Billy Reid Fall/Winter 2010 - Page 3

Great news. Hope it is a better fit than the previouse place.

^ I dropped by the new Charlotte shop this afternoon. It's actually a shop-in-shop inside Taylor, Richards Conger. It's very small, only a single room. I only saw select pieces from the regular collection; nothing from the Levi's or Stetson collaborations. I remember the following in particular.

Grey plaid city car coat: Really sweet. Medium weight. IMO, the pattern is rather subtle in person.
Navy Bowery peacoat: Nice heavy weight, but it slips on quite easily. The 100% wool fabric is quite nice. Leather trim is nice.
Chocolate moleskin sportcoats: very smooth, fine hand.
Saxony plaid trousers: Nice pattern
Rosedale shirts: Fit 1, the trimmest fit in the collection. They had that sweet grey plaid in XL and XXL. I'll probably get the light purple plaid myself.
Monogram oxfords: Fit 2, they're "Italian-esque" tailored fit.
Orleans shirts: Fit 3, the loosest fit.
Tuscumbia shirts: Fit 2.

They also had the savannah shawl sweater, the library cardigans, and the club v-necks. I didn't try any of them all, but they're all wonderfully soft.

For clothing, they had mostly M-XL. Very few S. Also, no 38Rs in the sport coats.

Finally, the shoes. They had the Olden boot, the Indianola chukka, the d-ring loafers, and the wingtip loafers. Those things were the business. I totally would have gotten the Olden boot, but I need "professional" footwear right now.

If you go there, ask for Nathan. If I recall correctly he's there most days.

As much as I love some of the pieces from Billy Reid's collections, I probably will not be buying things from them in the future. I had purchased one of those cordovan messenger bags from them about a year and a half ago. I recently started using it about 6 months ago. I take very good care of my belongings and by n o means abuse them. The stitching on the strap is all coming loose and the leather appears to be separating. I contacted Billy Reid customer service about this since a $625 bag should not have the strap coming apart after just 6 months of light use. They basically told me to take it to my local leather repair shop and that they should be able to fix it for me. I don't like that they do not stand behind their product. If I had bought this bag from another company, let's take Tumi for example, they would have fixed it for me at their expense, no questions asked. This is just a major disappointment for me. Oh well...hopefully you guys won't make the same mistake I did.

gam29: Did you purchase the Messenger Bag at a retail store or online?

^online...why does it matter?

If you bought it at a store they might foot the bill for the repair from a local leather repair shop. Billy Reid is not Tumi. They can't just ship it to the company factory in Cambodia.

I don't believe Tumi is made in Cambodia. That aside, most other luxury designers with whom I've had quality issues, who are few and far between, have ultimately stood behind their brand and product.

Sorry, Thailand and China.

It definitely shouldn't matter. I know most of the retail locations would and have taken care of such problems.

See pics of the TRC shop in Charlotte via their Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/BillyReidatTRC

Interesting. I would think that I should get the same level of customer service regardless of whether I call in or go into the store...what gives?

Can anyone comment on the fit of the car coat?

The 20% off Billy Reid Fall Promotion ends this Sunday, the 31st. Anybody interested, let me know.

Has anyone had any experience with their shoe sizing? I'm probably going to pick up a pair of the D-Ring loafers this week or next.

I have those and I hate them. They're nearly impossible to maintain. I was really disappointed considering all the other footwear is great.