London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 02, 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
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
×