The Rise of Sustainable Fashion Culture on Social Media
Fashion culture is shifting. Across TikTok and Instagram, more young people are embracing sustainable fashion in many forms thrifted, upcycled, vintage, rental, and eco-conscious clothing. Instead of relying solely on fast fashion, communities are exploring slower, more mindful ways of dressing. This shift isn’t just about ethics it’s about creativity, individuality, and having fun with personal style.
Influencers provide a window into this changing culture, showing how pre-loved or responsibly made pieces can be styled in fresh, aspirational ways. From thrifting and upcycling hacks to showcasing brands that use organic fabrics or fair labor practices, creators are sparking new conversations about what it means to dress sustainably. Even micro-influencers accounts with tens of thousands of followers can ripple out big impact, normalizing practices like clothing rental, clothing swaps, or investing in long-lasting, ethically made staples.
Examples of Influencers Embracing Sustainable Style
Here are a few creators who embody this playful, thoughtful approach to fashion:
1. Andrea Cheong – @andreacheong
Andrea mixes style and education, showing how upcycling and thoughtful wardrobe choices can be both visually striking and sustainable.
2. Izzy Manuel – @izzy_manuel
Izzy combines streetwear aesthetics with vintage and slow fashion pieces, proving sustainable choices can still feel edgy and creative.
3. Koleen Diaz – @koleendz
Koleen mixes name-brand staples with thrifted pieces, creating a versatile, street-style aesthetic that feels both polished and personal. Through travel vlogs and GRWM (“get ready with me”) videos, she shows how sustainable choices can blend naturally with contemporary fashion, making secondhand style aspirational and easy to adopt.
4. Julie Pelipas – @juliepelipas
Julie repurposes materials and upcycles clothing into polished, fashion-forward looks, encouraging audiences to rethink the concept of “new.”
5. Tze Shinn – @tzeshinn
Tze blends streetwear and sustainable style, showing how thrifted and repurposed pieces can integrate seamlessly into modern wardrobes.
More Than Just a Trend
The best part? This culture isn’t just online. It influences real-world choices from shopping habits to personal expression creating a community of people experimenting with different sides of sustainable fashion. Whether it’s thrifting, renting, swapping, buying slow fashion, or choosing organic and recycled fabrics, the common thread is creativity and thoughtfulness. By celebrating individuality and mindful consumption, these examples highlight the playful, inspiring side of ethical style and show how sustainability can be cool and the kind of culture we want more of. So next time you see a killer thrifted fit, a rented runway piece, or an organic cotton staple on your feed, know this: it’s more than a look. It’s a nudge toward a fashion future that’s thoughtful, creative, and yes totally cool.
