a few fashion facts...

Written by Mandy Davies · CirChic Journal · January 2024 · 2 min read

Did you know…

Every year in the UK, around 360,000 tonnes of clothing end up being thrown away. That’s roughly £140 million worth of perfectly wearable fashion sent straight to landfill.

Even more shocking? The average item is worn just 10 times before being discarded.

For something that took resources, craftsmanship, labour, transport and packaging to exist… ten wears feels heartbreakingly low.

This is exactly where slow fashion — and preloved heritage style — steps in.

What Happens to Clothes That Don’t Sell in the UK?

Not everything goes straight to a skip. Some brands donate unsold pieces to charities such as TRAID, a brilliant organisation dedicated to giving clothing a second life while funding projects that reduce exploitation in global supply chains.

TRAID’s work helps ensure fewer clothes are wasted and supports initiatives like stopping child labour within the fashion industry.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Whatever charities can’t sell or recycle is usually shipped overseas. Every year, around 700,000 tonnes of used UK clothing end up in other countries — often overwhelming local recycling systems or creating environmental problems elsewhere.

It’s a hidden part of the cycle most people never see.

Why Do Some Brands Burn Their Unsold Stock?

Yes, burn. It sounds unbelievable, but it's true.

Some luxury brands have historically chosen to burn unsold inventory to maintain exclusivity. If a product ends up heavily discounted, it risks damaging the brand’s status and value, so destroying it becomes the chosen route.

Another concern is the grey market, where genuine designer items are bought cheaply and resold by third parties. Burning prevents this, but at an enormous environmental cost.

The reality is this: When a brand would rather destroy clothing than reduce the price, it tells you everything about the industry’s priorities.

Why This Matters at CirChic

Because this is the gap you’re filling.

By choosing preloved — and especially preloved heritage fashion — you’re taking pieces that were made to last, giving them a new home, and breaking the cycle that leads to burning, exporting, or burying our clothes.

It’s stylish. It’s thoughtful. And it’s one of the simplest ways to make fashion more magical again.