Over a quarter of Brits plan to wear pre-loved outfits this festive season
The UK is gearing up for a pre-loved party season, with more than a quarter of adults planning to buy second-hand outfits for Christmas and New Year, according to a new Oxfam survey.
The charity is calling for an end to throwaway festive fashion, as nearly 30% of adults admit last year’s party purchases were worn only once.
The survey found that 27% of those attending a festive event this year intend to buy pre-loved party outfits. Almost 30% of Brits who bought new outfits for last year’s parties revealed they only wore them once, while 40% wore them just two or three times. Shockingly, 7% admitted they never wore their new purchase at all.
The YouGov poll, commissioned by Oxfam, revealed that nearly half (47%) of those buying new outfits cited “treating themselves” as the main reason, followed by 22% saying they lacked suitable clothing and 15% feeling good about wearing something new.
With 73% of shoppers planning to spend between £10 and £60 on new outfits, Oxfam is urging people to switch to second-hand party clothes to save money and the planet. After the festive season, the charity encourages people to donate their pre-loved outfits for others to enjoy.
Last year, Oxfam calculated that if all UK adults planning to buy festive outfits chose second-hand, it could prevent 66 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere—equivalent to 822 flights from London to the North Pole.
Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, said: “We all want to look and feel good during the festive party season, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of our planet. Despite spending money on something new, many outfits are cast aside after being worn just once or twice.
“By choosing to buy second-hand at Oxfam, you can find a beautiful outfit that’s new to you while helping reduce demand for new clothes, protecting our planet, and raising funds to tackle poverty and inequality worldwide.”
Actress Alison Steadman added: “Getting dressed up at Christmas is one of my favourite things about the holidays. There’s no need to splash out on a brand-new dress you might only wear once—you can find something fabulous second-hand that saves money, helps the environment, and supports a good cause. What more could you want!”
Supermodel and activist Eunice Olumide said: “With the current climate crisis, we need to shop more sustainably. It’s tempting to buy new clothes for Christmas parties, but you can find show-stopping outfits second-hand while helping the planet. Plus, if you don’t want to wear it again, you can donate it back for someone else to enjoy.”
Coronation Street actress Kimberley Hart-Simpson added: “There’s nothing I love more than rummaging through charity shops at Christmas to see what treasures I can find. Second-hand absolutely does not mean second-best—you can discover something unique that feels good and does good by raising money when it’s needed most.”
