How to shop secondhand clothing sustainably and look cool doing it

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A model walks the runway at the eBay Endless Runway show during New York Fashion Week, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

More online platforms are giving secondhand shopping a digital upgrade, rolling out features like livestream shopping and AI-powered search to make thrifting faster and more exciting.

Although choosing secondhand over new is often the more sustainable option, experts say it’s not a license to overconsume. They warn that resale has its limits, since buying more than you need still fuels waste, and shopping online can add emissions from servers and shipping, thrifted or not.

Here's how industry experts and fashion-forward shoppers shop secondhand sustainably — and how to