Meet the blokes who spend £200 a month on clothes
FITNESS company boss Joe Burns has a walk-in wardrobe with his many clothes on display.
Joe, 35, from Glasgow, admits he buys more than his wife Rachael, 34, a commercial manager.
He used to spend several hundred pounds a month on clothes – but has cut back recently to about £200 because he’s launched a personal training business.
Joe loves clothes but says he doesn’t go for trends. “I wear things that I like and suit me. I like a well-tailored suit that’s my staple outfit in my wardrobe and I have some I bought 10 years ago and still last,” he said. “I have more clothes than my wife but she embraces it. She knows what I’m like and we laugh about it.
“It does surprise me to hear that men buy more clothes on the whole – although I didn’t think I was the only one who’s passionate about fashion.
“I’d buy more high street brands in the past that would be less expensive.
“But now I’m about the long game, rather than buying things to throw away.
“I am more aware of the environmental impact.”
Joe does splash out on getting all his clothes tailored so they fit perfectly.
“I get everything tailored, including T-shirts and jeans, as I want to make everything look as though it’s tailored to me,” he said.
“I’m quite passionate about clothes. I will invest in a good suit and I have about 11.
“I’ve got a lot of trousers as well to mix and match jackets and jumpers. I go between high street and designer brands.
For T-shirts a lot of them are American Apparel or All Saints. I like Reiss and Hugo Boss and Diesel jeans.
“In the past I’d buy something every week such as trainers, shoes, jeans or a T-shirt.
“I bought a bespoke suit for my wedding and really enjoyed getting it made from scratch.
“I haven’t made any big purchases recently as I have some good investment pieces that are timeless. Now I’m more into investing in quality rather than quantity.
“I’ve cut back on my spending because my focus has been on the business.”
Joe has launched a PT business with his brother Tony, 32, called Burns Gym (www. burnsgym.com).
And they’ve also been working with older people through their Care Home PTs side of the business running armchair exercise classes.
He said: “I’m spending more time in tracksuits and gym wear at the moment – but I know I’ll get back to more clothes shopping in the future.”