The Obtainer - 3/18/24, Monday
↦ A Savvy Way to Upgrade Your Style
Monday, March 18th Edition
I’ve become a big secondhand shopper lately. I love the thrill of tracking something down and getting a deal. There’s a real sense of accomplishment there. Don’t you agree?
- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Buying Secondhand Is Both Smart & Stylish
Developing your personal style is both an art and a science. You've only got so much money, right? And you've only got so much space for the things you buy yourself. So you've got to be smart about your purchases to get the most from them. If you're a regular reader of Valet., then you know we often stress the idea of not always buying more but buying better. Items that are impactful, that make your life a little easier or simply improve your style or the aesthetics of the world around you. And one of the easiest ways to do this, while also spending less money overall, is to buy things secondhand.Of course, there's an inherent thrill of walking into a store and pulling some new item off the rack and buying it. The allure of the latest drop or new release can be tempting, but there's a certain magic in finding that perfect vintage piece or scoring a high-end find at a fraction of the retail price. It's a real rush to unearth an item that's clearly got value, but you've found it for less than you expect. And this is also how you curate a wardrobe and a home that tells your story—each piece comes with its own history, adding authentic depth and character to your personal style.What's more, it's never been easier to hunt for secondhand items. And these are not castoffs or bargain-bin items. The online “recommerce” ecosystem is now full of premium, quality goods at a price and, at times, convenience, rivaling your handy Amazon Prime account. More than half of Americans now say that shopping secondhand is a lifestyle choice for them, driven by a desire to “save money, be more sustainable or find unusual and interesting items,” according to GlobalData, a market research firm that worked with Mecari on their 2023 Reuse Report [PDF]. With more and more people choosing to buy and sell secondhand, the reuse market is expected to grow by an estimated 87% to $325 billion by 2031. Here are the ten items every guy should consider buying used.
What to Buy Secondhand
Luggage
Sure, you could get a brand-new piece of luggage. Fresh, and sparkling clean, you'll pack it and hand it to the airline, who will promptly toss it onto a dirty conveyor belt, into a big metal cart and then pushed and stacked inside the belly of the plane. It's not emerging unblemished after all that. Which is why buying an already used suitcase (in working order, of course) is a smart move. It's already taken some abuse, so you're not worried about a little dent or scratch. Plus, luggage with a few scars is the mark of a well-traveled man. This is why brands such as Rimowa are now selling repaired suitcases—complete with dings and stickers from past adventures. What's more, the average piece of “re-crafted” luggage rings in at around $584, compared to its lowest-priced new sibling at $1,425.
Watches
Truly one of our favorite things to buy secondhand. Timepieces are something that should have a little history, right? Plus, you can often find a truly unique used watch from a prestige brand for the same cost or less as a brand-new option from a standard brand. The secondhand market is also where you'll find discontinued models and watches from brands that are currently having trouble maintaining inventory (looking at you Rolex). And now there are multiple pre-owned platforms such as Crown & Caliber, Chrono24 and Watchbox to help you securely buy quality used watches online and have them shipped right to your door.
Pre-owned Speedster watch, $3,500 by Omega
Furniture
There are plenty of fine and easily accessible options from big box stores, catalogs or specialty retailers named after Barns or Barrels. But for a handful of items, you should aim to buy secondhand, because they're just better if they're a little lived-in already. They're unlike anything else and they imbibe your place with a little history. Items like rugs or small tables. Some pieces, like lamps, can be oddly expensive when purchased at full retail price—find a secondhand one on sale, and you could save hundreds of dollars. As for where to look, eBay remains a treasure trove, but Chairish is another large marketplace, while Kaiyo offers great deals on high-end items.
George Nelson Sling loveseat, $8,000 / $2,116 by Herman Miller
Small Tech
After losing my AirPods (again), I decided I couldn't drop another $250 on those damn earbuds. But I wasn't going to go without, either. I looked into secondhand options and found that you can get nearly new versions, completely refurbished, tested and professionally cleaned, for about almost half the cost. They come with everything but the Apple box and work like new ones. The same goes for cameras and other small tech items. Why buy new when you can go secondhand and roll the savings into a nice case or other accessory?
Refurbished AirPods Pro (2nd generation), $163.95 by Apple
I feel like I’ve aged out of the sneaker game, but I still need some good ones. What would The Obtainer recommend?
- Jason
Well, without knowing exactly *how* old you are, I will assume you’re just a little older than me. But I know what you mean and agree with your line of thinking: as we get older, our style choices need to (and should) mature along with us. In terms of simple styles you can wear any time or place, I’d suggest the new vintage-inspired canvas low-tops from Buck Mason. But if you want something a tad more sporty, then consider the adidas Spezial, which is like the understated cousin to the ubiquitous Samba. If you’re looking for legit athletic trainers, then go for some tonal takes from brands such as Asics (like the Gel-NYC) or New Balance (like the 990v6). Any of these would look right on a man of any age, but will ensure you don’t look like you’re trying too hard either.
⋆ Have a style question you'd like answered? Ask The Obtainer
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
For limited time, Urban Outfitters is giving you 30% off your entire purchase, so it’s time to pick up a few pieces. Like this embroidered shirt by the brand’s essentials BDG label.
$59 / $41.30by BDG
We’ve never seen a pair of Salomons this inexpensive before. The XT-Pathway have breathable mesh paneling, the brand’s signature lacing system and rugged tread for added grip.
$130 / $59.97by Salomon
Need a lightweight layer for spring? This cotton and linen chore coat is a breezy interpretation of the classic workwear silhouette and now it’s 40% off (along with everything else at Gap).
$89.95 / $53.97by Gap
The three best stories from around the web.
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You don’t need to buy new pieces each season. But if you are going to—and you’re here, aren’t you?—why not make them bangers?”
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My learning curve has never been greater … I think people imagined that somehow we had been quietly building a huge organization, but I had maybe two members of staff.”
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Few vehicles summon up the sort of romance and nostalgia of the classic Land Rover Defender. Subjectively, sure, it’s super cool. Objectively? It stinks.”
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Recent home moments 🏠🪴📚💛
March 13
