Chinese Brands (Bronson, Bob Dong ..)

[Deleted]

Except I dont...WOrkware never sent me an invoice, oh well..maybe when they have a sale again/

Bob Dong has an N1 now too

[Deleted]

Looks like some new Bronson items
xzbronson.world.taobao.com/shop/view_shop.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.BHloIJ&user_number_id=1795832420

[Deleted]

new bob dong stuff too

[Deleted]

Just checked at Als and there's 6% off for another 10 hours.
I keep looking at this. Seems like everyone makes an N1. Really like the looks of this better.

[matt]

So is the general overall consensus of this group that they are quietly okay with Chinese brands and denim or is it just something people in general try to avoid (see any lengthy diatribe on American vs non-American on this forum)? 

I'm in the "prefer my denim from Japan, Italy or America" camp, curious if this is a hot-button topic. 

[Deleted]

For me, (setting aside the political aspects) Chinese made clothing is a crapshoot. I have a few thing made there that are very nice. I made two purchases through ALI to see how it went. The quality was ok for the price but nothing special. If quality is your main concern I'd look else where.
Nobody would argue the quality of the Japanese re-pro brands but I'd guess if you look outside of that there are lower quality items available.
Italy, the quality seems to be all over the place and they have little interest in retro work wear.

[matt]

Feb 11, 2016 10:37:07 GMT -6 @61scout said:

For me, (setting aside the political aspects) Chinese made clothing is a crapshoot. I have a few thing made there that are very nice. I made two purchases through ALI to see how it went. The quality was ok for the price but nothing special. If quality is your main concern I'd look else where.
Nobody would argue the quality of the Japanese re-pro brands but I'd guess if you look outside of that there are lower quality items available.
Italy, the quality seems to be all over the place and they have little interest in retro work wear.

Let me clarify my thinking - what about Chinese made denim that's sewn up elsewhere? Do we just consider it a knock-off of the quality mills? 

[Deleted]

Hmm, can't say. I've not seen enough of it, but I'd say they are capable of making it as good as any. The fabric is the best part of my Bronson shirt. The Italians are more concerned with perfection than anything else. The USA needs more competition to diversify what's available.

[Deleted]

Note..... Cone mills manufacture denim in the USA, mex, and China.

[Deleted]

It all depends. Red Cloud makes very good items in China..

I had some handmade boots made in China. Very happy with how they turned out.

[exophobe]

I think my biggest point is to not support brands that outsource manufacturing to Chinese companies (or even worse, those that try to hide it). There are some companies that care about their craft in China, @belopsky has helped identify many of them, and they tend to be a good value because you get a good product for a good price. At both ends of the spectrum otherwise, though, you have companies selling Chinese stuff as disposable fast fashion for as little money as possible, and companies selling Chinese manufactured garments for designer prices even though they're granting bids to the lowest priced factory. These are the things I don't agree with and do my best to avoid.

Thinking in a global economy is complicated though, and I realize this is a somewhat unsophisticated view of it. There are companies that manufacture in China, but pay import fees and hire significant staff in the USA, which is obviously a benefit to the US economy, but they're harder to differentiate.

Finally, the issue I take with their textile industry is that there are no environmental protections, and they poison themselves to make cheaper fabrics, which is why I like to support American textile and leather -- and I think the Japanese do this responsibly as well, they don't have enough space to f!@k it up, though I should do more research into this.

[exophobe]

In the end, though, we did send a lot of our manufacturing to China, and they answered that demand by becoming a production powerhouse, but we made the mistake of thinking China was going to be another "third world country" that would just be happy we were willing to send them any money at all, which has been a failure of foreign policy for many governments, including the US government, and something that needs to be sorted if this global economy thug is going to work (without a fierce nationalist stance like a lot of Europe has adopted).

[zanglang]

Anyone purchased any of the heavier Sauce-zhan or Bob Dong denim?

I picked up a brushed cotton shirt from Sauce a while back and it's been one of my favourite warm weather long sleeve shirts, fabric is pretty thin, love the fuzzy airy texture:

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2016 9:18:21 GMT -6 zanglang said:

Anyone purchased any of the heavier Sauce-zhan or Bob Dong denim?

I picked up a brushed cotton shirt from Sauce a while back and it's been one of my favourite warm weather long sleeve shirts, fabric is pretty thin, love the fuzzy airy texture:

I have a 19oz pair from Dong

[zanglang]

If anyone is interested a few shops just put out some new post Chinese New Year stock.

Bai-he Organic Chambray Workshirt, organic indigo, Japanese urea buttons

Bai-he Raw Indigo Chambray Western Shirt, metallic snaps

And a couple other western shirts...

Interestingly Red Cloud are now making sneakers...

Feb 27, 2016 12:06:54 GMT -6 @belopsky said:

I have a 19oz pair from Dong

How do you like them? I buy things from Taobao pretty frequently since I live just across the coast in Taiwan, but admittedly have enough pairs of Gustins to rotate between that I hadn't tried any of their jeans.

[Deleted]

I like them a lot. I won't say they are PERFECT to every stitch, but they are very well made and very happy with how much I paid. Give them a shot! They'd be a great deal for you since shipping wouldnt be as much as it is here to the US

[Deleted]

I really like the RC sneakers but can't justify that cost...

[whiskeyriver]

Mar 1, 2016 21:28:09 GMT -6 zanglang said:

If anyone is interested a few shops just put out some new post Chinese New Year stock.

Bai-he Organic Chambray Workshirt, organic indigo, Japanese urea buttons

Bai-he Raw Indigo Chambray Western Shirt, metallic snaps

And a couple other western shirts...

Interestingly Red Cloud are now making sneakers...

Feb 27, 2016 12:06:54 GMT -6 @belopsky said:

I have a 19oz pair from Dong

How do you like them? I buy things from Taobao pretty frequently since I live just across the coast in Taiwan, but admittedly have enough pairs of Gustins to rotate between that I hadn't tried any of their jeans.

I like that Western! Although I haven't a clue about the sizing.

[zanglang]

Mar 2, 2016 8:57:24 GMT -6 whiskeyriver said:

I like that Western! Although I haven't a clue about the sizing.

Actually, that's what I really like about buying from these companies, haha. They post true garment measurements and most importantly, *shoulder measurements*, so I've rarely got screwed over (...Gustin *cough*)

Here's a translation of the size table, all in cm.

Shoulder, Chest across x 2, Length, Sleeves.
XS 40 93 67 64
S 41.5 96.5 69.5 65
M 43 100.5 72 66
L 44.5 104 74.5 67.5
XL 45.5 108 77 69
XXL 47 112.5 79 70.5

[zanglang]

Mar 2, 2016 8:44:21 GMT -6 @belopsky said:

I like them a lot. I won't say they are PERFECT to every stitch, but they are very well made and very happy with how much I paid. Give them a shot! They'd be a great deal for you since shipping wouldnt be as much as it is here to the US

Sounds great! Were these the 19oz? world.taobao.com/item/13659281534.htm

I think I'll hold off until 11/11 and then pick that or one of those super slubby 16oz (like world.taobao.com/item/13555593409.htm).

With the news of Gustin leather jackets I've actually been considering picking up Bob Dong's for a very long time (only US$200-ish!)... reviews have been pretty decent over at some Chinese forums.

world.taobao.com/item/525156665922.htm

3 different leathers, too. Although definitely not Horween-level.

[Deleted]

I saw that jacket right after I ordered my A1 from Headwind here in the usa..

looks good enough for me and the price, but not being able to try on i didnt pull the trigger. shipping would be pricey but it looks great IMO..

that is indeed the 19oz pair I have..

Point me to where the reviews of the jacket are? I'll google translate..



Is bob dong getting new items/restocking in the fall? (11/11?)

[whiskeyriver]

Mar 2, 2016 22:43:12 GMT -6 zanglang said:

Mar 2, 2016 8:57:24 GMT -6 whiskeyriver said:

I like that Western! Although I haven't a clue about the sizing.

Actually, that's what I really like about buying from these companies, haha. They post true garment measurements and most importantly, *shoulder measurements*, so I've rarely got screwed over (...Gustin *cough*)

Here's a translation of the size table, all in cm.

Shoulder, Chest across x 2, Length, Sleeves.
XS 40 93 67 64
S 41.5 96.5 69.5 65
M 43 100.5 72 66
L 44.5 104 74.5 67.5
XL 45.5 108 77 69
XXL 47 112.5 79 70.5

Dang, I need a 22" pit to pit, which is a medium US. XXL with these. And they don't sell the shirt I want in that size. Oh well. Movin on.

Thanks for the sizes!

[MiddleAge]

Mar 2, 2016 22:52:42 GMT -6 zanglang said:

Mar 2, 2016 8:44:21 GMT -6 @belopsky said:

I like them a lot. I won't say they are PERFECT to every stitch, but they are very well made and very happy with how much I paid. Give them a shot! They'd be a great deal for you since shipping wouldnt be as much as it is here to the US

Sounds great! Were these the 19oz? world.taobao.com/item/13659281534.htm

I think I'll hold off until 11/11 and then pick that or one of those super slubby 16oz (like world.taobao.com/item/13555593409.htm).

With the news of Gustin leather jackets I've actually been considering picking up Bob Dong's for a very long time (only US$200-ish!)... reviews have been pretty decent over at some Chinese forums.

world.taobao.com/item/525156665922.htm

3 different leathers, too. Although definitely not Horween-level.

Dawn, the leather jacket looks decent... I am wondering about the leather quality. I would rather pay more for good leather.... since the style can last a lifetime (if I don't get fat).

[zanglang]

Mar 3, 2016 8:30:17 GMT -6 @belopsky said:

I saw that jacket right after I ordered my A1 from Headwind here in the usa..

looks good enough for me and the price, but not being able to try on i didnt pull the trigger. shipping would be pricey but it looks great IMO..

that is indeed the 19oz pair I have..

Point me to where the reviews of the jacket are? I'll google translate..



Is bob dong getting new items/restocking in the fall? (11/11?)

bbs.33oz.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=102872

There are also a bunch of pictures on the Taobao page's review section, and some at the Taiwanese forums I can't find right now.

11/11 is kind of their Black Friday, so plenty of stuff on Taobao/Aliexpress/etc would be on sale.

[zanglang]

Mar 3, 2016 11:14:05 GMT -6 MiddleAge said:

Dawn, the leather jacket looks decent... I am wondering about the leather quality. I would rather pay more for good leather.... since the style can last a lifetime (if I don't get fat).

Says there they're made from "locally sourced oxhide"... so yeah, I don't expect them to hold a candle to the horsehides and so on used in Schott or Falcon Garments (though... at 1/4th the price this is a terribly unfair comparison). The last picture with the light brown leather showing plenty of oily pullup characteristics is probably better than the other two, which I assume is corrected grain. IF Gustin's ends up being priced at, say, around 400 I think I'd still rather pay extra for a Horween vs a no-name Chinese tannery.