Fast-Fashion Fatigue: Research shows Shoppers in Leeds Favour Longevity and Value in Wardrobe Choices

Longevity has come out as the top consideration for locals in Leeds looking to buy new clothes, with 69% claiming that this is the most important factor when seeking a wardrobe refresh.

In the new research from British Wool, upfront cost was the second most important consideration (62%), followed by style (65%). The findings suggest a fast-fashion fatigue, the people of Leeds prioritising a longer wear wardrobe of stylish investment pieces.

With longer-lasting clothes and upfront cost being key priorities, 37 per cent of residents in Leeds consider cost-per-wear when it comes to buying new clothes, the highest of any region surveyed.

The research comes as British Wool seeks to better understand the UK’s relationship with consumerism and what actually matters when deciding what to buy, particularly as more and more clothing is being thrown away each year.

An average of 116 garments per person ended up in landfill in 2023 – nearly 50% more than 2022 (76 items per person in 2022). Fast-fashion is flooding landfills fast, highlighting a worrying trend of poor-quality clothing that simply doesn’t go the distance.

39 per cent of those surveyed further said that they would not feel comfortable repairing a garment that had a tear or pull themselves – creating additional scenarios in which consumers throw clothing away instead of channeling an inner-atelier.

Whilst woolly jumpers are expected to stand the test of time, the same cannot be said about the majority of clothing.

People in Leeds would, on average, be happy to pay 21% more for clothing if they knew it would last 50% longer, the highest of any region surveyed. It might just be time to put the money where the proverbial mouth is.

Patrick Grant, judge on The Great British Sewing Bee and Creative Director and Founder of Community Clothing, said: “We may say we value the longevity of our clothing, but we now need to act on it. It’s time to ditch fast-fashion and the attitude that anything we don’t want, we can throw away.”

“Investing in high-quality, long-lasting clothing isn’t just about looking good – it’s about making a choice that benefits both you and the planet. Fashion shouldn’t ‘cost the earth’. Everything you throw away ends up somewhere – so we all have a collectively responsibility to think carefully about what we buy and what happens to it when you’re finished with it.”

Graham Clark, Marketing Director at British Wool, said “We want to help consumers understand that quality clothing is still out there and that investing in these pieces is more beneficial for them in the long term.

By purchasing clothes made from more durable, versatile materials like wool, Brits can truly prioritise the longevity they’re seeking when shopping. You can build a functional and timeless wardrobe whilst ensuring you’re having a better effect on the planet and supporting a local economy in the process!”

The research revealed that coats and jumpers were the oldest items people in Leeds had in their wardrobes, coming in at 26 per cent and 19 per cent respectively, and the average oldest item to be 13 years old.