Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Sep 15, 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

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
×