The Official RRL Thread

connor · Nov 2, 2009

ag2008, he isnt saying japanese denim isnt good. he is saying just because it's from Japan doesn't make it good... theres still grades of it

ag2008 · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by LA Guy

The "Made of the Finest Japanese Denim" was a marketing point. There's no governing body that determines what does or does not constitute the Finest Japanese Denim. And no one at RL said "****, we downgraded our denim. Now we've got to take out the 'Finest.'" I wouldn't draw to many conclusions based on the stamps on the inside of jeans.
RRL has been using that stamp for at least 3 years. It's not the word "finest" that bothers me but the "Japanese Denim" that was taken out of the equation. If they decided to take it out, there was probably a good reason. like I said, the models that retailed for $185 next to the $225 SL a couple of seasons back didn't have the stamp either, perhaps they were fulfillment orders as opposed to being used in the main collection the way they are being introduced now. The obvious conclusion... Those models were made with lower price/quality chinese (probable) denim. I can see in the foreseeable future that RRL phases out *** denim in favor of chinese denim for the exact reasons you said, market pressure, brand positioning, etc. If you really know a guy who worked closely with RRL, then he really should post something, this thread is filled with errors and speculation.

Gus · Nov 2, 2009

I was in the RRL shop on Melrose about a week ago. They have a pea coat with great details. Anybody own one?

LA Guy · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by ag2008

...
The obvious conclusion... Those models were made with lower price/quality chinese (probable) denim.
There are a lot of points missing between A and Z.

I can see in the foreseeable future that RRL phases out *** denim in favor of chinese denim for the exact reasons you said, market pressure, brand positioning, etc.

Maybe, and maybe not. I really don't know what their strategy is. However, Japanese selvedge denim is a strong selling point, and importing the fabric and maybe the trims and having the manufacturing done in the USA seems to be a good compromise. You get your selling point at a lower cost. Overall win.

If you really know a guy who worked closely with RRL, then he really should post something, this thread is filled with errors and speculation.

The Ralph Lauren organization has some pretty draconian rules about who gets to say what. They are consistently on message, which is one of the reasons for the brands' long record of success. I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't be allowed to just shoot off his mouth on a public forum. He has been featured in the Sartorialist at least twice though.

driveslowk · Nov 2, 2009

i hope it's the bum looking guy

whodini · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by ag2008

The obviously wrong assumption... Those models were made with lower price/quality chinese (probable) denim.
FTFY.

Go back a couple of generations ago and there were no stamps on the pocket bags; still, they had a patch that read "Made in Japan." Some models didn't even have this patch. You had to read the care tags to find out that the jeans were made in Japan.

I just don't understand how you could read so much into what is or isn't stamped on a pair of jeans.

As far as RRL not being American, actually, quite a few pieces are made in the States while the focus of the production is made in China. As far as where they source their fabrics, it's not a secret that they get stuff from Japan and even Italy.

There's enough people on here who either are directly in connection with RRL, have been, or know those who are. I don't see why you feel like the rest of us should bend over backwards to prove something to you that the rest of us already know.

LA Guy · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by kelvinsense

i hope it's the bum looking guy

hehe. No, but that would be funny. I'm not going to out him, but it's wouldn't take a that much detective work to figure out who it is. I mean, his whole appearing in The Sartorialist thing was discussed ad nauseum here.

whodini · Nov 2, 2009

LAG, I'll give you a call tomorrow. Sorry I've been MIA.

theom- · Nov 2, 2009

Just went to the RRL store today, the layout is amazing. Tried on a bunch of pants and stuff, the officer chino in 28 is an awesome cut on me.

Was also at american rag where they had a ton of RRL stuff. They had numerous pairs of the rigid selvage officer chinos.

Scoobersti · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

I was in the RRL shop on Melrose about a week ago. They have a pea coat with great details. Anybody own one?

I don't own it, but I saw that at Barney's, I agree it had great details and was very very nice.

Mauro · Nov 2, 2009

^^^ Are You Cheating On Me?

Scoobersti · Nov 2, 2009

Originally Posted by Mauro

^^^ Are You Cheating On Me?

hahhaaha, no I'm just looking! no touching, well actually I touched it, but no buying! I was actually going to write on the earlier post that I'm buying yours so I'm not buying the RRL one.

oboy_oboy · Nov 2, 2009

Could use a little input on fit. Picked up a pair of the selvage chino's from a fine affiliate during F&F promotion. The fabric and fabrication has been talked about here before. Extremely satisfying--these pants are pretty incredible. love the weight of the fabric and the little bit of slub they have. The fit is very good, but would like some feedback. I'm 6'3"/175. The pants are 30x34. Pics are of the pants NWT. I have since cold soaked them, and they have shrunk up a little in the waist/rise, but very little in length.

Take the length in a bit or let them stack? The back view makes ****** look big, but IRL it's really not (things I never thought I'd type). They have some room in the waist, but I don't think I want to take them in.

sorry for the crappy iphone pics.

whodini · Nov 2, 2009

They look a bit more work-friendly with that inseam. Any more off and I think you'd risk Get Smarting them.

oboy_oboy · Nov 2, 2009

yes, i'm inclined to leave them. oddly, as the fabric has relaxed a bit after the soak, they seem almost longer than before as opposed to shorter.

The Official RRL Thread

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