Why Celebrities Adore Vintage Fashion and the Best Places to Find Pre-Loved Styles Like Them

Fashion has long been a source of inspiration, creativity, and joy, but it also poses significant challenges to the environment. Surprisingly, the fashion industry ranks as the second-largest consumer of water and accounts for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions. The silver lining is that eco-conscious fashion is surging in popularity, with both consumers and designers focusing on sustainability.

“The most exciting development in today’s fashion landscape is the industry’s willingness to reshape its narrative,” stated Dr. Karen Pearson, Fashion Institute of Technology professor and sustainability chair, in an exclusive conversation with Us Weekly. Here, we recognize several stars and designers who are making stylish strides towards sustainability.

ARCHIVAL AESTHETIC

Reviving the past is all the rage, with pre-owned fashion gaining traction among Hollywood’s elite. Zendaya has been a champion for vintage fashion, breathing new life into pieces from Bob Mackie, Mugler, Maison Margiela, and beyond. With Law Roach, her long-time stylist, spearheading this revival, it’s clear they’re committed to reinventing iconic fashions.

“I’ve always been a proponent of vintage. I played a significant role in bringing archival styles to the red carpet,” Roach remarked. “Wearing something previously cherished is a simple yet effective way to embrace sustainability.” Other stars known for their vintage flair include Kim Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, and Amal Clooney.

STEP AND REPEAT

In the glamorous realm of celebrity, outfit repetition is becoming increasingly common. “Fashion is transitioning from seasonal collections to trans-seasonal, multi-seasonal designs, and brands are now catering to outlet shops,” shared Cate Blanchett. “With the world consuming 18 billion pieces of clothing annually — a 400% increase over the last decade — it’s clear that something needs to change.” This perspective has helped earn her the title of Queen of Sustainable Fashion. “This isn’t a niche movement; it’s gaining popularity,” she emphasized, noting that public figures like Kate Middleton, Halle Berry, and Tiffany Haddish are similarly embracing recycled red-carpet looks.

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

Angelina Jolie‘s children are taking a sustainable approach to fashion by diving into her wardrobe, a lesson attributed to their award-winning mother. “We opted for vintage and upcycled pieces from my collection,” the actress shared on the 2021 red carpet for Eternals. In 2023, she unveiled her mission-driven label, Atelier Jolie, and advocated for New York’s Fashion Act, aimed at promoting sustainability within the industry. “There is a growing awareness around the waste of natural resources, overproduction, overconsumption, and labor rights violations occurring in the industry and beyond,” she remarked.

ECO-CHIC

Designer Stella McCartney provocatively asked, “Who says sustainability can’t be sexy?” As a pioneer in the eco-friendly fashion sector since 2001, she made waves with a jumpsuit featuring the first biodegradable sequins, modeled by Cara Delevingne in Vogue. Her commitment to innovative materials and circular fashion continues to inspire.

While McCartney has set a high standard for sustainable red carpet attire, other designers are stepping up — often at the request of A-listers! “If I’m attending the Met Ball, I demand solar panels on my outfit, or I won’t go,” quipped Amanda Seyfried regarding her collaboration with Prada for a gown designed for last year’s Costume Institute gala. The outcome? An eye-catching silver dress repurposed from their Spring 2009 collection.

Brands like Reformation are also leading the charge for sustainability. Recently, Kacey Musgraves partnered with this eco-friendly label, which has been 100% carbon-neutral since 2015, to design a capsule collection. “Working with an earth-conscious brand I genuinely admire was a delight,” the country singer said.

These examples highlight the numerous celebrities, designers, and brands striving for a sustainable future. “We must celebrate these innovations and support anyone willing to engage and explore alternative methods,” Dr. Pearson concluded. “We are witnessing real progress in this regard.”

And that’s a win for all of Us!

HOW YOU CAN DO YOUR PART

If you’re ready to invest, take inspiration from Hollywood’s most stylish and venture into the secondhand luxury fashion market. Just this past February, Paris Hilton donated 100 of her iconic fashion pieces to Vestiaire Collective’s celebrity closet sale, benefiting wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Olivia Rodrigo has also utilized the circular fashion platform Depop to raise funds for charity by selling items from her music video sets and personal closet.

For a more affordable option, explore the shopping habits of stars like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner at their beloved resale destination, What Goes Around Comes Around, which recently teamed up with Amazon to showcase luxury items from brands like Dior and Fendi, all authenticated by an independent process.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to lessen your environmental impact. Properly caring for your clothing can prolong their lifespan, benefiting both your wallet and the environment. (Check out earthday.com for clothing care tips.) When it’s time to declutter, consider donating gently used items to a local charity or selling them on resale platforms like The RealReal, eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp. (The RealReal has notably kept over 31 million items in circulation since 2011.)

An additional idea? Embrace your creativity — whether transforming old jeans or T-shirts into a DIY tote bag or crafting a patchwork quilt, the possibilities are boundless. For inspiration, visit upcyclemystuff.com.