Thread: Super Expensive Clothes

I'll admit I like "nice stuff" as much as the next guy, and probably go out of my way to look good more than the next guy, but why is it if you look at any article or publication on men's fashion, they only talk about spending vast amounts of $$. For example $300+ shirts. I remember an article in Men's Health a while back talking about "fall fashion" or some such and their "casual" jeans n t-shirt look was something like $900... Not including watch/jewelery.

My dad made it through years in top executive roles in a fortune 500 company on $300 Men's Wearhouse suits, and department store/Lands End shirts/shoes. Seriously how many people pay over $300 for a shirt and why??!

I remember reading a few years ago some article on bespoke clothing and their choice for shirts was an English tailor, who would take over 150 measurements for your shirt... and his shirts were <$150. To me $100+ is still massive for something like a shirt, but if I were going to pay that I'd be looking for custom/bespoke stuff, not off the shelf.

I just don't get it..?

I know what you mean. I love quality, and I know that there is a big difference between the $10 walmart brand jeans and the $60 nautica ones I love. I can even imagine that $100 jeans could be better still. But I feel like $300+ for ONE pair is just a rip off. I don't care what you do to it, denim is denim and it can only get so good.

Shirts work the same way. $75 shirts are better than $25 shirts, that is all there is to it, weave, texture, fit, comfort, etc. But what rational can there be behind tripling that price? I highly doubt a $200 shirt is any better. I like reading GQ, because while they do feature a lot of obscenely expensive stuff, there is also a good representation of clothing at a price us normal people can afford.

After all, we have to save some money for razors

Also, I find that as with many things, there is more to do with preparation than product. I had a co-worker who insisted on wearing only "Brooks Brothers" clothes.. and refused to get them at the outlet because that was "inferior" to full price stuff. But he bought the "wrinkle free", and certainlly didn't attempt to iron them. Usually looked like he just rolled out of bed. I on the other hand painstakingly iron my $11 "George" shirts from Wal-Mart, and look much better than someone wearing a $120 Brooks Brothers.
That said I know my Ralph Lauren/Polo, and Charles Tyrwhit shirts look way better than my George.

I expect there is some law of diminishing returns that once you pass a certain point the ratio of quality/price becomes much worse. Much like in cars, you can spend $100k on a Corvette that is among the fastest cars in the world, or $1mil on a Bugatti that is marginally faster. But what I don't get is if you can buy something completely bespoke from a Savile Row type tailor for $150-200, how can a $300 "off the shelf" be better??

Sorry, you can't really use the Bugatti in your analogy, they are actually sold at a small loss!

I fully agree with the sentiments expressed, but it is all about preference.

Choose between:
$5 disposable razor
$50 shave-ready Wade & Butcher
$200 Filarmonica Barbas Duras NOS
$1200 Mastro Livi custom

Originally Posted by commiecat

I fully agree with the sentiments expressed, but it is all about preference.

Choose between:
$5 disposable razor
$50 shave-ready Wade & Butcher
$200 Filarmonica Barbas Duras NOS
$1200 Mastro Livi custom

I would have to agree with that if you got rid of the disposable. I got in a huge argument over at TSD with a guy who spent $200 on a new TI and was bashing all vintage blades purchased for under $100. The most I have spent on one yet is $30, and they all shave just as well as a new razor.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

I would have to agree with that if you got rid of the disposable. I got in a huge argument over at TSD with a guy who spent $200 on a new TI and was bashing all vintage blades purchased for under $100. The most I have spent on one yet is $30, and they all shave just as well as a new razor.

Well we're all in agreement about the jump from $5 to $50 -- I'm just saying that to most people, even that increase isn't justifiable.

Get four gentlemen to line up and have each one shave with each of those blades, then see if anybody, aside from themselves, can tell which blade was used by feeling their skin. Just make sure that the person who used the Livi wipes the giant smile off their face first.

Some things we only care about the end result; did it cut my whiskers? Does it cover my legs? Does it drive from point A to point B? Other things we're willing to pay more for the comfort, the prestige, and/or the craftsmanship.

$300. for a shirt ? Naw, ain't been there and done that but I can top that.... I haven't done this either but take a look at this here .

its all about the name...... mtv, pimp my ride,,, cribs ,,,, whatever. bling. i have the same levis from 12 years ago.... j-crew outlet store chinos from 10 years ago...... What i am confused about it the extra a55 in pants now. i am a thin guy. now levis come with extra material in the butt. my pants always look like im trying to sag. im 35. i dont sag. anyone else w/ a 30inch waste know what im talking about?
about fashion... saw this on face book. laughed so hard. poor girl.

YouTube - Model Trips on the Runway