The Official Affordable Swag Thread

[limbo]

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[jet]

I can't endorse any low level **** really but here are things I would do on a swag budget and this is with consideration of end of season sales which I think is when you should blow most of your wad on. You will have been admiring most of this **** on tbs, porter, thecorner etc so while not dirt cheap they are not unattainable.
-uniqlo for basics, oxfords, jackets and collab pieces see mellowfellow like toasty said above
-brooks brothers extra slim fit shirts on sale
-epaulet is making good **** too, high value in his line
-oliver spencer everything on sale
-john smedley for well made basic knits on sale
-margaret howell for trousers and knits on sale
-hand knits can be had for 250ish ie inverallan and 4horsemen
-sns of all types on sale for very fair prices
-cps on sale

Also check b&s lots of good stuff in there for cheap.

 

[pebblegrain]

Stop buying so much ****.

I've finally realized that 95% of clothing is "pretend" clothing, like a peacoat from Banana republic, it's made in China, 75% nylon 20% wool 5% "other fibers", it looks fairly ****** brand new, will look totally shite in 2 years. It's not a peacoat, it's a pretend peacoat. Oh, and a bargain price of $199.99.

Why do you need more than 2 pair of trousers, 2 pair of shoes, a sweater, a jacket, and shirts? Anything else is practically underwear (shorts, socks, t shirts) and sure, go ahead and stock up, but that **** should be cheap. I haven't bought a new pair of jeans since my Iron Heart 634s in 2007. Some of you plebe fukks have 3 pairs of Unbranded, I know it.

So much used cheap stuff on ebay or in thrift stores, go back to the original ****, not the pretend ****. You can find real Aran knits for $50, English lambswool knits for $50 pretty damn easily. LL Bean norwegian for $30. Why buy a $30 polyamide+polyester+orlon hellfuck scarf at Gap when a lambswool one from Johnstons of Elgin is $50?

I hate H&M, it's pure shite. Is there anything other than nylon, vinyl and cotton in that *****? Same for Urban Outfitters. Uniqlo is okay but if you just dropped $500 at Uniqlo for 15 nearly identical shirts and told yourself "Now I'm ready for senior year", you are a moron. Gap is 100% Pretend Clothing. Even labels like Rag & Bone are pretty enfuriating in their shoddiness. A $400 cotton blazer that is made in China? GTFO

Think about a gangsta ass like Steve McQueen or Paul Newman. What shirts they got? Who the **** remembers? They had a pair of jeans, a shawl sweater beat to death, desert chukkas and they were kicking ass.

 

[dibango]



Why do you need more than 2 pair of trousers, 2 pair of shoes, a sweater, a jacket, and shirts? Anything else is practically underwear (shorts, socks, t shirts)

you're right about so much clothing being **** but this is silly.

also, where the **** do you get aran knits for 50 bucks?

 

[brad-t]



And polo Ralph Lauren on sale?

Still, I think under $300 should be considered "affordable" for outerwear -- you don't need more than two pieces of outerwear really. Anything more is just gravy.

 

[andrewgreg]



Still, I think under $300 should be considered "affordable" for outerwear -- you don't need more than two pieces of outerwear really. Anything more is just gravy.

I think for men, peacoat, trench (single and double breasted), Leather jacket, Wool long overcoat and a bomber should be OK.

but 2 is not enough.

 

[dibango]

thread concept is flawed.

 

[Peter1]



I've finally realized that 95% of clothing is "pretend" clothing, like a peacoat from Banana republic, it's made in China, 75% nylon 20% wool 5% "other fibers", it looks fairly ****** brand new, will look totally shite in 2 years. It's not a peacoat, it's a pretend peacoat. Oh, and a bargain price of $199.99.

I won't quote the whole post, but this is spot on. Buy good quality clothes that fit and that are made in a responsible manner. Everything else is false economy. And find a good thrift store -- last week I bought a NOS BBBF short sleeve oxford for $30 and a pair of LLBean Thinsulate/Goretex pull-on boots for the same price. The same store had about 10 BBBF NOS oxfords -- most were size 4 and 1, but proof that the good stuff is out there for the taking.

Specific recs. for relatively affordable clothes: Epaulet at full price, BB oxfords MiUSA on sale, Steven Alan on sale, EG on sale, and some full-price items. If you time the sales right, you can buy just about any brand at 40-50% off -- if there's a "grail" piece, just buy one a year.

And, of course, B&S is your friend.

 

[the shah]

this thread is becoming exactly what i was hoping it wouldn't lead to .... AJPA do something !

 

[brad-t]



I think for men, peacoat, trench (single and double breasted), Leather jacket, Wool long overcoat and a bomber should be OK.
but 2 is not enough.

Not gonna take tips on minimalism from a dude with like 10 shearling jackets

 

[andrewgreg]



Not gonna take tips on minimalism from a dude with like 10 shearling jackets

if you can only have 2 outerwear? what would you choose?
I probably will choose leather and peacoat for young
Trench and overcoat for old.

 

[Master Milano]

TOJ and Bless Coat /sf

 

[Razele]

Thats easy, for me:

ToJ Fishtail in Black Melton Wool (Removable Inner Quilted Liner)

ToJ CWU45 Bomber in Black Lamb Leather


A leather and an outerwear piece, you don't need that much really, would replace the fishtail with a hood coat and the bomber with a moto or something if you wanted

 

[Razele]

People get so carried away with buying heaps of stuff, I know I did.

 

[brad-t]



if you can only have 2 outerwear? what would you choose?
I probably will choose leather and peacoat for young
Trench and overcoat for old.

Leather and a fishtail or some other long wool coat.

If you're young and have a cool style, invest in a leather, you can wear it every day pretty much.