A new report suggests that the pandemic has changed the way we shop.
This weekend, Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a private ceremony at The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor. And whilst the flowers were breathtaking and the seemingly relaxed feel of the private event gave an air of wistful romanticism, it was Beatrice’s dress that had everyone talking. The royal opted for a vintage piece from Norman Hartwell which was loaned to her by the Queen. A stunningly sustainable choice, it appears Beatrice has her finger on the pulse when it comes to fashion’s future. According to a new report by Vestiaire Collective, the popularity of vintage fashion is on the rise.
In its newest report, The Smart Side of Fashion, the online fashion reseller looked at its data and outlined three big trends it predicts will lead the way in coming seasons: vintage, sustainable and resourceful. When it comes to vintage, the report pointed to shifting consumer attitudes towards shopping as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As the supply of new items continues to be affected by access – including delayed manufacturing, blocked supply chains, closed stores and reduced desire for IRL shopping – our community are increasingly looking to vintage pieces to slake their shopping thirst. They also have more time research overall purchases, and because they’re buying fewer items, they’re investing more time in each one,” it writes.
As for the brands people are seeking out, John Galliano’s RTW has seen a 49 per cent increase year-on-year, whilst Nicolas Ghesquiére-era Balenciaga is up 186 per cent. Margiela, Prada and Miu Miu are other heavy-hitters in the category.
Interest in sustainability-focused brands is also on the rise according to the report with Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and Rejina Pyo all selling quickly, whilst heritage brands like Rolex, Omega and Hermès are leading the charge in the resourceful shopping category.
Interestingly, the report also noted that the percentage of male buyers and sellers was increasing at a faster rate than women. Plus, the new generation of male shoppers is forging its own path when it comes to fashion. “Younger guys are also more confident about challenging gender norms through fashion and are increasingly buying clothing and especially accessories from womenswear sections and brands.” This follows similar data from Lyst’s most recent report which reported that the site had seen a 150 per cent increase in male shoppers this year.