New polling from Scope charity shops reveals the average adult from Birmingham has on average 25 unworn items of clothing and footwear in their wardrobe. That’s potentially 1.5 billion items taking up valuable space throughout the UK.
Tops top the list of unworn items as people from Birmingham have an average of six in their wardrobes and a foot-stomping 30 per cent have more than five pairs of unworn items of Footwear.
The national figures suggest women hoard more footwear, having slightly more items at 6, compared to 4.
The research comes as the disability equality charity launches its National Stock Campaign, #ShareTheScope to encourage the public to clear out their cupboards and donate their pre-loved goods and garms.
The campaign calls for people to be ruthless, route out any items that they know deep down, they’ll never wear again and give them to Scope so they can go to a new home. Scope estimates every bag of donations is worth £20, allowing the charity to continue to run their vital support services for disabled people and their families.
The national research goes on to show:
· Men match women as over three quarters have unworn trousers at home
· 81 per cent of 18-34 year olds have unworn footwear.
· Research suggests women hoard more footwear with 77 per cent having unworn items compared to 72 per cent of women.
British men are also cottoning on to the thrill of thrift shopping and finding a bargain as Scope research shows.
· In 2017, 19 per cent of men would consider buying a work outfit at a charity shop compared to 35 per cent of women.
· In 2021, research shows 45 per cent of men would consider or strongly consider buying their work outfit at a charity shop compared to 51 per cent of women.
Grace Mandeville, content creator, says: “I was thrilled to be asked to support Scope’s new campaign #ShareTheScope. I love charity shops and am always up for searching through one for a new piece of clothing. I’ve also been a fan of Scope for a long time, it’s a charity doing great work supporting disabled people and campaigning for equality.
“I’m backing Scope in their call on the nation to clear out their cupboards and donate their pre-loved items to their nearest Scope shop. I’ve also had the chance to create some GIFS for a bit of social fun, so you can use them on your donation stories too.
“Scope’s campaign has spurred me on to do a spot of cupboard clearing. You can see some items I’ve decided to let go after a long love affair with them. Most of us have more than a few items that are really beautiful, but we just know in our heart they won’t be worn again.
“So, I say if you’ve fallen out of love with any of your goods or garms, give them a new lease of life and pop them into your local Scope charity shop, where they’ll find another good home.”
Emma Palin, writer and interior stylist says: “When my partner Josh and I were asked to support the #Sharethescope campaign we jumped at the chance.
“We’ve dug out some amazing clothing we can donate to Scope. There are some fabulous things in our wardrobes that are hard to part with, but it feels good knowing they will get worn again by someone else who will love them, with the added bonus they will raise money for Scope.
“We love having that extra space back and we’re sure you will too. Although, we’re not sure how long that will last as we always love having a look for that affordable one-off in a Scope shop.
“There are few things Josh and I enjoy more than finding an absolute treasure at a bargain price. Where better to look than in a charity shop? Josh has been a long-time charity shop fan and it’s good to know that other men are cottoning onto the delights to be found inside one.
“So, get clearing out your cupboards now. After all, without donations, how else will the next person find that hidden gem?”
Ruth Blazye, Executive Director of Retail and Communities at disability equality charity Scope says: “Charity shops rely on the amazing donations from our fantastic customers, without them we couldn’t offer the brilliant treasures and bargains that people love to find.
“Our research shows the average person in Birmingham has 25 unworn items in their wardrobes - that’s potentially almost 1.5 billion unworn items across the UK, left unloved at home and this month, we’re asking the public to have a rummage through their wardrobes and pull out anything they’ve fallen out of love with. Be ruthless, you’ll love the space you get back and our shops will make sure they find a good home once more.
“Your donations are essential to Scope, they allow us to provide vital support services for disabled people and their families. 150,000 bags of your pre-loved donations can help us run all our family, employment and information and advice services for a year.
“Whilst you’re dropping your bags off to your local Scope shop, you could always do a spot of treasure hunting in the shop too, there’s always a hidden gem to be found.”
Scope charity shops’ ten tips to help with a cupboard clear out
1. The three-year rule. If you’ve not worn it in three years, time to donate it.
2. If it looks better on your son or daughter than it does on you, you know it’s time to let it go.
3. One hit wonder styles tend not to make a comeback (the puffball tried hard recently, but thankfully failed). It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever wear it again.
4. Will you be able to drop three sizes to fit into that item you bought in hope or without trying it on? Probably not, but it will fit someone else.
5. If donating cash to a charity is a bit of a stretch for you, your old clothes can help raise money for Scope instead.
6. Do you even like this item of clothing anymore? Be honest with yourself and part ways.
7. Have you made changes in your lifestyle or work? Is that outfit useful anymore? If not, time to give it a new home.
8. Being sustainably-conscious will make you feel good and give you valuable space back in your wardrobe. Give your garments the chance to live on with someone else and help save the environment.
9. Don’t have your clear out when you’re in a bad mood. As the saying goes, “act in haste, repent at leisure”.
10. Finally; don’t feel bad about giving away that novelty jumper Auntie Maureen bought you for Christmas. Instead of it languishing at the back of your wardrobe, let it go, it could make a perfect Secret Santa gift for someone.
