Replacing Lacoste?

[demeis]

Lacoste has run its corse...again. Its over sold and its getting hard to compete with Macy's and the like with the mark downs. I was just wondering what people thought was a good replacement for the market for a small mens shop? I've been thinking John Varvatos or possible Michael Kors for a similar price point, and maybe even Polo. Anyone have any other thoughts of who i should look at?

 

[Rolo]

I really liked Jeff Rose shirts, but I don't know what they're like following the acquisition by Gitman.

I'm also a fan of the fabrics of Bobby Jones shirts, but I don't like the golfer placket tape.

 

[demeis]

Bobby jones won't work for us. We compete here in rochester i with the hickey freeman outlet, so hickey or bobby jones would not be a good seller for us.

 

[Will]

As a place to start, any line without logos is better than any line with logos.

 

[JBZ]

I like Polo, particularly because they have both the regular cut and the slim fit. They're very well made and hold up for years. Some don' t like the logo, but this probably doesn't apply to people who are pre-disposed to purchase a Lacoste. Sure, they're ubiquitous, but there's probably a reason for that.

I don't have any experience with Varvatos or Kors.

 

[JPYPSU07]

Originally Posted by Rolo

I really liked Jeff Rose shirts, but I don't know what they're like following the acquisition by Gitman.

I'm also a fan of the fabrics of Bobby Jones shirts, but I don't like the golfer placket tape.

I have some Jeff Rose stuff from the Gitman outlet, seems to be of fairly good quality but at the end of the day what do I know.

 

[demeis]

Logos not a big deal. Its for a little younger crowd so polo and john varvatos are where we are leaning. Only problem is we carried polo years ago but got away from them because they kept putting minimum orders on what we carried and it got to much for us. Kind of what Lacoste is doing now. Not sure if its still this way.

 

[SantosLHalper]

There's a local company here in Charlottesville, VA called Robert Redd that seem to have good quality shirts, although slightly higher retail price than Lacoste. I do like my Lacoste shirts though - I like the lighter weave than Polo and was not overly impressed with Michael Kors, whose fit seemed odd.

I have no financial interest in them selling more shirts, they are, however, acquaintances of mine.

First post, etc.

 

[Sartorian]

If you're looking for something to appeal to younger types, Penguin is huge with the 20-30 something hipsters all over the place. I like some of their shirts, but they make them at varying levels of quality, and I hate shirts with polyester (some are 100% cotton).

Ben Sherman's popular out in LA, too.

 

[AlanC]

What about Fred Perry?

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by Sartorian

If you're looking for something to appeal to younger types, Penguin is huge with the 20-30 something hipsters all over the place. I like some of their shirts, but they make them at varying levels of quality, and I hate shirts with polyester (some are 100% cotton).

Ben Sherman's popular out in LA, too.

+1 on the Original Penguin (by Munsingwear) suggestion. They're not as ubiquitious as Polo, which I guess is a plus.

 

[Omegablogger]

Another vote for Fred Perry.

 

[demeis]

Penguin is already carried but a younger "Trendy" shop that does penguin, theory, seven, etc.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by Sartorian

If you're looking for something to appeal to younger types, Penguin is huge with the 20-30 something hipsters all over the place. I like some of their shirts, but they make them at varying levels of quality, and I hate shirts with polyester (some are 100% cotton). Ben Sherman's popular out in LA, too.

The quality on the Penguin stuff is a bit shady, though I like the styles. I think I see the style shown amongst young people more than polo now. I get nervous wearing mine now because I see them so many places and they are more memorable than a plain polo due to the piping. The blonde guy in Blades of Glory was wearing this shirt in blue, which I also have. Lacoste and Polo have really nice polos. I have found Ben Sherman to be decent quality, certainly better than the penguin.

 

[hossoso]

Fred Perry