tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post5066996005735537309..comments2024-03-15T04:27:26.708-07:00Comments on An Affordable Wardrobe: What's In A Name?Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17212956969066796818noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-82511312532534555962011-07-24T20:35:19.997-07:002011-07-24T20:35:19.997-07:00Finding the Gap repulsive is kind of a reductionis...Finding the Gap repulsive is kind of a reductionist take on the history of apparel manufacturing. They may have been part of the pack that led the way towards overseas production, but they were also part of the very, very tiny minority that took on the responsibility of establishing standards and practices for those facilities that actually treated workers like human beings.<br /><br />On a stylistic level, Gap's cool started to fade in the 90s - they had a solid three decade stretch when they were producing really great pieces. That sweater is most likely from the late 70s or early 80s, and is one of quite a few similar items I've seen from Gap that were manufactured in England -- bear in mind that Gap's push for overseas production facilities didn't only apply to Asia, as many would assume.<br /><br />Largely responsible for the logo sweatshirt? No more guilty than Ralph Lauren or just the American love of logos period-- what's a varsity jacket or sweater if not a big fat logo?<br /><br />Overall, ripping on Gap kind of twists the wonderful point in this post: a great item can come from the most unlikely source and make you rethink what you believe you know about where quality can come from.JRMhttp://twitter.com/josermejianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-72681217535274170952011-07-19T15:34:47.281-07:002011-07-19T15:34:47.281-07:00I always appreciate the thrift shops with uniform ...I always appreciate the thrift shops with uniform pricing. There's one near me that charges $15 for suits, $10 for jackets, $3 for ties, etc. You never have to worry about how much they'll charge for something.<br /><br />Having said that, some thrifts have an idea of what something is worth, and will sell, for example, a silk tuxedo for $100. More than I want to pay, but I would have gladly paid that much for a silk tuxedo that fit me (it didn't).Young Fogeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-5735077748053816622011-07-18T06:30:00.101-07:002011-07-18T06:30:00.101-07:00I agree about the workers at the larger thrift sho...I agree about the workers at the larger thrift shops not knowing brand-names. Some of the smaller shops I frequent have taken to checking ebay for items, but most don't have the time/manpower to do that. At one of the posh episcopal church thrift shops, i found two hermes scarves for $2/each. these gals should have known better. <br /><br />I collect kitchen copper, which I pick up for a song, because it's not shiny and new. it's mostly a bit tarnished and brown, hence cheap. i just found a gorgeous late 1880's silver teapot with ivory handle and finial, tarnished to black for $15. shiny is what sells for these people.Pigtown*Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775512940294150252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-60037151958771072662011-07-16T07:35:26.442-07:002011-07-16T07:35:26.442-07:00I shop at stores with staff that is paid a minimum...I shop at stores with staff that is paid a minimum wage. They do not know the difference between a quality maker and a licensed designer name. They only recognize the "famous" designer.David Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04656794645683894339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-28069675379802050282011-07-15T17:32:46.166-07:002011-07-15T17:32:46.166-07:00David, I don't know where you've been thri...David, I don't know where you've been thrifting, but my experience is that the sort of thrift stores that get BB et al in stock are also the ones where the volunteers know what's what and price accordingly.Philipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-34020274364722452922011-07-15T17:24:22.589-07:002011-07-15T17:24:22.589-07:00I'll 2nd the sentiments of David V. Here in th...I'll 2nd the sentiments of David V. Here in the Philadelphia area the premium prices at the thrifts are on Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers and Tommy Hilfager. I can pick up all the Paul Stuart, Brioni, Turnbull & Asser and Gitman Bros. shirts I desire at 1/2 the price of these so called prestige brands,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-37815359395498350102011-07-15T14:24:37.342-07:002011-07-15T14:24:37.342-07:00I thought this blog was about clothes : it os all ...I thought this blog was about clothes : it os all about philosophy and life. 'Chapeau bas"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-64615065464099717392011-07-15T12:48:13.582-07:002011-07-15T12:48:13.582-07:00Cut off the Gap tag and leave the "made in En...Cut off the Gap tag and leave the "made in England" part on. If anyone should ever see it inside of the collar. . .gentleman machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05485395378797559032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-10218969262529466672011-07-15T08:22:29.198-07:002011-07-15T08:22:29.198-07:00On the flip side of the obsession with brands is t...On the flip side of the obsession with brands is that the folks at thrift stores know who Ralph, Tommy and the Cole boy are. They are clueless to Alden's, A&E, Hardy Ames and even the Brothers Brooks. They price accordingly.David Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04656794645683894339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-18371573430341554112011-07-15T07:12:28.948-07:002011-07-15T07:12:28.948-07:00Does no one in Boston send size 13 shoes to the th...Does no one in Boston send size 13 shoes to the thrift store for you to tell and me to buy?!? Argh!<br /><br />Last weekend the wife and I cleaned out a mountain of clothes to take to Goodwill, so it made me wonder how often you need to purge out your clothes?Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513028602539111338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-82967353842806714102011-07-15T00:03:39.485-07:002011-07-15T00:03:39.485-07:00$5.59?? for that shoes?? damn i envy you arrgghh$5.59?? for that shoes?? damn i envy you arrgghhenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13918116738805974978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081206974005845104.post-42967064017055206612011-07-14T23:58:09.018-07:002011-07-14T23:58:09.018-07:00Yes indeed. Brands were always a proud advertiseme...Yes indeed. Brands were always a proud advertisement of quality (or your money back), but somewhere down the line - maybe the '60s, maybe earlier) only the actual names started to be sold.<br />I once worked for a coffee chain many years ago when it wasn't yet a chain, and the most important rule staff had to remember was: "we're not selling coffee, we're selling a brand!"<br /><br />When it reaches that point, when the product is secondary to the logos and the names, it's time to look elsewhere for your needs.Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354635601579291164noreply@blogger.com