And finally…Scots set to spend £20 million-plus on novelty Christmas jumpers

Love Your Clothes, an organisation that “aims to raise awareness of the value of clothes” claims that nearly a third of Scots, despite admitting to owning at least one Christmas jumper already, said they planned to buy one for this Christmas, too.

Over 40 per cent of these Scottish-owned jumpers will be worn only once or twice in the next two months, the group said.

In a bid to reduce wastage across the country, Love Your Clothes in Scotland has launched a competition calling all Scots to ‘upcycle’ a pre-loved jumper as an alternative to buying a new one, or swap last year’s with friends, family and colleagues to save money and the environment.

A statement from the groups said: “With the clothing industry having the fifth-biggest environmental footprint of any UK industry more urgently needs to be done to reduce the environmental impact of garments by keeping clothes longer.

“Giving an old jumper a new festive lease of life by upcycling or passing on is the best Christmas present Scots could give the environment.”

To enter the competition, people need to either decorate a jumper or cardigan they already own, or a pre-loved one (e.g. from a charity shop), to wear instead of purchasing a new novelty Christmas jumper.

The garment can be for adults or children and should feature a festive theme. It should also be washable and designed so any decorations can be easily removed after it has been worn to allow continued use after winter has ended.

Lynn Wilson, from Zero Waste Scotland, which delivers Love Your Clothes in Scotland, said: “Our competition – 12 Jumpers of Christmas – aims to inspire people across the country to get upcycling.

“With many Christmas jumpers being worn only once or twice over the festive season, we are encouraging all Scots to transform theirs or swap it. Who knows we could see a number of couture worthy Christmas creations which of course also add some ‘green’ style to wardrobes across the country.

“Love Your Clothes recognises that buying a Christmas jumper is often in response to charity fundraising appeals and by jazzing up a jumper and donating instead people can really help the charity and the environment at the same time.

“Extending the length of time we wear clothes by just three months would lead to a 5-10 per cent reduction in their carbon, water and waste footprints.

“We know that the average lifetime of clothes is just over two years. Entering the 12 Jumpers competition is a great way for people to extend the lifetime of their old jumpers and remember a jumper is for life not just for Christmas.”

loveyourclothes.org.uk/12jumpers/