How to Shop Secondhand for Vegan Fashion!

Posted by Paige on April 01, 2024

Shopping secondhand is a great way to repurpose fashion that may otherwise go to waste. ♻️ Thrifting can also be a fun activity to do with friends and an outlet for your creativity.

It’s easy to be a hero for the planet and animals while shopping secondhand—just be sure to buy only vegan fashion. 🐮🦊🌎 Here’s everything you need to know about vegan thrifting!

Check the Labels

When shopping for clothes, shoes, or accessories (secondhand or not), it’s important to read the labels on the items you plan to purchase. Always make sure the label doesn’t list animal-derived materials, such as wool, cashmere, fur, etc. ❌ Sometimes, tags on secondhand clothing may have gotten worn out or cut off. No worries—see if you can find the piece of clothing on the brand’s website, or always buy clothes from brands or companies you know use only cruelty-free materials.

For shoes specifically, if you see one of the symbols below, you’re good to go—the item was made with vegan materials.

But if you see one of these symbols, the shoes are not vegan—they’re made of skins. Gross.

Online Thrifting

Want to experience the convenience of online shopping without contributing to fast fashion or overconsumption? Yes, please! 😍 Online thrifting platforms like Depop, Mercari, and Poshmark make it easy to shop secondhand. If you’re unclear about an item you’re considering buying, you can easily message the seller and ask them to confirm whether it contains animal-derived materials. 📱  Tip: After messaging the seller, politely let them know that many buyers look for vegan materials and that including this information in the item’s description would be helpful.

What’s Wrong With Thrifted Fur?

Animal-friendly fashion is not only stylish but also compassionate and sustainable! 🦊❤️🌎 Thrifted fur isn’t cruelty-free, and wearing it sends the same unacceptable message as wearing new fur—that it’s OK to crush animals in traps or to electrocute or gas them.

Did you know that it takes at least four times more energy to produce an animal fur coat than a faux-fur coat? 🤯 Making just one mink-fur coat emits seven times more carbon dioxide than making one faux-fur coat. 😳

Have an old fur coat and don’t know what to do with it? Check out how you can donate it to be repurposed to help refugees and other people in need—the only humans with an excuse to wear old furs—or orphaned animals.

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You can speak up for animals killed for their skins, feathers, or fur. Print these tags to help spread the word that the true cost of animal-derived materials isn’t on the price tag. If you ever see an item made of leather, use the tags to educate people that it takes animals’ lives to produce it. 🐮😢