Brits spend £31 billion annually on clothes as survey reveals shopping habits

Ever been accused of buying too many clothes, or are you known for hunting down discounts and second-hand treasures? This new quiz will reveal whether you’re a savvy shopper, a second-hand expert or a fashion maximalist. This comes as a survey of 2,000 adults revealed that Brits spend a total of £31 billion on new clothes each year – be it brand-new purchases or second-hand gems.

While the average person spends £590 annually, £87 alone is spent on an outfit for a single ‘big’ occasion, which adds up to a significant sum across the UK’s 53 million adults. The main triggers for an online shopping spree and wardrobe update included pre-holiday preparation, an upcoming wedding, and the busy Christmas party season.

It appears that many of the items aren’t one-off buys and enjoy a second life with half wearing outfits again after a ‘big’ occasion has passed.

Consequently, quality is at the forefront of consumers’ minds, with 37 per cent prioritising investment in garments they know will endure, whilst 32 per cent seek timeless capsule wardrobe essentials.

More than a quarter now prioritise searching for pre-loved second-hand items when shopping for an event or occasion.

Fans of pre-loved clothing cite affordability (59 per cent), better quality at a lower cost (48 per cent) and sustainability (39 per cent) as reasons for their choice.

What type of shopper are you? Take this quiz to find out. 

Adam Bullock, UK Director at TopCashback, which commissioned the study, said: “Our research shows there’s plenty of reasons why Brits look to refresh their wardrobes, mainly for those big occasion moments in life – whether that be weddings or parties.

“Fashion is one of the biggest categories across the 6,000 brands we work with – also including a range of pre-loved options.

“With second-hand shopping more popular than ever, many people don’t realise they can also earn cashback on pre-loved purchases, making those rare finds even more rewarding.”

The research also revealed 44 per cent prefer to shop online compared to just 27 per cent who favour in-store shopping. On average, shoppers purchase three items per online shopping session.

Regarding what Britons are purchasing, the most popular wardrobe additions are t-shirts (42 per cent), jeans (30 per cent) and trainers (28 per cent), as well as dresses or jumpsuits (20 per cent).

However, when it comes to making a purchase, 28 per cent stated they’ll buy something immediately if it seems like good value, while 23 per cent prefer to let items linger in their online basket or wish list whilst they mull it over.

Yet, a staggering 50 per cent confessed they seldom or never take full advantage of discounts or cashback deals – missing out on savings that could significantly benefit their wallets.

Adam Bullock added: “Wardrobe refreshes can get expensive, but there are ways for shoppers to be savvier when searching for new outfits – from holding out for the best discounts to earning cashback that can be put towards future purchases.”