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One in 10 Brits to buy “majority of clothes” second-hand over next year

Tom Bottomley
26 September 2024

One in 10 people in the UK are planning to buy the majority of their clothing second-hand over the next year, according to a new survey conducted by Oxfam

As the charity’s ‘Second Hand September’ campaign - now in its sixth year - goes into its final week, the findings show 63% of Brits say they plan to buy at least some preloved items for their wardrobe over the next 12 months.

Oxfam’s poll also reveals that 41% of UK adults now buy and wear more second-hand clothing than they did two years ago, while 66% now own some items of preloved clothing.

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, said: "As we come to the end of Oxfam’s sixth Second Hand September campaign, it is clear that second-hand fashion is only becoming more and more popular. We can see from this survey that there has been a real shift in attitudes towards buying second-hand and people are actively choosing to shop preloved over new, which is fantastic to see.

"Shopping second-hand is the best way to find something truly unique, which not only helps the planet, but raises money for Oxfam to tackle poverty and inequality around the world."

Oxfam’s Second Hand September first launched in 2019 to encourage people to shop preloved and donate their unwanted clothes to reduce the need for new clothes and "strive for a more sustainable fashion industry".

However, plenty of clothes could be donated to find new homes, as 82% of respondents admitted to owning items of clothing they no longer wear.

Encouragingly though, people have been decluttering and donating this Second Hand September, as Oxfam recorded a 15% increase in public donations in Oxfam shops in the first week of the campaign alone, compared to last year.

Second-hand online marketplace Vinted has also partnered with Oxfam this year for Second Hand September and for the show, 'Style for Change', during the recent London Fashion Week.

Celebrities strutting the catwalk included Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, Sex Education actor George Robinson and Ted Lasso’s Kola Bokinni, all sporting preloved fashion styled by Bay Garnett.

Vinted has also seen that second-hand is fast becoming a core part of people’s wardrobes. According to its latest ‘Impact Report’, 65% of Vinted members say a quarter or more of the items in their wardrobe are second-hand.

Additionally, more than 40% of Vinted members in the UK report that over half of their wardrobe consists of second-hand finds.

Marianne Gybels, Vinted’s Senior Director of Sustainability, commented: "The results of Oxfam’s survey and Vinted’s Impact Report highlight a powerful shift towards fashion choices that are better for the planet. By choosing second-hand, we are collectively avoiding more emissions and making a tangible impact on the climate.

"The increased enthusiasm for second-hand fashion shows that people are ready to make conscious consumption decisions that benefit not just their wallets and wardrobes, but the planet as well."

Some of the looks from the ‘Style for Change’ catwalk which featured during LFW are still up for grabs in Oxfam’s online wardrobe shop, as well as on Vinted.


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