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Post by gaseousclay on Apr 6, 2015 12:31:53 GMT -6
Does country of origin matter to you guys when purchasing clothing? In this day and age of globalization it's almost impossible to find products on clothing store shelves that weren't manufactured overseas. I ask because we all seem to have a penchant for skillfully crafted goods, a lot of which use US manufacturing as their selling point (ie. Gustin, Taylor Stitch, etc). But there are also a lot of companies whose product is manufactured in Japan which is a hallmark of quality goods. To be clear, when I mention non-US made clothing i'm thinking of countries like China, Thailand, India, Taiwan, etc.
What is the selling point for you when buying clothes? We all can't buy US made all the time since it would be cost prohibitive, but of the companies you spend money with, what is the appeal for you as a consumer? I look at several things such as cost, the style of the garment and its uniqueness, as well as the idea that i'm helping the smaller companies who care about quality over profits. I'm also opposed to companies that utlilize sweatshop labor to manufacture goods - the idea that some 10 year old child somewhere overseas is making $1 a day (or whatever) is repulsive to me. I know price will determine whether or not we buy a product but I try my best to avoid the guilt that go along with sweatshop labor (which is why I thrift a lot of my clothes (and my son's clothes).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 12:56:01 GMT -6
Does country of origin matter to you guys when purchasing clothing? it used to be, but after the over use of the selling point of made in America with serious QC issues and production delays (Gustin/LD) you don't see from international manufacturers, it's no longer that important to me. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:16:36 GMT -6
It is for me. I try to buy as little Chinese made stuff as possible, aside from this iphone.
I used to wear primarily British dress shirts, but I stopped buying Thomas Pink when they stopped making them in the UK. I tried to like Gustin shirts, but they just don't want to make quality ones, so I'll pass from now on.
TS is good for the money (although I avoid the Portugeuese stuff), Ratio seems solid and L Gambert works well for dress shirts. I've had good luck with Save Khaki and Flint & Taylor for casual stuff. MeUndies for T's and drawers and Alden, Wolverine and Allen Edmonds for shoes and boots. I don't really see a point in shopping for clothing that isnt made in the US now. I haven't bought a suit using this mentality yet, but will likely try Hickey Freeman.
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Post by gaseousclay on Apr 6, 2015 13:23:50 GMT -6
Does country of origin matter to you guys when purchasing clothing? it used to be, but after the over use of the selling point of made in America with serious QC issues and production delays (Gustin/LD) you don't see from international manufacturers, it's no longer that important to me. so because 2 companies have had QC issues and production delays this has sworn you off of established companies that have chosen to keep production domestic? You're also referencing 2 companies that use crowd-sourcing as their business model. I won't even speak to the shit show that LD has become. What about companies like Rogue Territory, 3sixteen, N&F, Reigning Champ, Taylor Stitch, etc.? Even though LD has left a bad taste in my mouth I will still try to buy US made when possible. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 13:26:13 GMT -6
1. I try to buy as little Chinese made stuff as possible, aside from this iphone. 2. I tried to like Gustin shirts, but they just don't want to make quality ones, so I'll pass from now on. 3. TS is good for the money (although I avoid the Portugeuese stuff) 1. I don't mind shopping at JCrew because everything I've purchased from them have been good quality. 2. And Gustin shirts are pretty good, only issues are from the patterned misalignment, and not all their shirt fabrics are patterned (love all my chambrays and oxfords). 3. What's wrong with TS's Portuguese stuff? They're quality, brah. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:27:12 GMT -6
it used to be, but after the over use of the selling point of made in America with serious QC issues and production delays (Gustin/LD) you don't see from international manufacturers, it's no longer that important to me. so because 2 companies have had QC issues and production delays this has sworn you off of established companies that have chosen to keep production domestic? You're also referencing 2 companies that use crowd-sourcing as their business model. I won't even speak to the shit show that LD has become. What about companies like Rogue Territory, 3sixteen, N&F, Reigning Champ, Taylor Stitch, etc.? Even though LD has left a bad taste in my mouth I will still try to buy US made when possible. Did we officially annex Canada?  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 13:28:04 GMT -6
it used to be, but after the over use of the selling point of made in America with serious QC issues and production delays (Gustin/LD) you don't see from international manufacturers, it's no longer that important to me. so because 2 companies have had QC issues and production delays this has sworn you off of established companies that have chosen to keep production domestic? You're also referencing 2 companies that use crowd-sourcing as their business model. I won't even speak to the shit show that LD has become. What about companies like Rogue Territory, 3sixteen, N&F, Reigning Champ, Taylor Stitch, etc.? Even though LD has left a bad taste in my mouth I will still try to buy US made when possible. I haven't sworn off of them. I just don't care as much when I see that label in advertisements. I still buy Gustin and Taylor Stitch, though. I also have six pairs of Allen Edmonds for dress shoes, for boots I have four pairs of Red Wings, and a pair of Wolverines. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:32:54 GMT -6
1. I try to buy as little Chinese made stuff as possible, aside from this iphone. 2. I tried to like Gustin shirts, but they just don't want to make quality ones, so I'll pass from now on. 3. TS is good for the money (although I avoid the Portugeuese stuff) 1. I don't mind shopping at JCrew because everything I've purchased from them have been good quality. 2. And Gustin shirts are pretty good, only issues are from the patterned misalignment, and not all their shirt fabrics are patterned (love all my chambrays and oxfords). 3. What's wrong with TS's Portuguese stuff? They're quality, brah. If J Crew stuff is on 60% off of 40% clearance, I might bite. But at retail, if I can buy American or Canadian for within 10-20%, I'm not touching J Crew. Gustin shirts, regardless of pattern are poorly sewn with terrible buttons and too many inconsistencies in sizing to be reliable, and Dick Flap. If they sold the traditional way of neck and sleeve length, they'd never meet spec. TS charges more for their Portugeuse stuff. I'm sure it's nice and it seems a tick nicer than their California made stuff, but there are plenty of US sewers offering similar stuff for the money. My in laws are Portuguese, but I'm still not choosing them over US made stuff. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 13:39:04 GMT -6
1. I don't mind shopping at JCrew because everything I've purchased from them have been good quality. 2. And Gustin shirts are pretty good, only issues are from the patterned misalignment, and not all their shirt fabrics are patterned (love all my chambrays and oxfords). 3. What's wrong with TS's Portuguese stuff? They're quality, brah. Gustin shirts, regardless of pattern are poorly sewn with terrible buttons and too many inconsistencies in sizing to be reliable, and Dick Flap. If they sold the traditional way of neck and sleeve length, they'd never meet spec. TS charges more for their Portugeuse stuff. I'm sure it's niceband it seems a tick nicer than their California made stuff, but there are plenty of US sewers offering similar stuff for the money. My in laws are Portuguese, but I'm still not choosing them over US made stuff. Poorly sewn? Odd,I have a bunch of Gustin button down shirts, and none of them are poorly sewn. And TS has a 15% off coupon that works on every order, so I don't sweat their retail pricing. I paid $134 for their CPO, which is a steal imo. And no one pays full price for Jcrew heh. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:44:20 GMT -6
My G work shirt is tits, my G Oxford looks like I sewed it, at 4:20 and a sixer deep. Neither sleeve is the same length, neither sleeve measures the same at the top or bottom. Neither pit to tail measurement is the same and needless to say, the pattern is a trainwreck. There's more loose stitching than any other shirt I've bought and I've already mentioned the Dick Flap and the buttons. I'm not a fan, but I'm also not going to crash every thread about them or poo poo any ones choice to buy them. I just quietly won't be.
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Post by gaseousclay on Apr 6, 2015 13:46:18 GMT -6
so because 2 companies have had QC issues and production delays this has sworn you off of established companies that have chosen to keep production domestic? You're also referencing 2 companies that use crowd-sourcing as their business model. I won't even speak to the shit show that LD has become. What about companies like Rogue Territory, 3sixteen, N&F, Reigning Champ, Taylor Stitch, etc.? Even though LD has left a bad taste in my mouth I will still try to buy US made when possible. Did we officially annex Canada? Reigning Champ and N&F manufacture their stuff domestically in Canada (which I should've specified). my point, their stuff isn't made overseas. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:48:11 GMT -6
Did we officially annex Canada? Reigning Champ and N&F manufacture their stuff domestically in Canada (which I should've specified). my point, their stuff isn't made overseas. I'm just giving you crap. My Canadian friends don't like being lumped in with us, even if they can't bother to move a few miles from our border. I'm trying to decide between an American Giant or Reigning Champ hoodie right now. It's heating up, time to pay full retail for cold weather gear! |
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Post by Old26 on Apr 6, 2015 13:49:44 GMT -6
it used to be, but after the over use of the selling point of made in America with serious QC issues and production delays (Gustin/LD) you don't see from international manufacturers, it's no longer that important to me. so because 2 companies have had QC issues and production delays this has sworn you off of established companies that have chosen to keep production domestic? You're also referencing 2 companies that use crowd-sourcing as their business model. I won't even speak to the shit show that LD has become. What about companies like Rogue Territory, 3sixteen, N&F, Reigning Champ, Taylor Stitch, etc.? Even though LD has left a bad taste in my mouth I will still try to buy US made when possible. USA if and when I can. I also like UK (Scotland) and some other countries. What I try to avoid is garments made in traditionally awful places like China and Vietnam and India. It's a preference, and some of it is based on quality, some alliance to the US of A. I'd love to see more things made here again, so it's a matter of putting my money at home when possible. A couple of KS model shops have no impact on that - they are not going to change me other than rethinking KS model shops. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 13:50:20 GMT -6
In related news, my US made BMW was much better made than the last two German made ones. I think that's more a trend across the board for BMW, but still stands out.
I'm eyeing a Mexican made GTI or Golf R against a German made Focus RS too.
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Post by gaseousclay on Apr 6, 2015 13:51:01 GMT -6
If J Crew stuff is on 60% off of 40% clearance, I might bite. But at retail, if I can buy American or Canadian for within 10-20%, I'm not touching J Crew. Gustin shirts, regardless of pattern are poorly sewn with terrible buttons and too many inconsistencies in sizing to be reliable, and Dick Flap. If they sold the traditional way of neck and sleeve length, they'd never meet spec. TS charges more for their Portugeuse stuff. I'm sure it's nice and it seems a tick nicer than their California made stuff, but there are plenty of US sewers offering similar stuff for the money. My in laws are Portuguese, but I'm still not choosing them over US made stuff. I own roughly 7-8 J Crew OCBD's, all of which I thrifted except for one which I got on heavy discount. I agree, for the price J Crew charges for their shirts I might as well buy TS or Gustin. I have 2 Filson cascade shirts, both of which are portuguese made. The quality is pretty good, but I got both on discount (about 40-50%) and it's highly unlikely I would've paid full retail for them. Makes me wonder if TS uses the same factory as Filson to maunfacture their shirts? |
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Post by gaseousclay on Apr 6, 2015 13:56:24 GMT -6
I'm trying to decide between an American Giant or Reigning Champ hoodie right now. It's heating up, time to pay full retail for cold weather gear! I don't have experience with AG, but I do own a tiger fleece crewneck sweatshirt and heavyweight full zip hoodie by RC. The RC stuff is definitely high quality. I got both on discount a few months ago, but i'm sure a lot of these companies were clearing out old stock. I noticed a bunch of online stores have started carrying RC's SS15 line already. |
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Post by Griffin on Apr 6, 2015 14:17:35 GMT -6
To me its all about quality VS what i pay. Often this means the bigger brands are off like H&M, Levis and so on. Its mainly smaller companies that still take pride in their work and use oldschool real machines, thread and materials. I dont care if this comes from USA, france, sweden or okinawa.
My first ever USA clothes were awful so i always thought you guys thougth this was high standard and that my swedestuff were so much better. But it really comes down to the individual shop/brand i think. We have alot of really insane good stuff in the North but you only hear of the big ones and they are usually mainstteam quality....how Else can you make money today? The good stuff is too expensive so thats that.
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Post by stinky on Apr 6, 2015 15:37:31 GMT -6
USA if and when I can. I also like UK (Scotland) and some other countries. "If it's not Scottish, it's crap." |
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Post by exophobe on Apr 6, 2015 16:57:38 GMT -6
It is for me. I try to buy as little Chinese made stuff as possible, aside from this iphone. I used to wear primarily British dress shirts, but I stopped buying Thomas Pink when they stopped making them in the UK. I tried to like Gustin shirts, but they just don't want to make quality ones, so I'll pass from now on. TS is good for the money (although I avoid the Portugeuese stuff), Ratio seems solid and L Gambert works well for dress shirts. I've had good luck with Save Khaki and Flint & Taylor for casual stuff. MeUndies for T's and drawers and Alden, Wolverine and Allen Edmonds for shoes and boots. I don't really see a point in shopping for clothing that isnt made in the US now. I haven't bought a suit using this mentality yet, but will likely try Hickey Freeman. Meundies are made in turkey, though I think they do their shirts in Los angeles. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 6, 2015 17:04:32 GMT -6
Dammit! Now I've got to burn my drawers!
Hehe. They're still awesome though. I guess I'll replace with Ellen underwear as these wear out, I haven't found any others that work as well.
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Post by exophobe on Apr 6, 2015 17:14:39 GMT -6
Dammit! Now I've got to burn my drawers! Hehe. They're still awesome though. I guess I'll replace with Ellen underwear as these wear out, I haven't found any others that work as well. I haven't picked up any flint and tinder yet, but try keeping an eye on them for sales, they do some pretty steep discounts a few times a year. Mack Weldon is good, but I think they're made in China out of custom developed jersey. The last like champs, though. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 17:18:54 GMT -6
Dammit! Now I've got to burn my drawers! Hehe. They're still awesome though. I guess I'll replace with Ellen underwear as these wear out, I haven't found any others that work as well. I haven't picked up any flint and tinder yet, but try keeping an eye on them for sales, they do some pretty steep discounts a few times a year. Mack Weldon is good, but I think they're made in China out of custom developed jersey. The last like champs, though. I've got the Flint and Tinder ones from the steep sale. There's no way I'd pay full price for them, but they are nice. It was sort of a bummer that they sent the same tturquoise color for all the on sale underwear. |
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Post by ickes on Apr 6, 2015 17:28:35 GMT -6
I've got a pair of Flint and Tinder undies as well, no good imo. I prefer the MeUndies, love those things. My plan is to eventually have a drawer full of MeUndie boxer briefs.
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Post by jray on Apr 6, 2015 19:02:20 GMT -6
Meundies are the shit - sorry, bad pun for underwear. I do think they are the best - bought them for $9.00 a pair during the huckberry sale during the holidays.
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Post by metals37 on Apr 6, 2015 19:10:45 GMT -6
I got into raw denim because of my search for Made in USA clothing. My dollars vote and every time I choose to avoid something made in China, I am contributing to someone closer to where I live having a job - a good job, not a soul sucking retail job. I have tried to carry this into all aspects of my life. It's really hard sometimes - try to find a banana or a pineapple grown in the US, but to me it is worth it. I acknowledge that I end up paying more for things with this attitude, but I believe that if I seek out value in my purchases, I will come out ahead in the long run. It also feels better to know when I pull on my pants or get out my frying pan that someone made a good wage making it.
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