More than half of 25 to 34-year-olds buy second-hand clothes, say Mintel market experts

Britain’s thrifty young fashionistas are buying, selling, mending, swapping and renting their clothes, according to the latest research from Mintel.

Illustration: meidea.it on SS2021 trends
shown during Denim Premiere Vision - London 

‘Thrifting’ is the way forward among young British fashion shoppers, as Mintel research shows that in the last year alone over half (52%) of those aged 25 - 34 bought second-hand clothes, compared to an average of 43%.

Young Brits are turning their old clothes into hard cash, with 50% of 25 to 34-year-olds selling unwanted clothes in the last year, compared to 35% of consumers as a whole.

And in the spirit of ‘make do and mend’, half (50%) of 25-34-year-olds have repaired damaged or worn-out clothes.

Illustration: meidea.it on SS 2021 trends

‘Swishing’, the act of swapping clothes with friends or acquaintances, is also becoming on-trend, particularly among young people.

Three quarters (75%) of 16 to 24-year-olds say they either have swapped fashion items with others or would be interested in doing so in the future. This compares to an average of just 51% of Brits.

Meanwhile, looking at the habits of fashion shoppers, Generation Z (16-24-year-olds) is the demographic group most likely to use rental services, with 54% saying they have rented or would be interested in renting fashion items, compared to an average of 33% of Brits. Overall, 57% of Brits agree that buying too many fashion items is bad for the environment.

Chana Baram, Mintel Retail Analyst, said:“The idea of ‘reusing, reducing and recycling’ has the potential to be a big disruptor in the fashion industry. Young shoppers seem to be emulating their grandparents, who were forced to ‘make do and mend’ during World War II. As the climate crisis continues to gain headlines, consumers’ perspectives are shifting. It’s no longer enough for clothing to be priced well, or to reference the latest trends; fashion brands and retailers also have to think about working towards a goal of providing more sustainable options. Many young people today are likely to be  influenced by the ‘Attenborough’ or ‘Greta’ effects, and are becoming far more aware of the negative effects fast fashion can have on the environment. As a result, we have seen a real increase in the number of businesses and retailers offering repair services, second-hand items or rental options.”