The It-Girl’s Guide to Ditching Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is officially out, and eco-conscious fashion is in. Today’s it-girls don’t just care about how their clothes look; they also care about how they’re made. If you’re ready to level up your wardrobe, save money, and help the planet all at once, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn how to ditch fast fashion without sacrificing your style.

Why Say Goodbye to Fast Fashion?

That $12 Shein top is cute and cheap, but the real price is paid by people and the planet.

The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, responsible for 8–10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of global wastewater. Fast fashion relies on massive water usage, toxic chemical runoff, and exploitative labor practices… only for those destructive items to end up in a landfill after a few wears anyway.

Moreover, to keep prices low, many garment employees behind the scenes are working in unsafe conditions, making just a few dollars a day and being treated unjustly.

Ditching fast fashion isn’t just a style choice. It’s a stand against waste, exploitation, and overproduction.

You don’t have to do it perfectly to have an impact. Small shifts like shopping secondhand or investing in one quality piece instead of five cheap ones makes a real difference. When you buy better (like buying secondhand), your purchase becomes a vote for sustainability and fair treatment.

And you don’t have to give up your fashionista status to do it. Here’s how.

1. Take a Closet Inventory

Before buying anything new, hit pause and take inventory of what you already own. Chances are, you’ve probably forgotten about half the pieces hiding in the back of your closet.

Go through each item and ask yourself:

• Do I wear this?
• Do I like how I feel in it?
• Can I style it multiple ways?

Keep what makes you feel amazing. Donate or sell the rest. This not only declutters your space, but it also sets you up to shop more intentionally, avoid purchasing duplicates you already own, and recalibrate your closet toward more sustainability.

Need help getting started? Check out these resources to help you do a sustainable closet audit: 

• 10 Reasons You Should Clean Out Your Closet This Winter
• From Closet to Cash: How to Consign Your Clothes and Earn Extra Money
• The Ultimate Closet Clean Out Guide + Checklist
• Closet Spring Cleaning Tips for After You’ve Sorted Your Clothes

2. Swap Fast Fashion for Consignment Finds

Instead of browsing fast fashion sites for a quick fashion fix, head to a consignment store like Current Boutique. On consignment, you’ll find luxury labels, quality fabrics, and trend-forward pieces at a fraction of their original price.

Consignment is fashion’s secret sustainability hack. It:

• Reduces demand for new production
• Keeps clothing out of landfills
• Saves water, energy, and materials
• Supports a circular, sustainable fashion industry

Plus, consignment shopping is like a treasure hunt. You’ll discover one-of-a-kind gems and designer pieces for a steal. It’s fashion that feels good, looks good, and does good for your closet, your wallet, and the planet. Better quality, lower cost, no guilt.

3. Shop with a “Capsule Closet” Mindset

A capsule closet isn’t about limiting your style, it’s about building a wardrobe that works for you. A capsule wardrobe helps you focus on pieces you love and you can wear over and over in different ways.

To shop with a capsule closet mindset, before buying anything new, ask yourself: 

• Can I wear this at least three ways?
• Does it match what I already own?
• Will I still want to wear it next season?

This mindset reduces impulse buys and fills your closet with pieces you love to wear, rather than one-and-done pieces that will get lost in your closet or end up in a landfill.

4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Fast fashion is designed to fall apart: cheap zippers, flimsy fabric, and seams that barely survive one wash.

When you prioritize quality pieces, like luxury goods from consignment boutiques, you’re investing in clothes that last. And, let’s be honest, a well-tailored coat or timeless bag will always make your outfit look more sophisticated than a fast fashion dupe.

When shopping, look for:

• Natural fabrics like silk, wool, leather, and cashmere
• Well-constructed seams and linings (bonus points for double stitching)
• Sturdy, real hardware on bags, shoes, and jackets
• Timeless cuts and silhouettes that won’t feel outdated next season
• Brand names known for quality (especially when you can score them for less at consignment)

These pieces hold up better, feel more luxurious, and elevate your look without needing constant replacement.

5. Try a Fashion Freeze

Challenge yourself to a one-month shopping break. No new clothes, no online carts, no “just browsing.” Use what you already own to style new looks: layer creatively, mix pieces you haven’t paired before, or borrow items from a stylish friend.

A fashion freeze helps reset your shopping habits and shows you how much potential is already in your closet. By the end of the month, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you actually wear, what you can sell or donate, and what your wardrobe might be missing.

Your closet will feel refreshed without spending a dime. And going forward, you’ll shop with more intention and less impulse.

6. Make Trends Work for You

Not every trend deserves a place in your closet. Just because it’s viral doesn’t mean it’s your vibe.

The best-dressed people don’t chase trends – they curate their own. It-girls know how to filter the trends, picking what works for their personal style and skipping what feels like a passing phase.

Before hopping on the next big thing, ask:

• Do I genuinely like this, or am I just seeing it everywhere?
• Will I still love and wear it in a few months?

If the answers are yes, go for it – but try to shop the trend secondhand. Consignment boutiques are stocked with trending pieces that are higher quality and built to last. You’ll stay on trend without supporting wasteful overproduction.

7. Learn to Care for Your Clothes

Taking care of your clothes helps them last longer and keeps them looking great. It doesn’t take much, just a few simple habits like:

• Wash in cold water to prevent fading
• Hang-dry delicate items to prevent shrinkage
• Use a fabric shaver to de-pill sweaters
• Store shoes and bags with inserts so they keep their shape
• Fold knits instead of hanging to avoid stretching

Fast fashion banks on you tossing clothes quickly. But quality pieces will stick around for seasons, if you treat them right.

Get more tips on how to take care of your clothes here.

8. Sell or Trade What You Don’t Wear

Be honest with yourself: if you haven’t worn something in the past year, it’s probably not your style. And that’s okay! Someone else might be looking for exactly that piece.

Consignment stores let you slim your closet without the guilt. Sell or trade your gently used clothes for cash or store credit. You’ll free up space, refresh your closet, and give your old favorites a second life in a new home. It’s all part of building a wardrobe that works with your current style, not against it.

Learn more about selling your clothes on consignment here.

9. Follow Conscious Fashion Influencers

Your social media feed shapes your shopping habits more than you think. So fill it with inspiration that aligns with your values, like stylists and influencers who champion: 

• Slow fashion
• Outfit repeating
• Thrift flips
• Capsule wardrobes

They’ll show you how to build a meaningful personal style that lasts, with fewer (but better) pieces.

Check out some of our favorite preloved fashion influencers and celebs here.

10. Redefine “New”

Try this mindset shift.

“New” doesn’t have to mean fresh off the rack. “New” can be:

• New-to-you from a consignment store
• A rediscovered gem from your own closet
• A beloved piece styled in a fresh way

You don’t need a different outfit for every event. Repeating outfits is smart, not just for your wallet, but for building an authentic wardrobe that actually reflects who you are.

When you wear what you love, even over and over again, you create a signature look. That’s way more powerful than chasing every new drop.

Let’s Ditch Fast Fashion Together

Ditching fast fashion doesn’t mean giving up style. It means shopping smarter, dressing better, and feeling good about what you wear.

You’ll save money, reduce waste, and still look like the style icon you are, especially when you shop sustainably at consignment stores like Current Boutique.

If you’re ready to level up your closet and ditch fast fashion for good, start your conscious fashion journey today with Current Boutique.

Check out our high-quality, sustainable pieces trending now to find your next go-to look, statement piece, or forever favorite – all without the fast fashion guilt.