Not if it touches my skin! uncovering stigmas towards the consumption of previously worn clothes and potential implications for the transition to a circular fashion system

In an era marked by unprecedented ecological challenges, conventional human-centric approaches to fashion production and consumption are under scrutiny, given the drastic impact of the industry on planetary boundaries. Clothing reuse, and particularly, second-hand clothing and accessories consumption, is presented as a viable short-term alternative and scenario for ecological impact reduction. The study employs a qualitative research design and utilises qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore perspectives regarding second-hand clothing and accessories consumption and reflexive thematic analysis is used to identify patterns, themes and meanings within the collected data. ‘Skin closeness’ emerges as a barrier in the transition towards alternative ways of acquiring and wearing fashion.