Maker of Made in USA polo suits and quality

[randallr]

Who made these? What's the construction like? What do you think a used suit from this era is worth?

Thanks

 

[randallr]

time is of the essence

 

[rioni]

From what I remember, they were well made.

 

[NH_Clark]

there was a polo manufacturing facility in Lawrence, MA (a few miles from me) but closed down ..hmmm.. has to be at least 8 or 9 years ago, maybe even 10+ now. It was in the building right across the canal from where Southwick is currently. Southwick is closing their Lawrence operation in the old mill building (too cold in winter/too hot in summer) to a brand new facility in Haverhill, MA.

 

[AlanC]

In the early days they used Norman Hilton, then I believe had their own facility. They're generally considered to be of high quality.

Worth would depend on style, size and condition. I just sold a nice USA made Polo db suit through the forum for around $80, so I wouldn't expect to get a lot for them. If you buy it cheap, though, you can make a few bucks.

 

[DocHolliday]

Nicely made from what I've seen. Full canvassed, back in the day. Nicer than the current Polo blue label stuff. If you find one with classic styling, they can make for a good purchase.

 

[randallr]

This is what I bought. I needed a solid navy suit. That makes three within the week. My boss gave me a made in Italy polo suit, bought a navy blazer made in italy off the Bay and this off the bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=350123792854

 

[randallr]

Anyone?

 

[wcl]

I have several older Blue Label pieces that were made by the now defunct Pietrafesa factory. Quite nice and have held up very well. From an article I came across........

n 1998, Pietrafesa's seven largest customers were Brooks Brothers, Dillards, Jos. A. Bank, Nordstrom, Polo Retail, S&K Famous Brands, and Sam's Club. These seven accounts generated 70 percent of Pietrafesa's 1998 revenue of $56.8 million.

Pietrafesa also manufactures clothing for Bergdorf Goodman, Bijan, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The rest of the article btw is at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...07/ai_n8871695

 

[JeffC]

Originally Posted by randallr

This is what I bought. I needed a solid navy suit. That makes three within the week. My boss gave me a made in Italy polo suit, bought a navy blazer made in italy off the Bay and this off the bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=350123792854

I hope you live in a cooler climate. That fabric looks heavy.

 

[randallr]

Ohio, but I don't think that looks heavy at all.

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

Originally Posted by randallr

This is what I bought. I needed a solid navy suit. That makes three within the week. My boss gave me a made in Italy polo suit, bought a navy blazer made in italy off the Bay and this off the bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=350123792854

Could be a Hilton made one from the 70s.

Ralph had his own factory from about '80 to '94 or so. The current Oxxford guys used to work there. I was told by a Ralph employee that Purple Label was a factor in the decision to close the factory since they could not do the classic constructed Savile Row style cuts Ralph wanted. The economics of outsourcing the production were too attractive to keep their own production going. Every once and a while a USA made Purple Label prototype will surface on eBay.

The main problem with the US made Polo is not the construction, which is great, but the styling that does not date so well. The late 70s stuff has massive lapels like what Woody Allen wore in 'Annie Hall' (Ralph did all of the clothes in that film), while the 80s has low button stances. I do have a killer vintage US made Polo overcoat with wide functional peak lapels that I'm sure LabelKing would love.

 

[randallr]

I am very excited to receive it, we shall see. I will let you guys know.

 

[Journeyman]

I've got an older USA-made Polo DB suit and also a charcoal pinstripe three-piece single-breasted suit that I picked up on eBay.

Both are nicely made and they have held up very well.

One thing to be aware of, though, is the chance that you will get a suit with a low button stance - and from the photos, it looks as though your suit has such a button stance.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make the suit look a little dated, as a low button stance was quite popular in the 1980s.
If you look at the buttons on most two-button suits now, you will see that they are positioned higher on the jacket, such that the lower button is on the same level as the pockets. If you look at the suit that you have just purchased, you will see that the buttons are positioned lower, so that the bottom button is well below the level of the pockets.

As I said, not necessarily a bad thing, but a matter of personal taste.