John Varvatos - You like?

[Rye GB]

I think his marketing and final product are still at odds. On the one hand he's trying to be Rock n Roll/Punk/Rebel (He's opening a store in the CBGB space in NYC by the way, talk about trying too hard) but when you see the product styling cue's and cuts it's still catering to the thirty to forty something professional looking for some kudos for a being a bit of a rebel.
It's a brand that just misses the mark every time for myself because of an odd detail gone too far and unflattering cuts that don't flatter a lean body type even in a size small.

 

[fredfred]

just an fyi - the plan is for the SOHO store in NYC and the "CBGB" store to have different merchandise. At the moment they have about the same stuff - but the plan is for them to be different.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Rye GB

It's a brand that just misses the mark every time for myself because of an odd detail gone too far and unflattering cuts that don't flatter a lean body type even in a size small.

I also find that he misses the mark for me. When on occasion I find something that I like, it doesn't fit me well.

 

[robbie]

I am not well versed in his goods, but really don't see the use .

Why could he have left good enough alone, and avoided re-working chucks and jacks? Also, capitalizing on CBGB's... why not just make a line of Ramones shirts for all the middle aged men who've never heard a single song other than 'i wanna be sedated'.

His ads in GQ and Esquire are pretty lame too.

 

[AR_Six]

I like the aesthetic very much. Usually his items need some tailoring, but notwithstanding that, I'm a very big fan. I have a pair of sunglasses and a couple of shirts.

 

[lefty]

Varvatos is one of those labels I want to like, but just come away from feeling like it's overpriced and poorly made.

I popped by the CBGB store for the first time the other day. Long time since I've been inside that space and felt a little sick at the bullshlt rock and roll branding they were pushing. It looked no better than Mark Nason.

I was particularly amused by the 20-year-old rock-skank wannabe SA eulogize the club to me.

Thanks, son. I remember.

lefty

 

[hustlenflo22]

Best pair of boots of seen come from this bad boy, but I'm not a big fan otherwise--price point is very high

 

[WhoKnewI]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

Lot of his clothes and shoes do look good tho I've never bought anything....the one thing I cant stand are the poloshirts with the "V fingered hand" logo. has to be the worst branding ever.
I actually have on of these polos and I have to say I like the peace sign logo. The construction on the polo is pretty solid, and the fit is great in my shoulders/arms. I do have to say that the body has lost its shape over the many wash/dry cycles the polo has been through.

 

[CharlieAngel]

His clothing line doesn't fit me, but I do like his aesthetic. I only buy his shoes.

I've now owned 3 pair of his Converse line and I enjoy them immensely, even at full retail. The biggest problem has been the heel popping out on them, but some shoe goo, 24 hours on a vice, and that fixes that and I've not had to do it twice to the same pair. Unfortunately, I've had to do it twice. We'll see with this 3rd pair.

 

[mtgguy777]

I got a pair of Varvatos Chucks and I think they look okay. I got them for free though so I can't really complain

 

[heynow]

ive been obsessed with his stuff lately, in the last month i have purchased 4 pairs of shoes, 3 shirts and 2 suits and a bottle of colonge. guess I just like his designs lately.

 

[RFX45]

I like his stuff, they fit me real well and I like his style. I have a couple of otems from him, a couple of chino's, a cardigan like sweater, a couple of jackets and some boots.

I like the JV JP as well but considering the price difference, I just stick to JP and save $30-$50. They feel the same too.

 

[chronoaug]

Originally Posted by fredfred

just an fyi - the plan is for the SOHO store in NYC and the "CBGB" store to have different merchandise. At the moment they have about the same stuff - but the plan is for them to be different.

Honestly though, do you expect him to put anything in the cbgb space that will live up to the location at all? How did he score that space (don't answer as i know it's money)?

 

[FiveFiveFive]

Originally Posted by chronoaug

Honestly though, do you expect him to put anything in the cbgb space that will live up to the location at all? How did he score that space (don't answer as i know it's money)?

Supposedly CBGB's was just empty for a year before Varvatos took it. The story I read portrayed him as some sort of savior. He said he thought (paraphrasing), "They're gonna turn this into a bank. I've gotta do something."

I love his boots, but I actually prefer the regular Chucks over the Varvatos ones. For those who have the Varvatos Chucks, how's the construction/durability compared to the originals? With the markup, I'd hope they'd at least last longer.

 

[denimaddict]

Originally Posted by CharlieAngel

His clothing line doesn't fit me, but I do like his aesthetic. I only buy his shoes.

I've now owned 3 pair of his Converse line and I enjoy them immensely, even at full retail. The biggest problem has been the heel popping out on them, but some shoe goo, 24 hours on a vice, and that fixes that and I've not had to do it twice to the same pair. Unfortunately, I've had to do it twice. We'll see with this 3rd pair.

I had a pair of his chucks once. The sole fell out of the shoe, on both shoes. So quality is LESS GOOD than regular chucks.