Boss Quality

[haganah]

Originally Posted by JR88

These threads are meaningless unless you are comparing brand x to brand y. Mention any brand and someone is going to say "great" and someone else is going to say "crap". For those saying crap on this one, bear in mind that most people who buy Boss suits (a) can't afford bespoke, (b) don't have many other good options at retail, (c) don't have more than $600 to spend on a suit, or (d) don't work somewhere were everyone else is wearing $3000 suits. For those saying great, bear in mind that Boss is mass-produced and marketed to young professionals who generally can't tell the difference between a good suit and bad one, but Boss does serve that market well and if you can find it for 50% off retail, it's not a bad deal.

I have a piece of dung that sells for $250 in the US normally. I'm willing to sell it to you for $125. Since you saved 50% it's a good deal right?

You're right, a lot of people can't tell the difference. But he did the search to find out what the problems were and again asked what the problems were. It makes no sense. It's refusing to admit the reality of the situation.

And you don't need to do bespoke. What is the quality benefit of Boss over Banana Republic? They are usually fashionable cuts both and also sold widely. Although personally I don't know what's so nice of a cut about the Boss suits. They are massive.

 

[Soph]

Originally Posted by haganah

I have a piece of dung that sells for $250 in the US normally. I'm willing to sell it to you for $125. Since you saved 50% it's a good deal right?

You're right, a lot of people can't tell the difference. But he did the search to find out what the problems were and again asked what the problems were. It makes no sense. It's refusing to admit the reality of the situation.

And you don't need to do bespoke. What is the quality benefit of Boss over Banana Republic? They are usually fashionable cuts both and also sold widely. Although personally I don't know what's so nice of a cut about the Boss suits. They are massive.

I think BR uses better fabric than most of Boss menswear. And BR isn't charging 1200 for a suit at full retail either.

 

[SuitGuy24]

Originally Posted by Soph

I'll see what I can do, I've been busy, but thanks for the compliment and no I'm still suited by day.

Too busy for the plebes at SF? Where else am I supposed to get inspiration for when I get two or three more promotions and can afford to dress at your level?

 

[Gsin]

I agree that Boss is not the best value. However, what many are forgetting are the search costs involved in finding the better value but much harder to find labels.

In purely economic terms, a good is worth whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay for it. Therefore, Boss, even at full retail, is a bargain if the buyer is content.

 

[Sprezzatura Custom]

Originally Posted by Zegnamtl

I don't think so! Maybe that is wholesale to a small retailer after being milked through the multi layered marketing machine, but that is not the realistic wholesale out of the factory! That I guarantee. I have been given numbers, off the record, at most of the factories I have visited, and I am not going to quote those numbers here, but Boss is no where near 450 of the factory floor!!
Sorry I can only comment on what type of costs Holts/Harry Rosen pays during my time working with these 2 companies. (Harry's is Boss's biggest account btw). Things may have changed with costings over the last couple of years but I am a former Boss specialist and had access to wholesale lists when doing special order. Keep in mind from the factory floor, it goes to the Canadian office here and is marked up again. If you look at alot of fashion labels distributed here the wholesale in the US/Canada are not comparable. Its just a function I believe of a they can, so they will mentality. Typically a retail keystone for the large Canadian retailers on Boss is between 2.1-2.5X wholesale. Some brands do in fact provide a higher margin at retail, just not Hugo Boss. The brand awareness is so strong that it is a business driver. Mind you with paying its wholesale price Boss dumps alot of money into a marketing co-op for grassroots events to promote the brand within the community, so you get some back.

 

[millionaire75]

Originally Posted by Gsin

I agree that Boss is not the best value. However, what many are forgetting are the search costs involved in finding the better value but much harder to find labels.
In purely economic terms, a good is worth whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay for it. Therefore, Boss, even at full retail, is a bargain if the buyer is content.

very well said.

 

[haganah]

Originally Posted by millionaire75

very well said.
go to banana republic.

 

[hermes]

i don't think all boss is that bad
a lot of their knitwear is well produced and slim fitting in design and some of their leather gloves and scarves are decent along with their sports wear but keeping in mind it's a big fashion conglomerate and it is what it is

the selection line (which replaced baldessarini) is canvassed and decent, even with working button cuffs, but not as nice as what baldessarini was

some of the black label and selection line use super 150 wools which are a lot better than any of banana republic materials i've seen; there are boss pieces that use loro piana cashmere and some higher end italian and irish linens - it depends on the particular line of suits

having said that, i'm lucky to have a boss corporate outlet in my city and i can pick up stuff dirt cheap so i'm sometimes paying less than h&m prices for stuff and if it lasts one season or ends up ruined, it doesn't matter to me (my latest purchase were some baldessarini ties for $33 each, not bad given the canadian retail price is between $180 and $225 for them)