Spendthrift Brits admit they have bought new clothing for a wedding, job interview, holiday, or Christmas party – only to then never wear it again after that event, research has found.
Nearly half of adults (45%) own items that are gathering dust at the back of their wardrobe after being worn just once, according to the poll of 2,000 people.
Hawaiian shirts, hats for weddings, and fancy dress costumes are the most likely garments to be worn one time, and then forgotten about.
And more than two in five (43%) claim they never go on holiday without buying at least one new item of clothing.
But clothes or equipment bought for ski trips or beach breaks are commonly not used beyond that one journey away.
Nearly a fifth (18%) admitted that when they come to wear these items again, they feel as if they are not fashionable anymore, while one in four (24%) just think their tastes have simply moved on.
As a result, 35% would consider renting clothes, either to help save money (37%) or for the good of the planet (31%) – while 26% have borrowed items from family and friends to avoid one-off purchases.
To combat the “one-time wears”, and make ski wear more accessible and sustainable, Crystal Ski Holidays has partnered with celebrities Lucy Mecklenburgh and Wes Nelson to launch “The Ski Edit” – a rentable ski wear collection, curated with fashion rental service, “By Rotation”.
Ellie Eyles, a spokeswoman for Crystal Ski Holidays, said: “We want to make skiing more affordable and accessible to everyone, and we do understand it’s a holiday that requires special gear and costs can add up.
“Our research shows more people would be willing to borrow or rent items to avoid a potential one-off purchase, and this partnership with By Rotation removes that concern.
“Our curated Ski Edit includes a range of trusted brands that will get you skiing in style, without the hassle of having to purchase anything permanently.
“And we hope it encourages people to get out to the mountains and create memories on the slopes, without the worry of additional costs or waste.”
The study also found almost two-thirds (62%) of those polled acknowledge the negative environmental impact of buying clothes and only wearing them once.
And 35% feel guilty after impulse buying ahead of a big occasion, and only wearing something once.
Three in 10 have even ended up turning down an invite for a special occasion or event, because they knew they’d have to buy something they’d only end up wearing once.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, also revealed how holidays play a huge part in people’s “one-time wears” – with those who have purchased items for a trip they only wear once spending £66, on average, for one vacation.
Love Island star, Wes Nelson, said: “I’ve been a skier since I was young and I’d love to see more people try to find their feet on the slopes, as it is one of the most enjoyable types of trips there is.”
