The tides of luxury fashion resale are shifting—and, for the first time, it’s men leading the charge. Vestiaire Collective, the pioneering global platform for pre-owned luxury, has unveiled its inaugural Menswear Resale Report and officially launched a dedicated men’s category, marking a watershed moment for the industry. This strategic expansion not only signals the platform’s recognition of menswear as a vibrant growth engine, but also reflects deeper transformations in how men engage with fashion, value, and sustainability in the secondhand market.
The Meteoric Rise of Men’s Secondhand Luxury
Vestiaire Collective’s menswear segment has experienced a remarkable 88% growth over the past three years. This figure is more than a statistic—it’s a clear testament to the shifting priorities of luxury consumers and the emergence of a new class of style-conscious male shoppers. What was once a category dominated by women now sees one in five purchases made by men on the platform, illustrating a seismic rebalancing of buying power.
Behind these numbers lies a powerful narrative: men are not only shopping more, but they are shopping differently. Their preferences, motivations, and demographics diverge notably from their female counterparts, driving Vestiaire Collective to reimagine the entire shopping experience for this fast-expanding audience.
Demographic Shifts: The Youthful Vanguard
The report makes one trend unmistakably clear: Millennials and Gen Z are the lifeblood of the menswear resale boom. An impressive 59% of male customers fall within these generations, making the male demographic on Vestiaire Collective significantly younger than its female clientele. This youthfulness is more than a quirk of the data—it’s a clue to the evolving culture of fashion among men, where sustainability, savvy investing, and the thrill of discovery reign supreme.
For these younger buyers, the appeal of luxury secondhand is multifaceted. It’s about access to exclusive styles at fair prices, but also about participating in a broader movement toward circular fashion—one that prizes value, uniqueness, and environmental responsibility.
Resale as a Mindset: The New Male Consumer
Perhaps the most striking revelation is the mainstreaming of resale thinking among men. 70% of men surveyed now buy clothes with resale value in mind, a behavior once associated more closely with female shoppers. This shift speaks to a new consciousness—a recognition that fashion can be both expressive and investment-worthy, with garments and accessories viewed as assets rather than mere consumables.
Men’s purchases on Vestiaire Collective skew heavily toward ready-to-wear clothing, with sneakers accounting for 10% of all men’s listings. The platform’s most sought-after pieces paint a portrait of contemporary luxury tastes:
- Louis Vuitton bags and trainers
- Rolex watches
- Moncler jackets
- Nike trainers
- Gucci bags
These choices blend the classic with the contemporary, signaling how men are navigating both heritage brands and streetwear influences in their pursuit of style and value.
Global Marketplace: Where Sellers and Buyers Converge
Vestiaire Collective’s reach is distinctly global, but its menswear ecosystem reveals fascinating geographic patterns. Sellers are predominantly based in Italy (31%), followed by France (19%) and the UK (9%). This European dominance among sellers is complemented by strong buyer representation not only from France, but also the US and Germany, highlighting the cross-border appeal of secondhand luxury.
Such international dynamics enrich the platform’s offering, fostering a vibrant exchange of styles, trends, and unique pieces that cater to a discerning global clientele.
Brand Preferences: Beyond the Usual Suspects
While legacy luxury houses remain foundational, male shoppers on Vestiaire Collective are increasingly seeking out niche brands and high-profile collaborations. Alongside staples like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, the report highlights a surge in interest for:
- Adidas x Wales Bonner
- Moncler x Palm Angels
- Tudor
- Baldinini
- Chrome Hearts
- Denim Tears
- On Running
- The Row
These choices reflect a new breed of luxury consumer—one who prizes not just status and heritage, but also innovation, rarity, and personal narrative. This appetite for exclusive collaborations and cult brands is fueling the diversity and dynamism of the men’s category, making it one of the most opportunity-rich segments in secondhand fashion.
Transforming the Platform Experience
Recognizing the unique needs and tastes of male shoppers, Vestiaire Collective has tailored its offering with bespoke visuals, personalized recommendations, and a dedicated men’s shopping experience. This isn’t simply a redesign; it’s a strategic recalibration, positioning the platform as the premier destination for men seeking luxury at a new intersection of value and sustainability.
CEO Maximilian Bittner underscores the significance of this move, citing men’s growing demand for exclusivity, access to luxury at fair prices, and robust resale potential. Bittner’s perspective is rooted in data but also in an acute understanding of the evolving luxury landscape, where men are no longer passive participants but active drivers of change.
Men as Architects of Circular Fashion
Vestiaire Collective’s report positions men as key drivers of the next wave of circular fashion. This is more than a demographic footnote—it’s a paradigm shift. With younger male consumers embracing secondhand as a lifestyle, the boundaries of luxury retail are being redrawn. Value, exclusivity, and sustainability have become intertwined, and the visibility of menswear within secondhand retail is expanding exponentially.
By making resale a mainstream consideration, men are helping to normalize sustainable consumption, broaden the appeal of luxury fashion, and foster communities of style built on both aspiration and responsibility.
Implications: The Future of Menswear and Luxury Resale
The launch of Vestiaire Collective’s dedicated men’s category, coupled with the insights from its first Menswear Resale Report, marks a turning point for the industry. The data paints a vivid picture: menswear is not only thriving within the secondhand luxury market, it’s reshaping the very foundations of how luxury is bought, sold, and understood.
Driven by youthful consumers who demand both value and sustainability, the future of menswear resale promises greater diversity, innovation, and opportunity. As platforms like Vestiaire Collective continue to evolve, the lines between new and pre-owned, exclusive and accessible, will only blur further—ushering in an era where secondhand is not just accepted, but celebrated as the standard-bearer of modern luxury.
The menswear resale revolution is here, and its impact is only beginning to be felt. For brands, shoppers, and industry leaders alike, the message is clear: adapt, innovate, and embrace the new paradigm—or risk being left behind.
