Slow fashion brands and boutiques are the future of sustainable style. Check out these options across Nebraska and join the movement toward a brighter tomorrow.
The age of social media has created a landscape that, as Sonic the Hedgehog would say, has “gotta go fast.” Trends pop up quicker than we can scroll through our For You Page on TikTok, and people rush out to try the latest thing based on influencers’ recommendations, whether it’s a food fad or a new product that promises to change your life in some way.
This is even true in the fashion world. Clothing stores are releasing new items and collections at increasingly rapid speeds, partly thanks to the hauls people create online. Of course, this started before TikTok; haul videos were popular on YouTube years before TikTok was even born, but we can’t deny that the latter accelerated fashion’s production cycle.
You’ve probably seen this in action, too. Clothes come out so quickly that they’re made with less-than-ideal materials, meaning they won’t last long. But that’s okay, as these companies would suggest, because they don’t cost as much, either, so you can just buy more clothes from them.
This form of fast fashion has been around for ages in the form of H&M, Old Navy, Zara, and more—all those classic mall staples. Then, Shein, Fashion Nova, and the like entered the chat and put fast fashion into overdrive. Suddenly, outfits were only meant to be worn once and then tossed.
And that’s why many folks are now turning to a trend called slow fashion. Typically, slow fashion uses higher-quality, eco-friendly materials and is made by folks who earn a decent wage (aka they aren’t being exploited, as is the case with fast fashion). Sometimes, slow fashion may take a little longer to arrive if ordered online because items are crafted with care; they’re meant to last, and the short delay is worth it in the long run. Slow fashion can also include thrifted or upcycled items that would otherwise go to waste.
To help you get in on this trend—and help ensure it lasts, for all of our sakes—we’ve gathered some of the best slow fashion brands and boutiques in Nebraska, including both online marketplaces and physical storefronts.
1. Disohrted Vintage
Based out of Waterloo, Disohrted Vintage is an online slow fashion brand that sells both upcycled clothing and pieces that have been intentionally designed to look retro (and, therefore, cool). Many items feature brand names or logos, like the red-and-white hat emblazoned with “Wienerschnitzel” (yes, the fast food chain). You’ll also find many items in the retro-chic Cool Moms Club line, including a cute sweatshirt and cozy half crew socks.
Disohrted Village’s stock is constantly changing due to the upcycled nature of its business, so you’ll want to follow the slow fashion brand on Instagram to keep up with its new items.
2. Handspoken Fair Trade (formerly Ten Thousand Villages)
Address: 140 N 8th St #125, Lincoln, NE 68508
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ten Thousand Villages is another of Nebraska’s slow fashion brands that puts its money where its mouth is. Located in Lincoln, Ten Thousand Villages has reinvented itself over the years. It started with a woman named Edna Ruth Byler selling items out of the trunk of a car over 80 years ago, but its core mission has remained the same: It uplifts artists, connects consumers with items made to last, and pays folks fairly. That’s why it’s part of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Rebranded in 2025 as Handspoken Fair Trade, you can buy everything from kitchenware to garden equipment and, yes, clothing. Fashion finds include jewelry, scarves, bags, and more. As you can imagine, the pieces are unique and beautiful, typically made by hand, giving each item an inherently special meaning. Some of our favorite pieces currently for sale are the stunning Kae Glass Globe Dangle Earrings, the altruistic Socks That Save LGBTQ (rainbow-striped socks that benefit The Trevor Project), and the purr-fectly adaptable Kittee Leather Drop In Bag.
3. Albany and Avers
Address: 5011 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE 68132
Hours: Friday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Albany & Avers is more than just a name. At this curated secondhand shop in Omaha, each half of the name represents a type of clothing you can purchase. The Albany section of the store contains “lightly loved vintage pieces,” according to the shop’s website, while the Avers section consists of “trendy, modern, new pieces” from contemporary designers. At the time of writing, there are no Albany items listed on the store’s website. But one perfect example of the latter is a line of bandanas that feature embroidered Chappell Roan lyrics.
The clothing items at Albany & Avers are carefully curated, slow-fashion-oriented, and sustainable. Anyone extra curious about the shop can attend one of its many events, often held outside normal store hours. For instance, earlier in October, Albany & Avers hosted a Witchy Womxn event where attendees received tarot readings and explored vintage finds that matched the evening’s witchy vibe. Très chic!
4. Tsuru Shop
Address: 114 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Tsuru Shop is another Lincoln store that promotes slow fashion brands with an emphasis on bringing consumers “eco-conscious” and “ethically-made” clothing, according to its website. Tsuru Shop brings in new pieces from reputable brands regularly, though they may not all approach sustainability or ethics the same way.
Tsuru Shop features a variety of items from Free People, which is widely considered to fall under the fast fashion umbrella. However, it also stocks brands like SKFK, a sustainable company that follows Fair Trade guidelines. So, as with anything in life, you have to do your due diligence if you’re specifically looking to support slow fashion brands.
On the SKFK front, some of our favorite items for sale at the time of writing include the Badia Jacket, the Galar Sweater, and the Lenore Sweater. Each of these pieces makes a bold statement while remaining versatile, making them perfect additions to any wardrobe.
5. Esther’s
Address: 805 S 75th St, Omaha, NE 68114
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
For decades, Esther’s has been making women in Nebraska feel oh-so fabulous through the power of consignment. Esther Lonergan embarked on a style journey in 1969, using clothing that had been provided to her by her model sister and opening a brick-and-mortar store in the mid-80s. Her love of fashion blossomed into a business that paired designer clothing with local women who, unlike her, didn’t have connections to tastemakers.
The story behind Esther’s is communal at heart. Many women brought her nice clothing pieces they no longer wanted, and Lonergan would sell them—and help her buyers style them to boot. Lonergan’s daughter got in on the business eventually, too, and now the consignment shop has been thriving for many, many years.
Esther’s is inherently sustainable because it sells existing, high-quality pieces rather than peddling the latest fast-fashion fad. Because of the nature of the shop, Esther’s doesn’t list items for sale on its website, so you’ll need to visit its physical storefront—and check back often—to see what’s on the table. (Pro tip: You can also often find new arrivals shared on Esther’s Facebook page.)
