10% of Britons to buy mainly pre-owned fashion – Oxfam study

How big is the UK resale fashion market? Huge, and growing, with one in 10 people expected to make the majority of the clothes they buy over the next year secondhand. 

That’s according to charity giant Oxfam with its findings showing 63% of Britons say they plan to buy at least some pre-owned items for their wardrobes over the next 12 months.

With the charity’s latest ‘Second Hand September’ campaign now in its final week, Oxfam reveals secondhand fashion is only increasing in popularity, with Oxfam’s own poll revealing 41% of UK adults now buy and wear more secondhand clothing than they did two years ago. It also found 66% of Britons now own some items of pre-owned clothing.

And demand is growing with Oxfam saying the current campaign recorded a 15% increase in public donations in Oxfam shops in is first week compared to last year.

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail director, said: “We can see from [our] survey that there has been a real shift in attitudes towards buying secondhand and people are actively choosing to shop preloved over new, which is fantastic to see.

“Shopping secondhand is the best way to find something truly unique, which not only helps the planet, but raises money for Oxfam to tackle poverty and inequality around the world.”

Secondhand online marketplace Vinted also partnered with Oxfam this year for Second Hand September and their show, Style for Change, at London Fashion Week earlier this month featured celebrities wearing pre-owned fashion styled by Bay Garnett.