For years, cheap, mass-produced clothing from brands like Shein, Boohoo, and Zara dominated wardrobes. The model thrived on constant turnover: new “drops” every week, low prices, and high consumption. But behind the bargain was an uncomfortable truth: exploitative labour, textile waste, and enormous carbon emissions.
For years, cheap, mass-produced clothing from brands like Shein, Boohoo, and Zara dominated wardrobes. The model thrived on constant turnover: new “drops” every week, low prices, and high consumption. But behind the bargain was an uncomfortable truth: exploitative labour, textile waste, and enormous carbon emissions.
Now, the tide is turning. As environmental awareness grows and students question where their clothes come from, sustainable fashion has become the new cool. Platforms like Depop, Vinted, and even TikTok thrift hauls are helping young consumers rethink the cycle of buy–wear–throw away.
“Once you realise a £5 top might have been made under unethical conditions, it’s hard to ignore,” says Sophie Sharratt, a third-year media student who runs a small vintage resale account on Instagram. “Thrifting isn’t just about saving money, it’s a protest.”
What “Sustainable Fashion” Really Means
Sustainability in fashion isn’t just about buying second-hand (though that’s a huge part of it). It includes:
Ethical production: fair wages, safe working environments.
Eco-friendly materials: organic cotton, recycled fabrics, low-impact dyes.
Longevity: investing in quality pieces that last.
Circular economy: reusing, repairing, and reselling instead of discarding.
Many independent labels, from named collective to UN:CK Clothing, are proving that style and sustainability can coexist. Even high-street retailers are catching on, launching “conscious” collections and recycling schemes (though critics call some of these efforts greenwashing).
Students at the Forefront
For university students, the appeal of sustainable fashion is both ideological and practical. Money is tight, but creativity is abundant. Charity shops, vintage markets, and online reselling apps provide affordable ways to experiment with personal style while avoiding the ethical pitfalls of fast fashion.
Of course, sustainable fashion still faces hurdles. Ethically made clothing often costs more, and accessibility remains an issue. Not everyone has the time or resources to thrift or research sustainable brands. And while Gen Z’s enthusiasm is undeniable, fast fashion’s convenience and low prices still dominate globally.
But the cultural shift is clear. The more students choose pre-loved over pre-packaged, the more they challenge the industry to change.
Sustainability has become the ultimate status symbol not because it’s exclusive, but because it’s intentional. A thrifted jacket now says more about one’s values than a designer label ever could.
As the leaves turn and another academic year unfolds, the question isn’t just what we’re wearing, it’s what our wardrobes say about the world we want to build.