Is thrifting better than buying new sustainable clothing?

Thrifting is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to acquire clothing because it extends the life of garments that already exist, requires no new resources to produce, and diverts textiles from landfills. Buying secondhand effectively reduces demand for new production, which means fewer raw materials extracted, less water and energy consumed, and lower carbon emissions. From a purely environmental standpoint, the most sustainable garment is one that has already been made.

However, thrifting has its limitations. The secondhand market is flooded with low-quality fast fashion garments made from synthetic materials, which means you may still end up with clothes that shed microplastics, wear out quickly, and ultimately end up in the landfill anyway. Availability and sizing can be inconsistent, and finding specific items can be time-consuming. Additionally, thrifting alone does not address the systemic issues in the fashion industry or support the brands working to create genuinely better alternatives.

The most effective approach combines both strategies. Thrift when you can find quality natural-fiber pieces that will serve you well, and buy new from verified sustainable brands when thrifting falls short. When you do buy new, choosing brands on ONDU like Promeed, Boody, and Paka ensures your purchase supports companies building a better fashion system. Every dollar spent on sustainable new clothing signals market demand for ethical, natural-fabric production, helping shift the entire industry in the right direction.