London, Nov 4 (IANS): One in six British women has indulged in wardrobing, the practice of purchasing an item, wearing it with the tag in and then returning it to the store for a refund, according to a study.

A new research by Vouchercodes.co.uk reveals that wardrobing has become a regular habit for one in eight women who admit they indulge in it to save money for the future, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"Our research reveals that over a quarter of women who admit to 'wardrobing' feel guilty about it but the pressure to look good on special occasions makes it feel like the only option for some to look good on a budget," said Anita Naik, consumer editor at VoucherCodes.co.uk.

One in seven fashionistas explain that they buy and return clothes so that they have the chance to wear the latest trends just once, and the same number claim that when they want to impress they don’t think twice about the price of an outfit especially when they know they can get a refund, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

One of the main reasons which drives wardrobing are weddings. The women also do it for job interviews.

The study reveals that almost one in ten British women seek out clothes that have a safety pin tag, which means the label can be removed and replaced, while one in twenty spray the item with air freshener before returning it.

Naik believes the urge for wardrobing can be curbed.

"If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of sales, discounts and deals if you want to buy something new, or buy less expensive items such as accessories to refresh an existing outfit. Even better why not borrow clothes from friends in different social circles for the events you're attending. As long as you're willing to repay the favour, you will all benefit from getting the most cost-per-wear out of your special outfits," she said.