Why the men’s section on eBay is an untapped goldmine

Browsing for items doesn’t have to be restricted to a binary.

Realising that I’m more comfortable on the soft-butch side of style was a game-changer for me. Only recently, I learnt I’m most drawn to designers who celebrate androgynous silhouettes and inspire eclectic pairings of ‘femme’ and ‘masc’ pieces. Aesthetics like blokette and ’90s grunge have made fashion more fun, experimental and a hell of a lot more comfortable, at least for me. 

Through identifying my personal style, I now also realise that browsing for items doesn’t have to be restricted to gendered sections (we’ve been deprived of the beauty of men in baby tees for long enough). Now, when I’m shopping for clothes, I consider men’s and women’s labels simply as a guide to the silhouettes, styles and materials I might encounter. 

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Though increasingly there’s overlap, I turn to the women’s section for skirts, dresses and femme-style tops, and to the men’s section for the rest of my wardrobe. Oversized bombers, button-up shirts, tailored slacks, moto jackets, slouchy blazers, sporty windbreakers, worn-in jeans and cashmere sweaters are abundant. And although they may need a slight adjustment at the tailor, often the silhouettes are far more timeless than what you’d find in the women’s section. 

This is especially true for vintage and pre-loved fashion. Where women’s trend cycles have been moving with alarming acceleration, men’s styles have largely looked the same across decades, with minor adjustments to patterns, lines and details like cuff or collar length. It makes the men’s section a great starting point when browsing pre-loved fashion. Personally, I love combing through the racks of my local op shops, but it’s nothing compared to the thousands of options you can find online.

Recently, I asked a stylist friend of mine where she bought her luxury sunglasses, and she told me that eBay is where she sources a lot of her vintage designer pieces. Talking to other friends across the industry, I hear a similar story. It seems to be a well(-gate)-kept secret among those in the know that eBay is the destination for easy selling, safe buying and rare finds.

It makes sense, given it’s an incredibly extensive and varied marketplace. While some listings are from established resellers or vintage collectors, others are one-off listings from people of all ages trying to make a bit of cash from old items. Brands like Hugo Boss, Patagonia, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger feature heavily, plus classic Australian brands like Bassike and R.M. Williams. 

Wedged between a perfectly worn-in leather jacket and a vintage cashmere-wool blend suit, you’ll find items like a handmade sherpa-lined leather vest and a reworked footy scarf jacket. While I’m not in the market for either of the latter, it makes for an interesting scroll. On the more wearable side, there’s also a huge number of button-up shirts, polos, graphic tees and soccer jerseys, all begging to be paired with a pair of ballet flats, tube socks and bows. 

As someone whose body and proportions sit outside of typical ‘femme’ sizing, with broad shoulders and long limbs, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I must source my top layers from the men’s section, especially if I want to achieve that effortlessly cool, model-off-duty look. Buying online without being able to try an item is always a risk, but I find that sourcing an oversized layer is a pretty safe bet as there’s literally more wiggle room with sizing. 

I have a friend whose style is somewhere between cowboy, fairy and skater chic (it just works for them) and they have a collection of one-of-a-kind belt buckles sourced solely from eBay. I tend to opt for grungier pieces like distressed silver rings, simple stainless-steel chain necklaces, carabiners and wallet chains, and have also found all of the above on eBay. (Tip: there’s a lot to look through, so patience and a good search filter are key.) 

The price points vary on eBay and they start low. We’re talking vintage G-Star Raw and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans for under $50 each. Like many people, price is my deciding factor when it comes to purchasing clothing so it’s incredibly heartening to find so many good quality pre-loved garments at an accessible price. 

Newbies to the platform should start here, teaching their algorithm to find the pieces they’ll like most from both the men’s and women’s sections. At the very least, with so many brands venturing into genderless wear, it’s a missed opportunity to restrict yourself to one side of the binary. It’s a wonderful, fluid, genderless era of fashion we’re in, so why not make the most of it? 

To start browsing all of eBay’s pre-loved fashion, head here.