|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,378
|
High Quality & Affordable Business Wear?
I am very casual in my social life, but in a customer facing business development role I prefer to look as professional as possible. Up to this point I have mostly bought from the typical retail type stores, like Dillard's and Men's Warehouse, and have overall felt fairly underwhelmed with the quality of the product. We are mostly talking about button up long sleeved shirts, pants, and sport jackets, I don't frequently have to wear a full suit and tie. So, am I looking in the wrong places? Are there some online options that can be tailored locally? I'm just trying to find a higher quality of product without spending a small fortune.
__________________
‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
||
08-13-2017, 12:13 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Archer County, TX
Posts: 1,137
|
Amazon?
__________________
Richard 87 Targa 20 LS 500 |
||
|
08-13-2017, 12:21 PM
|
|
|
Misunderstood User
|
Brooks Brothers. I have been buying their dress shirts since the mid seventy's. They hold up well IMO. They usually have sales and that is when I buy them. My entire wardrobe has changed over the years and I don't need the large number of dress shirts as in the past. The traditional stuff never goes out of style.
__________________
Jim 1983 944n/a 2003 Mercedes CLK 500 - totaled. Sanwiched on the Kennedy Expressway |
||
|
08-13-2017, 12:26 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,136
|
I can't help you with a small fortune part but I've always had the best luck with custom tailored clothing. You might start off with a few shirts and see how they do for you.
|
||
|
08-13-2017, 01:06 PM
|
|
|
Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,378
|
Thanks so far. Jim, I've checked out Brooks Brothers and find them pretty similar to Men's Warehouse. JR, what's the ballpark in terms of price for a full tailored shirt or pant? I don't need a huge closet, but I'd like to own quality items.
__________________
‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
||
|
08-13-2017, 01:09 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
What size do you wear?
Shirt Slacks Sport Coat or Suit Ties..color and pattern. Shoes. What kind do ya like? I have piles of Zenga, Brioni, Seffano Richi, Hermes, Ferragamo, Armani, RL Purple Label , Luis Vuitton, Vittali Pincaldi, Gucci Italian ties...I have lots of killer stuff. I personally wear Zanella Italian wool slacks, Zenga shirts, Broni Sports shirts, Zenga sports coats...I have Churchs, McAfee, David Peal, RL, Zenga, Ferragamo, Bally, B Magli, Gravatti, vtg Footjoy street shoes & Golf, Par West Alligator Vintage Florsheim & Hannover, Tods, Prada, Dolce Gabbana, C Loubetain, Brooks Brothers (Alden), Mauri, Gucci, vtg Cole Hann, among others.
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" Last edited by tabs; 08-13-2017 at 01:32 PM.. |
||
|
08-13-2017, 01:24 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,136
|
Shirt prices vary according to the fabric chosen and other details. Mine probably start out at about $125. Likewise, pants prices vary according to the fabric. Obviously they are much higher. You might try a few shirts and see if you like the feel of a custom shirt. You might find that the extra cost is worth it, because nothing off the rack will fit like a custom garment, not even the high-end designer crap.
|
||
|
08-13-2017, 01:34 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
The quality depends upon the Taylor that you have? And you have never worn Brioni....U know the brand the Trumpmeister wears. His suits cost 17K a pop. Suits start at 6K Zanella slacks start at 325 at Nordstroms and at Neiman start at 395 and go to 535. The quality is there... It is material and finish (attention to details).
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" Last edited by tabs; 08-13-2017 at 01:55 PM.. |
||
|
08-13-2017, 01:41 PM
|
|
|
weekend wOrrier
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 6,245
|
Last year I got some okay business shirts from Charles Tyrwhitt. Not the best, not the worst, but they had a good offer (I think it was 4 for $25 each or 3 for $33, or something like that)
The key is to wait for a good introductory offer. The current website offer is "meh" They have a good return policy and smooth shipping. They wrinkle a little more than I like, but have held up. I can't say the same for some other shirts I've gotten. I bought several shirts of different cuts and sizes. When I found the one I liked, I returned the rest and reordered in the ideal size. It cost nothing extra to do that. Everything seems to have taken a step down. JoS. Banks seems more like what Kohls used to be. Kohl's has turned into total crap. The fabric there is so wafer thin it's transparent. I've wipe my butt with toilet paper that has more strength than some of the fabrics they offered. https://www.ctshirts.com/us/homepage |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:05 PM
|
|
|
Fleabit peanut monkey
|
Quote:
Finally googled it's meaning just now. It fits in the sentence just fine. 
__________________
1981 911SC Targa |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:10 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,136
|
Quote:
I quite understand what goes into a nice garment. The problem with the designer crap is that I am not the same shape and size as the mythical man they use for their patterns. I don't care how much tailoring is done to a garment, if it starts off a mile off from your size and shape, you are just not going to get to the happy place. I couldn't care less where Trump gets his clothing, I don't happen to think it fits him very well. Nor does he know it how to wear it properly, but that's another problem isn't it? |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:14 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
That = NO DEMAND CURVE...retailers have to ENTICE you to buy.... Beyond that have you noticed that the QUALITY is GOING DOWN HILL... That = that the MFG has to maintain a PRICE POINT because people WILL NOT PAY MORE....So to to maintain price point QUALITY SUFFERS. I have been watching this happen for YEARS...Chinese/Indian made dress shoes shoes in the early 2000's were decent.... NOW to maintain price point of about 150 to 200 for business or dress shoes the Soles are really shytie...they will last about 6 months before they are shot...and yo have to throw them away because they are glued...and not stitched. Good dress shoes made in Spain start at about 275 for Mezlans (Blake Stitch), and 400 for American made Allen Edmonds (Goodyear Welt). Go better than that and you are talking 600 to 2000 a pair and with exotic skins well you can go to 15K for a pair of John Lobb's. Good quality is still available it just costs money. Either people don't care, are not willing or can not afford really good quality goods. Take your choice.. MFG's like Broini don't cut costs they just charge more. Quality clothing lasts longer, fits better and looks better...than the average schlock...
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" Last edited by tabs; 08-13-2017 at 02:26 PM.. |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:24 PM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,239
|
As you know with other things in life, quality and affordable don't often go hand in hand.
However, you might want to dip your toe into the world of MTM (made to measure), which can get close* to bridging the gap between the quality of a tailored garment with the somewhat reasonable price of and OTR (off the rack) piece. Spend a few moments online with the various fashion oriented sites to get the names of a few vendors and start exploring. Hope that helps. Personally, I've had much success with buying quality vintage pieces (OTR and bespoke) and having them tailored to fit my frame. I'm not talking Salvation Army stuff, rather quality finds at estate sales in the high end of town. Taking the OTR stuff you have from Men's Warehouse to a tailor will do wonders, "I guarantee it". *close, but nothing replaces the quality fit and feel of a truly bespoke shirt. |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:37 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
I am 6'5"...so I have difficulty with certain things...mostly sports coats and leather jackets... Broini does mostly custom tailoring and has an off the rack line (a Cashmere sport coat is 6400) ..which is superlative. In my size there is no off the rack sport coats from Brioni nor a lot of the mfg's. Italian stuff is usually cut for da skinny euros. Do you notice the clean line that Trumps suits cur on his shoulders? Do you notice the material.. It is sharp...I havn't seen him wear his suits buttoned so? You either don't know anything or are being ornery?
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:44 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,136
|
I know plenty tabs, I've been wearing custom clothes for around 40 years.
Given your height and girth, there's no point in you shopping at an off the rack store. You know and I know that it's just not worth it. There's usually nothing wrong with the way Trump's suit coats lay on his upper body, but I'm not fond of his penchant for wearing what amounts to an outer coat in place of a jacket. I wish he could learn to tie his ties to the proper length and to button his coats occasionally. I do wish that Melania would help him select his ties, as he seems to have no imagination. Speaking of ties, where on earth do you find ties that are long enough for someone of your size? |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:51 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,136
|
One more thing I will note about the skinny euros.... It used to be enough for them to cut their arm holes up so high they had to shave their pits to fit into the jacket. Now it seems the latest trend is to make the jacket two sizes too small in front, so it wrinkles like a mother****er when they button it.
Idiots, they are. I'm quite surprised with how many people I see nowadays that should know better but don't. |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:54 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
He also found a 4 pairs of Tom Ford dress shoes one was a pair of Crocs that retailed for 12K.. (the other 3 were about 1200 each) .at a local Thrift for under 20 each. So it depends upon the town that the Thrifts are in?
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" |
||
|
08-13-2017, 02:55 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,612
|
Quote:
|
||
|
08-13-2017, 03:01 PM
|
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
Broini, is an old line Tailor who is not dedicated to the latest fashion craze... Where Broini can get wild is in their ties.
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" |
||
|
08-13-2017, 03:03 PM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Quote:
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" |
||
|
08-13-2017, 03:04 PM
|
|
1981 Porsche 911 SC Targa
