"Wardrobe Clear-Out" Day at M&S on 8th September

The UK's largest clothing retailer, Marks & Spencer, has found in a recent research that many of its customers cling on to clothing they never wear.  To be exact, the survey found 92% of UK cosnumers have lots of unworn clothes cluttering their closets.  M&S said the average British wardrobe contained an item purchased in 1996 and one in ten consumers had clothes bought in the 1970s. 

Personally I admit having loads of items still in my wardrobe waiting to see the light of day.   It does pay off as many of these clothing were bought in the 80s and are now coming back in fashion.  Jackets with shoulder pads (such as Hong Kong-born London-based designer Viking Wong's modern take shown below) and pencil skirts (check out Jaeger's autumn/winter 2010 collection).  These are perfect examples as they make their welcome return for small-frame women like myself. 

Marks & Spencer is encouranging customers to de-clutter their wardrobes to make room for new items.  It is to run a 'wardrobe clear-out' day this Wednesday 8 September when UK customers can take their unwanted clothes to stores and get a voucher to spend on its new autumn collection.  The event is part of the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange. It is also linked to M&S’ involvement in HRH Prince of Wales’ START campaign, designed to help consumers lead a more sustainable lifestyle, a statement said.

Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of M&S, said: “By doing something as simple as dropping off your unwanted clothes at our stores you can help reduce the 1m tonnes of clothing sent to landfill in the UK each year and generate important funds for Oxfam. Recycling your clothes is certainly the right thing to do environmentally, but it can also help you clear out some clutter and give your wardrobe a new lease of life.”