Another trend that I’m expecting will make a comeback for men this fall is recycled denim. Although second-hand stores like Vinnies and Lifeline have never experienced a shortage of customers, people are increasingly embracing the old. With the onslaught of “hobbypreneurs” on popular sites Etsy and Finders Keepers, consumers are finding a more individualistic and “used and abused” approach to fashion (Evans, 2010). Economically, the GFC and the consequent rising cost of living has thrown the majority of consumers’ disposable incomes in the bin… This means that we have to (unfortunately) spend less on non-essential products – aka fashion! Although this precipitates luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana getting a run for their money, it also opens up a market for sustainable and environmentally friendly products. For example, expect upcycled newspaper to become everyday objects – people are finding individualistic ways to recycle newspaper into items like shoes, frocks and writing utensils (TrendHunter.com 2011). Eco-friendly products like these fill the demand for consumers who want to participate in a green initiative. Consumers are looking to businesses to provide eco-friendly products or are simply purchasing second-hand items in order to extend the lifecycle of clothes. This is where denim comes in… Online style sites are fully endorsing this “distressed” denim trend; Ragtop Vintage is showing off some vintage Lee’s (Ragtop Vintage Clothing 2012) whilst Netherland blogger Ivana Carpio gives instructions on “how-to” reinvent old jeans (Carpio, 2012). Truly in time with the trend, I spotted a very groovy teacher getting off the bus. Unfortunately my camera did malfunction and I am only able to supply the left-over photos of detail to the jeans, but he was rocking some vintage Levi’s, a button-up shirt and felt hat. He said, “I think it’s important to source some of your wardrobe from second-hand stores, what’s’ one mans junk is another’s treasure!” Amen to that, I say!
Crediting others brain juice:
Evans, Teri. 2010. “Creating Etsy’s Handmade Marketplace” Accessed March 24, 2012. http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/tag/wall-street-journal/
TrendHunter.com. 2011. “Upcycled Print” Accessed March 25, 2012. http://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/upcycled-print-newspapers-are-creatively-repurposed
Ragtop Vintage Clothing. 2012. “Lee 91-J, 1930’s Chore Jacket” Accessed March 24, 2012. http://ragtopvintage.wordpress.com/category/denim-and-workwear/
Carpio, Ivana. 2012. “The Perfect Ripped Denim” Accessed March 23, 2012. http://love-aesthetics.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-perfect-ripped-denim.html
Photo of Neil Simons is my own. Taken: Ashgrove, Queensland, on March 25, 2012.
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