The United Kingdom is witnessing a shift in attitudes towards buying second-hand as people are actively choosing to shop preloved over new, with one in ten people saying the majority of clothes they buy over the next year will be second-hand, according to an Oxfam survey.
THE SURVEY: Conducted at the fag end of six years of Oxfam’s Second Hand September week, the findings reveal that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Brits say they plan to buy at least some preloved items for their wardrobe over the next 12 months.
- Second-hand fashion is increasing in popularity, with 41% of UK adults now buying and wearing more second-hand clothing than they did two years ago.
- It also found two-thirds of Brits (66%) now own some items of preloved clothing.
- People are decluttering and donating this Second Hand September, with Oxfam recording a 15% increase in public donations in Oxfam shops in the first week of the campaign alone, compared to last year.
- There are still plenty of clothes which could be donated and find a new home with 82% of respondents admitting to owning items of clothing they no longer wear.
WALKING A PARTNERSHIP: Second-hand online marketplace, Vinted, has also partnered with Oxfam this year for the Second Hand September and the show, Style for Change, at London Fashion Week on 12 September.
- The catwalk included the likes of celebrities such as Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, Sex Education actor George Robinson and Ted Lasso’s Kola Bokinni walking the catwalk in preloved fashion, styled by Bay Garnett.
- According to its latest Impact Report, almost two-thirds (65%) of Vinted members say a quarter or more of the items in their wardrobe are second-hand.
- More than 40 per cent of Vinted members in the UK report that over half of their wardrobe consists of second-hand finds.
Oxfam’s Second Hand September was 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.
WHAT THEY 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.
— Lorna Fallon
Retail Director
Oxfam
The results of Oxfam’s survey and Vinted’s Impact Report highlight a powerful shift towards fashion choices that are better for the planet. At Vinted, we are thrilled to partner with Oxfam for Second Hand September, celebrating the unique stories behind preloved clothing. 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.
— Marianne Gybels
Senior Director (Sustainability)
Vinted
