Why men's clothing rentals aren't growing: Limitations revealed by fixed-price and monthly subscription market data. A thorough comparison of why hybrid consumption, combining rental and secondhand clothing purchases, offers the best value for money.

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While renting men's clothing and monthly or flat-rate subscriptions may seem convenient, the market for men is not as widespread as expected.
There must be many people who are worried about whether it's worth the price, whether they'll have to worry about the size or trying it on, and whether it's really worth the money.
In this article, we will compare clothing rental and second-hand clothing purchase using data and examples, and also summarize the features of UWear, SELECT, Biz Clothing, and other services.
By reading this book, you will be freed from the stress of buying clothes and will be able to see the ``most efficient way to choose '' that suits you .

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Explaining the basics of men's clothing rental and subscription for beginners

 

Men's clothing rentals and clothing subscriptions are known as a convenient system where clothes are delivered for a fixed monthly fee, but they are often judged without a proper understanding of the details.

Services that involve a stylist and those that let you choose your own clothes can have a very different effect on the coordination experience and impression you can achieve. Systems such as no need to return or clean clothes also have a direct impact on storage space and the burden of managing your clothes.

In this chapter, we will explain the basic structure of clothing rental and subscription services in a way that is easy to understand even for beginners, and lay the foundation for determining how to use them to suit your lifestyle and goals.

 

Understanding the difference between rental and subscription from the perspective of monthly and flat rates

 

 

Comparison items	rental	Subscription
Basic mechanism	Borrow clothes for a set period of time and then return them	Use clothes by changing them for a fixed monthly fee
Pricing	Primarily monthly or flat-rate plans	Primarily monthly or flat-rate plans
Usage period	Suitable for short-term/limited occasions	Continued use is assumed
Replacement frequency	There is a limit to the number of times each service can be used	In many cases, replacement can be done monthly or at any time.
Included points	Only a set number of points	Each plan has a set number of points
Return Rules	Must be returned after use	Return the clothes in exchange for the next one
cleaning	Often unnecessary	Often unnecessary
Suitable person	People who want to use it for a specific period or purpose	People who want to change their outfit every month
Points to note	If you use it less frequently, it can be expensive	If there is a month when you don't wear it, it feels like a loss

 

・For short-term or specialized needs → Clothing rental

・If you want to keep changing clothes → Clothing subscription

 

 

The difference between stylist-involved services and self-selected services

 

 

Comparison items	Services involving stylists	Choose your own service
How to choose clothes	Stylists select based on body type, age, and usage situation	Customers choose their own clothes
Coordination	It is difficult to fail because it is assembled by a professional.	The combination is up to you
Impression enhancement	It's easy to make a good impression in business, matchmaking, and dating situations	Impressions are easily influenced by taste
Time to choose clothes	Almost unnecessary	Choosing and combining clothes takes time
Suitable person	People who are not good at choosing clothes/are busy	People who care about brands and designs
Fashion experience	Suitable for beginners to intermediates	For intermediate and above
degree of freedom	Slightly low	expensive
Risk of failure	low	It is easy to fail depending on the combination
Cases where satisfaction is likely to increase	When first impressions matter	If you know your preferences

 

・Improve your impression and save time → Stylist included

・Freedom and brand-focused → Self-selection type

 

A system that eliminates the need for returns or cleaning and reduces storage space

 

The convenience of clothing rental and subscription services is that they make managing your clothes incredibly easy.

・You can return the clothes as they are after wearing them. ・There is no need to wash or dry clean them at home.

・No more clothes in the closet

This system significantly reduces the time, effort, and storage space required for managing clothes.

Data explains why the men's clothing rental market isn't growing as expected

 

While there are highly convenient systems in place for renting and subscribing to men's clothing , the market for men has not expanded as much as expected.

Behind this lie several factors, including differences in usage awareness between different age groups , discrepancies between monthly/flat rates and actual frequency of use , and concerns about trying on clothes or exchanging sizes .

In this chapter, we will not rely on intuition, but will instead look at data and structural aspects to explain why clothes are difficult to stretch, and will clarify points that are often overlooked when considering renting clothes.

 

Reasons for lower usage rates compared to women and trends by age group

 

・Men take less action on fashion than women

・They tend to think "I wear it because I have to" and "It's okay to be safe" rather than "I enjoy fashion."

・Many people find it difficult to see rentals and subscriptions as "convenient options"

Characteristics by age group

・20s

• There is an interest in trends
• Tend to be cautious about monthly/fixed fees
• Clothing rental is unlikely to be considered a high priority expense

・30s to 40s

• Work and family take priority, and choosing the right clothes tends to take a back seat.
• They value cleanliness, but are not very interested in fashion itself.

・50s

• Your standard style is already established
• It is difficult to create motivation to try new systems and services
  

The reasons vary by age group, but one thing they have in common is that "spending money and effort on clothes is a low priority."

A structure that makes it easy for a mismatch between monthly fees and frequency of use to occur

 

・Men's clothing rental and subscription services are based on a monthly flat rate system

- A fixed monthly fee is charged regardless of the number of times you use the service

・Characteristics of men's lifestyles

• Weekdays are mainly for work and going out is limited
• There are few opportunities to wear casual clothes
• I don't mind repeating the same outfit
  

・Situations that are likely to occur as a result

• I can't make full use of my rental clothes
• Less frequent replacement
• It's easy to feel like you're not getting the value you deserve for your monthly fee
  

This is not due to the high price, but rather a matter of compatibility between frequency of use and the pricing structure .

 

Men's psychological hurdles include worries about size and not being able to try on clothes

 

・Common concerns about renting men's clothing

I don't know if the size fits

・It arrives without being able to try it on

・Points that men tend to worry about

・Shoulder width・Sleeve length

・Pants width and length

・Overall silhouette

these are

・Even a small difference can make a big difference

・This can be fatal in business, dating, and dating situations.

If you purchase

・Trying on clothes and exchanging sizes is commonplace

In rental

・It's easy to imagine in advance what to do if it doesn't work out

If customers do not understand that size exchanges are available or that stylists take body shapes into consideration, they may become anxious and decide to avoid using the service.

This psychological hurdle is one of the factors that is hindering the growth of the men's clothing rental market.

 

A calm comparison of renting clothes and buying secondhand clothes in terms of cost-effectiveness and flexibility

 

Both clothing rental and buying second-hand clothing are gaining attention as alternatives to purchasing, but there are differences in cost structure and flexibility.

Monthly or fixed-rate rentals are attractive because of their convenience , but the expectation of return can sometimes affect satisfaction.

While purchasing second-hand clothing requires an initial investment, its advantages include the peace of mind of owning it and the freedom to reuse it .

In this chapter, we will compare the two in terms of annual cost, ease of use, and likelihood of failure.

 

 

Comparison of annual costs between monthly subscription and second-hand purchase

 

 

Comparison items	Rental/subscription (monthly/fixed rate)	Second-hand purchase (second-hand clothing)
Payment Method	Pay a fixed monthly fee on an ongoing basis	Pay once at the time of purchase
Initial cost	low	It may be a little high
Annual cost characteristics	Monthly fees add up	Almost no additional costs
When usage is infrequent	It's easy to feel overpriced	Costs do not increase
When frequent use is required	Since it can be used within a fixed amount, it tends to feel like a bargain	Cost per use tends to be lower
Cost per garment	Depends on the number of times used	The more you wear it, the cheaper it gets
Predictable costs	Consistent monthly and easy to understand	Varies depending on purchase frequency
Suitable person	People who want to change their clothes regularly	People who want to wear their favorite clothes for a long time

 

・The difference in annual cost is not due to the price but to the difference in usage

・People who don't change their clothes often tend to find second-hand purchases more cost-effective.

・For those who want to change their outfits regularly, a monthly subscription is more reasonable.

 

 

Satisfaction with clothes changes depending on whether you expect to return them or keep them

 

Characteristics of clothing rental (return required)

- Clothes are changed periodically

Easy to incorporate trendy clothing

・It is difficult for the closet to increase in size, and storage space is not compressed.

- Less hassle in managing and cleaning clothes

・Even if you like the clothes, you will need to return them

・You may find it difficult to develop an attachment to your clothes.

Characteristics of second-hand purchases (assuming ownership)

You can wear your favorite clothes as many times as you like .

Easy to get used to the comfort and size

Increased sense of security and satisfaction

The longer you wear it, the lower the cost per garment.

As your clothes increase, you will need more storage space.

- Management and organization can be time-consuming

The difference in satisfaction

Whether you want to "replace" your clothes or "use them for a long time" - this difference in values determines whether you are better suited to renting or buying second-hand.

 

 

 

Organize your cases to decide whether to rent or buy second-hand clothes, which is less likely to go wrong.

 

 

Usage scenarios and purposes	Why renting is a good option	Why buying secondhand clothes is a good idea
business	Coordination by a stylist helps maintain a clean look	Effective if you want to wear clothes that are familiar in size and comfort
Matchmaking	It is easy to dress with an emphasis on first impressions, and there are few mistakes	Anyone who can choose clothes that suit the person and the occasion is acceptable.
Date	It's easy to choose clothes that are trendy and make a good impression.	If you are clear about your character and preferences, it is hard to go wrong.
Work and casual wear	You can change clothes for each scene	Good value for money if reused
Holiday/Casual wear	If you use it infrequently, it may seem expensive	You can try it on before you buy, and it's easy to use for a long time.
Fashion Beginner	Leave it to the professionals so you don't have to worry about combinations	Choosing it yourself can be easy to make mistakes
Fashion Intermediate	Suitable for testing new strains	If your preferences are fixed, it's easier to settle down
I'm not good at managing my clothes	No need to return or clean, so it's less hassle	Management and storage required
Cost-effectiveness	Reasonable if used frequently	The more you wear it, the better the cost performance.

 

conclusion

・Focus on first impressions and avoiding mistakes → Clothing rental

・Prioritize everyday use, freedom, and long-term use → Buy secondhand clothes

It is less likely to go wrong if you use different ones for different situations rather than limiting yourself to one .

 

 

A new option for hybrid consumption: combining rental and second-hand purchases

 

Renting clothes and buying second-hand clothes are more effective when used in conjunction with each other depending on your purpose, rather than using one or the other.

You can reduce the chances of making mistakes by first checking the coordination and size by renting clothes, and then purchasing only the clothes you like second-hand.

This method makes it easier to strike a balance between creating a good impression and cost.

In this chapter, we will help you organize your clothes in a way that suits you while reducing the burden of management and storage.

 

First try it out by renting it, and if you like it, buy it second-hand.

 

① Try it out by renting it [A way to prevent failure]

・Don't buy clothes straight away, use clothing rentals and subscriptions

・Actually try on the outfits put together by the stylist

・You can experience the color, silhouette, and size

- You can check out multiple patterns in a short amount of time without having to try them on.

👉 Eliminate the risk of buying clothes that don't suit you

② Determine whether something suits you or is usable [The criteria for judgment become clear]

・Does it feel strange to wear?

・Is it easy to use for business, matchmaking, or dating?

Is it easy to combine with clothes you already own?

・Can you mix and match the outfit?

👉 The key is to make decisions based on actual experience , not intuition.

3. Only buy clothes you like second-hand [maximize cost performance]

・Select only clothes that you feel are usable

・By switching to second-hand purchases

• Reduced initial costs
  
• Prevents impulse buying and buying the wrong size
  

👉 As a result, "unnecessary expenses will be reduced" and "only the clothes that give you satisfaction will remain."

✔ Benefits of this process

・Dramatically reduces mistakes in choosing clothes

・You can achieve both cost-effectiveness and a better impression.

・Don't have too many closets

・"Know before you buy" gives you peace of mind

Why renting with a stylist is a good way to practice choosing clothes

 

① Why is it considered “practice”? (Mechanism)

・A stylist will coordinate your outfit based on your body type, age, and intended use.

・You can experience choosing clothes for a reason, not by chance

・You will have the opportunity to try on clothes that you would not have chosen yourself

② What can be learned (experience)

・Experience combinations that will make a good impression in business, matchmaking, and dating

・You can get a feel for the right color match, size, and silhouette. ・You can understand whether something suits you or not by looking at actual examples, rather than relying on your intuition.

③ What changes will occur (results)?

- Clarify your clothing selection criteria

・Less hesitation when choosing clothes by yourself

・Even fashion novices will find it harder to make mistakes

④ Suitable people

・Men who are not confident in their sense of style

・People who don't want to spend time choosing clothes

- Business and marriage-hunting people who want to improve their impression

Why hybrid consumption is suitable for minimalist men

 

① Why they are compatible (way of thinking)

・You can prioritize "using clothes when you need them" over "owning" them.

- You can choose between buying everything and renting everything.

・You can make decisions based on the assumption that you won't increase your clothes

② What will be reduced (reduction of burden)

- Clothes are less likely to pile up in your closet

Reduces seasonal replacement work

・Less time spent managing, organizing, and disposing of clothes

Minimizes cleaning and storage hassle

3. What will remain (the clothes you really need)

・You can carefully select only the clothes you use most often by purchasing second-hand items.

・Only clothes that you have checked for fit and comfort will remain.

・It becomes easier to maintain a state where you don't have unnecessary clothes.

④ Result

-Cleans storage space

- Makes choosing your clothes easier every day

・Live a life that isn't controlled by clothes

・You can easily maintain a clean look and improve your impression.

⑤ Suitable people

・Men who don't want to increase the number of clothes they wear

・People who are busy and don't have time to manage their clothes

・People who value cost-effectiveness and rationality

The best choice for business, dating, dating, and everyday wear will vary.

 

Choosing between renting and buying clothes second-hand is not a matter of which is better; the optimal solution will vary depending on the situation in which you will be using them.

In business, cleanliness and a sense of stability are required, and first impressions can make or break a marriage or date. On the other hand, when it comes to holidays or casual wear, there are many situations where people are more satisfied if they prioritize cost-effectiveness and freedom of choice.

In this chapter, we will organize the reasons why each choice is rational for each situation, and clarify the approach to effortlessly achieving both a good impression and time and cost savings .

 

Prioritize cleanliness and stability in business situations

 

Business situations: situations where stability is the top priority

Conclusion: Suitable for rental

・Desired value

・Feeling of cleanliness

・Stability

・Clothes that won't fail

Common mistakes

・Size discrepancy

・Color matching is inconsistent

solution

・Maintain a "safe but neat" look by renting a stylist

Results

・Trust is hard to lose

・You can use the time you would spend choosing clothes for work.

Matchmaking and dating | Situations where first impressions determine the outcome

 

Conclusion: Suitable for rental

・Desired value

・Cleanliness + moderate trendiness

Common mistakes

・Too plain

・On the other hand, getting too excited

・Solution

・Rent and try out outfits based on age, body type, and occasion

・Results obtained

・It is easy to improve your impression

- Avoid unnecessary purchases even in the short term

Holidays/Casual wear | When freedom and cost-effectiveness are important

 

Conclusion: Suitable for second-hand purchase

・Desired value

・Comfort

・Preferences

・Easy to reuse

Common complaints

Renting can seem expensive

 

・Solution

· Try on clothes you like and buy them second-hand

 

・Results obtained

・The more you wear it, the better the cost performance

Easy to create your own style

 

What to look for when choosing a men's clothing rental service

 

The mechanisms and ease of use for men's clothing rental services vary greatly.

If you choose based solely on the price or brand, you're likely to end up feeling that it's "harder to use than I thought" or "doesn't make a good impression."

Satisfaction levels depend on how involved the stylist is, whether they offer size exchanges or try-ons, and whether the monthly fee and return policy suit your lifestyle.

In this chapter, we will organize the criteria you must check to avoid making mistakes , and clarify the perspective for choosing the men's clothing rental that is right for you.

 

Stylist involvement and coordination accuracy

 

When renting men's clothing, the quality of the experience can vary greatly depending on how involved the stylist is.
It is important to determine whether it is simply "clothing rental" or "coordination with the aim of improving your impression."

・Characteristics of services with strong stylist involvement

・The plan is based on body type, age, and usage scenario (business/matchmaking/dating)

・A structure that prioritizes cleanliness and stability, making it difficult to fail

・Combinations that are easy to recreate even for fashion novices

・Points to note about services with low involvement

・Trendy, but the intention behind the outfit is hard to understand

・The burden of thinking up your own outfit remains

・It may not improve your impression

The unique feature of renting with a stylist is that it is more valuable as an experience of learning the criteria for choosing clothes than as the act of renting clothes itself .

 

Size exchange and try-on options available

 

Clothing rental One of the most common complaints in the men's market is the issue of sizing.
The extent to which the anxiety of not being able to try on clothes is addressed directly affects how easily customers will continue to use the service.

・If size exchange is available

・Fine adjustments can be made after arrival, reducing the psychological hurdle

・Can accommodate changes in body shape and differences between brands

・Easy to apply even for first-time users

・Risks when response is limited

・The stress of having to keep clothes that don't fit for a certain period of time

・Frequency of use has decreased, and monthly cost performance has deteriorated

・It can easily lead to distrust towards rentals themselves

Size exchanges and try-on options are often overlooked, but they are important factors that determine whether or not you can continue wearing the product .

 

 

Easy-to-understand monthly fees and return rules

 

With flat-rate or monthly subscription clothing rentals, a lack of understanding of the pricing structure and return rules can easily lead to dissatisfaction.
You need to check not only the monthly price but also the operational aspects.

・Common features of easy-to-understand services

・The relationship between monthly fees and usage points is clear

・Intuitive return deadlines and next shipping conditions

No cleaning required, so maintenance is easy

・Points to note

- Are there any additional costs for late returns?

・A structure in which charges are incurred even in months when no use is made

・Is there a limit on the number of times the service can actually be used?

Be careful, because if you choose rules that don't fit your lifestyle or how busy you are at work, you may find yourself borrowing clothes but not being able to use them all .

 

The smart choice to buy second-hand clothes that you learned from renting and that suit you best

 

By renting clothes or using a men's subscription service, you will gradually begin to see the silhouettes, colors, and coordination directions that suit you.

However, if you continue to maintain that feeling by simply renting it monthly, many people will be concerned about the cost and the hassle of returning it.

What we would like to focus on here is a method of using the criteria for judging what looks good on you that you have gained from renting to purchase a bulk assortment of used clothing .

In this chapter, we will organize your next steps to ensure you don't waste your rental experience and achieve both cost-effectiveness and satisfaction.

I left it to the stylist to discover that my style goes well with vintage clothing.

 

When you use Men's Clothing Rental, you will naturally begin to see the "common features of clothes that suit you" through outfit coordination by a stylist.

- A silhouette that fits your body type

・Color that looks impressive

・Easy-to-use balance for work and dates

Once you understand this feeling, you will have no trouble making decisions even when buying used clothing.
You can use the standards you gained from renting, which helps reduce anxiety about not being able to try things on and reducing sizing mistakes.

 

Characteristics of men who are better suited to buying assorted secondhand clothes than buying individual items

 

Assorted used clothing is suitable for the following types of people:

・I always worry about what to buy

・It is difficult to coordinate items individually

・I don't want to spend time choosing clothes. ・I don't want to make a mistake and have it end up collecting dust in my dresser.

If you rent to get a sense of direction and then choose an assortment, you can avoid the decision-making process and make a purchase that is less likely to go wrong .

 

Why you can quickly complete your outfit with assorted used men's clothing

 

The biggest feature of our assorted vintage clothing for men is that it is designed to be worn together .

・Tops and bottoms are paired from the start ・Can be used as is for casual wear, holidays, and dates

・No need to return the clothes, you can keep the clothes you like

It combines the ease of renting with the security of purchasing,
It makes it easier to continue looking great without increasing your clothing management and storage space.

 

Once you've figured out what kind of clothing suits you best with men's clothing rental, the next step is to make that style your own, without having to return it.

With assorted used clothing for men, you can receive outfits that have been put together by a stylist.
You can use it for casual wear, holidays, and dates from the day it arrives.

If you want to save time and money without worrying about choosing clothes,
Please check out the assortment option.

👉 Click here for the men's assorted vintage clothing product page

summary

 

Men's clothing rental allows you to experience a stylist's coordination for a fixed monthly fee, and is an effective way to make a good first impression when doing business, looking for a partner, or on a date .

However, depending on the nature of the return, the balance between cost and frequency of use, and concerns about size, it may not be optimal to rely on renting everything.

What works well in this case is to use the "style of clothing that suits you" that you discovered through rentals as a basis, and choose to stock your casual wear and weekend wear with an assortment of second-hand men's clothing .

Assorted items eliminate the hassle of choosing and trying on individual items, allowing you to create an outfit as soon as it arrives. This allows you to avoid owning too many clothes, reduce maintenance and costs, and maintain a clean, attractive look.