Whatnot claims nine out of ten are turning to second hand

New research from Whatnot, a leading livestream shopping platform, has revealed many are snubbing new and opting for second-hand.

The research asked 2,000 people about their relationship with second-hand clothing and their preferences.

Increase - Rick Woodrow, owner of online second hand vintage store RicksRetro, has noticed an increase in people turning to second hand clothes (Image: Rick Woodrow) There is a clear passion for timeless fashion, with 70 per cent admitted to regularly shopping vintage or second hand, rising to 84 per cent among 18 to 28 year olds.

Over a third (35 per cent) say they are making more effort to buy sustainable clothing now compared to five years ago, with 30 per cent stating they now only buy sustainable clothes, rising to 43 per cent of under-29-year-olds.

The change in mindset comes due to many different factors and has seen many people change their approach to fashion choices.

Happy - Hannah Wood is the manager of the St Helena Hospice store in Dedham (Image: Credited) Many charity shops and second-hand clothing businesses are thriving due to the change in approach to second hand clothes.

One example is Colchester-based second hand businessman Rick Woodrow, 30, the owner of online clothes shop RicksRetro.

Rick has been dealing in second-hand reselling for around 12 years and has made a living through his successful business.

He said: “I think the second hand space has grown massively in the last few years, people have become more conscious of the impact of fast fashion.

“It’s also due to people being more eco-conscious and having less money to buy clothes for themselves.

“Buyers are seeing that they can buy a second hand jumper for £30 instead of buying it new for £90.

“It increased massively during Covid with people being stuck inside. Online spending was up and through the cost of living crisis people are more likely to spend on second hand as its cheaper.”

Steve Hurdle, 39, who helps runs Best Days Vintage on Eld Lane in Colchester, disagrees with the idea of more people turning to secon- hand.

Disagree - Steve Hurdle (left) and Jez Dixon, who own Best Days Vintage disagree that people are deciding on changing to second hand clothing (Image: Credited) He said: “As far as I can see, I don’t believe more people are shopping for vintage, but I would say that more people are starting to become interested.

“I feel people are interested in certain styles and some people are looking for a quick fix.

“I guess it depends on who has been asked in the survey and depends on what age range they are in.

“Places like Vinted are having an affect online. More people are online trading - more than they have done in the past."

Charities are also seeing a positive change since the interest in second-hand clothes has increased.

Across the 24 shops St Helena Hospice has in north-east Essex and their online stores, they took more than £4.6 million in 2023/2024.

There was also nearly two million items purchased from their shops last year.

Ian Daniels, associate director of commercial retail for St Helena Hospice, said: "The numbers of shoppers and donations have gone up which is great for St Helena because money raised from our shops goes to help people across north-east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement.

"Our shop volunteers often have chats with customers who tell them they are more interested now in sustainable fashion, and several have commented that they had not previously realised the impact of fast fashion on the environment.

"Our transactions are up by 12 per cent on last year, however we have seen a change in the quality and brands of donations, as people are using platforms such as Vinted and Marketplace to sell designer items themselves that they may have previously donated, and this inevitably is due to the cost of living crisis.

"We love giving good quality items a second lease of life so please continue to donate them to us and come and shop with us as you will be making a real difference.

"Each of our shops rely on volunteers to keep them running and new volunteers for any of our charity shops are needed all year round.

“So if you have a few hours to spare on a regular basis, we would love to hear from you. Volunteering is proven to be beneficial to health and wellbeing, so it could give you a boost and give the shop a boost too.

"No matter how much time you can offer for volunteering, you will be making a difference to the lives of people in need of hospice support in your local area.

“Over 20 years vintage has become more acceptable with the general high street goer and there has been a change of attitude in people wearing second hand clothes.”