Average Brit wears just HALF their wardrobe every year… as survey shows a third splashes £300 on new items annually

The Sun

24-07-2025

A SURVEY of 2,000 adults revealed Brits' shopping habits, as clothes are left unworn on wardrobe floors.
The average Brit will only wear half their wardrobe in any given year, with a third spending more than £300 on new items annually.
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A poll of 2,000 adults found the reasons clothes are left in wardrobes and rarely worn included because they've been bought for very specific occasions like weddings and funerals (52 per cent).
Other reasons being they no longer fit (44 per cent) and are being held on to in case they come back into fashion (21 per cent).
Of those who ever buy clothes, approximately one in seven (15 per cent) said they spend more than half of their annual fashion budget on items for the summer months.
And of those who don't always return unsuitable items, 42 per cent admitted they don't always send things back because they convince themselves they will one day have a need for them.
A tenth also admit to holding onto items they've ordered - with no intention of wearing - because they "couldn't be bothered to send them back".
And, of those who don't wear all their wardrobe, 10 per cent bought items they only intended to wear once.
While 34 per cent of shoppers would like to be more sustainable with their purchases, only 20 per cent of Brits have ever considered renting fashion items.
The rental fashion market has seen rapid growth, yet, when quizzed on why they prefer to shop for new items over receiving a rented item in the post, 33 per cent of adults would be frightened of damaging something they only temporarily owned.
Candice Ohandjanian, mails and parcels director at Post Office, which commissioned the research, said: 'Let's face it, we all love a show-stopping outfit for that big event, but too often those pieces end up forgotten at the back of the wardrobe.
''As people consider sustainability more in their day-to-day, rent-and-return fashion is becoming the go-to way to stay stylish without guilt.
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'We're proud of the role we play in supporting rental fashion brands.
"Renting fashion allows people to enjoy new styles, experiment with trends or dress for one-off events - without the long-term commitment or the pile-up of underused clothes.
'Our research found that tracked- and signed-for parcel services make rental fashion more appealing."
When it comes to rental fashion, 44 per cent of shoppers like the idea of renting clothes or accessories for weddings, while 13 per cent think it could be useful for interviews.
In fact, more than a quarter (26 per cent) think the idea of saving money is what might encourage them to rent rather than buy clothing.
While 19 per cent like the idea of boosting sustainability, and 18 per cent would be able to enjoy high-end fashion that might usually be out of their budget.
But with one in six (16 per cent) worrying about returning rental items on time, Post Office has teamed up with Hirestreet to encourage Brits to consider renting summer fashion pieces using their hassle-free returns process.
Isabella West, CEO at the rental service said: "The stats show 20 per cent of UK consumers now consider renting a dress for a special occasion ahead of buying something they will only wear once.
'We hope to make it easy and affordable to rent outfits from your favourite brands, so you can feel amazing in a more sustainable way.
'In the past 12 months, we have seen over 100 per cent revenue growth, which shows just how many people are choosing to shop smarter.
'Renting fashion should feel effortless, and this partnership helps make that possible."
Top 10 reasons people have rarely-worn items in their wardrobes
Items which are very occasion specific (weddings etc.)
Items which are unsuitable for everyday wear
Items that no longer fit
Items I hope to fit into one day
Items which I've bought, but they don't really go with anything else I own
Items which are out of fashion now but might come back that I can't bear to part with
Items which I thought looked great in the shop, but didn't look as good when I got them home - and never returned
Items which I thought looked good online, but didn't look as good when I received them - and never returned
Items which I should have returned but couldn't be bothered
Items which I bought with the intention of only wearing once