How to Thrift Shop Ethically and Sustainably

Hey PETA, can we go thrift shopping? You can pop some tags—and we’re sure you look incredible in Granddad’s clothes—but is thrifting ethical and sustainable? Find out what materials to look for when thrifting clothes to curate an ethical and sustainable wardrobe through thrifting.

Which Secondhand Clothes Are the Most Ethical and Sustainable?

Plant-based, natural fibers are good for animals, the environment, and your budget. They don’t use body parts stolen from animals, and they are biodegradable when thrown away. Natural fibers also have a long life span as garments and often last many years, making them a high-quality investment.

Synthetic fibers are human-made and are often durable and versatile. Fabrics made from synthetic materials are often warm, durable, and soft—not scratchy like wool stolen from sheep. Plus, the production of synthetic fibers does not require workers to violently shear sheep and goats for their wool. Buying synthetic fibers secondhand also helps keep the non-biodegradable material out of landfills, making thrifting them doubly good for the planet.

Is Secondhand or Vintage Fur, Leather, and Wool Ethical?

Wearing “vintage” fur or leather or wool sends the same unacceptable message as wearing newly sourced animal skins—that it’s OK to steal someone’s skin for the sake of vanity. People can’t tell the backstory by looking at your thrifted clothing, so wearing any animal skins is essentially a pro-fur, -leather, or -wool billboard.

Ethical Fabrics to Look for in Thrift Shops:

• Cotton: One of the most common fabrics, cotton is soft, breathable, and versatile.
• Linen: Made from the flax plant, linen is lightweight, breathable, and perfect for warm weather. It also softens with age, making secondhand linen a great find.
• Hemp: A durable and sustainable fabric, hemp is naturally wear-resistant and often blended with cotton for added softness.
• Tencel (Lyocell): Made from wood pulp, Tencel is a silky-soft and breathable vegan and silk-work-friendly replacement for silk.
• Bamboo: Bamboo fabric is soft, moisture-wicking, and often used in activewear and loungewear.
• Polyester: A synthetic fiber, polyester is durable and versatile. It is often used to fill down-free winter coats.
• Acrylic: Lightweight and warm—often found in knit sweaters.
• Nylon: Frequently found in outerwear, activewear, and stockings, nylon is a strong and flexible material.
• Faux leather:  Typically made from polyurethane (PU), a synthetic material, or innovative materials like pineapple leaves, cork, or recycled plastic. 
• Faux suede: A soft material made from millions of fine polyester fibers.

How Do I Know if Clothing Is Vegan?

The easiest way to ensure an item is vegan is by reading the fabric tag, usually found on the inside seam or neckline of the clothing.

What’s Wrong With Buying Wool, Leather, Feathers, or Fur?

• Wool and Wool Blends: This includes merino wool, cashmere, mohair, and alpaca. Wool is stolen from animals like sheep, goats, and rabbits, who workers violently shear in the wool industry.

• Silk: Requires the boiling alive of 3,000 silkworms for a single pound of fabric.
• Leather and Suede: Worldwide, more than a billion cows, sheep, and other animals are killed annually for their skin. According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, leather made from cows’ skin contributes far more to water pollution, water depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions than any synthetic or plant-based vegan leather.
• Fur: Animals on fur factory farms spend their entire lives confined to cramped, filthy wire cages. Fur farmers use the cheapest and cruelest killing methods available, including suffocation, electrocution, gas, and poison.
• Down and Feathers: All the gentle geese and ducks exploited for their feathers are eventually shipped to slaughterhouses, where many are still conscious when their throats are slit, and they’re run through the scalding-hot water of de-feathering tanks.

Wear Something, Not Someone: Go Vegan

When shopping for clothes, always choose something vegan—not someone. Pledge not to wear animal skin leather, fur, or wool. Let brands know you support animal-free fashion by flooding their comment sections on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) with polite comments.

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