Oxford charity Oxfam calls for second-hand festive outfit shopping

An Oxford-based charity is calling for shoppers to swap party outfit purchases with pre-loved ones to help save money and the planet.

Oxfam’s latest survey found that about 30% of adults admitted they wear new festive clothes only once.

It had calculated that if all UK adults went for second-hand options, it could prevent a 66 million kilogrammes of harmful emissions, equivalent to 822 flights from London to the North Pole.

Oxfam’s retail director Lorna Fallon said looking good over the holidays “doesn’t have to be at the expense of our planet”.

The survey’s results showed that:

• 29% of people who bought a new outfit for a festive party last year admitted they only wore it once, while 40% only wore it two or three times;
• 47% of those intending to buy a new outfit were most likely to buy it as a “treat” to themselves;
• and a “shocking” 7% admitting to never wearing their new purchase.

Oxfam said 73% of Brits buying new outfits expected to spend between £10 and £60.

Ms Lorna Fallon said that by choosing to buy second-hand at Oxfam, “you can find a beautiful outfit that is new to you”.

“And also help reduce the demand for new clothes, help our planet and raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality around the world,” she added.

“We all want to look and feel good over the festive party season, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of our planet.”

Supermodel Eunice Olumide, who has given tips on mastering second-hand fashion, said “we all need to be thinking about shopping more sustainably”.

“… you can find something just as show-stopping and fabulous by shopping second-hand and helping the planet.”