Sustainable fashion is the ultimate back-to-school strategy for students on a budget
By Becca Wasserman
The fall semester is underway, and thousands of students have returned to campus with new looks—or clothing and accessories that are, at least, new to them.
As a college student myself, I know firsthand the excitement of dressing for the season and wanting a wardrobe that reflects my style. But with high housing costs, food expenses and other factors making back-to-school shopping a challenge, students like me often look for sustainable alternatives to chain stores that offer a refresh without breaking the bank. Plus, we can feel good knowing that we’re doing our part to protect the planet by avoiding fast fashion brands and buying things secondhand.
Living in a community with access to so many small businesses means there are always options to shop smarter for both our wallets and the environment. Those include resale stores, consignment shops and vintage/thrift stores, which not only keep clothing out of the landfill but also reduce the demand for fast fashion, keeping our dollars local while providing a more affordable way to continually revamp our wardrobes.
Here are some of my favorite secondhand stores in Fort Collins to visit when returning to school at Colorado State University.
Repeat Boutique – 1502 S. College Ave.
Repeat Boutique is a consignment shop right across from CSU’s campus. They have a wide variety of gently used clothing, accessories and home decor all waiting for a second life, with constantly rotating inventory brought in by community members and students like me.
By creating a cycle that repurposes clothing and other goods, Repeat Boutique reduces waste while offering affordable options that can’t be found anywhere else. The owner, Laura Green, is passionate about educating people—especially college students—on the environmental toll of fast fashion.
“The creation of new textiles is the second leading source of toxins in the world,” she says.
By shopping secondhand, students can help slow down manufacturing and extend the life cycle of garments, she says. But it isn’t just the unique selection and affordability that draws customers into her store; it’s also the in-person experience—seeing, smelling, touching and trying on items—something online shopping can’t replicate. Green fosters a welcoming, homey environment where shoppers are encouraged to browse and discover one-of-a-kind pieces.
“It’s an adventure,” she says. “You come in intrigued and leave feeling good about how you spent your money.”
Flamingo Boutique – 140 W. Oak St.
Flamingo Boutique is a family-owned, designer consignment shop nestled in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins. Specializing in carefully curated resale clothing and accessories, the boutique offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional shopping with a wide range of styles to suit every taste.
Its convenient location makes it an easy stop for students with expensive taste who are looking to refresh their wardrobe for less. Designer brands like Louboutin, Coach, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana can be found on the racks, alongside rugged favorites like Cotopaxi. Whether you’re searching for unique statement pieces, vintage throwbacks or everyday essentials from Free People, Anthropologie and more, you’ll find lots of hidden gems at this stylish spot.
Collective Vintage – 1228 W. Elizabeth St. D1
Collective Vintage blends sustainably sourced clothing and one-of-a-kind collectibles with a full-service bar and lounge, creating the perfect place to sip and shop at your own pace. The founders—Molly Van Anne and Josh Dollgener, who now have four other co-owners—have transformed the regular shopping trip into a full experience, with craft cocktails, live music and in-store activities (including pool tables) making it more than just a clothing store.
Located in Campus West, the shop naturally attracts the college crowd, especially those who love items with vintage charm. The owners collaborate with vintage sellers and artists, and they host the traveling Fort Collins Vintage Market, which brings together local vendors and vintage enthusiasts at pop-up events around town. If you’re looking for pre-2000s fashion staples, designer pieces or accessories, this is the place to be.
Balancing trends and sustainability
I personally understand the pressure to keep up with constantly changing trends and styles, which can be both expensive and overwhelming. Fast fashion has capitalized on this demand, fueling its rapid growth in today’s market.
And yet Fort Collins’ many sustainable shopping options, combined with the diverse student body, mean the resale market is full of variety, giving students the chance to build a rotating wardrobe on a budget. Resale shops provide a great solution to the financial pressure students face, as you can trade out what you no longer wear, earn cash immediately and use it to invest in fresh, sustainable styles for the season ahead.
It’s not just about shopping; it’s about being part of something bigger. A community. A cause. A conscious shift toward slow fashion. It’s a smart, budget-friendly way to stay stylish while supporting a more sustainable fashion cycle.
More secondhand shops in Fort Collins
- Brand Spanking Used – 227 S. College Ave.
- Heck Yes Vintage (beneath Vintage Willows Boutique) – 115 E. Mountain Ave.
- Create Good Co. – 172 N. College Ave. A2
- Plato’s Closet – 4372 S. College Ave.
- Clothes Mentor – 4519 S. College Ave.
Becca’s back-to-school essentials
- Jean jacket
- Dark blue wash jeans
- Sweater
- Simple belt
- Classic white sneakers
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Cozy scarf
- Suede bag
- Neutral cardigan
- Beanie
- Oversized zip-up hoodie
