Further proof that the rich are easily separated from their money by clever folks every day. For it is in the ostentatious display of excess that they can continue to inform us of how rich they are. But, to be fair, the Hanger Project proffers this compelling argument for the exorbitant price of their wares:"What man of style wouldn’t jump at an opportunity to retire cardboard and plastic hangers with hangers that are not only beautiful but will protect and prolong the life of his wardrobe? Quality hangers, like shoe trees, will protect the life of your suits by providing proper support."
I agree completely! I'd even go so far as to ask "What man of style would even dream of using plastic hangers in the first place?" That's why I buy these jobbies in bulk at (gasp!) IKEA:
Wooden hangers, $3.95/ 8 pack. They are of exactly the same quality as the hangers we sent our clothes out on at Simon's.They may be cheap, but somehow (maybe it's magic) they manage to keep my clothes suspended from the pole in my closet in a very similar manner to the expensive ones. (Snark, snark, snark...)And all this time, I thought I was being a bit snobby by simply insisting on wooden hangers at all.
In case you're wondering, the Hanger Project also offers a shoe horn for $15, which I'm told performs it's duties in a manner far superior to the metal shoe horn they give you for free at the shoe store.
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22 comments:
They deserve to be beaten with those hangers.
IKEA has actually started selling a hanger with broader shoulders. It's slightly more expensive, but probably works OK with jackets etc.
I do the same thing. The dollar stores near me also sell wooden hangers for about the same price as Ikea.
Are companies that sell preposterously over-priced, ego-massaging items without justifiable pricing even going to survive in this economy?
Even the wealthy have got to ask themselves "Do I really need a $25 hanger right now?"
I was just mulling over the prospect of replacing all my cheap plastic hangers. I think I'll start with the jackets, and then the shirts eventually. Thanks for the IKEA recommendation.
I bought the same hangers for myself a few weeks ago (However they were about $6.00 for 8, here in Canada). I was quick to place all of my shirts on these hangers, only to discover that when placed in my closet, it was very difficult to move anything, due to the larger size of the hangers (Having a tiny closet doesn't help me at all).
The hangers you show are fine for shirts and pants but I want a broader shoulder for my suits and odd jackets.
I don't think I've gotten a free shoe horn in 20 years.
David,
I agree about the broad shoulder. You can find those for a lot less than $25 each, too.
Percy,
Small closets are a drag, I know.
Andrew,
get rid of the plastic hangers as quick as you can. You'll be glad you did.
David,
I agree about the broad shoulder. You can find those for a lot less than $25 each, too.
Percy,
Small closets are a drag, I know.
Andrew,
get rid of the plastic hangers as quick as you can. You'll be glad you did.
Preppy pauper:
What does "justifiable pricing" even mean? Isn't the companies continued existence evidence that the price is quite justified? I'm just a little confused.
No, that's just evidence that there are enough stupid people in the world to continue the company's existence by buying way overpriced hangars when cheaper, equally suitable options are available.
Has anyone seen the website that manufactures and sells $78 mens boxers?
So a price is only justified if you think it is? That sounds a little subjective...
Giuseppe,
While not condoning the hanger project in any way, I must say that when you do these types of posts, you tend to come across as the guy with his face pressed against the glass of the club he can't get into. He then justifies not being able to get into it by mocking it. It just seems a little childish.
Now, I do love your blog and stop by every day. More than once if I have posted something. I do appreciate what you are trying to accomplish and you have even motivated me to purchase vintage. I have purchased a couple of sport coats and more Allen Edmonds shoes then I care to share, although the last pair of beautiful Bel Airs, I paid $19 for off of E-bay.
Do keep up the good work. And, no, I have not purchased from the hanger project. I have enough of my father's hand me down wooden hangers to last me some time, and I am quite thankful for that.
Turling,
Thanks for your comment. I can see where I might make the "outsider lloking in" impression, and it's good to be reminded o that every now and again.
In truth, I feel this way because in the past I've been in working situations that put me in daily contact with the people who are actually on the inside, and I've seen the ways in which they can fall victim to clever marketing as easily as the poor. Having worked in fine wine and liquor, I know how much of that $100 bill went into the cocktail, and how much went into the ad campaign and graphic layout o the label. Drives me crazy.
My intention with this blog, as I'm sure you well know by now, has always been to profess my belief that a lack of money need not prohibit one from enjoying a life of quality. In doing so, I sometimes like to point out the folly of the expensive stuff. Perhaps my semantics may come off a bit snarky sometimes, but I always try to at least be up front about my snarkiness. If I tend to sound silly sometimes, I apologize, but my point holds true.
Besides, how can I justify a $25 hanger for a suit that only cost $15?
I've found the IKEA hangers perfectly good - the wood is solid (unlike the more flimsy pieces you often get in that price range) and I've not found them to be too narrow for my clothes.
The debate over how much is too much is a real issue (and not just at the moment), and for my part I think it's right to assess the relative quality of things before you buy them. If, say, an IKEA coat hanger is well-made and keeps the shape of your clothes well, I don't see why it's childish to think of buying one that's five times the price as unnecessarily extravagant.
I suppose I'm spoiled with hangers...the guys at my local RL store give me a pile of em every time I buy something. Lovely, heavy mahogony coloured things with a brass retention bar for your breeks and nice broad shoulders. I'd never pay big money for 'em though...Ikea every time!
Excellent point, my good man. Excellent point.
I can understand the wealthy spending a little more on items to massage the ego, but who in the hell is going to pass judgement on the hangers they use? I doubt the butlers and maids will get together to talk smack.
Pitboss,
I'll bet the butlers and maids talk plenty of smack, but I hope the subject matter is far juicies than hangers.
My 2 favorite blogs are this one and A Suitable Wardrobe. I like the tension.
On "how can one justify": one could equally well say that with so much money saved on acquiring a suit, that justifies spending a little extra to preserve it. Or to make it more useable: i.e., if I picked up a great jacket for $15, I might reasonably spend $25-$30 to get the sleeves altered if they're too long, right?
John Riley:
I am quite aware my subjective opinion is just that. But the larger consumer market always vote with their dollars. The soft market for all kinds of luxury items from BMWs to designer clothing speaks volumes about what even wealthy consumers are saying: discretionary purchases are on hold. In my humble opinion, people willing to spend $25 for hangers are foolish and these days, few and far between.
Sorry for being late to this party. I disagree with the poster who says G. has his nose pressed up against windows--the prices charged by Hanger Project and the like are just stupid. I also disagree, I think, with G. when it comes to Ikea. I'm speaking somewhat out of school by necessity, as I've never seen the Ikea hangers. If they are curved slightly, so much the better. But, really, there is no getting around the fact that fat hangers are best, and I've found a few sources that don't break the bank. One is thrift stores. Once they get to know you, they will part with really nice hangers if you ask, at least in my experience. And material is immaterial--a fat plastic hanger is way better than a thin one made of mahogany. Another source is SF, where Steve Smith regularly sells BBGF hangers for around $8-$10 if purchased by the half-dozen or so. Finally, top-of-the-line Cedarlores are available for about $12 apiece from JAB during their everything 50% off sales. Twelve bucks is a reasonable price to pay, I think. Putting an expensive coat on a cheap hanger is like never changing the oil in your car. Eventually, it's gonna break, and it's actually easier to replace an engine than it is to fix a coat with shoulders destroyed from hanging on a thin hanger. A coat destroyed by a cheap hanger pretty much has to be tossed. At least the car is repairable.
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