Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

The average item of clothing in a woman’s wardrobe is there for just 5 weeks.

103 replies

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 31/01/2019 07:29

Just heard on the today programme.

Really? I have a coat that is 30 years old and expect to get a few years wear out of most things. I don’t think I’ve ever thrown anything out after just 5 weeks, even the fashion mistakes of my youth.

OP posts:
AlbusPercival · 31/01/2019 07:47

Maybe the average item is worn 35 times? Ie 5 weeks worth? That is more believable

Need to email r4 more or less and get them to investigate

RedForShort · 31/01/2019 07:48

oh sorry, i see it's average item (worse, so there's items there for less time apparently). Still same thing stands about age group.

MacarenaFerreiro · 31/01/2019 07:50

I can believe that there is a real throwaway attitude to fashion.

I am a charity shop volunteer. We see some of the stuff which is thrown out. Bags and bags of clothing from cheaper places like H&M, Primark, supermarkets. Some of it still priced and never worn - probably because taking something back to Primark in town isn't worth it as the bus/train fare or parking would be more than the cost of the original item.

Lots of "last season" stuff. We have recently been deluged by cold shoulder tops as they were fashionable for 5 minutes and nobody wants them any more. Same with bootcut jeans.

So although I'm not sure I believe the "5 weeks" thing, disposable fashion is a huge issue. I have stuff in my wardrobe which is 20 or more years old - one thing which springs to mind is a black skirt from Warehouse which I bought in 1997. But it's a very plain, classic item which hasn't dated.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
JaesseJexaMaipru · 31/01/2019 07:52

Maybe the research is from a self-selecting sample with no correction for overall demographics? If you did a survey of national eating habits but only chose to ask people who were currently having a meal in McDonald's you would get a skewed picture. Where was this data gathered?

MaryGubbins · 31/01/2019 07:52

I have t shirts that last 5 weeks. They get that crapppy wee hole at your navel and I take them back as I expect my clothes to last years!

Good Coat 9 years
Best dresses 8 plus
Hairbrush 18 years (it’s fine honestly)

squee123 · 31/01/2019 07:53

tbh my clothes are lucky to spend 5 weeks in my wardrobe. They are normally dumped on a chair, or the floor, for years on end.

Cheekysquirrel · 31/01/2019 07:57

Surely not.
Most of my stuff is probably aged between 1 and 3 years although I have some that predates my 9 year old as well. I did lose a lot of weight about 18 months ago though and that means some of my stuff is newer than it otherwise would have been. I had to buy new things cos I was two stone lighter!
Five weeks seems unlikely.

Babdoc · 31/01/2019 08:00

I think a PP is probably right when they say this research must be including all the items that are bought and returned immediately. Something like 25% of all online purchases get returned unworn. So they’ll be skewing the average.
My “best” winter coat (as opposed to my practical daily one) was bought in 1999, and still in perfect condition. I have dresses from the 1980’s and one shirt from the 1970’s! But as I’m totally uninterested in fashion, I rarely buy new clothes at all.

wowfudge · 31/01/2019 08:00

Was this linked to Fast Fashion destroying the planet? I have stuff which is over twenty years old. There's a lot I don't wear because it doesn't fit, but I'm losing weight to get back in it. I am determined as I want to look smarter at work.

DustyMaiden · 31/01/2019 08:00

It included wedding dresses, Christmas jumpers. Maternity clothes.

It reminds me of the article about people that throw away prescription medicine unused. Which I do every year and long may it continue- epi pens.

CherryPavlova · 31/01/2019 08:02

Definitely not the case here. Coincidentally, we worked out that my dressing robe is about 28 years old just the other day. I have 20 year old coats and a favourite black evening skirt that must be nearly that too.

SaturdayNext · 31/01/2019 08:02

I don't believe that figure. For that to be the average, there would have to be people who throw their clothes away virtually within hours to cancel out people like me. I still wear a shirt that says "National Maritime Day 1998".

Disfordarkchocolate · 31/01/2019 08:02

I have bought anything for 6 months, lucky I have clothes I've had for years so I'm not naked!!

WomanWithAltitude · 31/01/2019 08:03

That can't possibly be true, surely?

Original poster
Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 31/01/2019 08:03

Maybe the average item is worn 35 times? Ie 5 weeks worth? That is more believabl

Need to email r4 more or less and get them to investigate

Good thought Albus

OP posts:
Sproutingcorm · 31/01/2019 08:04

Crikey, no. My wardrobe is like an elephants' graveyard. It's where 25 year old outfits go to die.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 31/01/2019 08:07

I am in my early 30's and certainly don't buy clothes every 5 weeks let alone throw them away.
I wonder if it's the younger primark crowd that can buy things cheaply as the fashion changes and then ditch them when it's out of style again? (I have plenty of teenage nieces and nephews who this would apply to)

I'm going to clear mine and DH's wardrobe out today, I do it once a year and usually get a bag full of clothes, I put it in the clothes recycling bank which helps the school and I believe gets sent to Africa, anything that can't be used gets recycled so it's not 'thrown away' as such.

TheClaifeCrier · 31/01/2019 08:08

I haven't bought myself anything new in the last three months.

On the other hand I have a friend who really does buy a new outfit for every occasion and constantly complain she has nothing to wear so I can see how people like her cancel out people like me.

ooooohbetty · 31/01/2019 08:10

I'm not like this but I know someone who has a daughter who wears something new every time she goes out and only wears her expensive dresses once.

Mississippilessly · 31/01/2019 08:10

Really struggle to believe that. I can't remember the last time j got rid of any clothes unless they were so worn they were damaged. I bought one dress that I kept for 5 years and never wore but that's the only time that's happened (and the last time I shopped in Jane Norman!)

JaneJeffer · 31/01/2019 08:11

Probably true of people who post all their outfits online and don't want to be seen wearing the same thing twice. Plus the fact that quality has gone downhill. My ancient clothes are much better quality than most recent purchases.

RiddleyW · 31/01/2019 08:12

It must be worn for 5 weeks. I guess?

It can’t be right otherwise.

ShatnersBassoon · 31/01/2019 08:12

I have a pair of socks that's more than 30 years old!

I find this hard to believe. Surely even delicate things like tights last a lot longer than that for most people.

Sarahjconnor · 31/01/2019 08:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

prampushingdownthehighst · 31/01/2019 08:13

Redforshort that properly made me laugh!
I can understand that some items are worn once and then forgotten about but maybe I just hang on to things for a long time.

Swipe left for the next trending thread