The tide is starting to turn with more British women avoiding buying new clothes from fast fashion labels after feeling increasing pressure to help save the planet.

A recent survey conducted by sustainable French fashion brand Patatam found that one in five British women now admit to feeling guilty when buying new items.

This guilt is now influencing women’s shopping habits with almost two in three (68%) of those quizzed saying that they’d happily buy second-hand and pre-loved items.

This statistic highlights a welcome change in attitudes and shoppers relationship with clothes, as it’s leapt up from 45% three years ago.

One in three British women says they are now more aware of the issues surrounding fast fashion, such as the huge amount of water used to produce clothes and an estimated £140 million worth of garments tossed into landfill sites every year.

At The Zip Yard, we’re delighted to learn that more Brits are now looking at the clothes they own in a new way and considering the damaging environmental and social impact of the manufacturing process.

Our stores across the UK are keen to encourage more people to be conscious consumers by giving their clothes a second lease of life – whether through sales, donations to charity shops or through swaps with family and friends, repairs, alterations, upcycling or restyling.

Fashion rental stores are well worth checking out too, particularly for special occasions.

We support Oxfam’s current Second Hand September campaign which is urging people to say no to new clothes this month. If you’re planning a wardrobe sort out as the nights draw in this month, take a fresh look at items which you were once fond of.

Do they have a loose hem, missing buttons or a slight tear – or would they benefit from a more contemporary twist? If so, trust our skilled seamstresses to work their magic. Use our imagination and fall in love with your clothes all over again.

And, best of all, shake free of shoppers’ guilt.