything that facilities our lifestyle. I was born in the Netherlands and because of that, I naturally got things such as human rights, women’s rights, democracy and a relatively stable economy, which I did not do anything to earn. That was just handed to me and I do not feel that I have any more right to it than anyone else. Because of that, I want to use everything that I have been given to try and make the balance a bit fairer for everyone.

How has the sustainability industry changed since you started your work in it?

When I started working for the Clean Clothes Campaign in 2002, there was not much awareness about the issues. That of course is completely different now. I think most people now know about that way our products are being made and the exploitation of the people and the planet; propelled by tragic events such as the Rana Plaza collapse. It is now not a matter where people are simply not aware and it really needs to be about people actually making different choices and acting on the consequences of that knowledge. Part of the reason for me to write the book is to give those people who now want to act the tools to do so.

People often think that sustainable and ethical fashion is expensive. What are your thoughts on the affordability of sustainable fashion?

It is not that sustainable fashion is expensive, normal (fast fashion) is too cheap. We have been accustomed to prices that are not the true prices of these items, because it often does not take into account the environmental damage, transportation and need to pay the people in the factories and the people who produce the materials a living wage. Just because something is cheap does not mean that it does not cost much; it means that someone other than you is paying the price. People who are a lot worse off than us are subsidising the prices we are paying and our cheap way of living. Sustainable fashion is more expensive than fast fashion and it should be.

I think it is our shared responsibility to change this mindset and perspective of what something should cost. We need to start valuing quality over quantity, and have a good think about whether purchasing that thing will actually make us happy and also, why we feel that we need to buy so much. The system is built on ensuring that we do not feel okay about ourselves, so that we continue to consume. This is something we need to actively realise and resist, and to choose brands thats offer us products that do make us feel good about ourselves and that do good things for people and the planet.

What are your tips for someone who is interested in a sustainable lifestyle but finds it hard to sort through all the information?

Give yourself some time to familiarise yourself with the issues and also know that you cannot always make a perfect choice. I often advise having a mix of different strategies – go for second-hand clothing (because there are so many clothes in the world already), but if you do buy something new, try to buy from a brand that tries to do good on many different areas rather than one; for workers, farmers, animal rights, packaging and transport. I am not saying that every brand should be perfect but what I expect from a brand that takes this topic seriously is that they communicate what they already do (of which they should be proud of) but to also be honest and transparent about the areas they need to improve in, what they are doing to address it and how you can help them. To me, being transparent is a sign that a brand is taking sustainability seriously.

What change would you like to see in the next 10 years?

I would want to see changes in the legislation. It is unacceptable that a fashion or lifestyle brand can legally make a profit based on the exploitation of others and the world in its entirety. Products created through exploitation should not be available in our markets and we need to stop accepting it. It is our collective responsibility as a society, from government, to companies to consumers, to take responsibility in changing the way that our products are sourced and produced. We all created this system so we are the ones that need to change it.

‘THIS IS A GOOD GUIDE – For a Sustainable Lifestyle’ is available in both Dutch and English.

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