There’s something about January that makes us want to hit reset, and that includes our wardrobes. These sustainable fashion apps help give your clothes new life.
You don’t need to go out and buy anew. All of us have items in our closets that we don’t wear anymore – maybe some of it doesn’t fit, or perhaps you haven’t got round to getting that repair done. Maybe you’re just a bit bored of the pieces you own. Whether you’re planning a clear-out, or want to update something you already own, a rising number of sustainably-minded tech companies want to help give new life to your clothes. You’ve heard of Vinted, but are you familiar with Loom, an upcycling app that connects users to designers? Depop might be a go-to among Gen-Zers, but do you know about Sojo, the repair app that fashion editors depend on?
“How many times have you thought that you have too many clothes but nothing to wear?” asks Daisy Harvey, founder of Loom. “That’s why Loom exists. We take those clothes you no longer wear and give you ideas on how we could reimagine them – from embroidery, dyeing and alterations to completely redesigning them. After working in the fashion industry for brands such as Burberry for over a decade, I became frustrated at how destructive the industry is. Every second a garbage truck full of clothing is burnt or dumped in a landfill.”
A pair of trousers reimagined as a corset at Loom
Most of us want to do better for the environment and find alternatives to binning unwanted goods or leaving them outside closed charity shops, but it isn’t always easy to know where to start. Here, we round up the best destinations for your tired clothes.
Loom
Since its launch in February last year, upcycling app Loom has proved a huge hit among the fashion press and has landed a few global awards in the process. Founded by entrepreneur Daisy Harvey, it connects users to a network of 150+ designers who want to reimagine wardrobe pieces. Although the platform is particularly popular among brides who want to find new ways of wearing their wedding dress again, Loom’s project’s are far-reaching – from jeans that found a second life as a handbag to beloved, threadbare T-shirts made into new garments. Each designer is carefully vetted to ensure they have the experience and skills necessary (the bar is even higher if the project is bridal-related). If you have something in your wardrobe that you can’t bare to part with despite the practical reasons why you should, Loom wants to help.
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Sojo
If you find yourself constantly researching the perfect tailor or seamstress, Sojo is for you. It works as a door-to-door alteration service, where your items are collected from your house and delivered back to you within a few days. Founder Josephine Phillips launched her business in 2021 with the aim of making repairs and tailoring more accessible; no longer will you have to stand in the back of a dark changing room awkwardly being measured. Sojo makes increasing the lifespan of your clothes easier – as its slogan says: ‘We change, clothes can too.’ The platform now has permanent ‘Fix and Fit’ stations at Selfridges Oxford Street, as well as Westfield London and Stratford City, where you can drop off your repairs and collect them when they’re ready.
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Closwap
Gen Z-led company Closwap believes clothes swapping is the future of fashion – both online and in person. A swipe, match, swap model, it’s a marketplace that enables users to exchange unwanted clothes for free. If Tinder did clothes, this is how it would look. Closwap operates via app, but also hosts regular events whereby you can create your own slow fashion community, and browse clothes, shoes and accessories. Its three founders believe no one should be priced out of buying clothes they love, and that what we buy should be considered and intentional. In a world of fashion waste, Closwap is a refreshing alternative. Follow its Instagram to find out about forthcoming pop-ups.
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Thrift+
When Joe Metcalfe set up resale platform Thrift+ in 2017, he wanted to change public perceptions of secondhand. Back then fashion that wasn’t brand new was seen as inferior and undesirable; almost 10 years later the landscape has changed drastically – in parts thanks to destinations like Thrift+, in which every piece is quality checked by an expert team. You’ll never find anything with a stain or an annoying hole; simply pre-loved items that need a new home. Just send a Thrift+ Bag and they’ll sort, photograph, list, pack and ship your clothes. From each piece sold, you’ll earn Thrift+ Points to spend on pre-loved fashion, vouchers or to donate to charity.
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ThredUp
A resale platform with a difference, ThredUp uses AI to help users find secondhand pieces for specific events or purposes. With over 4.5 million items in its inventory, the service brings users closer to clothes they really want and that truly reflect their individual style. Search using focused search terms – perhaps you want a floral mini dress to wear for a wedding – or upload a picture of a garment you love, and it’ll find either the same piece or similar. For example, you could upload an image of Jane Birkin on holiday in the South of France and the search will show you all related items. A smart way of doing second-hand shopping.
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Lead image courtesy of Loom
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