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Got a wardrobe stuffed with clothes but can’t find a thing to wear? Then you could be ready to break up with fast fashion – and with our handy guide to sustainable style and a range of fun workshops across the UK you’ve come to the right place!
Whether you’re fed up with influencer hauls, tired of never-ending ‘trends’, or just want to dress in a way that’s a bit more earth-friendly, you’re not alone: more and more people are turning to preloved and vintage for their clothes. Resale site Vinted reported a 38% jump in annual revenue to £975 million for 2025, with an influx of new members – and it’s thought secondhand will account for around 10% of UK online fashion spend in 2029.
Shopping secondhand isn’t the only thing growing in popularity either: more and more people are choosing to make and mend their own clothes than ever before. With Google search terms such as ‘how to hand sew clothes’ up 40% year on year and 25% more people browsing our sewing and embroidery classes in London since 2025, it’s a great time to join them and get a few new creative skills under your belt!
Why fast fashion is such a huge problem
Not up on your fast fashion facts? Here’s a few that could give you nightmares:
- 300,000 tonnes of used clothes end up in landfill or are incinerated in the UK every year.
- That number lifts to 92 million tonnes globally.
- Almost 10% of the world’s carbon emissions come from the fashion industry.
- Synthetic clothes are generally plastic, which is sourced from oil – fossil fuels are a huge contributor to climate change.
- Textile dying is the second largest polluter of water globally.
- It takes around 2000 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans.
- The fashion industry is the second largest supporter of human slavery, after technology.
The good news is that breaking up with poorly-made, mass-produced clothing is way easier than you might think – after all, it’s 2026: shopping ethically and learning to make your own clothes has never been more accessible, wherever you are in the UK!
We’ve put together a handy guide with 6 ways to be anti-fast fashion, packed with creative workshops, shopping tips and plenty of hints to help you on your journey to sustainable style heaven!
1. Shop secondhand and vintage
Ok, it might be the most obvious tip, but it’s at the top for a reason – buying pre-loved is purse-friendly, super accessible and good for the planet! Whether you’re the type of person who loves rummaging in the charity shops on a Saturday afternoon or you prefer the convenience of online resale sites, here’s our go-to places to find those gems here in the UK:
- eBay - The OG of resale, they just bought Depop for a cool £890m in cash!
- Vinted - My own personal favourite. My top tip is to search regularly, save things to your likes and train the algorithm to deliver goodies to your homepage.
- Vestiaire Collective - If premium brands are your thing, this is the place to buy them (almost) as good as new.
- Thrift + - A genius little site that allows you to order a bag, send them your unwanted items for free and then earn cash or credit, or donate to charity when they sell. You can also browse and buy on the site, even if you’re not donating.
- Charity Retail Association - A UK-wide map of every charity shop that exists. Don’t visit a new town without checking this site first!
2. Go green with your jewellery
Clothing and textiles aren’t the only problem: mass-produced jewellery and accessories are also a big red flag. Unethical labour practices, fleeting trends and poorly made pieces are common in the jewellery industry – so put that Zara statement necklace down and try these ideas instead:
Shop secondhand
The ideal solution if you’re on a budget, or you do really love a trend!
Upcycle old jewellery
If you’re a bit creative, buy up old pieces from charity shops or Vinted and then give them a new lease of life with your own creative twist.
Learn to craft your own
It’s easier than you think – ClassBento have plenty of jewellery making classes in cities up and down the country! Try any of these:
- London: Sea glass and pottery jewellery workshop
- Bristol: Beginners ring making workshop
- Birmingham: Wire wrapped jewellery workshop
- Manchester: Silver ring making workshop
- Edinburgh: Vibrant jewellery workshop
Support independent designers
Social media is an amazing place to source indie designers and makers – we love:
- Only Through Shadows, handmade on the Isle of Wight.
- Lines and Current, designed in Belfast, with 10% of profits donated to SOS Children’s Villages.
- Stooki, designed and handmade in London, using the lost wax process. She also hosts great workshops!
3. Buy well, buy once
The real temptation of fast fashion is that it’s cheap: a top for £5, a dress for £10…it’s not uncommon to be able to buy an entire outfit for £30, with enough change left for a flat white afterwards! But cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful – Primark aims for clothes to last for just 23 washes at a foundational level, which isn’t great.
And while a big price tag doesn’t necessarily mean better (think premium high street brands), there’s an element of ‘you get what you pay for’ to be had. Here’s some top tips to help you get the most for your money while having less of an impact on the planet:
Look at the material composition and choose natural fabrics
Think cotton, linen, hemp, and pure wool rather than polyester or nylon.
Check how the garment is assembled
Look at seams, pockets, fastenings and trims. Is it finished nicely? Are there any threads hanging? If it doesn’t look like it’s going to last one cycle in the washing machine, leave it behind!
Buy from designers, makers and brands with heart
There are absolutely tonnes of designers, makers and brands that stock handmade and organic clothing – we love:
Top tip: Also look out for B-Corp companies, and check hashtags like #slowfashion on Instagram to discover all the best anti-fast fashion influencers, indie designers and local makers.
4. Host clothing swaps
Clothing swaps are fast becoming one of the best ways to refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny – and it keeps everyone’s old clothes out of landfill, so that’s a win-win in our eyes!
There’s two ways to get involved with a clothes swap. Either:
- Find a local swap in your area. Search Eventbrite, local Facebook community pages or social media to find a whole new wardrobe right by your house!
- Host your own event. Make it just you and your friends in your living room, or hire a venue and make an afternoon of it for anyone who wants to come – it can be as big or small as you like!
5. Sew your own clothes
This is a big one – and it’s way easier to get started than you think! Lots of people are put off of making their own clothes from scratch, with some of the most common reasons being:
“It’s too difficult”
It can be a bit tricky to begin with, but there’s a world of help out there. From YouTube videos and craft content creators, to ClassBento’s huge range of sewing classes and embroidery workshops, you’ll soon have the basics down! Try any of these to kick off your stitching journey:
- London: Basic sewing class
- Bristol: Beginner machine sewing workshop
- Manchester: Dressmaking and sewing class: One to One
- Edinburgh: Beginner sewing course
“I’m not creative enough”
You don’t need to be! Inspiration can be found anywhere: fashion magazines, Pinterest, social media…the list is endless. Plus there are easy DIY sewing kits and tutorials available for almost anything you could ever imagine!
“It’s too expensive”
If you decide to buy brand new, organic fabric, it’s going to be pricey – but who says you have to do that? Charity shops are a goldmine for bolts of unwanted fabric, and you can always make clothes from sheets, curtains, bedding and blankets instead. Waste not, want not!
6. Make do and mend
Tired trousers? Favourite jumper got a hole? The only thing better than recycling your old clothes is learning how to give them a new lease of life. Use colourful embroidery thread to stitch floral patterns, geometric shapes, or bold stars right over holes and snags.
- Try sashiko stitching: This traditional Japanese embroidery technique uses simple running stitches and contrasting white thread to reinforce worn denim while adding a stunning, rustic aesthetic.
- Patch it up with personality: Iron or sew funky fabric patches over tears, or cut up old patterned scraps to create a chic collage effect on jacket elbows and knee tears.
- De-fuzz your knits: Give tired jumpers an instant makeover by using a fabric comb or electric lint shaver to gently whisk away bobbles and restore that fresh, fluffy finish.
- Dye it dark or bold: Cover up stubborn stains on light-coloured cottons by tossing them in a fabric dye bath for a dramatic, vibrant colour refresh.
10 great workshops to help you ditch fast-fashion
Ready to break free from the fast-fashion loop and build a wardrobe you love? Whether you’re itching to rescue a pair of pre-loved jeans, tailor vintage finds for that perfect glove-like fit, or stitch your very own clothes from scratch, there’s nothing quite like the pride of saying, "Thanks, I made it myself!"
Here are 10 hands-on workshops across the UK to help you ditch fast fashion, unlock your creative confidence, and fall in love with slow, conscious crafting:
| If you want to... | Try this workshop... | In... | You'll learn... |
| Turn worn-out clothes into artistic statement pieces | Japanese Sashiko Embroidery Workshop | London | Beautiful traditional Japanese stitching techniques to creatively reinforce denim and garments with striking geometric patterns. |
| Make your high-street and vintage finds fit like a dream | Sewing Class: Garment Alteration | London | Game-changing skills to hem trousers, take in waistlines, adjust seams, and customize off-the-rack pieces for your unique shape! |
| Craft a super roomy, stylish bag for all your daily essentials | Textiles Workshop: Make an Oversized Tote Bag | Manchester | Essential textile construction, seam finishing, and how to stitch a sturdy, eco-friendly tote that replaces single-use bags forever. |
| Get totally bespoke, step-by-step dressmaking guidance | Dressmaking Course (One-to-One) | Manchester | Tailored 1-on-1 instruction matched perfectly to your goals, from decoding complex patterns to assembling complete garments! |
| Stitch a chic, cross-back layer you'll wear every single day | Beginner Dressmaking Workshop: Sew a Japanese Apron | Bristol | Fundamental dressmaking skills like cutting patterns and handling straps to create a comfy, linen-style pinafore apron. |
| Swap shop-bought lingerie for custom handmade comfort | Sew Your Own Knickers Workshop | Bristol | How to tame tricky stretch fabrics, attach delicate elastic, and craft gorgeous, custom-fit underwear in a super fun setting. |
| Master the basics and make your very first eco-tote | Sewing Workshop: Tote Bag | Birmingham | How to confidently set up and thread a sewing machine, sew straight lines, and build fundamental skills for future projects. |
| Become an absolute wizard at mending, zips, and upcycling | Two-Week Sewing, Upcycling and Repair Course | Edinburgh | A deep-dive into fixing tears, replacing tricky zips, and completely transforming outdated thrift finds into trendy new fits! |
| Take your handmade wardrobe to a whole new level | Garment Making Masterclass | Liverpool | Pro-dressmaking secrets, high-end seam finishes, and advanced techniques to turn paper patterns into runway-worthy clothes. |
| Transform vintage blankets into the cozy outerwear of your dreams | Make Your Own Upcycled Vest from a Quilt | Edinburgh | How to repurpose pre-loved quilts, work through thick layers, and bind raw edges to create a one-of-a-kind, quilted vest! |
Ready to kick off your slow fashion journey?
Stepping away from the fast-fashion cycle doesn’t mean sacrificing your personal style – if anything, it’s where your real creative journey begins! By choosing to mend, upcycle, swap, and craft your own garments, you’re not just helping the planet; you’re building a totally unique wardrobe that tells your own story. Every visible stitch, repurposed fabric scrap, and custom alteration is a badge of honour that celebrates slow, conscious living.
So, why not swap screen time for seam time and discover the pure joy of making? Whether you’re ready to pick up a needle for the very first time or want to level up your sewing skills alongside a friendly community of fellow makers, there’s no better time to start.
Explore hundreds of hands-on sewing, mending, and upcycling workshops and start building your dream handmade wardrobe today!
