For decades, the fashion industry has nurtured a frenetic model where novelty is currency and clothes are disposable.
Today, the consequences of that rhythm are impossible to ignore: millions of tonnes of clothes end up in landfills every year, many of them in perfect condition. The wardrobe has become a reflection of a much bigger problem: the urgency to rethink how and why we consume. In this context, platforms such as Vestiaire Collective propose a new approach: buy less, but with criteria, quality and responsibility.
The elegance of durability
The company, a global leader in second-hand luxury fashion, has recently launched a striking visual campaign in which piles of textile waste appear in front of iconic houses and monuments. The message is clear: we can no longer ignore the environmental cost of our wardrobe. With frightening figures, millions of parcels of fast fashion crossing borders every year and recycling systems collapsing, it becomes urgent to rethink our shopping habits.
What would it be like to travel to the US Capitol and the French Senate and find your clothes in a pile? Editorial credit: Vestiaire Collective.
It’s not just about spending less, it’s about buying better. In a society where 50% of people suffer from anxiety when deciding what to choose from the cupboard, and at the same time the textile industry emits more carbon than aviation and shipping combined, something is broken. We shop more than ever, 60% more than we did 15 years ago, but we still say ‘I have nothing to wear’. Fast fashion normalises this paradox, and disguises luxury aesthetics in low quality garments, manufactured in poor working conditions and designed to last the minimum.
The silent power of reused luxury
When we talk about second-hand clothes, it may seem that the essence of the garment is lost. We can’t wear it as new, it’s already used. On the other hand, this idea is undermined if we look at their most recent guide. They have analysed the most desired brands and garments in resale, and the data speaks for itself. Since 2020, the supply of vintage items on the platform has increased by 220%, and sales have grown by 80%. A good sign that, in recent years, second-hand has gone from being disposable to becoming a trend. Vintage clothing is back to stay, and not just for nostalgia’s sake: well-made garments retain their essence, and their value grows with age.
Fast fashion is no longer something we see from afar, but is right on our doorstep. At Vestiaire Collective, we are committed to this mission and hold all stakeholders accountable,” says Dounia Wone, the company’s chief impact officer.
The guide also shows that the big fashion houses continue to set the standard. Iconic bags such as Chanel’s Timeless, Louis Vuitton’s Speedy or Gucci’s Jackie are successfully resold year after year. This reaffirms that investing in quality is also a form of sustainability. Brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès top the lists of the most sought-after second-hand garments. They are pieces that never go out of fashion due to their elegance and durability.
Vestiaire Collective works to give piles of discarded clothes a double life. Editorial credit: Vestiaire Collective.
Consuming wisely doesn’t mean losing your own style. It means extending the lifespan of each garment and reducing waste. To change habits, Vestiaire Collective also works with educational programmes and campaigns to bring shoppers closer to the idea of greener fashion. As the saying goes: cheap is expensive, and opting for quality garments that last for years is one more step towards restoring the planet’s natural balance.
