In praise of full retail shopping... - Page 5

-Well I do prefer the look of Berluti's stylistically (the conversative, classic ones) over EG/Lobb's. I'd agree, the Lobb's, EG's are better for business.

In the Berluti price range, I'd rather:

VASS on the U Last
Kitons

If Berluti RTW was about $700 I'd buy another pair of antiqued wholecuts but not for $1.2 to $1.4G's

---
As I said, the Ugolini U last by Vass.

I've owned both Berluti and Vass on the U last.
I sold the Berluti after awhile and used the money to buy another Vass U last. I found the Vass to be better in almost every way-Leather, construction etc.

Again, I do love the style, patina of Berluti, hence why I bought some, but the quality relative to Vass. You should buy a pair of Vass U lasts, and give a nice judgement after about 3 months on both. You might convert.

For personal use: Less than 10% and the majority of that is at the grocery store amd gas station.

For Business: I would say perhaps 10% again gas & services.

Irresgardless of the number in the bank accounts why pay retail?

Kudos

I'll shop wisely and pick up my own coffee

A Vass is not a Vass is not a Vass

I find that if I get an item I like AND I got a great deal on it, I like it even more. I also find that paying full retail does not make it any more likely that the item will end up in the "regular rotation" versus the "rarely worn" pile.

1) If patination is important to you, Berluti is second to none (in the U.S.) In Paris, Aubercy presents substantive competition. 2) U-last Vass is $1300 in BG and apparently has set the standard for US pricing. 3) Since joining SF, I have started to split my purchasing into 2 categories- custom/highly personalized service vs. heavy discounting. In between is just not worth it.

couldn't agree more. I can't fathom spending $4K on a rtw brioni when I can get full bespoke for about the same price.(I guess i don't care about the label)

--- I'd completely agree. At north of 2k for a RTW suit, you really should start looking at bespoke, at minimum MTM.
But high end RTW price at 4k and above yet bought at $1000 makes me thrifty as hell.

Tsk Tsk, remember what I said on AAAC about not judging the Budapest until you've seen it in person Hijack over though. All this talk of Vass and retail prices in the same thread is making me nervous

I do very little retail purchasing. I am a man of modest income with extraordinary expenses (being a student will do that), so every penny I can save is better for me. I expect that situation to change upon my completion with university, but until then its scouring eBay and the net for coupon codes and other such avenues of getting items at less than retail value.

Perhaps the Berluti discussion should be broken out into its own thread. I have my own thoughts on this.

Agreed 100%. RTW is never going to fit me perfectly, so why pay inflated prices for it? I have paid full retail for MTM, though.