Buying clothes secondhand is one of the easiest ways to practice sustainable style and reimagine the way you interact with the fashion industry.
But as cost-prohibitive consumerism catches us even in the Goodwill aisles, or in an online resale age where “flippers” turn thrift finds into a lucrative business, truly sustainable shoppers are antsy for a new era.
Closest Closet might be their answer.
A platform that requires users to clean out their closets before they get something new, here’s how it works: Users can add items they want to get rid of, which earns them “hangers” or points.
From there, they use their hanger currency to “shop” for pieces in other users’ virtual closets. Shoppers can pay an extra fee for shipping or coordinate a local exchange.
Instead of other secondhand marketplaces online, Closest Closet makes it easier to dwindle down your own dresser before you buy another piece.
“The biggest differentiator between Closest Closet and the competitors is that members are using their existing fashion as currency,” founder Danielle Osborne told Good Day Chicago.
“Each item that they post earns them a hanger, and then they can immediately use that hanger to buy other members’ items that have been posted.”
Guests can use the app for free, or committed shoppers can pay a monthly or annual membership, which is still a low cost compared to the cost of buying clothes from traditional retailers.
The goal is to “perpetually recirculate” clothes among consumers instead of the endless cycle of buying and donating.
“I created Closest Closet to extend the life of fashion and reduce the amount of textile waste in landfills,” Osborne said. “Closest Closet empowers an ever-changing wardrobe without expense, waste, or guilt.”
So far, users seem to be enjoying the approach.
“My experience with Closest Closet has been amazing,” one person, Elizabeth, shared in a testimonial.
“Danielle is a visionary and giving members of the community a really fun way to shop that's economic but also ecologically responsible. The inventory is very good quality and are current styles. Plus the unlimited ability to swap clothes is incredible and addicting.”
Closest Closet does have a retail location in La Grange, Illinois, but anyone in the world can become a member on the platform to begin their journey.
“‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll just donate it,’ is so out,” Closest Closet shared in an Instagram post. “Making responsible decisions when shopping is so in.”
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A version of this article was originally published in The 2025 Fashion Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image by Mart Production/Pexels
