A study of 2,000 adults found clothes are regularly left unworn if they have been bought for specific occasions such as weddings or funerals
The average Brit only wears half of what is in their, with a third splashing out more than £300 on new items each year, according to a poll of 2,000 adults. Clothes purchased for specific events like weddings or funerals often remain unworn afterwards, with 10 per cent admitting to buying items they planned to wear just once.
When it comes to shopping for new clothes, one in seven confessed to spending over half of their yearly budget on summer clothing. However, the reasons for keeping rarely worn clothes range from hoping they’ll fit one day to keeping them in case they come back into style.
As online shopping becomes more common, the study also suggests people are holding onto unwanted clothes due to the hassle of returning them.
It was revealed that four in ten don’t always return items, even if they’re not suitable, convincing themselves they’ll find a use for them someday.
Furthermore, a tenth admitted to keeping items they ordered but never intended to wear because they ‘couldn’t be bothered to send them back’.
While 34 per cent of shoppers expressed a desire to make more sustainable purchases, only 20 per cent have ever thought about renting fashion items.
Despite the rapid growth of the rental fashion market, many are deterred from using rental service for fear of damaging items or failing to return them on time and having to pay additional charges.
Candice Ohandjanian, mails and parcels director at Post Office, which commissioned the research, said: “Let’s face it, we all love a show-stopping outfit for that big event, but too often those pieces end up forgotten at the back of the wardrobe.
”As people consider sustainability more in their day-to-day, rent-and-return fashion is becoming the go-to way to stay stylish without guilt. We’re proud of the role we play in supporting rental fashion brands.
“Renting fashion allows people to enjoy new styles, experiment with trends or dress for one-off events – without the long-term commitment or the pile-up of underused clothes.
“Our research found that tracked- and signed-for parcel services make rental fashion more appealing.”
“Renting fashion allows people to enjoy new styles, experiment with trends or dress for one-off events – without the long-term commitment or the pile-up of underused clothes. Our research found that tracked- and signed-for parcel services make rental fashion more appealing.”
When it comes to rental fashion, 44 per cent of shoppers like the idea of renting clothes or accessories for weddings, while 13 per cent think it could be useful for interviews.
Meanwhile, 19 per cent would rent to boost sustainability, and 18 per cent would be able to enjoy high-end fashion that might usually be out of their budget.
Post Office has partnered with Hirestreet to urge Brits to consider hiring summer fashion items using their hassle-free returns process.
Isabella West, CEO at the rental service, stated: “The stats show 20 per cent of UK consumers now consider renting a dress for a special occasion ahead of buying something they will only wear once.
“We hope to make it easy and affordable to rent outfits from your favourite brands, so you can feel amazing in a more sustainable way.
“”In the past 12 months, we have seen over 100 per cent revenue growth, which shows just how many people are choosing to shop smarter.
“Renting fashion should feel effortless, and this partnership helps make that possible.”
TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE HAVE RARELY-WORN ITEMS IN THEIR WARDROBES:
- Items which are very occasion specific (weddings etc)
- Items which are unsuitable for everyday wear
- Items that no longer fit
- Items I hope to fit into one day
- Items which I’ve bought, but they don’t really go with anything else I own
- Items which are out of fashion now but might come back that I can’t bear to part with
- Items which I thought looked great in the shop, but didn’t look as good when I got them home – and never returned
- Items which I thought looked great online, but didn’t look as good when I received them – and never returned
- Items which I should have returned but couldn’t be bothered
- Items which I bought with the intention of only wearing once
