Listen: Second hand September

Those are the findings of research published ahead of this year’s Oxfam’s Second-Hand September which reveals almost half (47 per cent) of Brits enjoy shopping for brand new clothing – but the post-shopping glow doesn’t last long.

For 22 per cent, the excitement of the item’s ‘newness’ is fleeting and from there, the joy of purchasing new clothes – (something those polled do five times a month on average) – quickly turns to guilt for the majority (56 per cent).

Garments needn’t be brand new for cash-strapped Brits to get their retail therapy glow: more than half believe buying ‘new’ clothes doesn’t necessarily mean buying something brand new, as long as it’s new to them.

Aston spoke to psychologist and author Dr Carolyn Mair.

Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash