Two thirds of Gen Z admit they’re happy wearing clothes with stains on them

Two thirds of Gen Z admit they’re happy wearing clothes with stains on them, according to research. A poll of 2,000 adults found 64% of youngsters have walked round in public with food noticeably down them. With 62% likely to buy a new item of clothing and then spill food down it straight away, compared to 23% of Boomers.

Gen-Z were also the generation to have most dropped food or drink on themselves at a special event like a wedding or date (74% compared to 32% of 61- to 78-year-olds). But just 44% of those in the ‘Boomer’ age group (born between 1946 and 1964) would be willing to wear clothes with a stain on it.

The research was commissioned by Uber Eats to launch a new collaboration of t-shirts made with Rosa’s Thai – that are designed to embrace messy eating. Saiphin Moore, founder of the restaurant chain, said: “At Rosa’s, we say embrace the mess. A splash or two is a sign of a great meal. Our Uber Eats bundle celebrates the spills and stains that come with truly great Thai comfort food.”

The study went on to find 37% of adults have items stored they can’t wear because of stains, but are still holding on to anyway. With one in three lacking confidence that they could remove a tough food or drink stain.

T-shirts, shirts, blouses and jumpers are the most likely items of clothing to be ruined by food or drink, with 15% also liable to stain trousers.

As a result, nearly a third have clothing they specifically wear for mucky meals, because they don’t trust themselves not to spill on something nicer. With the most common spills or splashes coming from tomato-based sauces, oil or grease – and gravy.

Saskia de Jongh from Uber Eats said: “We hope that people will fully embrace the joy of delicious, messy meals, designed for devouring at home.”