The average Brit only uses half of the clothes in their wardrobe each year, despite splashing out more thnan £300 a year on new clothing. According to a poll of 2,000 adults, clothes purchased for specific events such as weddings or funerals often remain unworn, with 10 per cent admitting to buying items they planned to wear just once. Other reasons for keeping rarely worn clothes include hoping that ill-fitting items will eventually fit, or keeping hold of pieces in the hope they will come back into fashion.
The research also suggests that with the rise of online shopping many people have kept unwanted clothes because it’s a hassle to return them. It revealed that four in ten don’t always return unsuitable items, convincing themselves they’ll find a use for them someday. Meanwhile, a tenth admitted to keeping items they ordered with no intention of wearing 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 of Brits have ever contemplated renting fashion items.
Despite the rapid growth of the rental fashion market, many are put off from using rental service in case they damage items or fail to return them on time, resulting in 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. »
Almost half of shoppers like the concept of renting clothing or accessories for weddings, while 13 per cent believe it could be useful for interviews.
Meanwhile, 19 per cent would rent out clothing to boost their sustainability, and 18 per cent like the idea of being able to access luxury fashion that might typically be beyond their budget.
Post Office has partnered with Hirestreet to encourage Britons to consider hiring summer fashion items using their straightforward returns service.
Isabella West, CEO at the rental service said: « 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
