Sustainable Thrift Stores in Milan
Second Hand Reuse is a small but mighty thrift store located at Via Padova, 36, in Milan and is striving to help more than just the environment. Second Hand Reuse was created in the hopes of generating enough resources to provide funding for local solidarity projects and to elongate the life of clothing items to prevent them from ending up in street bins. However, they're not like any other thrift store. The clothing they sell is picked up from street bins such as the bright yellow Dona Valore.
“we create job opportunities, environmental education and economic resources to finance, in a totally transparent way, various social and solidarity projects in the Lombardy area.” — Dona Valore (Donate Value)
Items are collected and then sanitized to be sold only if in perfect condition. This hidden gem is committed to giving clothing pieces a new life and is the epitome of sustainable fashion. Their Instagram is full of information on their solidarity projects and their fight to give clothing another life. To learn more about Second Hand Reuse Milano check out their website here.
Alura Lane
Humana: How You Can Use Fashion to Help the World Flourish
Humana Italia’s ‘Humana Vintage’ stores provide a route to staying fashionable, while shopping sustainably. Stores recycle clothing, while profits are directed toward the earth and the impoverished.
An international non-profit, economic gains fund projects for the vulnerable in the Southern Hemisphere.
Despite this, a core function of the brand is to keep prices affordable. Customers aren’t forced to forgo fashion for sustainability. Rather, their focus is providing customers with trendy products that won’t break the bank.
Pieces are always priced modestly, a rarity for vintage retailers; however, they also differentiate from competitors by having regular sales. On Wednesday’s, all items are priced €5 or less, exemplifying their belief that sustainable fashion should be accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
The closest Humana Vintage to the Milan city center is located at Via Cappellari, 3, 20123 Milano.
Simon Jolles
BIVIO Milano
Discover Milan’s fashion gem, BIVIO, where sustainable, vintage shopping meets affordability and trendy style. Showcasing a rapidly changing handpicked collection of clothing spanning from the 60s to modern-day streetwear, BIVIO is a haven for those that parade themselves as Earth conscious fashionistas. Three conveniently located stores for respective gender, and a mixed gender store, that are open every day of the week. Making sustainable choices accessible without compromising on style or budget. BIVIO’s stock features a diversity of styles with renowned designer brands and smaller less known ones that rival in quality, ensuring a healthy flow of new and affordable clothes. Those wanting to donate their own clothes that aren’t too damaged are able to trade them in for store credit. Long gone is the idea that green shopping and thrifting can’t be found in the fashion capital, Milan. For those wanting to change their getup without breaking the bank, head over to the stores of BIVIO, where fashion, sustainability and affordability meet.
Located at Via Mora 14 (for the Men's store) and Via Mora 4 (for the Woman's store) in zona Porta Ticinese, 20129 Milano and Via Lambro 12 zona Porta Venezia (for the mixed store), 20129 Milano
Seth Wanamaker
Thrift Shop Milano
In the heart of the fashion capital of the world, where students are leading the change in sustainable fashion, Thrift Shop Milano stands as a beacon of the sustainable fashion revolution. This treasure is located at Via Privata del Don, 2 and is centered around a y2k aesthetic, creating a warm atmosphere for thrift lovers. Young people who visit Thrift Shop Milano are making a statement by embracing a unique style while supporting sustainability efforts. Founded by Camille Velasquez, a passionate young entrepreneur, the thrift shop not only advocates for sustainable fashion but also empowers and supports women within the community.
“We should get into the mindset of making sustainable and conscientious purchases not only in the clothing sector but in general,” said Camille Velasquez, owner and founder of Thrift Shop Milano. “The planet is giving us clear signals and we must all commit to improving as much as we can.”
This hidden gem has gained popularity on TikTok and Instagram, attracting both young tourists in Milan and locals in search of unique pre-loved fashion and accessories. With regularly updated stock and a commitment to accepting donations, this shop is at the forefront of Milan’s sustainable style movement.
Parisa Burton
Sivag Store Milano
Sivag is a second-hand store which sells items such as sweaters, jackets, and an array of accessories; chief among them are scarves. It also sells household utilities, though these are not as common as the clothes. What sets Sivag apart from other stores in Milan is its unique sourcing strategy — the store acquires items from businesses and stores that have gone bankrupt, allowing these pieces to have a new life as well as preventing unnecessary waste.
The Court of Milan gave Sivag permission to have these items; this is the first project of its kind in Italy. According to the store’s website, “Usually the goods [from bankrupted companies] were sold at public auction in bulk, the value realized in these cases is always very low even if the goods taken individually had a decidedly higher market value . Given this finding, the Court of Milan , in the person of its President, in agreement with the bankruptcy trustees, authorized the Sivag SpA Judicial Sales Institute to sell individual assets directly to the public at a fixed price, a very interesting price for the public. , as it is positioned between 15%-30% of the retail price. Bankruptcy procedures derive an important economic benefit and the public can purchase branded products at prices impossible to find in other commercial conditions.”
And so, there is a benefit for businesses, the environment, and consumers; the products are resold rather than thrown away, consumers get products at lower prices than they normally would, and there is an economic benefit.
As the store is constantly receiving inventory from businesses shutting down, you can expect new offerings in the store each week, giving you plenty of reason to return regularly. Some of the items can be on the pricier side; shelves in the store revealed women’s sweaters in a rainbow of colors, which were around 50 euros each. However, the store also has more budget friendly items, that can be found in its clearance section. The store also has regular auctions, which can mean getting the item at below retail range. You can be updated in real time on their website to see what new items were brought in, and what auctions are occurring.
An example of a recent addition to their inventory includes jewelry in noble metals, crystals, and natural stones. They are on retail sale, with an average of a 75% reduction. They are separated into ‘for her’ and ‘for him’, as potential gifts for the holiday season.
Your visit, however, is capped at 30 minutes, meaning you have to be purposeful and quick in your decisions. This creates a sense of urgency and excitement in each visit to Sivag.
This store is open from 10:35–18:45 Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10:30–18:30, and is closed on Mondays.
Mia Altamuro
