Recently, my husband decided to do a major clear-out of his wardrobe and made a list of things he needed. He’s the type of person who wears his clothes until they’re completely worn out, so a refresh was definitely in order.
As someone who’s passionate about slow fashion, I’ve always been a big advocate for second-hand shopping.
I buy most of my clothes (and my daughter’s too) second-hand, and my husband knows this well.
However, when it comes to shopping, he’s not exactly a fan.
He tends to do just a couple of big clothing hauls a year—usually an online order of t-shirts and vests from Route One and a quick trip to Primark for basics.
The second-hand approach has never been his go-to, though he does occasionally grab a vintage NFL shirt from eBay or wear hand-me-downs from family members for work wear which will get trashed anyway.
But after the big closet overhaul, he surprised me by saying he wanted to try buying as much as he could second-hand—whether online through Vinted or by checking out charity shops.
Naturally, I was excited.
But what I didn’t expect was how much of a challenge it would be.
For me, shopping second-hand for women’s clothing is usually a breeze—I can find what I need right away or within a few days.
But for him? It’s been a bit trickier.
Why Is It Harder to Find Men’s Clothing Second-Hand?
There are a few reasons why men’s second-hand shopping can be a bit more challenging.
- Fewer Clothes
Men, in general, tend to buy fewer clothes than women. As a result, the items they do purchase often get worn for much longer, which means they’re often too worn out to donate or sell. The supply just isn’t as abundant. - Smaller Men’s Sections
When we visit charity shops, the men’s section is usually a fraction of the size of the women’s section. In fact, on a recent trip, we were excited when we found a charity shop with an entire floor dedicated to men’s clothing—but they didn’t have a single pair of trousers in my husband’s size. - Men’s Shopping Habits
Men aren’t typically known for frequent shopping sprees, and second-hand shopping does require a bit of a mindset shift. It’s not as simple as grabbing everything you need in one go—it takes time, patience, and a willingness to dig through items that might not be exactly what you’re looking for.
Now, I know there are plenty of guys out there who love second-hand shopping and are experts at it.
But so far, my husband hasn’t quite developed the necessary patience for it. He’s decided to buy a few items he needs new, and over the next few months, we’ll continue looking for second-hand alternatives.
Lessons We’ve Learned From Shopping for Men’s Second-Hand Clothing
So, what have we discovered in this journey?
Here are a few insights:
- Pricing Can Be Higher
On platforms like Vinted, I can usually grab a top or pair of jeans for £1-£2. But men’s clothing seems to be more expensive, likely because it’s less abundant and therefore has less price competition. - Quality Doesn’t Always Match the Price
We’ve come across a lot of second-hand men’s clothing that isn’t in the best condition, and the price often doesn’t reflect the quality. So while some items might be affordable, you need to check the condition closely. - New Clothing Often Isn’t a Bargain
We’ve found plenty of items with tags still attached, but many sellers are asking for the full retail price. When you factor in shipping costs and platform fees from Vinted, these ‘bargains’ don’t always feel worth it. - Fewer Bundles for Men
I love saving money by buying clothing bundles on Vinted or creating my own when sellers are offering a discount. But when it comes to men’s clothes, bundles are much less common. And since men tend to buy fewer clothes to begin with, it’s harder to build your own bundles, too. - Sizing Challenges
One thing that frustrated us was the lack of precise sizing. Unlike women’s clothing, men’s items on platforms like Vinted are often listed by general sizes like S, M, L, XL—not by measurements like waist and chest. We found everything from W36 to W42 categorised under “XL,” which made shopping a bit of a guessing game.
Why Men’s Second-Hand Shopping is Worth the Effort
Despite these challenges, there are some positives.
For one, men tend to consume fewer clothes, and they tend to wear what they have for much longer, which is a great thing for the planet.
The fact that their clothes don’t get tossed out as quickly is a big win for sustainability.
Our biggest success so far has been buying new shoes – both pairs had been worn just once or twice an with a cheeky offer he got each pair for around a third of the RRP.
Tips for Buying Men’s Second-Hand Clothes
If you’re ready to dive into second-hand shopping for men’s clothes, here are some tips that might help:
- Check Often
New listings are added constantly on eBay, Vinted and Depop, so if you’re searching for something specific, make sure to check often. Using saved searches and switching on notifications makes it easy to keep an eye on new items. - Be Patient
Finding the perfect second-hand item can take time, but the effort is worth it. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce the environmental impact of your fashion choices. - Create a Wish List
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a good deal, but buying impulsively can lead to items that don’t fit your style or complement what you already own. Creating a wish list will help you make thoughtful, intentional purchases. - Customise When You Can
When shopping second-hand, a little creativity can go a long way in achieving the look you want. Simple tweaks like dyeing a piece a new colour, adding a monogram, sewing on custom patches, or adjusting the length can completely transform an item - Shop Off-Season
As with most types of shopping, buying off-season can save you money. January, for example, is a great time to shop for winter clothes because people are cleaning out their wardrobes after the holidays. - Explore Multiple Platforms
There are lots of places to shop for second-hand clothes, so don’t limit yourself to just one site. Vinted is my go-to, but there’s also eBay, Depop, Shpock, Gumtree, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace—plus charity shops and clothing swap events.
While shopping for men’s clothes second-hand may not be as easy as shopping for women’s, I still wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try.
It’s a great way to save money, build a more sustainable wardrobe, and find some unique pieces that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.