If you’ve ever browsed a secondhand marketplace and paused at the sight of a Forever 21 or Shein label, you’re not alone. The resale world is increasingly populated with fast fashion—and for good reason. But doesn’t that seem counterproductive? Isn’t secondhand shopping supposed to help end fast fashion?

Let’s unpack that.

The Myth: Buying Fast Fashion Secondhand Is Supporting the Problem

The logic is understandable. Fast fashion is built on a model of overproduction, environmental degradation, and labor exploitation. So buying it in any form—new or used—can feel like perpetuating the cycle. But here’s the key distinction:

Buying secondhand is not the same as buying new.

When you buy something used, no new resources are consumed, no factory is re-engaged, and no signal is sent to the brand that says “make more.” You're not contributing to the demand side of fast fashion. You’re simply keeping something already produced in circulation—and that’s exactly the point of sustainable fashion.

The Reality: Fast Fashion Already Exists—In Massive Quantities

Whether we like it or not, the world is flooded with fast fashion. Billions of garments are produced every year, and many of them end up in landfills or incinerators—some without ever being worn. The damage has already been done. The question now is: What do we do with it all?

Resale marketplaces offer a solution.

By purchasing a fast fashion piece secondhand, you're diverting it from the waste stream, extending its life, and reducing the demand for new production—even if that production isn't from the same brand. That's still a net win for the environment.

Who’s Buying It and Why?

Let’s be honest—not everyone can afford high-end sustainable brands. Not everyone wears vintage or minimalist capsules. Some people want trendy styles for job interviews, one-off events, or evolving fashion tastes—and they want them at prices that make sense for their budgets.

Buying fast fashion secondhand makes those choices more sustainable and affordable.

It also helps normalize the idea that you don't need to buy new to enjoy fashion. That’s a cultural shift worth promoting.

So, Should We Judge Fast Fashion Resale?

No. In fact, we should encourage it.

Every time a fast fashion item is bought secondhand instead of new, it’s a win. It’s a sign that the circular economy is working—that clothes are being reused, revalued, and kept out of the trash.

This doesn’t mean we should celebrate fast fashion brands or pretend their business models are sustainable. But it does mean we should be realistic about where we are and optimistic about where we’re going.

Bottom Line

Secondhand is about slowing down the fashion cycle, extending the life of clothing, and reducing waste—no matter what label is on the tag. So yes, buying a fast fashion piece on a resale site aligns perfectly with that mission.
The real enemy isn’t the fast fashion item in your closet. It’s the idea that fashion must always be new.