How to Find Sustainable and Ethical Fashion in Clothes Sales

Looking for great deals on clothes and trying to shop responsibly? It’s possible to do both. Shopping sustainably doesn’t mean you have to avoid sales altogether—in fact, clothes sales can be the perfect opportunity to invest in ethical fashion at a lower cost. You just need to know where to look and what to look for. Here’s how to score stylish, sustainable pieces without compromising your values.

1. Know What “Sustainable” and “Ethical” Really Mean

Before you shop, it’s important to understand the difference:

• Sustainable fashion focuses on minimizing environmental impact—using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and lowering carbon emissions.

• Ethical fashion emphasizes fair treatment of workers, including safe working conditions, fair wages, and transparent supply chains.

Look for brands that align with both ideals.

2. Look for Certified Brands and Labels

Many brands use sustainability buzzwords without backing them up. To avoid greenwashing, check for certifications that prove a brand’s commitment to ethical practices.

Trustworthy certifications include:

• Fair Trade Certified

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

• OEKO-TEX®

• B Corp

• Bluesign® Approved

If you see these on a sale item, it’s a strong indicator that the product meets sustainability standards.

3. Shop the Sale Sections of Ethical Brands

Many ethical and sustainable brands have seasonal sales, outlet pages, or clearance events just like fast fashion retailers—only with better sourcing and values behind the tags.

Great places to look:

• PACT

• People Tree

• Thought Clothing

• Amour Vert

• Reformation’s sale section

• Everlane’s “Choose What You Pay”

You can often find basics, wardrobe staples, and trend-forward pieces marked down without the guilt.

4. Choose Timeless Over Trendy

Fast fashion thrives on ever-changing trends. Ethical shopping means investing in clothes you’ll wear for years.

When shopping sales, ask yourself:

• Will I wear this next season?

• Does it match pieces I already own?

• Is the style and color versatile?

Prioritize well-made, classic items that won’t go out of fashion in a few months.

5. Buy Secondhand During Sales

Thrift and resale platforms are naturally sustainable and often host their own sales, too. You can score gently-used, high-quality clothes at a fraction of their original price.

Top secondhand sites:

• ThredUP

• Poshmark

• Depop

• Vestiaire Collective (for designer)

• The RealReal

Use filters to search for sustainable brands, or browse by fabric (like organic cotton, linen, or wool).

6. Check the Material Tags

When browsing sale items, check the product descriptions or fabric labels. Natural, biodegradable, and recycled materials are more sustainable than synthetics.

Better choices include:

• Organic cotton

• Linen

• Tencel/Lyocell

• Hemp

• Recycled polyester or nylon

Avoid items made of 100% virgin polyester or acrylic if sustainability is your goal.

7. Follow Sustainable Fashion Communities for Alerts

Want to be first in line when ethical brands have sales? Join online communities or follow influencers focused on sustainable fashion.

Follow for tips and sale alerts:

• Instagram accounts like @sustainablychic, @consciousfashion, or @ecowithem

• Reddit communities like r/sustainablefashion

• Newsletters from sustainable marketplaces (like EarthHero, Made Trade, and Garmentory)

These communities often share discount codes, brand guides, and sale roundups with a sustainability focus.

Final Thoughts

Sustainable and ethical fashion doesn’t have to be expensive—you just need to shop with intention. From knowing what certifications to look for, to shopping secondhand or supporting transparent brands, there are smart ways to find eco-conscious clothing on sale. The next time you’re bargain hunting, remember: a truly great deal isn’t just about the price tag—it’s about the impact behind it.