London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025

Rise in sales of second-hand outfits for festive parties

Rise in sales of second-hand outfits for festive parties

When Charlotte Ballard was shopping for something sparkly for her work Christmas party she went second hand as she knew she wouldn't wear it again.

She is one of many people choosing pre-loved party outfits this Christmas and New Year, according to fashion experts.

It is the first festive season since Covid rules were lifted, but the cost-of-living crisis is limiting spending.

Second-hand clothing apps Vinted and Depop say 18-35s are spending more. And Oxfam says demand for party wear is up.

The charity said sales of going out clothes in its shops and online was "significantly higher" this year than in 2019, before Covid put paid to party plans.

The charity's retail director Lorna Fallon said: "[This is] suggesting that people are making more conscious decisions to choose second-hand, pre-loved and vintage clothes."


Charlotte Ballard wore second-hand clothes this year for party season

According to an Oxfam survey, more than a third of shoppers have slashed their Christmas budgets this year, with 66% saying this was down to the cost of living crisis. Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - is at a 40-year high and wages are not keeping up.

Ms Ballard, 26, from London told the BBC she started shopping second hand this summer.

"I don't like feeding into the fast fashion industry," she said. "With the cost-of-living crisis, I have been motivated to shop for more second-hand clothes."

"I've bought a sparkly top and some trousers for my work Christmas party on Vinted, I probably won't wear it much afterwards because it's sparkly, so it is more sustainable for me to buy it second hand."

Social shopping app Depop said it had seen a rise in people shopping second-hand. A survey it conducted found 44% of 18-to-35 year olds in the UK were buying more clothing now than they did last year.

Some 53% said that in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, they had been turning to second-hand shopping as a way of saving money. Those who bought second hand estimated they were saving up to 25% per item, which adds up to £2.8bn a year across all purchases, Depop said.


How to make the most of second-hand sparkle


*  Keep sparkle to accessories - Depop advise if you want to buy something sparkly make it a bag or headband which could get more wear than an outfit

*  Wear again and again - TikTok trend forecaster Hannah Miller warns against getting caught up in micro-trends, if you can't see it staying in your wardrobe for 5-10 years give it a miss

*  Say goodbye to second-hand stigma - eBay pre-loved ambassador Tasha Ghouri advises letting go of stigma and searching for unique pieces

*  Don't be afraid to haggle -Natacha Blanchard from Vinted encourages making offers on items to keep your costs low

*  Donate when you're done - Oxfam say that 1.7 million sequins are binned after party season so if you can't see yourself wearing that sparkly number again pass it on

Ms Fallon said Oxfam's research found the thrill of new clothes typically faded after four wears.

"Often excitement is replaced by guilt if we've overspent," she said. "Fashion lovers can shop for second hand this season, free from the pressure of having overspent."

A television advert for Oxfam highlights the benefits of buying second hand


Although shopping second hand seems to be in fashion, TikTok influencer Hannah Miller knows first-hand there can be stigma attached.

"In the 2000s and even in the 2010s, people would ask me where my outfits were from and when I said they were thrifted the mood would change from admiration to judgement," she said.

"I had comments like 'that's so dirty I would never buy second hand', people are so much more open minded now.

"Last year, I bought my viral Prada ballet pumps on Vinted for £40 and a pair of Tom Ford Gucci boots for £45."

TikTok influencer Hannah Miller's favourite trend is second-hand shoppping.


"Besides the obvious sequins, big statement bows and fuchsia pink trending this season, the biggest trend and my favourite, is shopping second-hand," said Ms Miller who makes fashion trend forecasts on TikTok.

"It's great to buy into trends if you think they will fit your personal style and will become a staple in your capsule wardrobe for the next 5-10 years."

Pre-loved shopping had a moment this summer when reality television show Love Island partnered with eBay to style its contestants in second-hand outfits. Research from eBay UK showed that one item of second-hand clothing was sold every second in 2022 on its site.

Now eBay's pre-loved ambassador, Tasha Ghouri, has developed a party section on the site.

"Shopping pre-loved is not embarrassing, if anything it's amazing," she said. "You're doing something better for the planet."


The cost of living crisis is not the only thing driving the second-hand trend, many consumers are shopping more sustainably to do their bit for the environment.

The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, according to the UN - more than the aviation and shipping combined.

The European Environment Agency estimates that less than 1% of all clothing worldwide is recycled.

In 2019, Oxfam estimated that 1.7 million sequin items were binned after the Christmas party season.

"A lot of sequins go to waste this time of year, and Christmas is all about the sparkle," Tasha said.

"I wanted to really push the message to buy second hand because it's also better for the environment."

Many shoppers will always favour splashing out on a new outfit from a High Street fashion store.

Sales at clothing stores rose by 2.1% in November, according to official retail sales figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Tinita Fowler, 25, from London bought her party outfit from H&M.

Tinita is looking to rent her party outfits in the new year


"I left it too last minute and I've changed sizes recently so wanted to go and actually try the clothes on."

Tinita does want to look more at sustainable fashion in the new year.

"I've just downloaded Vinted, but I'm not sure how useful it would be for occasion wear," she said.

"I do have a few weddings to go to next year that I will probably look into renting an outfit for rather than buying new."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
US Teacher Detained in Russia Freed Amid Optimism for Improved US-Russia Relations
EU-UK Security Pact Unhindered by Fishing Rights Dispute, Says EU President
Tories Criticize Proposed Chagos Islands Sovereignty Transfer Amid Escalating Cost Claims
World Leaders Promote Ethical and Inclusive AI Governance at Paris Summit
Deloitte US Revises Policies in Response to Evolving Political Climate
Apple Releases Critical Security Update Following Reports of Vulnerabilities
US Senate Moves Forward with Tulsi Gabbard's Nomination for Director of National Intelligence.
Israel Warns of Ending Gaza Ceasefire Amid Hostage Situation
King Abdullah II Dismisses US Proposal to Relocate Palestinians, Commits to Welcoming Children from Gaza.
Sam Altman Addresses Elon Musk's Offer to Acquire OpenAI
OpenAI Reconfirms Its Independence After Musk's $97 Billion Offer.
Elon Musk Cautions That the U.S. Could Face Bankruptcy Without Reductions in Federal Spending.
How Spain Transformed from High Unemployment to Eurozone Growth Leader
FEMA Allocated Fifty-Nine Million Dollars to House Illegal Migrants in Luxury Hotels, Triggers Investigation
Australian Billionaires Set to Encounter New Wealth Tax Under Greens Initiative
U.S. Secret Service Invests Two Million Dollars in High-Quality, Effective Recruitment Ad Directed by Michael Bay
MPs to Receive Proposed 2.8% Pay Increase, Raising Salaries to £93,904 – It’s Legal, and That’s Exactly the Problem
The European Union Shifts Focus to AI Innovation Amid Global Competition (or at least this is what they claim)
Europe's far-right leaders pledge to 'reclaim' the continent in the wake of Trump's reelection.
Keir Starmer Under Examination Regarding His Legal Strategy
Merz and Scholz Spar Over Migration and Economic Strategies in Pre-Election Discussion
"Marrow stupid": Senator John Kennedy Blasts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Over Chagos Islands Transfer
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Surge Reshapes Electoral Dynamics
Kemi Badenoch Faces Internal Criticism After 100 Days as Tory Leader
Campaigners Urge UK to Apologise for Forced Adoptions
Church of England Upholds Traditional Eucharistic Elements Amid Calls for Alternatives
Rayner Defends Approach at Grenfell Tower Meeting Amid Dismantling Plan
China Implements Tit-for-Tat Tariffs on US Goods Amid Trade Escalation
Italy and Wales Set for Six Nations Clash at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico
Ministry of Justice Apologises Over Prisoner Early Release Letter Error
Rare First Edition Harry Potter Book Sells for Over Twenty-One Thousand Pounds
Drax Power Station Under Scrutiny for Incomplete Wood Sourcing Reporting
UK Government Reaffirms Pledge to Build 1.5 Million New Homes by 2029
Freed Israeli Hostage Learns of Family's Death After Release from Gaza
French President Macron Employs Deepfake Technology to Advocate for AI Summit
Trump Names Musk to Investigate Government Fraud Amidst Controversy
Police Stop Ed Sheeran's Street Performance in Bengaluru
FBI Alerts Smartphone Users About Toll Scam Threat
Australian Educator Declares Identity as a Cat, Sparking Parental Backlash
Kremlin Addresses Claims of Trump-Putin Phone Conversation in Light of Ukraine Crisis
Trump Connects with Putin to Address the Ukraine Crisis
Super Bowl Ad Prices Soar to Record Highs Amid Streaming Surge
China Achieves 2030 Solar Energy Targets Early, Cuts Subsidies for Renewable Energy
Trump Signs Executive Order Prioritizing White South African Refugees
Europe Faces Growing Security Concerns and Trump's New Demands on Ukraine
Trump Revokes Security Clearances of Biden Officials, Including Blinken and Sullivan
Justin Bieber Sparks Concern as New Footage Raises Health Fears
European Right-Wing Leaders Celebrate Trump’s Impact on Global Politics
Trump Administration Directs Admiral to Leave Official Residence Within Three Hours
British Health Secretary Andrew Gavin Fired Over Controversial Messages
×