Make your wardrobe more sustainable with Oxfam’s Second Hand September. Find out why buying pre-loved, rewearing and donating clothes really matters.
Second Hand September is the perfect excuse to rethink our wardrobes. Here’s why buying pre-loved, wearing what we already own and donating unwanted clothes can make a difference.
September has traditionally been a moment for wardrobe reassessment: the summer clothes are slowly packed away, autumn pieces emerge and the temptation to buy something new for the season begins.
But before clicking add to basket, Oxfam’s Second Hand September offers a rather more considered approach. Launched in 2019, the campaign encourages us to shop second hand, donate clothes and think differently about how we buy, wear and dispose of fashion.
There is a compelling reason to do so. Oxfam’s State of Style 2026 report reveals that 32% of British wardrobes went unworn over the past year, while four in ten Brits say they have worn an item of clothing just once.
The message is simple:
Oxfam's Second Hand September is an annual campaign encouraging people to choose second-hand fashion, keep clothes in use for longer and donate unwanted items.
The original 2019 campaign challenged people to buy no new clothes for 30 days. Since then, the idea has evolved into a broader invitation to develop more sustainable shopping habits – without compromising on style.
This year, Oxfam's message is to “shop and donate for more joy, less waste and more funds to help create a fairer future.”
Whether you commit to buying exclusively second hand for the month or simply make a conscious effort to buy fewer new clothes, the principle is the same: look at what already exists before buying something new.
Fashion requires enormous quantities of raw materials, energy, labour and water. When clothes are bought but barely worn, those resources have effectively been used for something that isn't being fully utilised.
Oxfam's 2026 State of Style report puts the issue into perspective:
The environmental cost isn't simply about the clothes themselves. Oxfam estimates that the fashion industry uses around 93 billion cubic metres of water every year globally, equivalent to around 37 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
In the UK, the clothes we buy each year have a water footprint of around 8 billion cubic metres – enough to meet the UK's water needs for two years.
One of Oxfam's most striking findings this year concerns the water hidden in clothes that simply sit in our wardrobes. Oxfam estimates that the water used to produce Britain's unworn clothing could provide one million people in the UK with a lifetime supply of water.
The problem isn't only confined to clothes that are never worn. Four in ten people say they have worn an item just once. According to Oxfam, the water used to make these barely worn garments would fill 88 billion single-use bottles. It is a useful reminder that the most sustainable garment is often the one already hanging in your wardrobe.
Second-hand shopping gives existing clothes another lease of life and reduces demand for newly manufactured garments. But sustainability isn't the only attraction. Pre-loved fashion can be a brilliant way to find pieces that feel more individual – from vintage dresses and designer accessories to classic coats, knitwear and the occasional unexpected gem.
Unlike shopping from a conventional high-street collection, there is no guarantee that someone else will be wearing exactly the same thing.
Oxfam's State of Style research found that 78% of people feel it is becoming harder to find clothes that feel individual, while almost three in five feel pressure to update their wardrobes and keep up with changing trends.
Second-hand shopping offers an alternative: buy for your wardrobe rather than your feed, look for pieces with longevity and develop a style that isn't dictated entirely by the latest trend.
This year, the actor, Richard E. Grant is supporting the cause, saying, "I’m supporting Second Hand September because we’ve already got too much of everything. Reusing and upcycling clothing – second hand, vintage, call it what you like – is an amazing, worthwhile cause.”
Richard goes on to say, "I’d been an unemployed actor for nine months in 1985, working as a waiter, and I’d bought a second hand raincoat in Oxfam, which I then wore to my first film audition for Withnail and I forty years ago… which then changed my entire life. So I owe it to Oxfam, and I owe it to that raincoat.”
You don't have to overhaul your entire wardrobe overnight. Small changes can make second-hand shopping a more natural part of your routine.
There is something rather fitting about Oxfam leading a campaign about second-hand fashion. Oxfam opened its first permanent shop on Broad Street in Oxford in 1947, selling donated goods to raise money for post-war relief. Oxfam now has more than 500 shops across the UK, with second-hand sales helping fund its work in more than 75 countries.
In other words, second-hand isn't a new trend for Oxfam. It has been at the heart of the organisation for almost eight decades.
Oxfam's research suggests that much of our clothing consumption is driven by convenience and digital shopping. Almost two thirds of people (roughly 64%) say they buy clothing they weren't actively looking for after seeing it on social media, apps or online shopping platforms. More than half of people also say social media influences their clothing purchases.
Perhaps the most useful Second Hand September habit, therefore, is simply to pause. Ask these questions:
A little more thought before pressing buy could mean fewer unwanted clothes at the back of the wardrobe later.
Oxfam's 2026 State of Style report offers five simple principles for a more considered relationship with fashion:
September has traditionally been a moment for wardrobe reassessment: the summer clothes are slowly packed away, autumn pieces emerge and the temptation to buy something new for the season begins.
But before clicking add to basket, Oxfam’s Second Hand September offers a rather more considered approach. Launched in 2019, the campaign encourages us to shop second hand, donate clothes and think differently about how we buy, wear and dispose of fashion.
There is a compelling reason to do so. Oxfam’s State of Style 2026 report reveals that 32% of British wardrobes went unworn over the past year, while four in ten Brits say they have worn an item of clothing just once.
The message is simple:
We don't necessarily need more clothes. We need to make better use of the ones we already have.
What is Second-Hand September
Oxfam's Second Hand September is an annual campaign encouraging people to choose second-hand fashion, keep clothes in use for longer and donate unwanted items.
The original 2019 campaign challenged people to buy no new clothes for 30 days. Since then, the idea has evolved into a broader invitation to develop more sustainable shopping habits – without compromising on style.
This year, Oxfam's message is to “shop and donate for more joy, less waste and more funds to help create a fairer future.”
Whether you commit to buying exclusively second hand for the month or simply make a conscious effort to buy fewer new clothes, the principle is the same: look at what already exists before buying something new.
Why does Second Hand September matter?
Fashion requires enormous quantities of raw materials, energy, labour and water. When clothes are bought but barely worn, those resources have effectively been used for something that isn't being fully utilised.
Oxfam's 2026 State of Style report puts the issue into perspective:
- 32% of British wardrobes went unworn in the past year
- Four in ten Brits have worn an item of clothing just once
- 51% of Brits regret at least one clothing purchase from the past year
- We buy an average of 20 new clothing items per person every year
- One in five people throw clothes away rather than repairing, donating or reselling them
The environmental cost isn't simply about the clothes themselves. Oxfam estimates that the fashion industry uses around 93 billion cubic metres of water every year globally, equivalent to around 37 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
In the UK, the clothes we buy each year have a water footprint of around 8 billion cubic metres – enough to meet the UK's water needs for two years.
Britain's unworn clothes are wasting water
One of Oxfam's most striking findings this year concerns the water hidden in clothes that simply sit in our wardrobes. Oxfam estimates that the water used to produce Britain's unworn clothing could provide one million people in the UK with a lifetime supply of water.
The problem isn't only confined to clothes that are never worn. Four in ten people say they have worn an item just once. According to Oxfam, the water used to make these barely worn garments would fill 88 billion single-use bottles. It is a useful reminder that the most sustainable garment is often the one already hanging in your wardrobe.
Why buy second hand?
Second-hand shopping gives existing clothes another lease of life and reduces demand for newly manufactured garments. But sustainability isn't the only attraction. Pre-loved fashion can be a brilliant way to find pieces that feel more individual – from vintage dresses and designer accessories to classic coats, knitwear and the occasional unexpected gem.
Unlike shopping from a conventional high-street collection, there is no guarantee that someone else will be wearing exactly the same thing.
Oxfam's State of Style research found that 78% of people feel it is becoming harder to find clothes that feel individual, while almost three in five feel pressure to update their wardrobes and keep up with changing trends.
Second-hand shopping offers an alternative: buy for your wardrobe rather than your feed, look for pieces with longevity and develop a style that isn't dictated entirely by the latest trend.
Second Hand September Ambassador
This year, the actor, Richard E. Grant is supporting the cause, saying, "I’m supporting Second Hand September because we’ve already got too much of everything. Reusing and upcycling clothing – second hand, vintage, call it what you like – is an amazing, worthwhile cause.”
Richard goes on to say, "I’d been an unemployed actor for nine months in 1985, working as a waiter, and I’d bought a second hand raincoat in Oxfam, which I then wore to my first film audition for Withnail and I forty years ago… which then changed my entire life. So I owe it to Oxfam, and I owe it to that raincoat.”
How to take part in Second Hand September
You don't have to overhaul your entire wardrobe overnight. Small changes can make second-hand shopping a more natural part of your routine.
1. Shop your wardrobe first
Before buying something new, look at what you already own. Could an existing dress be styled differently? Could an old coat be altered or repaired? Is there something hiding at the back of the wardrobe that you've simply forgotten about?2. Make second hand your first stop
When you genuinely need something, look at charity shops, vintage stores and online resale platforms before heading straight to the high street. Oxfam's shops are particularly good for rummaging through a broad selection of pre-loved clothing, accessories and homewares, while its online shop offers the opportunity to search from home.3. Buy for longevity
Whether you are buying second hand or new, consider how often you are likely to wear something. A beautifully made classic coat that works with half your wardrobe is likely to be a better investment than an impulse purchase that only works for one occasion.4. Repair rather than replace
A missing button, small tear or loose hem doesn't necessarily mean a garment has reached the end of its useful life. Learning a few basic mending skills – or finding a good tailor or alterations service – can dramatically extend the life of your clothes.5. Donate what you no longer wear
A wardrobe clear-out is one of the easiest ways to take part in Second Hand September. If something no longer fits your lifestyle, style or wardrobe, consider whether someone else might love it. Donating unwanted clothing to Oxfam allows garments to be resold, reused or recycled while raising funds for Oxfam's work tackling poverty and inequality.Oxfam: the original second-hand shop
There is something rather fitting about Oxfam leading a campaign about second-hand fashion. Oxfam opened its first permanent shop on Broad Street in Oxford in 1947, selling donated goods to raise money for post-war relief. Oxfam now has more than 500 shops across the UK, with second-hand sales helping fund its work in more than 75 countries.
In other words, second-hand isn't a new trend for Oxfam. It has been at the heart of the organisation for almost eight decades.
Think before you buy
Oxfam's research suggests that much of our clothing consumption is driven by convenience and digital shopping. Almost two thirds of people (roughly 64%) say they buy clothing they weren't actively looking for after seeing it on social media, apps or online shopping platforms. More than half of people also say social media influences their clothing purchases.
Perhaps the most useful Second Hand September habit, therefore, is simply to pause. Ask these questions:
Do I need it? Will I wear it regularly? Do I already own something similar? Could I find it second hand?
A little more thought before pressing buy could mean fewer unwanted clothes at the back of the wardrobe later.
The Second Hand Style Manifesto
Oxfam's 2026 State of Style report offers five simple principles for a more considered relationship with fashion:
- Buy for your wardrobe, not your feed
- Look for what's already out there
- Repeat outfits proudly
- Repair before replacing
- Choose individuality over trends
They're sensible rules to follow long after September has ended. Are you ready for the challenge?
title=Second Hand September FAQs
q:What is Oxfam’s Second Hand September?
a:Second Hand September is Oxfam's annual campaign encouraging people to buy and donate second-hand clothing, keep garments in use for longer and develop more sustainable shopping habits.
q:When did Oxfam’s Second Hand September start?
a:Oxfam launched Second Hand September in 2019. The original campaign encouraged people to avoid buying new clothes for thirty days.
q:How can I take part in Second Hand September?
a:You can take part by shopping second hand, wearing clothes you already own, repairing garments rather than replacing them and donating clothes you no longer need. You can also share your second-hand finds using #SecondHandSeptember.
q:Why is buying second-hand clothes better for the environment?
a:Buying second-hand helps extend the life of existing clothes and can reduce demand for newly manufactured garments. This helps cut the resources, energy and water required to produce new clothing, while also helping to keep unwanted clothes in circulation rather than sending them to waste.
q:How many clothes do people in Britain buy each year?
a:Oxfam's 2026 State of Style report estimates that each person buys an average of 20 new clothing items a year.
q:How much of the average British wardrobe is unworn?
a:Oxfam found that 32% of British wardrobes went unworn over the past year.
q:What should I do with clothes I no longer wear?
a:Consider repairing them, passing them on, selling them or donating them to a charity such as Oxfam. Donating gives unwanted clothing the opportunity to be worn again while raising funds for charitable work.
q:Is Second Hand September only about clothes?
a:The campaign primarily focuses on second-hand fashion, but its underlying principles can be applied more broadly: reuse what you have, repair rather than replace, and think carefully before buying new.
q:Can I take part without completely stopping buying new clothes?
a:Yes. Although the original campaign focused on not buying new clothes for 30 days, Second Hand September today is about encouraging more sustainable habits. Even choosing second hand more often, buying fewer new clothes and making your existing wardrobe work harder are positive steps.
q:Does buying second-hand really make a difference?
a:Yes. Choosing pre-loved clothing keeps garments in use for longer and reduces the need to buy new. Oxfam says that small changes in our shopping habits can add up to make a significant difference.
q:Can I donate clothes as part of Second Hand September?
a:Yes. Donating clothes you no longer wear is an important part of Second Hand September. Oxfam can resell, reuse or recycle donated items, giving them another life while raising funds to support its work tackling poverty and inequality.
q:Where can I buy second-hand clothes for Second Hand September?
a:You can shop for second-hand clothing at Oxfam shops across the UK or browse the Oxfam Online Shop. Charity shops, vintage shops and online second-hand marketplaces are also good places to discover pre-loved fashion.
q:What should I do with clothes I no longer wear?
a:Rather than leaving unwanted clothes at the back of your wardrobe, consider donating them to Oxfam. Donated clothing can be sold, reused or recycled, helping to extend its life and raise funds for Oxfam's work.
q:How can I continue shopping second hand after September?
a:Make second hand your first port of call when you need something new. Explore charity shops, vintage stores and resale platforms, and get into the habit of repairing, re-ewearing and donating clothes rather than automatically replacing them.
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