One of my New Year’s resolutions was to stop buying fast fashion and solely thrift clothing to cultivate a personalized closet. More expensive, higher-quality pieces inspire a more unique look and are often better for the environment. Getting these items second-hands protects your pockets without compromising your style. Why buy a shirt you’re only going to wear once when you could build a wardrobe you love instead? If you’re sick of the endlessly trendy, rapidly moving retailers geared toward young adults, then this article is for you!
Buy It Nice or Buy It Twice
You’ve probably heard the expression “Nice or Twice” before, but applying it to your everyday life can be a real game-changer. Buying cheap clothes that are worn out by three or so wears is simply wasteful and ends up being more expensive than just buying pieces with longevity in mind.
If you’re just entering the fashion world, this can also be a great opportunity to invest in the long term. Look for “nice” pieces you will continue to wear years from now or that will at least last you through college. And if you don’t want to spend extra on that statement piece, then “buy it twice.” It’s easy to find unique, good-quality clothes at Syracuse thrift stores and online secondhand shops, such as Depop or Thred Up.
Conscious Consumption
Once you see the environmental price tag of fast fashion, it’s hard to look at a “bargain” the same way. The industry’s footprint is massive, but as students, we have the power to change the narrative through how we shop.
Here are some facts you should keep in mind:
- Producing one cotton T-shirt requires 700 gallons of water—what the average person drinks over three years. A single pair of jeans? 1,800 gallons.
- The fashion industry drives 20% of global industrial water pollution, and more chemical and air pollution than the flight industry. Between dyeing chemicals and microplastics, the impact is constant.
- In the U.S., the average person tosses 81 pounds of clothing annually. In fact, 85% of all textiles produced in the country end up burned or in a landfill.
While we need a systemic shift toward recyclable materials, our individual choices matter. Let’s ditch the endless cycle of “buy and bypass” and start making our wardrobes actually mean something.
Find Your Personal Style
As a senior in college, I want to create a closet that I can wear in the professional world post-grad. Throughout my college experience I have had time to create my own personal look, and I like to think about that when buying new clothes.
Fashion should be an experience personal to you and a way to express yourself. College is the time to experiment and try new styles so you can create a fashion identity for yourself. When you shop conscientiously, looking for distinct, custom-made pieces that speak to you, people will notice. Not only are you helping your fashion footprint, but you’re building a closet that you’ll cherish and love, and you may even end up on the Syracuse Fits Instagram account!
Sustainable Brands, Thrifting and Upcycling
Thrifting is a treasure hunt. Local spots like 3fifteen and The Thrifty Shopper offer high-end materials for a fraction of the price. When you can’t find a staple secondhand, look for brands with Fair Trade or GOTS certifications. Investing in one $40 organic cotton tee that lasts years is smarter than buying five $10 shirts that shrink instantly. Think of these as foundation pieces for your long-term closet.
If a piece isn’t perfect, upcycle it! Hemming a skirt or cropping a stained pair of pants rescues quality fabric from the landfill and helps you consciously declutter the fast-fashion noise from your wardrobe. This decluttering can easily double as a side business; by listing your curated finds or upcycled pieces on apps like Poshmark or Depop, you can turn a Saturday morning hobby into a steady stream of extra cash.
Sharing Closets
Sharing closets is one of my favorite things about having a roommate. This communal approach is also a logistical lifesaver; if you’re traveling abroad or moving post-grad, a smaller, curated closet is much easier to transport than a mountain of fast fashion. For formals or themed parties, borrowing from a friend is always better than buying something you’ll only wear once.
The bottom line with choosing sustainable fashion is about being intentional. Don’t stress about keeping up with “micro-trends” that will be out of style by next month. By prioritizing quality over quantity, you reduce your environmental footprint and build a wardrobe that actually lasts.
Written by Kate Jackson ’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.