Hygiene Limits Resale Clothing Uptake

A nationally weighted YouGov poll (n=1,000, Oct 1) finds 48% of U.S. adults worry second‑hand clothes may not be clean and 45% worry about item condition; other practical barriers—fit, returns, and perceived value—also deter sizeable shares, with clear generational splits (Boomers more value/try‑on worried; Gen Z more authenticity/history worried). Retailers and platforms expanding into resale face non‑trivial practical obstacles, not just taste or price differences. — Addressing cleanliness, returns, and verification is necessary for second‑hand markets and circular‑economy goals to scale, affecting retail strategy, sustainability policy, and intergenerational cultural adoption.