FROM OUR JANUARY ISSUE: TIKTOK TIME
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The big stores have fashion direction teams that set the pace for the coming season: They subscribe to forecasting services, scour the aisles of Pitti Uomo, watch models walk down countless runways, and scrutinize the streets of the world’s most fashionable urban centers, all in the name of identifying the next big trend. Ugh! Who has the time? Independents are too busy training new salespeople, balancing the books, traveling to trade shows, and vacuuming the store to keep that kind of schedule! What’s a retailer to do?
If there’s one lesson we’ve learned (confirmed by some of the entrepreneurs in our Retail Radar story), it’s that there’s plenty of trend information available right at the end of our arms in that smartphone we take everywhere. Lately, we’re spending our time online checking out the menswear influencers on TikTok: The posts are short, (usually) engaging, and offer up-to-the-minute, valuable fashion and shopping advice from people who are being watched by thousands of followers, some of whom may be your customers. Just like watching those runway shows or international street scenes, fashion looks best when it’s on a body and in motion. In fact, we think social media is the modern retailer’s fashion director! Here are just a few to get you started, but let us know who you follow, too!
DAN CLEMT @DANCLEMT 30.9K FOLLOWERS
Also known as Mr. Pastel, Dan Clemt is originally from Côte d’Ivoire but currently splits his time between Paris and Bordeaux. His colorful style is all the inspiration we need to break out of our usual neutral zone palette.
SIMON GOLDMAN @SIMON.GOLD 267.1K FOLLOWERS
This Chicago native not only brings his content creation skills to the platform, but he’s also a trained fashion designer. We particularly like his quick men’s suit buying guide, which breaks down affordable options but starts by encouraging guys to work with a good tailor.
WISDOM KAYE @WISDM8 9.3M FOLLOWERS
Well, if you’re gonna take anybody’s fashion wisdom, it might as well be from a guy whose name is Wisdom, and who also happens to be a global fashion model represented by IMG. Even Vogue has declared the Texan the “Best-Dressed Guy on TikTok.”
RYAN WINTER @YUNG_FONTINA 309.9K FOLLOWERS
Does Ryan look familiar? Sorry, we couldn’t resist including MR’s February 2023 cover boy. We were impressed by how put together he was for our shoot, even with an early morning call time. Now we’re enjoying his “Good morning. Let’s get ready,” approach to styling himself. (The mop of curly hair doesn’t hurt, either.)
TIM DESSAINT @TIMDESSAINT 2.2M FOLLOWERS
A U.K.-based content creator, Dessaint has an easy, straightforward approach that feels like getting advice from your better-dressed best friend. We were particularly impressed with his post which was inspired by iconic car movies like Mad Max, Taxi Driver, and The Italian Job.