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UK shoppers expected to spend £2.4 billion on Christmas partywear that will barely be worn
This week, Harpers Bazaar reported that one in five won’t re-wear the outfits bought for the festive period. They suggest clothes swaps, renting, pre-loved and charity stores as a more sustainable option.
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British shoppers are expected to spend £2.4 billion on partywear this Christmas. A lot of these outfits will not be re-worn, according to a study from environmental charity Hubbub.
One in five people out of the 3,006 surveyed admitted that they won’t wear the same outfit to more than one party or event – grim news given that the textile industry creates 1.2 billion tonnes of CO22a year. The average person will spend £73.90 on party attire, with men spending more than women – £88.14 per person compared to £63.12.
Hubbub studied 169 party dresses from 17 online, high-street and designer outlets and found that 94 per cent are partially or totally made from plastic or plastic-derived fabrics. Only 24 per cent of respondents said they knew that most sparkly or sequinned dresses contain plastic.
The charity’s project co-ordinator, Sarah Divall, said that when it comes to party dressing, shoppers should turn to pre-owned clothing or rental fashion.
“Vintage and pre-loved clothing has never been so on-trend and it’s only going to get bigger as people realise the massive environmental impact of the fashion industry,” she told the Guardian. “Going green doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. There are so many eco-friendly options out there now, including clothes swaps, renting, pre-loved and charity stores, so you can look good and save money without damaging the planet.”
