One of the hottest current trends in menswear has guys reaching back in time to repurpose outfits from the past. Styles from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s are being seen all over the streets. There are several reasons why vintage wear is so popular right now, so let’s examine them.
1. New Outfit Pieces Can Be Very Expensive
Do you want to stay on trend with the latest men’s fashions? It’s going to cost you. Regularly buying brand-new pieces online or in stores will put a significant dent in your wallet for items you may not even wear that often.
2. Vintage Styles Can Be Had For a Low Cost
The nice thing about lightly worn, vintage clothes is that they won’t cost anywhere near as much as brand-new pieces do. When you visit a local Salvation Army or thrift store, you can pick up several pieces for the cost of one new item.
3. It Is Much Easier to Find Vintage Clothes These Days
While you may find some great pieces at the local thrift store, that isn’t the only option for someone searching for vintage clothes. The internet is teeming with resellers, many of whom specialize in higher-end items. Sites like ThredUp, The RealReal, and even eBay offer a wide range of options.
4. There is a Tremendous Variety
When you shop at normal men’s stores, there are only clothes released for that particular season. However, you don’t have the same issues when buying used clothes. There are plenty of options when it comes to colors, costs,and seasons.
5. It Helps Show Off Your Individuality
The things sitting on the shelf in most men’s stores can tend to look the same as designers attempt to keep up with the latest trends. But thrift store shopping lets you not only pick out the look you want but also look different than most other guys.
6. It’s Not ‘Cheap’ Anymore
There was a time when large swaths of the public looked down on thrifting, thinking of it as cheap. Cultural opinions about thrift shops have certainly changed, and that has helped more men to take the plunge.
7. This is Especially True of Younger People
The younger generations are undoubtedly driving the changing attitudes towards thrift. Millennials have long been fans of the thrift shopping method, and surveys show that a large number of Gen Z members prefer it to regular shopping.
8. People Are Getting Rid of Great Stuff
Thanks, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are heading into the office way less. Many of these workers had closets full of work clothes they no longer needed. Plenty of thrift stores are stocked with lightly worn high-end pieces.
9. You Can Get a Taste of Luxury
People who can afford to buy luxury clothes do so for a variety of reasons. The items are usually of higher quality and will last longer. However, it is also lovely to be noticed in a high-end piece of clothing, and secondhand shopping provides an opportunity to do so.
10. There’s a Significant Amount of Convenience
It’s no secret that most men don’t like to shop for their own clothes, and that hasn’t changed for decades. Today’s men have a much easier time shopping these days, as they can not only buy new clothes on the internet but also second-hand clothes from sites like ThredUp and The RealReal.
11. The Pieces Are Already Broken In
In addition to not wanting to shop for their own clothes, there are plenty of men who don’t want to throw anything away either. Men like their clothes broken-in and comfortable from day one, and thrift shop clothes help to achieve this goal.
12. You Don’t Have to Spend Big Money on Something You’ll Wear Once
For the most part, a man who doesn’t need to wear suits for work will require a suit or blazer a couple of times a year, and these items don’t come cheap. It is much easier to buy a suit second-hand, especially with many more hitting the market these days.
13. Grandpa’s Had Plenty of Style
People may call it “Grandpa-style” in a backhanded fashion, but the truth is that men’s clothes were much more stylish back in the day. Wearing vintage clothes will help you stand out in the right way with interesting and well-crafted pieces.
14. People Love the Hunt
Another reason why people enjoy buying second-hand clothing is for the thrill of the hunt. And that hunt has now gotten much bigger now thanks to second-hand retailer websites and auction sites like eBay.
15. Brands Are Taking Part in the Trend As Well
The most savvy clothing brands have decided to assist customers who wish to purchase second-hand clothing by offering it on their sites and providing assistance with item authentication. This could be particularly important, as luxury clothing fraud is a common occurrence.
16. There is a Sustainability Story
There are plenty of people who like to buy second-hand clothing to benefit the environment. As more clothing is reused, it eliminates the need to create new pieces, saving energy, water, and raw materials.
17. Staying on Trend is A Lot More Affordable
Every year, there are new trends, and if you want to participate in them, it can get very expensive. Since plenty of trends are reaching back in the past anyway, hitting a vintage store to take part in the trend is a smart financial option.
18. Some Things Look Better Used
There are certain items that will look significantly better once they’ve been used for a while. This is especially true of leather or waxed-cotton jackets or pairs of jeans. Thrift-shopping allows you to purchase once-expensive items that are already broken in.
19. Conclusion
There are so many reasons why men are taking part in the thrifting craze, and while the financial aspect is a big part of it, it is just one of many reasons. Depending on what happens with the economy, the drive towards the eclectic grandpa style should only continue to grow.