Ask A Question, Get An Answer... - Post All Quick Questions Here (Classic menswear)

[apnero]

New member... have I coordinated my patterns decently or poorly and why? Trying to do new things with the plaid coat... hard for me. Still a youngin.

 

[N8ter]

Any thoughts on this coat in charcoal (Izod)? http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/...STYLE=Overcoat&sp=1&spc=49&ruleId=27&slotId=1

Price is definitely right at $70 as I would probably only wear it 12 - 18 times a year, but I do need a dress coat on occasion for wear with suits. Wouldn't expect it to last me 20 years, but at that price I don't need it to. Mainly just wondering if the quality is "ok" enough to pair with suits. The style seems pretty inoffensive.

 

[12345Michael54321]



Hey everyone, Is it wrong to buy fakes if I can't afford originals?

If by "fake," you mean a counterfeit item, something which illegally copies the original and pretends to be the original, then yes, it's quite wrong. (Example, a fake Rolex, which has "Rolex" on its dial, and which sells for $25 from a street vendor on a downtown corner.)

If by "fake," you mean a less expensive brand, which merely resembles certain aspects a more expensive original, without ever trading on the original's name or reputation, then no, it's not wrong. (Example, an Invicta 8926, which closely resembles a Rolex in various ways, but which is clearly marked "Invicta.")

Wearing a less expensive brand is ALWAYS preferable to wearing counterfeit goods. The very worst that wearing a less expensive brand says about you is that you cannot, or do not choose to, spend big money on the original. It says relatively little about your fundamental character.

Whereas wearing counterfeit goods says that you have no respect for the truth, or for others' rights. (And yes, the right to use the word "Rolex" on a wristwatch is indeed someone's right - that the right is held by a business entity, rather than by an individual, is irrelevant.) Thus, it says a great deal about your character and your values. And what it says is not particularly flattering.

I appreciate that an original is often much more expensive than a fake. But that's never justification for resorting to counterfeit goods. If you simply cannot afford the original, then do without. There are always tasteful, affordable alternatives. And often you win more points for turning to a largely overlooked alternative, than you would for simply charging to your Visa card the outrageous price demanded by the original.
--
Michael

 

[Claghorn]

Hey everyone, Is it wrong to buy fakes if I can't afford originals?

Assuming you aren't trolling, yes.

a) The quality is lower than what you could purchase for the same price, if not cheaper, than something with some (fake) conspicuous branding

b) Building on a), it also demonstrates that you care more about brand recognition than quality. While this isn't "wrong" per se, I'd encourage a reevaluation of priorities.

c) Branding without quality is dumb, but these are businesses and they know they can make money with their brand. Fine. But regardless of what you think of cashing in on their brand name to make money with inferior products, these brands put time, money, and effort into building their name. Those who produce knock-off goods are essentially free riders.

d) Not that name brands are always produced in stellar, union-approved conditions, but I imagine knock-offs are more likely to be produced in sweat shops.

 

[slash17]

Can you wear brown watch straps with a black watch face? Any recommendations?

 

[usctrojans31]



Assuming you aren't trolling, yes.

a) The quality is lower than what you could purchase for the same price, if not cheaper, than something with some (fake) conspicuous branding

b) Building on a), it also demonstrates that you care more about brand recognition than quality. While this isn't "wrong" per se, I'd encourage a reevaluation of priorities.

c) Branding without quality is dumb, but these are businesses and they know they can make money with their brand. Fine. But regardless of what you think of cashing in on their brand name to make money with inferior products, these brands put time, money, and effort into building their name. Those who produce knock-off goods are essentially free riders.

d) Not that name brands are always produced in stellar, union-approved conditions, but I imagine knock-offs are more likely to be produced in sweat shops.

And fund terrorism. BBC (iirc) did a piece about how much of the world's terror organizations are funded through counterfeits/

 

[Johan Furst]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140913945154?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Would you say this is an authentic Burberry? Why or why not do you think so?
Thanks!

 

[eqcitizen]

Any thoughts on this coat in charcoal (Izod)? http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/...STYLE=Overcoat&sp=1&spc=49&ruleId=27&slotId=1

Price is definitely right at $70 as I would probably only wear it 12 - 18 times a year, but I do need a dress coat on occasion for wear with suits. Wouldn't expect it to last me 20 years, but at that price I don't need it to. Mainly just wondering if the quality is "ok" enough to pair with suits. The style seems pretty inoffensive.

It is always difficult to judge aesthetics from a picture but the coat looks decent to me. While we all know that the quality is probably not the greatest, it probably wouldn't be too bad to wear with a decent suit. My advice is to try the coat on with a suit (because you should make sure it fits you decently over what you would wear it with), see if it is mostly wool (it says wool/nylon....if the nylon is more than half I would pass) and judge for yourself whether or not it works well. If you like the feel, and it doesnt look synthetic I say go for it. $70 is pretty cheap.

 

[eqcitizen]

New member... have I coordinated my patterns decently or poorly and why? Trying to do new things with the plaid coat... hard for me. Still a youngin.

I say that you did a pretty decent job with the patterns. (We wont comment on colors because it is difficult to really see them with the type of picture you posted). You matched opposing patterns that are not too similar (the glen plain with bold stripes) and a solid tie with texture so you succeeded. If the shirt stripes were thinner or if the tie had stripes it would have failed.

 

[newbie369]

E Park Avenue seconds. Are these a bit narrow for me? I didn't get to try them on beforehand.

Thanks.

 

[eqcitizen]

Where to buy suede brush and eraser in Canada?

Any decent cobbler or shoe store should have them. Find someone that sells Allen Edmonds shoes or the like and they should sell them.

If you wish to go the internet route, A suitable wardrobe store has everything you asked for
http://store.asuitablewardrobe.net/Shoecaresupples.aspx

or Allen Edmonds online
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF557_1_40000000001_-1

 

[azumi]

I have seen a lot of grey herringbone sport coats are dressed on the road but a very few navy herringbone. Is it true that a grey herringbone sport coat is preferred?

 

[aravenel]

Grey or brown herringbone are classic tweeds, navy not so much.

I would caution against the grey (really, black and white) though, it is very hard to pair with trousers. Much less versatile.

 

[N8ter]

AE Park Avenue seconds. Are these a bit narrow for me? I didn't get to try them on beforehand.

Thanks.

On a second look, it does appear the V is a bit wide. If they feel good to your feet though, I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[N8ter]

It is always difficult to judge aesthetics from a picture but the coat looks decent to me. While we all know that the quality is probably not the greatest, it probably wouldn't be too bad to wear with a decent suit. My advice is to try the coat on with a suit (because you should make sure it fits you decently over what you would wear it with), see if it is mostly wool (it says wool/nylon....if the nylon is more than half I would pass) and judge for yourself whether or not it works well. If you like the feel, and it doesnt look synthetic I say go for it. $70 is pretty cheap.

I took a look at it over lunch and it was 80 wool/20 nylon. The charcoal color base color was nice, but the blend almost makes it look a bit linty as there are white fibers on top of the charcoal base. Didn't have my size (38 too small, 42 too big) so I ordered the 40. I also ordered a HSM from Amazon for a few buck more ($104) and will compare the two when they arrive and keep the one I like better.