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Even if I could afford it, that store is not my style, but the clothes appear to be of somewhat better quality. However, they're still made in China! There's no way in HELL I will pay $400 for Chinese (even if better-looking) junk!
As it so happens, I love prep and have been surrounded it during my life.
And I agree with you about Brooks Bros. Their suits and shoes are of Italian or European make, but their "casual" apparel is Malaysian or Chinese. I am aware that China will manufacture to the quality specified by their client, but knowing the fixed costs of cotton and labor, a pair of khakis/chinos should NOT cost $200 coming from East or Southeast Asia. I can buy Ralph Lauren/Canterbury of New Zealand/Faconnable on deep discount for $30-60 per piece. If I splurge, I will do it on a VERY RARE fashion house purchase (eg, Burberry) that I like.
A store can be overpriced at any level. I think Macy's is a rip off, personally. Their quality is no better than JC Penney and you'll spend twice as much. I vastly prefer Lord & Taylor with their weekly coupon/pass. I don't understand J Crew. Their quality is severely lacking and they feel like knockoff Ralph Lauren, but they cost as much. I guess they get away with it because most of their core market (under 30) doesn't know any better and it's cut for the younger crowd (IE slender).
Wow. I'm enjoying this thread. Not being that much of a clothes horse, at all -- AND not wanting to spend the money -- I shop at thrift stores, consignment shops, and Walmart for everyday clothes. Dress Barn and Macy's (Jones of New York) for business wear. I MIGHT buy accessories from Claire.
1) I don't dress up at all. I'm a bummy T-shift and jeans person.
2) I have too many clothes (SORT of a hoarder on clothes and shoes) -- but I FINALLY did get to the point of NOT buying anymore. It finally, even for me, got to the point of being ridiculous. I've got clothes EVERYwhere. Other than a 'treat excursion" to a thrift shop -- I haven't bought clothes in years.
That's the plus of having so many, I can go YEARS now and never buy again! I guess I've already bought everything I could ever need, or where.
Come on over to the FRUGAL LIVING thread..we NEVER pay even HALF of retail!
I finally got a friend of mine who always shopped at Ann Taylor -- hooked on TJ Maxx and Ross. She said she'd never heard of them. (Must be nice when you have money like that) She hasn't been back to The Loft since I still can't get her into a thrift shop though. She's still too busy buying Burburry and Dooney and Bourke handbags, and Gucci flip-flops. Oh well....progres is slow sometimes
I finally got a friend of mine who always shopped at Ann Taylor -- hooked on TJ Maxx and Ross. She said she'd never heard of them. (Must be nice when you have money like that) She hasn't been back to The Loft since I still can't get her into a thrift shop though. She's still too busy buying Burburry and Dooney and Bourke handbags, and Gucci flip-flops. Oh well....progres is slow sometimes
Growing up we always went to Ross/TJ Maxx. And most of our furniture came from consignment (my mom is the queen bargain hunter, it wasn't really about the $$). My dad is the polar opposite of a bargain hunter.
But I find as I get older, I really just like to go in get my item and get out. I am not usually in the mood for Ross/TJ Maxx/etc. So I just wait for stuff to go on sale. Shop online for the edited collection of stuff....or go to stores with low prices...
Not always. The general quality in some stores (like the above-mentioned H & M) is appalling!
I think the quality is way better in (Northern) Europe. I bought three different t-shirts ($5 each) last year at a H&M store in Las Vegas. I had to throw away all of them after the first wash (105 °F /40 °C).
I have purchased several t-shirts ($8-9) from H&M in Norway and the quality has been quite good.
Me, neither. Nothing particularly appealing or unique.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmptrwlt
I think the quality is way better in (Northern) Europe. I bought three different t-shirts ($5 each) last year at a H&M store in Las Vegas. I had to throw away all of them after the first wash (105 °F /40 °C).
I have purchased several t-shirts ($8-9) from H&M in Norway and the quality has been quite good.
I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe we're their "outlet" market.
I don't understand J Crew. Their quality is severely lacking and they feel like knockoff Ralph Lauren, but they cost as much. I guess they get away with it because most of their core market (under 30) doesn't know any better and it's cut for the younger crowd (IE slender).
1. I agree w/ their (J Crew) quality, but Ralph Lauren quality is pretty poor, even in their "high" end lines.
2. The thing I do like about J Crew is that they do cater to slim people. It's so hard shopping as a slim or athletic build when every store/brand from Ralph Lauren to Banana Republic to DKNY is cut for fat people. Same for Express, who sells poor quality clothes, but thankfully make clothes cut for non-fat people.
I love Brooks Brother and they are also cut for a fatter consumer. It's only over the past decade that they've wised up and started offering 'extra slim fit' dress shirts and 'milano fit' pants. I wish more companies would do that...but since the majority of consumers are on the plump side, they gotta cater to them.
RL does not make poor quality clothes per say, it's just that they have different lines. Some are good, some are bad. Their high end stuff is good, everything else is not so much
I don't buy any RL products, but have a look through the following thread and learn about that "company" and it's many lines:
As a side note, I like styleforum, but I'm not the type to drop $400+ shoes, or $200 on a dress shirt, etc. However, there are some quite informed style gurus on there and it's a good source of info.
Last edited by tonym9428; 04-29-2012 at 08:39 PM..
styleforum is a funny site, i went on there to get info on suits, then saw their 'what did u wear today' thread and it was a bunch of weirdos wearing terrible outfits and everyone cosigning how wonderful every get up was lol.
but yea some useful info there though without a doubt.
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