Women will spend almost six months of their working lives deciding what to wear, a new study says.
The research found the average woman spends about 17 minutes a day rifling through her wardrobe.
That adds up to more than four days a year, or nearly six months between the ages of 18 and 60.
The poll, run for Marks & Spencer by its Shwopping campaign, reports that 62 percent of women suffer from “wardrobe rage.”
Respondents said cluttered closets and anxiety over the right outfit fuel irrational tantrums about having nothing to wear.
Men are affected too, though to a lesser degree.
The study shows men spend about 13 minutes a day choosing clothes, equal to roughly three days a year.
One in five men admit to throwing clothes around while choosing an outfit.
More than a third of men said they have experienced “wardrobe rage” at least once.
The poll was commissioned to support M&S’s partnership with Oxfam.
The organisations urge people to donate, or “Shwop,” unwanted clothing to clear out their wardrobes.
Fashion stylist Bay Garnett recommends a streamlined closet.
“We all need a regular closet detox: it helps us to not only easily choose what to wear, but also clear our mind.
Opening our wardrobes in the morning can bring a startling range of emotions. Why do we put ourselves through it? We need to start thinking about dressing for the present – for the size we are now, for the job we’re in now.
It’s a process of streamlining and getting rid of some past negativity before we add anything new. Shwopping these items will not only make your wardrobe more manageable for the first time in years, but also make your mind instantly clearer.”
The survey polled 2,000 Brits.
It found the typical wardrobe holds 152 items, but only 44 percent are worn regularly.
On average, people leave 57 items unworn.
The researchers estimate 3.6 billion items sit unused across the nation.
They also report an average of 16 items worn just once, and 11 items still with their tags.
One in 20 people has over 50 tagged items in their wardrobe.
One in eight adults own more than 300 pieces of clothing.
Despite this abundance, one in 20 adults complain they have nothing to wear at least once a week.
The situation causes frustration in many households.
28 percent of adults throw clothes around their room in exasperation.
Almost one in five have felt upset or angry after failing to find a satisfactory outfit.
15 percent say the drama of choosing clothes has ruined their mood for the day.
One in 10 regularly arrives late to work because of outfit decisions.
One in 20 have even missed an event entirely due to taking too long to get dressed.
For women, the problem sometimes affects relationships and plans.
One in five women said wardrobe struggles sparked arguments with their partner.
14 percent admitted they had refused to go out because they could not decide on an outfit.
Three in 10 adults call their wardrobe a mess.
Another 48 percent acknowledge they need to declutter.
M&S and Oxfam say editing wardrobes could release value.
If all unwanted clothes were donated, the items could be worth over £2.7 billion.
The Shwopping partnership asks shoppers to donate items and “release the power of good” in once-loved garments.
Oxfam says even a small contribution helps worldwide poverty relief.
Just £5 from selling a shwopped cardigan could provide safe water for five people.
Joanna Lumley, M&S’s Shwopping ambassador, described the impact she has seen.
“I have seen first-hand how a humble old pair of trousers can help to build a community for women, or provide clean, running water to those without it.
We are a nation that holds onto everything, because we feel it may be of use to us again, but it won’t.”
The campaign encourages people to clear out unworn clothes and support global aid through donation.