As far as outdated stereotypes go, the whole “men hate shopping” one is about as far gone as they come. Whilst it may be true that many men hate going to physical stores (as do many women, we hasten to add), the ecommerce revolution has changed the game where menswear is concerned. So, what has ecommerce brought to the table? We’ve broken it down…

 

“Menswear growth to outstrip womenswear by 2020”. This heading, from Jacket Required partner Drapers, says it all. In 2017, the leading trade publication reported that menswear will contribute £380bn to the global fashion market by this year, a number it is well on its way to achieving, with valuations coming in at £375.4bn at the start of 2019. It’s no surprise that this growth is down, in large part, to an increase in online sales, with menswear set to beat the ecommerce figures of tech, the digital world’s previous bestseller.

 

We’re social creatures, and a large part of this rise is down to the advent of social shopping. Shoppable posts on platforms like Instagram have made shopping so much easier and more convenient for style-conscious male consumers. Social media has shaped the way men educate themselves about fashion, providing them with a platform which perfectly caters to the “see now, buy now” mindset that we have grown used to.

 

Because no one has the time to get a suit fitted anymore. Online platforms, like Edit Suits Co. and Tailor Store, offer made-to-measure shirts and suits for today’s busy professionals. Other platforms, like Thread offer a personal styling service in the form of a subscription box; powered by algorithms, these platforms take the shopper’s personal preferences to tailor bespoke collections on a monthly basis, taking convenience to a whole new level.


Join the Jacket Required Reboot this summer. We’ll be heading to our new home, the Saatchi Gallery on 22^nd and 23^rd July for the SS21 edition. Get your spot on the line-up or sign up to be notified when visitor registration is open.

 

Apply for a stand Register your interest
 

Source: “Menswear growth to outstrip womenswear by 2020” article by Jill Geoghegan, Drapers
Source: “Men's wear market value worldwide from 2018 to 2025 (in billion U.S. dollars)” report by Statista
Source: “Men’s clothing is outpacing cameras, computers, and beer in growth of online sales” article by Marc Bain, Quartz