Affordable Sustainable Fashion: Tips for Doing Good On A Budget

Feb 16

So, we’ve covered what sustainable fashion is and why it matters, but let’s talk about another thing--accessibility.

Sustainable and ethical fashion brands tend to cost a lot more than conventional fast fashion brands because they have to sustainably source their materials as well as ensure that production procedures are properly regulated.

With basic t-shirts ranging from $30-$80 (versus $5-$12 for one that’s conventionally made) and more intricate garments ranging up to hundreds of dollars, it becomes challenging for individuals who are on a budget to support brands that align with their values.

This causes an accessibility issue, as well as a lack of representation as those who are most impacted by climate change (those in lower and middle socioeconomic classes), have a harder time voicing their concerns through buying power.

We have to make sustainable fashion brands more accessible (I’d love to hear your thoughts on this) but at the same time, I think it’s important that we remember that sustainable fashion is much more inclusive than simply buying from these new brands.

At its core, sustainable fashion pertains to an entire lifestyle surrounding mindful clothing consumption. Yes, we should support sustainable fashion brands to the best of our ability because only then will we see a larger shift within the fashion industry (business practices follow the money) but at the same, it’s important to remember that the most impactful way that we can make a lasting change is to decrease the rate at which we’re consuming new garments.

Even if a lot of sustainable fashion brands are out of your budget, it’s completely possible to build a more sustainable wardrobe.

Here are the top five tactics to affordably build a sustainable closet.

1. Shop Less, Style More

The less we consume, the more we can help the environment. Rather than buying into the latest trends, it’s important that you get a better understanding of what your personal style is and experiment with different ways that you can restyle your closet. One survey of 2,000 women in the UK found that on average, an item of clothing was only worn seven times before it was tossed. A well-worn closet decreases the amount of waste that we produce and helps to decrease the amount of carbon emissions that are released by the fashion industry.

I’ve discovered that Instagram challenges have been really helpful in inspiring me to style existing pieces in unique ways. If you’d like to join a style challenge right now, one that I’m personally doing is the #ColorMyCloset Challenge by Chloe Alysse.

Another easy way to find style inspiration is of course, through Instagram or Pinterest. Rather than look at the specific piece that the person is wearing, pay attention to how they put the outfit together and pinpoint what it is that you like about it. Is it the mix of feminine and masculine that you like? Is it the color combination? Do you like the different textiles that they used? Identify what it is that you like and see if you can replicate that!

2. Take Advantage of Clothing Swaps!

Borrow from (or permanently swap) garments with siblings, family members, or friends. This gives you the opportunity to explore clothes that are outside of your go-to style. If nobody in your immediate circles is interested in swapping, you can explore an online community like Swap Society or visit (or host) a clothing swap within your local community.

3. Go Thrift Shopping

Secondhand shopping is a great way to affordably purchase new-to-you garments!

Trends are cyclical and a lot of what’s popular now is actually an iteration of something that was popular decades ago. Thrift shops are the perfect way to find quality “trendy” pieces at an affordable price.

If you love the designs that sustainable fashion brands produce, look for them secondhand! This gives you access to the garments you love at a fraction of the price. Online thrifting platforms like ThredUp (sign up with my code here) allow you to save your clothing sizes and even search specifically for the brands that you love.

If you’re someone who likes to do their shopping in person, thrifting locally is a great option. Shopping within your community puts money back into the local economy and helps to support those small businesses. Shopping locally also ensures that those clothes are less likely to end up in landfills.

4. Shop Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands

While it’s pretty impossible to find sustainable fashion brands that can compete with the prices of fast fashion brands like H&M or Target, you’ll actually be able to find quite a few that price within the same range of some higher-end fast fashion brands like Banana Republic or Zara.

A few of my favorites include Armed Angels for basics, Amour Vert for dressier selections, and Boody for undergarments. The Good On You Directory allows you to sort brands according to price range and is a great reference that you can use to determine if a brand is actually sustainable versus one that employs greenwashing (cough, Everlane, cough).

5. Consider Financing with Afterpay

Have you heard of Afterpay? It’s a payment option that allows you to finance your clothing purchases over the course of several months instead of all at once. This is a powerful tool that allows shoppers to take control of their budgets and support brands that represent their values. Reformation, Vetta, Ash & Rose and many other sustainable fashion brands have begun to take it as a viable payment option.

Like any other credit system though, I think it’s important that the user is mindful about how they use it. Always take a moment to pause before you buy and plan out your payments accordingly.

What are your thoughts on the accessibility of sustainable fashion brands? Is this something that we should actively work to address or do you think it’s something that is inherent within the production costs of sustainable clothing? What are some of your top tricks for buying on a budget?