Wardrobing: The Hidden Cost of Free Fashion

Charlotte, a 28-year-old support worker from Manchester, epitomizes a growing trend among women: buying clothes, wearing them once or twice for a special occasion, and then returning them for a full refund. This practice, known as “wardrobing,” or “tag tuck fraud” as retailers call it, is saving some women thousands of pounds. Charlotte estimates she’s saved up to £2,000 over the past ten years, having returned between 100 and 150 items.

The Thrill of the Return

For Charlotte, wardrobing isn’t just about saving money; it’s about experiencing a thrill. She often chooses bold, eye-catching outfits – items she wouldn't normally wear – knowing she won't have to pay for them. The black lace party dress from Asos, for instance, was perfect for a weekend event. The excitement, she says, lies in the ability to wear something glamorous and return it hassle-free. “Sometimes I do get a kick out of it, because I think: ‘I’ve just got to wear a really nice outfit for free and now I’m sending it back’,” she explains. This sentiment is echoed by other women involved in the practice.

The Appeal of Wardrobing

This phenomenon isn’t limited to a specific demographic. Eighteen-year-old Cardiff student Sarah, who began wardrobing two years ago, after working in a high-street clothing store and seeing a TikTok video on the practice, describes it as “borrowing” clothes. She’s returned approximately 50 items and focuses on larger chain stores, where she feels the impact is less significant. “These are all chain stores that don’t really need the extra cash,” she rationalizes. Her justification highlights the ethical considerations surrounding the practice. It's easy to see the attraction from the consumer perspective, but this is costly to retailers and poses serious questions about ethical consumer behaviour.

The Financial Impact of Wardrobing

The financial implications of wardrobing are significant. A survey conducted by Zigzag and Retail Economics found that serial returners send back a staggering £6.6 billion worth of online purchases annually. While many returns are due to items not fitting or a change of mind, a substantial 16 percent admitted to purchasing clothing specifically to wear for a social event and then returning it. This represents a considerable loss of revenue for retailers, who must incur the costs of processing returns, restocking items, and issuing refunds. This adds a considerable burden to retailers who struggle to meet already challenging margins.

Retailer Responses to Wardrobing

Retailers are actively responding to this growing issue. ASOS, for example, has introduced a return fee for frequent returners to combat the financial burden of wardrobing. This reflects the industry’s growing awareness of the problem and a need to protect their bottom line. The cost of managing returns is significant, forcing businesses to re-evaluate their returns policies to reduce abuse and ensure long-term sustainability.

The Ethical Dilemmas of Wardrobing

While participants like Charlotte and Sarah often rationalize their actions, wardrobing raises significant ethical questions. While they argue that it mostly targets larger chain stores that can absorb the losses, it remains a form of retail fraud. Julia, a 42-year-old model and writer, started wardrobing out of financial necessity after facing personal hardships; yet she admits to the thrill of the practice, illustrating a complex mix of financial desperation and playful transgression. She justifies it, saying “As long as I’m not hurting anyone, though, I’ll do it.” Her statement highlights the grey area between practical necessity and ethical consumerism.

The Cost of Returns

Industry expert Clare Bailey highlights the actual costs incurred by retailers due to wardrobing. The process of checking the product, returning it to stock, and managing the refund involves substantial administrative costs. These costs, ultimately, are passed on to consumers through higher prices or reduced product selection. Ultimately this is not a victimless crime, however much it may seem so.

The Future of Fashion and Returns

The rise of wardrobing presents a challenge to the future of fashion and online retail. As the practice becomes more prevalent, retailers will need to implement more robust strategies to manage returns and deter fraudulent activity. This could include stricter return policies, increased scrutiny of returned items, and potentially more advanced technology to detect fraudulent returns. Striking a balance between providing a good customer experience and mitigating the financial losses associated with wardrobing is a significant challenge for the fashion industry. The challenge ahead lies in finding sustainable solutions, for both the consumer and the retailer. The long-term sustainability of the current practices is questionable. The future will likely involve a re-evaluation of return policies, ethical consumerism and potentially the integration of technology to counter wardrobing and similar practices.