Sustainability has been front of mind for the apparel industry for some time as new technologies and new fibres and fabrics flood the market to ensure the sector continues to reduce its impact wherever it can. And while consumers have often showed signs of wanting to shop more ethically and sustainably, the signs are now really starting to show as the resale market starts to soar.

Okay, so the looming energy price hikes are not helping; consumers no longer have deep pockets when it comes to fashion. Fast fashion will always win in that respect, but consumers are now turning to the resale and rental markets as they realise there really is no need to hang onto items they will never wear again or waste money by disposing of cheaply made clothing when they can rent brand new clothes – often expensive labels they may never have been able to afford previously.

A number of retailers in the last week have entered the resale market to tap into this trend, namely Primark who has partnered with WornWell to offer branded and non-branded vintage and one-off items of clothing in a number of its stores.

The retailer has also launched its lowest priced T-shirts under its Primark Cares label in response to consumers facing a “crisis of conscience” as cost pressures mount.

Rising inflation this year has undoubtedly had an impact on clothing spend this year, with new data for the UK market showing growth of the sector could be restricted further once domestic energy bills rise from October. With no caps for apparel factories or retailers, overheads are likely to rise and consumers will prioritise spend on non-essential goods.

Here are the top stories on Just Style last week:

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