Blog 3/3: Behavioural Stigma Around Used Clothing

One interesting finding from my field study is that many people still hesitate to buy second-hand clothing. The main reasons are that they are concerned about hygiene and social status. Some consumers believe used clothing is not hygienic. Others associate second-hand clothing with poverty and prefer to buy new garments instead.

These attitudes can be a major barrier to reducing textile waste. Even people who care about sustainability may avoid second-hand clothing because of these perceptions. Improving textile circularity is not only about technology and recycling. Changing consumer attitudes and increasing awareness are also very important.