Oxfam's latest survey reveals how common is for party outfits to be forgotten in the wardrobe or never worn and how many Brits will go for pre-loved this year.
The Short Life Of Party Outfits
Bought for a special occasion like holiday celebrations and parties, festive outfits end up put aside after the big event or never worn. This is the sad scenario depicted by the recent YouGov survey, carried out on behalf of the charity body Oxfam this November, which put the accent on consumerism habits and new trends among adults in the UK.
From the survey, almost 30 per cent of Brits (29%) who bought a new outfit for a festive party last year admitted they only wore it once, while 40 per cent only wore it two or three times. A shocking seven per cent admitted to having never worn their new party purchase. However, more than one in four adults (27%) attending a festive event this year are planning to buy pre-loved party outfits.
The YouGov survey also explored the reasons behind shopping for party clothing and found that nearly half (47%) of those intending to buy a new outfit said they were most likely to buy it as a “treat” to themselves, while 22 per cent said they did not own any suitable clothing. The third most popular reason was because people “felt good wearing something new” (15%).
Good Reasons To Choose Pre-loved Party Clothing
With almost three-quarters (73%) of Brits buying new outfits expecting to spend between £10 and £60, Oxfam is encouraging them to swap to pre-loved party clothes and help save money and planet resources. After the festivities conclude, the charity suggests donating their party looks for someone else.
Last year, Oxfam calculated that if all UK adults planning to buy festive fashion items at Christmas bought them second-hand, it could prevent a whopping 66 million kilogrammes of harmful carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of a plane flying from London to the North Pole 822 times.
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, said: “We all want to look and feel good over the festive party season, but it does not have to be at the expense of our planet. It is clear that despite spending money on something new, many outfits are cast to the back of our wardrobes after being worn just once or twice. "
“By choosing to buy second-hand at Oxfam, you can find a beautiful outfit that is new to you – and also help reduce the demand for new clothes, help our planet and raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality around the world.”
Gavin and Stacey actress, Allison Steadman, said: “Getting dressed up at Christmas is one of my favourite things about the holidays. There is no need to splash out on buying a brand-new dress that you might only wear once – you can find something fabulous second-hand, which helps save you money, is better for the environment and helps a good cause. What more could you want!”
Supermodel and activist, Eunice Olumide, said: “With the current climate crisis, we all need to be thinking about shopping more sustainably. It can be really tempting to buy new clothes over the Christmas period when we have parties and New Year’s Eve coming up, but you can find something just as show-stopping and fabulous by shopping second-hand and helping the planet. Plus, if you do not fancy wearing it again – you can donate it back for someone else to enjoy!”
Coronation Street actress and businesswoman, Kimberley Hart-Simpson, said: “There is nothing I love more than having a good rummage around the charity shops at Christmas to see what I might find. Second-hand absolutely does not mean second-best – you can find something totally unique, that feels good and does good, by raising money at a time when it is needed most.”
Are you thinking about moving from throwaway fashion to a more sustainable and economical option? This festive season, you can wear a stunning second-hand look by visiting your closest Oxfam shop – among more than 500 across the UK – or head to the Oxfam online shop.
