BoO: Help Me Understand

Context has this Band of Outsiders shirt for $275: http://www.contextclothing.com/item.php?id=1612 Epaulet has—as far as I can tell—similar shirting/fit for half the price. Can someone help me understand the price difference? I'm seriously considering this BoO shirt, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into before I drop a huge wad of cash on it. Is the quality really that different? - Keith

BoO isn't worth retail, and this is coming from a huge fan.
That said, at around $100 dollars the shirts are excellent.
The most I've paid is about $215 for the summer madras shirt which unfortunately I sold.
Currently I only own a blue oxford and have a black blazer coming in the mail, I love them but wouldn't have paid retail.

Originally Posted by Kvc06

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BoO isn't worth retail, and this is coming from a huge fan.
That said, at around $100 dollars the shirts are excellent.
The most I've paid is about $215 for the summer madras shirt which unfortunately I sold.
Currently I only own a blue oxford and have a black blazer coming in the mail, I love them but wouldn't have paid retail.

+1.

I love BOO, but would never ever pay full price for it. Personally, the Epaulet shirts fit better on me anyways. However, both are quality shirt manufacturers.

I say try to get a BOO shirt on discount and pick up an Epaulet shirt as well. That way you can easily see what brand works for you.

I have seven Epaulet shirts in size M, so I know that works for me, but they don't have anything in the fabric of this particular BoO offering. Do these shirts ever go on sale, or should I be turning to eBay?

- Keith

BoO got pretty ripped off, on the forums here and IRL

They go on sale but since this shirt is new from the FW lineup it's going to be a while before anyone lists this on sale. Context does have flash sales so you should follow them on twitter and definetly sign up on their email list. But could be a while.... Good Luck

There was an thread posted here a while ago about why designer clothes cost how much they do and there was a link with an interview with some BoO guy. It basically comes down to paying higher labour costs for a lower run of clothes, higher fabric + material costs, then brand markup and store markup.

Originally Posted by kgmessier

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Context has this Band of Outsiders shirt for $275: Epaulet has—as far as I can tell—similar shirting/fit for half the price. - Keith
It's not a good comparison. What BoO does (the sort of shirts) and the fit they use -- is not that similar to Epaulet. BoO is going to fit shorter and generally tighter/slimmer than Epaulet in the same size. I think a much better comparison would be Gitman vintage vs Epaulet, the fit and stying are more alike. I'm not saying someone wouldn't own both BoO and Epaulet shirts, many do, but theres definite differences between the two that cause people to want one or the other. Also, in going with what everyone else has said, you have to factor in sales. Epaulet almost never puts its shirts on sale (which they have no reason to do, their shirts normally sell out at full $), while BoO almost always goes on sale and most people around here get their BoO for around $80-120... so in the end it somewhat evens out. I've gotten almost all my BoO shirts for less than the retail of an Epaulet shirt.

Originally Posted by Meis

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It's not a good comparison. What BoO does (the sort of shirts) and the fit they use -- is not that similar to Epaulet. I think a much better comparison would be Gitman vintage vs Epaulet, the fit and stying are more alike. I'm not saying someone wouldn't own both BoO and Epaulet shirts, many do, but theres definite differences between the two that cause people to want one or the other.
Interesting point. I have Epaulet and Gitman Vintage, and I find their fits similar (although Gitman seems a bit less slim-fitting). How does BoO's fit compare with Gitman and Epaulet?

Originally Posted by kgmessier

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Interesting point. I have Epaulet and Gitman Vintage, and I find their fits similar (although Gitman seems a bit less slim-fitting). How does BoO's fit compare with Gitman and Epaulet?

Shrunken to body slim fit

Originally Posted by kgmessier

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Interesting point. I have Epaulet and Gitman Vintage, and I find their fits similar (although Gitman seems a bit less slim-fitting). How does BoO's fit compare with Gitman and Epaulet?
In my size, compared with either- BoO is going to fit a couple inches shorter, maybe inch / half inch slimmer through the chest, very slim in the sleeves, more taper (also gitman kinda flares out at the bottom), and the BoO will also have a bigger difference in the hem back-front vs sides. Both are slim, but will have very different looks to them.

Originally Posted by Meis

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In my size, compared with either- BoO is going to fit a couple inches shorter, maybe inch / half inch slimmer through the chest, very slim in the sleeves, more taper (also gitman kinda flares out at the bottom), and the BoO will also have a bigger difference in the hem back-front vs sides. Both are slim, but will have very different looks to them.
This is good to know. Epaulet seems to fit me a little better than Gitman, although I could go a tad slimmer. Sounds like BoO might be just my fit.

I don't own any epaulet so I can't compare, but I can tell you basic rule of thumb for BoO is to size up in their button downs and oxfords. I'm always a size small and I wear a medium in BoO. Also note that BoO shirts fit fairly short. You wint have much wiggle room in a tucked BoO shirt. If you are tall and skinny, I would try it on first, or measure well. The only exception to the size up rule is their polo shirts. I wear a size 1 in the polo (equivalent to small) and it fits me perfectly. Like everyone else here, I've never paid retail for BoO and it always goes on sale, eventually.

Just want to say you guys have been excellent help so far. I'll wait for a sale before diving into BoO. Sounds like the Medium is still the size for me.

- Keith

Originally Posted by MSSneaker

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I don't own any epaulet so I can't compare, but I can tell you basic rule of thumb for BoO is to size up in their button downs and oxfords. I'm always a size small and I wear a medium in BoO. Also note that BoO shirts fit fairly short. You wint have much wiggle room in a tucked BoO shirt. If you are tall and skinny, I would try it on first, or measure well. The only exception to the size up rule is their polo shirts. I wear a size 1 in the polo (equivalent to small) and it fits me perfectly. Like everyone else here, I've never paid retail for BoO and it always goes on sale, eventually.

Not really, unless you're comparing ****** mall brands which use "American" (read: for fatties) sizing, BoO fits true. XS: 34, S: 36, M: 38, etc.