eBay Encourages the UK to Get Unworn Items off the Shelf This January
As ITV2 and ITVX’s Love Island: All Stars returns to screens this week, the show’s pre-loved fashion partner, eBay, is encouraging the nation to clear out unworn clothes holding them back, and start 2025 by finding things we love, just like the returning All Stars entering the villa.
Whilst 71% of Brits admit to still thinking about an ex, it’s not only past flames we are holding onto, with research from eBay revealing that the average person is sitting on up to £400 worth of unworn clothing in their wardrobe equating to £16.3 billion across the nation. Emotional attachment and a resistance to letting things go is stopping people from shedding the items that no longer serve them. In fact, the UK’s relationship with clothing is a love affair that runs deep: 48% admit to holding onto items ‘just in case’ and over a quarter (26%) say that they keep items with sentimental value.
However reluctant we might be to move on, the benefits to our bank balance and confidence can be significant, especially now that it’s free to sell on eBay. Throughout its partnership with Love Island, eBay has been on a mission to get people buying and selling secondhand fashion and it is working - searches for pre-loved clothing on eBay have increased 400% since last August alone. With more interest in pre-loved fashion than ever, now is the ultimate time to reset wardrobes, get items off the shelf and list them.
This January, eBay is partnering with dating expert Paul C. Brunson to empower the nation to let go of things in their lives that are holding them back.
Paul C. Brunson says: “Fashion has the power to transform not just how we look, but how we feel. I’m a huge advocate for letting go and moving on if something (or someone!) no longer serves you and this goes for fashion too. When we dress authentically, choosing pieces that reflect who we truly are, we radiate confidence. So say goodbye to that ex, sell your pre-loved clothes and make space for things you really love this year!”
Formalwear (34%) tops the list of UK’s most shelved fashion items, followed by dresses (18%), shoes, and trousers (both 16%). Other items which people up and down the UK admit to leaving sitting on their shelves unworn include: ‘pleated skirts’, ‘midi dresses’ and ‘logo t-shirts’, all which eBay has seen increases in searches by 55%, 66% and 50% respectively. So whether it’s a reminder of a past relationship or a dress that’s no longer your style, eBay wants to help people embrace the idea that letting go opens the door for something better for you.
eBay’s pre-loved style director, Amy Bannerman said, “£400 is a lot of money to have unnecessarily sitting in your wardrobe. My 'sell' rail at home has those pieces I've fallen out of love with and want to get to someone who appreciates them more than me! Building up my eBay wallet to cash in on my next pre-loved purchase also means I have the option to treat myself when I want to. New habits start small - if you’re feeling inspired by the fashion on this year’s Love Island, use the ad break to make your first eBay listing and be on your way to clearing out your wardrobe’s excess baggage.”
This season, expect to see a range of high-street to high-end fashion in the villa, featuring brands loved by the Islanders including Guizo and Dries Van Noten. All the items have been sourced via eBay and will join the archive of existing pre-loved garments returning to the villa including Tasha Ghouri’s iconic yellow Versace matching set.
