Do men buy preloved?
As a long-time preloved shopper, guest blogger Sandra Stafford has never much considered just how niche this whole market might still be – especially with regards male shopping habits. Here are some thoughts ...
It’s hard to recall when I last saw a man clothes shopping in thrift stores in my nearest town. There are men of all ages who volunteer in the shops: behind the tills; sorting through the donations (including assembling the menswear rails); and even checking out the bric-a-brac with a skilled eye looking for that piece of Lalique crystal or Clogau gold (mis)priced at £2 ono.
It's a conundrum. And it does pose questions about men’s preloved buying habits – in fact, about their clothes-buying habits in general. So I set myself a mission: to undertake some research and establish the facts. Before the admiration and accolades flood in, I should perhaps ’fess up (do people still say that?) that my endeavours weren’t exactly extensive. In fact, they amounted to conversations with three men! But these chats did perhaps indicate some generational habits and shifts in how men might shop for clothes.
The older man (perhaps 70+)
My mother (here she is again!!) always did my father’s clothes shopping. Ditto my grandmothers shopped for my grandfathers. Men (certainly the men in my family) apparently showed no interest or skill in this art. They wore specific work clothes issued by their employers, which were either left at the gates on the way out from their workplace or at the door on their way into their homes. They changed into slacks, a shirt and a jumper, plus slippers. If they went to the pub later, they exchanged the jumper for a jacket and their slippers for leather lace-ups. They kept their clothes for a long time. Fashion, and probably style, figured low on their horizons. A family event – perhaps a wedding or significant birthday – may have warranted a new suit. Holidays might have justified something more casual and colourful, and perhaps even a hat! It might be unfair or a sad truth, but these are the clothes that often end up in local thrift stores. Nonetheless, they are generous (often emotionally led) donations that make a contribution towards keeping landfill free of fabric as well as swelling funds for a small charity.
Preloved? Among this generation preloved would have been known as second-hand. And there may well have been an element of wearing these clothes. But it would have been within a family (‘What’s wrong with your father’s jumper? It’s perfectly decent!’) rather than shopping in a thrift store.
The middle-aged man (perhaps 45+)
This age group may once have enjoyed ‘dressing up’ in younger years, especially if they frequented social venues that formally or informally were led by a certain ‘look’. Think nightclubs, gigs or interest-led gatherings. These men were often not recognised in their social attire, others having been used to seeing them in a smart suit, shirt and tie during daylight hours, Mondays to Fridays. This group are now middle-aged, and requirements on workplace clothing have relaxed for many, so the style differentiation has lessened. They dress in the same clothes pretty much all the time – high-end jeans, casual shirts, trainers. They usually still shop for themselves or perhaps with a partner, but the objective is to get in and out of a department store or chain as quickly as possible. Shopping is not high on their agenda. And they still tend to keep their clothes for a long time.
Preloved? I’m hearing ‘No’ from my representative of this age group. Reasons: lack of interest, potential stigma, easier to dive into a well-organised shop where he can head straight to the rail marked: Navy Blue Linen Shirts, Size Medium, Under £50, Will Go With Anything, Last A Lifetime, No Point Ironing!!!
Musician Steve Logan wearing a Trash Chic preloved jacket
The enviably young (20+)
For us in many parts of the Western world, attitudes have changed. Values have changed. Fashion is no longer tightly defined. So let’s cut straight to the chase here.
Preloved? Undoubtedly. Often resoundingly. As far as I can tell, there are four main reasons.
- The rise and rise of online preloved shopping that allows items to be searched by category (combining some of the trends from the previous two groups) and affords anonymity to the not-yet-out preloved shopper.
- The rise and rise of high street availability in addition to a hardcore charity shop. We’re talking Vintage Emporiums with amazing and enticing shop window displays, pop-ups, special events, Sunday street markets that routinely have a preloved/vintage stall … The list goes on. And the interest is high. From everyone. These places and outlets are genuinely fun to visit and shop at.
- There is a much greater awareness of the injustices created by fast fashion, not to mention the environmental impact. The main reason for buying preloved cited by my younger interviewee was to help the planet. Other reasons were economic, along with better quality/materials found in older clothing.
- Where we are able to make our own choices, we may choose to eschew the rules that fashion has previously dictated – you know, this season’s must-have, bla bla! All of us have the opportunity to have fun with clothing – and younger men embrace this too by creating distinct, often unique, looks for themselves.
The question answered
My topic question – Do men buy preloved? – has been answered! It’s ‘Yes’ and it’s also ‘No’. Preloved is still niche. There may even still be some stigma (although this is definitely age-related). But here’s the good news: there’s a growing movement that, apart from anything else, sees preloved as an opportunity to make small differences to our planet. And we should all be in favour of that. We are also, of course, unique with many of us in many countries able to express ourselves sartorially in a way never before afforded. We are way more open about our choices. So enjoy, embrace, and shop preloved!
Hamish wearing a Trash Chic preloved sequin bomber jacket
Sandra Stafford is an author, editor and long-time Trash Chic customer. To view TC’s range of preloved/vintage/retro clothing, return to the Shop or follow Jane on Facebook to see the latest stock that often sells before it can reach the website.
Additionally, catch up with Jane at the Re-Fashion Denim event at the Grand Arcade in Cambridge on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September. There will be rails for men, too!
