In response to Topshop's NYC debut, The Times just ran a story on what it calls a "decade-long trend of democratized design that introduced to the American market stores like H & M, Zara," and now Topshop. Now, due to serious quality issues, we typically discourage guys from investing (often quite poorly) in what the paper calls "fast fashion." The fact is, however, that the market is growing so rapidly that competition is compelling these company's to produce a few worthy wares. Along with the genius that is Mickey Drexler, this has undoubtedly contributed to the rise of J. Crew as a maker of quality men's wear. (Not always the case.) Need another example? Check out the pieces that Gilded Age is about to unleash at Uniqlo -- the Japanese retailer, which, by the way, just hired one Jil Sander as its new creative director. The issue, though, remains one of convenience, i.e., it's extremely inconvenient to have to sort through mountains of bona fide crap just to find a few estimable products. For that, be grateful to have The Beggar -- and The Beggar community -- on your side.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Dept. Of Needles In Haystacks
In response to Topshop's NYC debut, The Times just ran a story on what it calls a "decade-long trend of democratized design that introduced to the American market stores like H & M, Zara," and now Topshop. Now, due to serious quality issues, we typically discourage guys from investing (often quite poorly) in what the paper calls "fast fashion." The fact is, however, that the market is growing so rapidly that competition is compelling these company's to produce a few worthy wares. Along with the genius that is Mickey Drexler, this has undoubtedly contributed to the rise of J. Crew as a maker of quality men's wear. (Not always the case.) Need another example? Check out the pieces that Gilded Age is about to unleash at Uniqlo -- the Japanese retailer, which, by the way, just hired one Jil Sander as its new creative director. The issue, though, remains one of convenience, i.e., it's extremely inconvenient to have to sort through mountains of bona fide crap just to find a few estimable products. For that, be grateful to have The Beggar -- and The Beggar community -- on your side.
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uniqlo is better qulaity at a lower price than J. Crew. so much of J Crew is really cheaply made.
ReplyDeleteAll depends on the piece, Anon. Certainly let us know if you've found one piece from J. to be particularly poor, or one from Uniqulo to be particularly strong...
ReplyDeleteWe're all urbanites. As crazy as a city New York is, I've yet to undergo rigors that have torn my Uniqlo/H&M/Zara pieces to shreds.
ReplyDeleteBackers of high-end name brand clothing always like to cite quality--which should be an objective measure. Why does it feel so often to be a subjective measure, and worse yet, one that sounds more like rationalization than anything else?
Well, there's no official/independent body that measures/rates the quality/durability of clothes sold in the U.S. Through marketing and/or the consistent production of great products, it's left up to labels effectively to associate their names with quality. In the end, it's up to the consumer to decide.
ReplyDeleteWent to Topman today and here are my thoughts. The majority of it looked/felt cheap and if it didn't it was certainly overpriced. Blazers for $280, some plain shirts for $40-$80, Jackets for $100-$200, are you serious? I'd take that money to a smaller sized boutique and get something that wasn't made in China for the same price or a little more. Now the prices fluctuate for all those items based on style and quality, but in my own humble opinion, only come here if you're looking for some cheap clothing thats sometimes dressy and sometimes more british streetwear oriented.
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