In an age when fashion’s impact on the planet is under intense scrutiny, shoppers are searching for ways to align their wardrobe choices with their values. From fast fashion’s carbon footprint to textile waste and unethical labor practices, the dark side of the fashion industry is well-documented. But technology is stepping in to offer a lifeline. A new wave of mobile apps is helping conscious consumers shop smarter, track sustainability scores, and even resell or upcycle their clothes.
If you’re looking to green your wardrobe and reduce your fashion footprint, these 10 apps can help. Each one brings a unique approach to sustainable shopping; whether it’s rating brands, offering secondhand alternatives, or streamlining wardrobe swaps. Here’s how these digital tools are reshaping how we buy fashion—one download at a time.
1. Good On You
Best for: Rating brand ethics across sustainability, labor, and animal welfare
Available on: iOS, Android
Website: goodonyou. eco
Good On You is the gold standard in ethical fashion rating apps. Backed by sustainability advocates like Emma Watson, the app rates over 3,000 brands using publicly available data, NGO reporting, and company transparency metrics. Brands are given a rating from “We Avoid” to “Great,” based on their performance in three key areas: environmental impact, labor conditions, and animal welfare.
It’s especially helpful when you’re about to make a purchase; just search the brand and get instant insights. The app also suggests more ethical alternatives and regularly features editorial content highlighting sustainable fashion trends.
Pro tip: Use Good On You to cross-reference brands when shopping in-store or online to make quick, informed decisions.
2. ThredUp
Best for: Buying and selling secondhand clothes
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Website: thredup.com
ThredUp is one of the largest online consignment and thrift platforms. It offers a seamless experience for buying high-quality secondhand fashion at up to 90% off retail prices. You can filter by brand, size, category, and even condition. But what really sets ThredUp apart is its Clean Out Kit: order a bag, fill it with unwanted clothes, and send it in for resale (or responsible recycling).
Their Fashion Footprint Calculator is another standout feature, helping users quantify the positive impact of shopping secondhand.
Pro tip: Save searches and set alerts for your favorite brands or styles to score the best deals before they’re gone.
3. Rebag
Best for: Circular fashion through luxury resale
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Website: rebag.com
Rebag focuses on the high-end side of sustainable fashion, specializing in authenticated luxury resale. From Chanel bags to Rolex watches, Rebag helps consumers buy, sell, and trade luxury fashion goods with transparency and trust. Their Clair AI tool even offers real-time resale value estimates just by snapping a photo.
Buying secondhand luxury not only saves money; it also keeps high-quality goods in circulation and out of landfills. For fashion lovers who want to keep their aesthetic elevated and ethical, Rebag is a sleek, user-friendly solution.
Pro tip: Use Rebag’s Trade Program to swap in your current item for credit toward something new-to-you.
4. Vinted
Best for: Peer-to-peer clothing resale and swaps
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Website: vinted.com
Vinted offers a community-driven marketplace for secondhand fashion. Users can buy, sell, or swap clothes with zero selling fees; a unique perk that encourages more people to participate. The app supports both casual closet clean-outs and ongoing secondhand fashion sales, making it ideal for minimalists and micro-entrepreneurs alike.
Its strong European user base makes Vinted a global player in the sustainable fashion space. The chat feature allows buyers and sellers to negotiate or request bundles, and shipping is streamlined with prepaid labels.
Pro tip: Be detailed in your listings and bundle items for better visibility and higher sales.
5. Depop
Best for: Trendy thrift and upcycled fashion
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Website: depop.com
Depop combines the aesthetic of Instagram with the functionality of eBay, creating a visually-driven resale space that appeals to Gen Z and creative sellers. Whether you’re looking for vintage Levi’s or a one-of-a-kind reworked corset, Depop is the go-to marketplace for fashionable finds with a smaller footprint.
Many sellers on Depop also upcycle or customize pieces, meaning you’re supporting independent creators while shopping sustainably.
Pro tip: Use hashtags strategically to search for upcycled, handmade, or ethical items; e.g., #sustainablefashion or #vintagefinds.
6. DoneGood
Best for: Discovering ethical and eco-friendly brands
Available on: iOS, Web
Website: donegood.co
DoneGood is a shopping platform and app that curates ethical alternatives across every category, including fashion, beauty, and home. The app provides a browser extension and coupon tool, alerting you when more ethical alternatives are available as you shop online.
Brands listed on DoneGood are vetted for transparency, fair labor practices, and eco-friendly materials. You’ll find everything from sustainable denim to vegan handbags, often with discounts attached.
Pro tip: Download the Chrome extension for real-time ethical alternatives and coupon codes while browsing fast fashion sites.
7. Goodfair
Best for: Mystery bundles of secondhand fashion
Available on: Web
Website: goodfair.com
Goodfair takes the guesswork out of secondhand shopping—literally. Their model is based on mystery bundles: you select the item type (like flannel shirts or vintage tees), and they surprise you with a curated secondhand item in your size.
By not listing individual items, Goodfair avoids the time-consuming logistics of traditional resale platforms, allowing them to rescue even more clothing from landfills. Their motto? “No new things.”
Pro tip: Be open to surprises! Goodfair is perfect for adventurous shoppers who want to reduce waste and discover unexpected style gems.
8. Whering
Best for: Digital wardrobe management and outfit planning
Available on: iOS, Android
Website: whering.co.uk
Whering lets users digitize their wardrobe and plan outfits without impulse buying. Inspired by Cher’s closet in Clueless, the app encourages mindful consumption by helping you “shop your own closet.” You upload photos of your clothes, and Whering helps you create outfits, log wears, and set goals like no-buy months or capsule wardrobe building.
It also links to resale and rental platforms if you decide to let go of certain items or want to try a sustainable swap.
Pro tip: Use Whering to identify wardrobe gaps before shopping, so your purchases are intentional, not reactionary.
9. ReCloseted Radio + Toolkit
Best for: Aspiring sustainable fashion entrepreneurs
Available on: Web, podcast platforms, free downloads
Website: recloseted.com
While not a shopping app in the traditional sense, ReCloseted’s ecosystem offers educational tools, guides, and business resources to help both consumers and founders support sustainable fashion. Their ReCloseted Toolkit includes downloadable templates for sustainable closet audits, shopping checklists, and brand evaluation worksheets.
Their podcast, ReCloseted Radio, features interviews and tips for navigating ethical fashion from a consumer and creator lens.
Pro tip: Combine ReCloseted tools with other apps like Good On You and Whering for a full-spectrum sustainable style strategy.
10. Nuuly
Best for: Renting instead of buying
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Website: nuuly.com
Owned by URBN (the parent company of Urban Outfitters), Nuuly is a fashion rental subscription that lets you borrow six items per month. Think of it as Rent the Runway’s cooler, more casual cousin. It’s a game-changer for event dressing, trend experimentation, or rotating your wardrobe with zero waste.
Nuuly includes popular brands like Free People, Anthropologie, and Levi’s. Plus, if you fall in love with an item, you can buy it at a discounted rate.
Pro tip: Use Nuuly for vacation wardrobes, special occasions, or seasonal style switches without committing to new purchases.
Why These Apps Matter
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the fashion industry produces over 92 million tons of textile waste annually and accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions. With clothing consumption expected to rise by 63% by 2030, digital solutions that help consumers reduce, reuse, and rethink their purchases are more critical than ever.
These apps serve more than convenience; they build habits. They replace fast fashion hauls with thoughtful buys. They encourage us to rotate, repair, and resell. And most importantly, they remind us that individual actions, when multiplied, can disrupt harmful systems.
Final Thoughts: From Clicks to Consciousness
Sustainable fashion isn’t a one-time purchase. It’s a mindset, and these 10 apps make it easier to live that mindset every day. Whether you’re cleaning out your closet, shopping secondhand, or educating yourself on brand ethics, you don’t have to go it alone. With a smartphone in your hand and intention in your heart, ethical style is just a few taps away.
So the next time you’re tempted to impulse-buy that $10 dress, consider opening one of these apps instead. Fashion should never come at the expense of the Earth.
References
Good On You – Brand Ratings & Methodology
https://goodonyou.eco/how-we-rate
ThredUp – Fashion Footprint Calculator
https://www.thredup.com/footprint
Rebag – Clair AI and Authentication Process
https://www.rebag.com/clair
Vinted – How It Works
https://www.vinted.com/help
Depop – About Depop
https://www.depop.com/about
DoneGood – Ethical Shopping Marketplace
https://donegood.co
Goodfair – About Our Mission
https://goodfair.com/pages/our-mission
Whering – Digital Wardrobe App
https://www.whering.co.uk
ReCloseted Toolkit & Resources
https://www.recloseted.com/toolkit
Nuuly – Rental Subscription FAQ
https://www.nuuly.com/pages/faq
Ellen MacArthur Foundation – The Circular Economy in Fashion
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/fashion-and-the-circular-economy
Olivia Santoro is a writer and communications creative focused on media, digital culture, and social impact, particularly where communication intersects with society. She’s passionate about exploring how technology, storytelling, and social platforms shape public perception and drive meaningful change. Olivia also writes on sustainability in fashion, emerging trends in entertainment, and stories that reflect Gen Z voices in today’s fast-changing world.
Connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-santoro-1b1b02255/
About The Author
