Sydney Men's Shocking Clothing Shopping Ordeal: The Surprising Reason They're on the Verge of Tears!

As the mercury dips and the chill of winter begins to bite in Sydney, many of our male readers are finding themselves in a bit of a pickle when it comes to updating their wardrobes. It seems that the quest for simple, affordable men's winter clothing has become a Herculean task that's leaving many feeling frustrated and, quite frankly, a little emotional.



The plight of the Sydney male shopper has come to light recently, with numerous men voicing their grievances over the lack of straightforward, non-branded winter wear. The issue isn't just about availability; it's also about affordability. High street brands, while offering quality goods, often come with price tags that can make even the most stoic of shoppers want to shed a tear.


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Male shoppers claim they can't find simple men's winter clothes in Sydney. Credit: Unsplash


One man took to Reddit to express his exasperation, lamenting the scarcity of decent options at more budget-friendly stores. He pointed out that while there's an abundance of short-sleeved offerings, the long-sleeved, well-tailored pieces that don't scream brand names are few and far between. And when it comes to popular stores like Zara and Myer, the thought of shelling out upwards of $60 for a single basic item is enough to make him, and many others, balk.



'I just want a plain long sleeve shirt that doesn't have ridiculous text or branding on it,' he ranted, echoing the thoughts of many who seek the 'IKEA of standard clothing' – functional, unbranded, and reasonably priced.

The struggle is real, and it's not just about fashion. It's a reflection of the broader economic pressures facing Sydney siders. High rent, the cost of living, and Sydney's geographical isolation from fashion hubs like Europe and North America contribute to the dilemma. These factors not only affect consumers but also retailers who must navigate the same financial challenges.

The sentiment is that Sydney's men have been conditioned to a certain uniformity in dress, partly due to these market limitations. This has led to a lack of adventurousness in men's fashion, making it harder for new brands to gain a foothold. As one commenter noted, 'Every guy is an RM boots, Uniqlo carbon copy,' which further stifles variety and innovation in the market.



While some have found solace in brands like Uniqlo, which offers a semblance of the simplicity and affordability they crave, it's not without its downsides. Dressing identically to one's peers is a common consequence, and while it may solve the immediate problem, it doesn't address the underlying desire for diversity and individuality in men's fashion.

Others have suggested alternative brands such as As Colour, Cotton On, TK Maxx, Uturn Outlet, and H&M as potential solutions. However, the general consensus remains that the state of men's fashion in Australia, particularly in Sydney, is in a 'pitiful' state, with limited styles and a monochromatic palette that leaves much to be desired.

The situation is dire enough that even well-established Australian labels are feeling the pinch, with several falling into administration amidst the country's cost of living crisis. It's a tough time for the fashion industry and consumers alike.



So, what's a chap to do? For starters, it might be worth exploring the 'dream Op shopping' scene in cities like Melbourne and Brisbane, where hidden gems and unique finds can sometimes offer a reprieve from the fashion doldrums. Additionally, keeping an eye out for sales, exploring online marketplaces, and even considering custom-made options could be ways to circumvent the high street hurdles.

Key Takeaways
  • Sydney male shoppers are frustrated at the difficulty of finding simple non-branded men's winter clothing at affordable prices.
  • Many blame the lack of middle-market clothing stores offering good quality at average prices, unlike what is available in the UK.
  • Shoppers pointed out that high rent, high wages, and Australia's isolation from global fashion hubs contribute to this issue.
  • Some shoppers have found success at Uniqlo, but overall there is a sentiment of dissatisfaction with the variety and style of men's fashion available in Australia.

To our dear readers, we ask: Have you faced similar challenges in your quest for simple, affordable men's clothing? Where have you found success, and what tips can you share with fellow shoppers? Let's open up the conversation and perhaps, together, we can find a way to bring some much-needed variety and vibrancy back to the men's fashion scene in Sydney.
 

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I wish Rivers was still here & still made in Australia. Good quality and hard wearing. I'm a common bloke, I don't need designer BS clothing.
I don't know about the menswear in Rivers, but I would never buy the ladies. Most of it was cheap and nasty.
I buy all my clothes, shoes, etc from Temu, excellent prices and good quality, despite what the naysayers like to say.
If you wanted to buy only Australian made, you would end up either broke or naked.
 
I do most of my husbands clothes shopping and l have found everything l need in TEMU and the clothes are of good quality most of the time. The only tip l have is to go 1 or 2 sizes larger than what you take here because they are made in China 🇨🇳 so their clothes are a lot smaller than ours that's what l have to do for my hubby. He is very happy with everything I have bought for him so far so that's on line shopping and for here there are Lowes Stores l don't know if there are any in Sydney or not but it wont be hard to find out just ask GOOGLE or SIERRA if they have Lowes Stores in Sydney? That's my only tips that I can help with hope they are all good 👍 Aroha (love) Heather xx 💜💜💜 💜💜💜 💜💜💜
I don't know about the menswear in Rivers, but I would never buy the ladies. Most of it was cheap and nasty.
I buy all my clothes, shoes, etc from Temu, excellent prices and good quality, despite what the naysayers like to say.
If you wanted to buy only Australian made, you would end up either broke or naked.
O
I don't know about the menswear in Rivers, but I would never buy the ladies. Most of it was cheap and nasty.
I buy all my clothes, shoes, etc from Temu, excellent prices and good quality, despite what the naysayers like to say.
If you wanted to buy only Australian made, you would end up either broke or naked.
That's so very true l don't know why they have to make Aussie
made so expensive it doesn't have to be shipped out of any port so why so 🤷 dear??
 
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I wonder how on earth men manage when they reside in smaller cities & towns! My husband & brother manage to clothe themselves in Launceston and Hobart, & neither city has the amount of shops that Sydney does. I do buy a few things online for Ted, but we have a couple of favourite shops in small country towns that we both buy things from. I was totally stunned by this story, maybe poor Sydney men need to just look around, you never know what you might find.
 
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I do most of my husbands clothes shopping and l have found everything l need in TEMU and the clothes are of good quality most of the time. The only tip l have is to go 1 or 2 sizes larger than what you take here because they are made in China 🇨🇳 so their clothes are a lot smaller than ours that's what l have to do for my hubby. He is very happy with everything I have bought for him so far so that's on line shopping and for here there are Lowes Stores l don't know if there are any in Sydney or not but it wont be hard to find out just ask GOOGLE or SIERRA if they have Lowes Stores in Sydney? That's my only tips that I can help with hope they are all good 👍 Aroha (love) Heather xx 💜💜💜 💜💜💜 💜💜💜

O

That's so very true l don't know why they have to make Aussie
made so expensive it doesn't have to be shipped out of any port so why so 🤷 dear??
I had my own business for about twelve years where I made baby Manchester.
Cot quilt sets, sheets, capsule liners and sunshades, bassinet sets, etc under the name of Cute & Cuddly.
I started off just making them myself and somehow it grew like topsy until I was.employing staff, had agents in every state. Supplying baby shops, Myers, Harris Scarfe etc
So, to answer your question. We just can't compete. We still have to import our fabrics, cottons. etc. Our wages here are so far over Asian wages and then we have all the extras, two weeks sick leave, 4 weeks holidays, public holidays. I don't know if they still have holiday loading but in those days we had to pay people on holidays twelve and a half percent loading. In other words you paid them more for being on holidays than you did to work and then they bought in super, another 7% out of the bosses pocket.
On top of that Australia is a very big country and shipping things around a country this big is very expensive.
The super was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. I just couldn't pass the cost on and I couldn't absorb it so I gave up. Twelve years hard work down the drain and counting my workers, agents, etc about 30 people out of work.
We have just priced ourselves out of the market.
I have no idea how Albo thinks he is going to bring manufacturing back to Australia. A pipe dream in my opinion.
 
Time to check out the op shops. Occasionally you find new clothes there at a fraction of the cost charged in retail stores. I have even found some with retailer's price tag still on them. People buy them then a few months later decide they don't like them.....or somebody buys them and gives to somebody as presents. They either don't like them or they don't fit (I was given a pair of slippers for Christmas that didn't fit me).
 
I had my own business for about twelve years where I made baby Manchester.
Cot quilt sets, sheets, capsule liners and sunshades, bassinet sets, etc under the name of Cute & Cuddly.
I started off just making them myself and somehow it grew like topsy until I was.employing staff, had agents in every state. Supplying baby shops, Myers, Harris Scarfe etc
So, to answer your question. We just can't compete. We still have to import our fabrics, cottons. etc. Our wages here are so far over Asian wages and then we have all the extras, two weeks sick leave, 4 weeks holidays, public holidays. I don't know if they still have holiday loading but in those days we had to pay people on holidays twelve and a half percent loading. In other words you paid them more for being on holidays than you did to work and then they bought in super, another 7% out of the bosses pocket.
On top of that Australia is a very big country and shipping things around a country this big is very expensive.
The super was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. I just couldn't pass the cost on and I couldn't absorb it so I gave up. Twelve years hard work down the drain and counting my workers, agents, etc about 30 people out of work.
We have just priced ourselves out of the market.
I have no idea how Albo thinks he is going to bring manufacturing back to Australia. A pipe dream in my opinion.
Plus you had Workcover (workers compensation) and insurance
 
Plus you had Workcover (workers compensation) and insurance
Yes, I forgot that.
When I used to work for wages I didn't give one minutes thought to all the benefits workers get in this country and getting twelve and a half percent loading on my holiday pay was just great.
It was only after becoming the employer and the shoe was on the other foot that I realised just how much all these benefits actually added to the cost of products manufactured in Australia.
Between holiday pay, sick leave (which most employees make sure they use up, whether they are sick or not) and public holidays it is nearly 2 months every year, for each employee, of unproductive hours that need to be costed into the price of all goods manufactured here. Not forgetting super, worker's comp etc.
It's no wonder goods manufactured in Australia are so expensive.
 
I had my own business for about twelve years where I made baby Manchester.
Cot quilt sets, sheets, capsule liners and sunshades, bassinet sets, etc under the name of Cute & Cuddly.
I started off just making them myself and somehow it grew like topsy until I was.employing staff, had agents in every state. Supplying baby shops, Myers, Harris Scarfe etc
So, to answer your question. We just can't compete. We still have to import our fabrics, cottons. etc. Our wages here are so far over Asian wages and then we have all the extras, two weeks sick leave, 4 weeks holidays, public holidays. I don't know if they still have holiday loading but in those days we had to pay people on holidays twelve and a half percent loading. In other words you paid them more for being on holidays than you did to work and then they bought in super, another 7% out of the bosses pocket.
On top of that Australia is a very big country and shipping things around a country this big is very expensive.
The super was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. I just couldn't pass the cost on and I couldn't absorb it so I gave up. Twelve years hard work down the drain and counting my workers, agents, etc about 30 people out of work.
We have just priced ourselves out of the market.
I have no idea how Albo thinks he is going to bring manufacturing back to Australia. A pipe dream in my opinion.
We certainly won't compete with the Asian market.....the wages here will kill any future clothing venture....the unions will insist on the highest wages possible for their members....this was a major factor years ago, the Unions demands for high wages was the last straw for many manufacturers both big and small and they all left our country and went overseas where wages were dirt cheap which meant higher returns for the business houses.
 
We certainly won't compete with the Asian market.....the wages here will kill any future clothing venture....the unions will insist on the highest wages possible for their members....this was a major factor years ago, the Unions demands for high wages was the last straw for many manufacturers both big and small and they all left our country and went overseas where wages were dirt cheap which meant higher returns for the business houses.
It was the only way left for them to survive.
I had no intention of doing that. I actually sold my business to a lady who was sure she could make it pay despite the fact that I warned her it wasn't viable.
She insisted so I sold it to her just for the price of stock and machinery. Six months later she closed down.
 
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Go to Lowes, no brands and cheap but like most young people they want to be trendy but not pay for it.
I bought some nice Collared T shirts. For my late husband several years ago and they stretched to over twice the size , stopped buying clothes at Lowes same as Millers had the same problem there as well.
 
Yes, I forgot that.
When I used to work for wages I didn't give one minutes thought to all the benefits workers get in this country and getting twelve and a half percent loading on my holiday pay was just great.
It was only after becoming the employer and the shoe was on the other foot that I realised just how much all these benefits actually added to the cost of products manufactured in Australia.
Between holiday pay, sick leave (which most employees make sure they use up, whether they are sick or not) and public holidays it is nearly 2 months every year, for each employee, of unproductive hours that need to be costed into the price of all goods manufactured here. Not forgetting super, worker's comp etc.
It's no wonder goods manufactured in Australia are so expensive.
Maternity leave, paternity leave. The list goes on.
 
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