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Underrated Designers and Brands

ManofKent

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Originally Posted by SuperBobo
Alfred Sargent, have 2 pair of shoes that feels as good as trickers, and comes a good bit cheaper...

The higher end AS's are definitely around Tricker's quality. I agree they're a bit underated on SW&D, I think over on MC their reputation is growing.
 

KitAkira

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Costume National
Marni
Viktor & Rolf
Issey Miyake
Miharayasuhiro
 

zissou

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Originally Posted by ManofKent
Not completely absent from the forum, but ARN Mercantile doesn't crop up much, and I seem to be the only one who likes Creep By Hiroshi Awai.
I wish I could find more ARN stuff. The trousers they make for Cabourn are very well cut and made.

I also like Creep, but haven't seen much that I would actually wear.
 

habitant

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Originally Posted by LA Guy
I think that this thread is more open-ended. So, I'll start: Underrated brands: Golden Goose (especially outerwear), Roberto Collina (hard to beat their knits at their pricepoint).
I looked at some Golden Goose the other day, and found it to be... underwhelming... and a bit expensive. Edit. That said, I think that P.A.M and Maharishi are putting out some pretty avant garde stuff, that no one seems to like.
 

whodini

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French designers.

Surface 2 Air. While some of the pieces are just average, others are fantastic. And considering that it's made in France with a slightly edgier aesthetic than APC but for much less, it's a steal. Still need to get my hands on some footwear but their outerwear is top. notch.

Agnes B. Great fits, great fabrics. Made in Japan or France, depending on the line. Their stuff ranges from conservative to euro whacky but the construction and design is flawless. The line can be a bit more expensive than it you would think it should be but the clothes don't disappoint. Again, it's like an edgier version of APC.

Been wearing both of them for years but so far it doesn't seem like anyone else on here does.
 

Spencer

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Sunspel, for nice basics.
 

Roygbivuxg

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+1 for C.P. Company. Some of the designs can be underwhelming but they use some pretty interesting materials. Don't own any S2A but agree they are underrated based on what I've seen.

Abington boots are also good value for the pricepoint
 

impolyt_one

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Originally Posted by ManofKent
The higher end AS's are definitely around Tricker's quality. I agree they're a bit underated on SW&D, I think over on MC their reputation is growing.

Handled some AS's in a very hard, unattractive calf whilst in Japan. Was not impressed; they were about half the price as mainline C+J's so they may be of an AS line I don't know of, but they were really not impressive to me. Are there several lines? FWIW, Tricker's and Aldens were on the same shelf and they too were not really that great, if you compare them to Church's or C+J make, IMO.
 

KitAkira

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Originally Posted by whodini
French designers. Surface 2 Air. While some of the pieces are just average, others are fantastic. And considering that it's made in France with a slightly edgier aesthetic than APC but for much less, it's a steal. Still need to get my hands on some footwear but their outerwear is top. notch. Agnes B. Great fits, great fabrics. Made in Japan or France, depending on the line. Their stuff ranges from conservative to euro whacky but the construction and design is flawless. The line can be a bit more expensive than it you would think it should be but the clothes don't disappoint. Again, it's like an edgier version of APC. Been wearing both of them for years but so far it doesn't seem like anyone else on here does.
Good to hear that Agnès B. is quality. Seen some decent stuff but haven't heard much first hand. S2A is really bland though. Some really nice slim stuff, but so boring. Miles ahead of APC though. KistunÃ
00a9.png
seems to be making a bit of a surge, though the collections are too small to really showcase his work.
 

whodini

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I think S2A works within the details. The pieces I have from them look simple enough but it's really when you look at the garment do you truly appreciate the work behind it; it's not just how well the product is made but little details that you wouldn't pick up on if you didn't actually wear it. That's something that I don't think APC does. Ervell doesn't really do that, either. And there are certain garments every season that are just sex. Their Justice leathers are legendary, I love my black trench and bomber, and I've had my eye on this: http://www.surfacetoair.com/store/?p...oduct_id=12484 Problem is, Barney's doesn't really buy into their weird pieces. Side by side with APC, it'd be hard to tell them apart in the store.
 

KitAkira

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I remember a nice trench from FW09 that I really wanted, and agreed on the Justice stuff, so good.
 

Biggen

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Originally Posted by impolyt_one
Handled some AS's in a very hard, unattractive calf whilst in Japan. Was not impressed; they were about half the price as mainline C+J's so they may be of an AS line I don't know of, but they were really not impressive to me. Are there several lines? FWIW, Tricker's and Aldens were on the same shelf and they too were not really that great, if you compare them to Church's or C+J make, IMO.

Yeah, AS have a couple of different lines. The new handgrade line looks really impressive.
http://blog.leffot.com/2011/04/15/al...grade-upgrade/
 

pickpackpockpuck

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Definitely agree on Surface to Air and whodini's comments. I like Our Legacy quite a bit lately as well. I would generally go to either of those brands before I bought APC.
 

eglbc

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+1 for S2A. Its an interesting overall brand. Way more interesting than APC; I just got these shorts but cant figure out what kind of shirt to wear them with. any suggestions?
p12448_1.jpg
 

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