In this blog we delve into the growing changes to shopping in our high street shops and the move towards clothes shopping online.
We look at some of the pros and cons associated with shopping online and how the industry is changing to address the experience we have.
Finally we provide you with an example of recent purchases to get a complete outfit online, with other valuable tips and ideas about selecting the correct sizes when buying online.
Lets get started…
Whether we like it or not, this global pandemic has ensured that the way we shop has changed.
Globally, almost half of consumers shop online more now than they did pre-pandemic and the growth of eCommerce has surpassed levels not expected until 2025.
Varying levels of restrictions alongside people’s reluctance to go out like they used to, has resulted in a great change to our high street shopping experience.
The lack of footfall in our high streets has led to stores facing increasing economic pressures, meaning that those stores already struggling have been forced to close their doors for good.
Recent events…
Recently in the UK, we have seen Boohoo buying off some of these stores from the Arcadia Group, and bought Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis for £25 million.
Boohoo have a clear intention to use the old Arcadia group’s online presence and their existing distribution networks and are not continuing to sell through the bricks and mortar stores.
Business tax could be changing too…
The increase in online shopping is having a significant impact on traditional forms of Government revenues such as business rates and taxes on bricks and mortar businesses.
However, it’s a growing concern for governments that as more and more businesses are closing their bricks and mortar stores and switching to virtual or online shops, the substantial revenues they gained through tax are decreasing.
Across the globe, governments are looking for ways to generate revenues by some other means from businesses.
There is growing speculation of windfall taxes on Amazon and other online businesses, in the absence of returns from business rates.
The PRO’s and CON’s of buying online…
| Pro | Con |
| You can get some great deals | You have to wait for the product to be delivered – Its not immediate |
| Ordering is simple to do and becoming easier to do | You cannot see and feel the product |
| If the product is unavailable you can find other suppliers easily | Sizing can be an issue |
| You can see other peoples reviews and opinions of the product | Whilst the images used to illustrate a product are getting better, they are not always enough to get a good idea of the product |
| Generally returning a product is becoming easier and simplified | You cannot try before you buy |
How online shopping has improved…
Although I have had very good and pain-free experiences personally speaking whilst shopping online, I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I enjoy actually going into a shop, trying the clothes on, and making my choice depending on the fit and quality of the item I have seen with my own eyes.
In the early days of internet shopping, it would be fair to say that it was sometimes a matter of trial and error. But now this experience has become much more of a positive, pleasurable experience and is far more user friendly.
The British Dapper
I love having the opportunity to inspire a whole new generation of people who have never previously needed to wear a suit and jacket with a tie, and a proper pair of shoes to step out of their comfort zone and start dressing in a smarter, more dapper way.
I am particularly enthusiastic about helping people achieve this cost-effectively.
Recently I did an experiment to see how easy it was to purchase an outfit, for example, to attend a wedding or a job interview. The idea was to purchase second-hand items online on a shoestring budget.
My intention was to get high value, quality goods at a significantly lower cost that looked as good as new. This also involved bidding online.
Here’s what I found…
eBay purchases…
The suit, shoes, tie, pocket square, socks (not visible) and cufflinks featured here were all purchased on eBay in the space of a couple of weeks.
The tie and pocket square were new, the tie is black, blue and purple 100% silk, as is the pocket square, the tie was £4.99 and the pocket square cost £1.99, both with free delivery.
I also bought a pair of Argyle Diamond Cotton Rich Lycra Design Socks cost £1:34, although you can’t see them here.
The suit (Daniel Grahame) cost £23.10 + £20.00 postage from Northern Ireland. A similar suit would normally retail for £170.00 to £210.00 new and this one had only been worn a couple of times.
True, the suit needs some minor tailoring, but it’s still a good financial choice.
Believe it or not, I bought the shoes – a pair of handmade full leather toe capped Oxfords from Samuel Windsor off eBay for £5.00. They had originally been bought to attend a wedding in Wales and had only been worn a couple of times. The postage was £7.00.
I gave them a polish and they look as good as new. Originally they retailed for £100 a pair. I have found that with this company the size fits me perfectly, right from the start.
The cufflinks are Vintage Brushed Metal Engraved Pattern Cufflinks and cost £6.00 with free delivery.
The total cost of these purchases, including postage was £69.42, bought new, a conservative estimate would have been in the region of £299.00 to £340.00.
This is a massive saving, especially when you consider that if these items were bought new, they could have have been tried on as many times whilst still in a shop.
Emulating a similar look to this…
If you like this outfit and want to buy and wear something similar, then just click on these links.
Be Prepared…
The biggest piece of advice I can give to buying clothing online is to make sure you know your size. Actually check your measurements yourself or get someone to help you. And take your time to read the size details on the product page carefully!
Depending where the product is manufactured depends on the sizing method used, sometimes its recorded in UK/US sizes, and at others, in inches or centimetres or in European sizes.
You’ll find that sometime a size large in one country actually ends up being more like a small in other countries, but if you take your time when checking the conversation information, you can see you might need to consider a different size to what you’d normally wear.
How to get your measurements…
If you need to measure for a hat…
My Key Message…
If you are on a limited budget, thrifting can get you some great deals and for even less money. However, don’t rule out other ways of buying quality items at a very reasonable cost.
You can find some great deals on eBay or Amazon. Both offer safe and secure ways to purchase, and refunds by providers are generally very swift if they are required.
Drop us a line about your personal experiences and views about online shopping, by leaving a comment at the bottom of this blog.
Sources:
https://www.roirevolution.com/blog/2021/03/coronavirus-and-ecommerce/
https://econsultancy.com/stats-roundup-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-ecommerce/
By the way, these are the shoes now, after a quick mirror shine!
If you’re interested in how to get your shoes like this, then why not visit our YouTube channel, click the link below or simply go into our video wardrobe and click on the video in there.
Chris Andrews is a classic men’s style advisor helping people realise a more refined look by instilling the lost skills and understanding of classic men’s attire.
Forgive me! I have only just got round to visiting your website. It is packed with practical advice and complements your videos perfectly.
I never dreamt that I would one day be buying clothes and shoes second hand online. It was you that got me started and I have never looked back. I now have a smart wardrobe of top flight shirts, shoes, silk pocket squares, silk ties, vintage cufflinks, and even a beautiful vintage dinner suit, all purchased at pocket money prices and each item still pristine and barely worn. The cheeky bit is that only I know where my upmarket attire has really come from! ☺
Thank you, Chris, for standing up for, and championing, a smarter dress code for us gents to follow and live up to.
Thank you John for your fantastic comments and I am pleased that my advice has assisted you in gaining your wardrobe at a reasonable cost. thank you for your continued support.
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Thank you for your kind words.