We live in a society obsessed with consuming – and it’s costing us more than just money. From TikTok hauls to next-day delivery wardrobes, our love of fast fashion is hurting the planet and exploiting workers around the world. It’s easy to pretend we don’t know, but ignorance isn’t bliss—it’s complicity. You can tell how much we love to shop just by opening social media, videos tagged with #haul have been viewed more than 49 billion times—and that number increases every minute, according to Good on You.
According to Fashion Checker, only 7% of surveyed brands pay garment workers a living wage – meaning your odds of buying ethically by accident are worse than winning the lottery.
Fast fashion is defined as inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. It’s deeply unethical – harming both people and the planet – yet only 21% of British shoppers say they consistently choose sustainable brands.
It’s a shocking statistic – especially when 80–85% of garment workers are women, many of whom face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and sexual harassment. If over half the world identifies as feminist, shouldn’t we be standing up for the women who make our clothes, too? Add to that the fact that the fashion industry is responsible for 8 – 10% of global emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined – and yet, we still choose not to make the simple change of buying our clothes elsewhere.
Change starts with us; the UK spends more on clothes than any other country in Europe. It takes 2,700 litres of water to make a single t-shirt – the equivalent of 4,500 standard water bottles. It’s time to stop shopping on ASOS and start making a difference.
There are so many reasons and ways to shop sustainably
- You’re cutting down on waste and giving clothes a second life (instead of letting them rot in a landfill for 200 years).
- You are not wasting stupid amounts of water or polluting rivers with toxic dye.
- You’re supporting small businesses or local sellers—not billion-pound brands that underpay their workers.
- It’s way more original. Why look like every other person on your feed when you can have something nobody else owns?
- It’s cheaper, it’s better for the planet, and it actually means something.
To all those in the North East who are ready to make a change, here are some secondhand spots to get you started.
Sustainable spots in the North East
- Friday Vintage (Newcastle City Centre): a warm welcoming vintage store run by the lovely Laura Jackson who states on her website “All our items in store are handpicked by either myself, my partner Nick or our concession rails, ran by Hannah at Preloved Vintage + and Paige at It Girls. We are proud to be bringing some of the best vintage we can find to the north!”
- Retro Newcastle (High Bridge Street): One of the most well-loved vintage stores in the region. Think denim jackets, 90s windbreakers, Y2K accessories, if you’re after a unique look, this place delivers.
- The Yesterday Society (Grainger Market, Newcastle): A small but carefully curated vintage store full of retro gems. Prices are reasonable, and you’ll always find something unexpected.
- Flip (Newcastle): Famous for American vintage and statement streetwear, Flip is perfect if you’re into bold styles and throwback fashion.
- Jesmond & Gosforth (Newcastle): These areas are full of well-stocked charity shops like Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, and Cancer Research—great for designer finds at low prices.
- Durham City Centre: A goldmine of good-quality secondhand clothes with regular stock refreshes.
- Sunderland’s High Street West: Several charity shops in close proximity, perfect for a low-budget haul that doesn’t cost the planet.
- Trendlistr (Online but based in the NE): A Newcastle-based brand that sources high-end vintage pieces—perfect for those who want quality and ethics.
- Something Good Co. (Jesmond): While it’s primarily a refill store, they often host pop-ups and small-batch makers selling ethical, handmade clothing and accessories.
Sustainable marketplaces
- North East Makers Markets (Various locations): Check for upcoming events in Newcastle, Durham, and Sunderland where local upcyclers, clothing designers, and textile artists sell one-of-a-kind pieces.
- Depop & Vinted: Filter by location to support sellers nearby—you’ll cut down on postage emissions and sometimes even arrange local pickup.
- Facebook Marketplace & Local Swap Groups: More sustainable than shopping online, and you can often trade or donate clothes within your own community.
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