As I scribble these words on a train to London, I’m wearing a lightweight Italian wool suit, a shirt from Gieves & Hawkes, a silk spotty tie and a pair of Church’s suede brogues. You might mistake me for a prosperous Neapolitan gentleman of a certain age. But in fact, I’m a charity-shop dandy – my outfit came to less than £60. That’s less than a pair of new trainers for my teenage daughter. I’m particularly pleased with the shoes, which I picked up locally for £30. A new pair would set you back £700.

If you’re not too grand to buy secondhand, it’s actually far easier and cheaper for men to dress smartly than to be slovenly. I learned this important fact in my early twenties. Looking to stand out and hopefully get promoted at my job in publishing, I began wearing a jacket and tie around the office. It worked. People assumed I was more important than I actually was.

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Since then, I’ve become an expert at trawling secondhand shops. Pick your area wisely. Market towns are good for country-wear like tweed jackets and checked shirts. Many shops in the........

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