The unofficial Drake's London Appreciation Thread

[GabrielJF]

I think Drake's are pivoting because relatively few people work, sit around and socalises in shirts and ties - and even less will be buying more and more of those items.

It is aiming to be more of a lifestyle (do you go on walks? Sail a bit? You can wear Drake's doing that now!) + slightly ironic urban brand, appealing to new and younger customers and reflecting their locations and staff style. I think the aesthetic fits together nicely, as sometimes called 'rugged ivy' just added to euro or ivy-ivy.

Yep that sounds like a pretty sound analysis. Just seems to me that they are beginning to specialise more and more in the art of diminishing returns. But I'm sure at some point they will release another wax coverall or balmacaan or something or other that has enough charming design idiosyncrasies that will have me rushing back. However, their most recent output to me seems pretty devoid of any reason to pay Drake's prices. Spending £145 on a polo shirt is madness to me.

 

[Treble]

Yep that sounds like a pretty sound analysis. Just seems to me that they are beginning to specialise more and more in the art of diminishing returns. But I'm sure at some point they will release another wax coverall or balmacaan or something or other that has enough charming design idiosyncrasies that will have me rushing back. However, their most recent output to me seems pretty devoid of any reason to pay Drake's prices. Spending £145 on a polo shirt is madness to me.

I agree the prices are going up too quickly (more than others) on the more banal items, but I guess that's always the model - the standout pieces and editorial create the brand strength and sell the rest of the collection / basics right? + more branding creeping in which I personally dislike but also fits with that.

As we all know, a lot ends up discounted anyway!

Also seems like there aren't any other UK stockists which is a shame but understandable from wanting to control pricing.

 

[Treble]

I agree the prices are going up too quickly (more than others) on the more banal items, but I guess that's always the model - the standout pieces and editorial create the brand strength and sell the rest of the collection / basics right? + more branding creeping in which I personally dislike but also fits with that.

As we all know, a lot ends up discounted anyway!

Also seems like there aren't any other UK stockists which is a shame but understandable from wanting to control pricing.

Having said that, it seems they have popped up on the End Clothing brand list.

 

[justinpledger]

Your style sounds very similar to my own and that red chore is a great addition to it. I’ve had the same ”trouble” with adding color to my wardrobe. To my own surprise I ended up buying an orange shetland sweater from Drake’s a couple monts ago and I absolutely love it.

I’m an actual firefighter and have never ever wore anything even remotely close to that chore for work so don’t worry about the firefighter vibes 😅. All the materials and silhouettes are super high tech… ripstop Gore-tex Nomex and such

Thank you for your reassurance! And for being so gracious and not taking offence! At the fireman thing, I mean 🙈 I didn't mean it in a rude way at all! Anyway, thank you ☺

 

[justinpledger]

I’ve had the same when I started wearing white trousers. Always felt that the whole world was watching me. But it’s just in your head. What helped me was just looking at pics from others wearing that item and seeing how normal it looks.

Thank you! I've not braved wearing it out yet but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to keep it

 

[Revelo]

Thank you! I've not braved wearing it out yet but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to keep it

Nice pick-up, you should definitely keep it, I think it is one of the standout pieces of the latest drop. I love the easy way Jason Jules sports it here:

 

[espen]

Definitely would keep this one. Thinking about one myself, feels like a good way to inject some color and can work well into the autumn.

 

[henrip]

Thank you for your reassurance! And for being so gracious and not taking offence! At the fireman thing, I mean 🙈 I didn't mean it in a rude way at all! Anyway, thank you ☺

No worries man 😄! I get what you meant 👍

 

[bry2000]

The red chore jacket is the only thing that remotely interests me from the recent lookbooks. I think it is an easy piece to pull off.

Re: talking about prices. I think that topic is fair game. Price/quality/value all factor into our purchasing decisions so why not discuss them freely. I think the guy who used to scold people ad nauseum about discussing prices has left this board. So no need to hold back on the topic.

 

[wahnamhong]

I hate to be the guy that brings the conversation back around to price, but I mean to only in relation to their recent offering, the style and what does appear to me to be an absence of it.

I was in the Savile Row shop yesterday. Nothing stood out to me really, which was different from previous visits. The few items I did like, such as the ecru linen chore, were pretty much sold out already in most sizes. Had a quick talk with the sales rep and he said he does not expect any major restocks this season, eg in chore coats. There will be one more drop of new clothing, including linen suits.

At my last visit, 6 weeks ago, I bought a poplin red striped shirt, and I wore it for the first time this week. It’s gorgeous.

White and Red Stripe Spread Collar Cotton Poplin Shirt

100% Cotton. Made in Our Factory in Somerset, England.

www.drakes.com

 

[justinpledger]

I hope that this isn't too cheeky but if there are any members of this forum who live/work near the US store would one of you be prepared to buy something on my behalf? It's a gorgeous pocket square that's sold out online and in the London store. Apparently, the only stock is in NYC!

It's this one: https://www.drakes.com/navy-painted-petal-tile-print-wool-silk-pocket-square

I'm aware this is actually quite a big ask but I don't know anyone who lives in New York and nothing ventured, nothing gained etc.!

Thank you!

 

[paddymac]

I hope that this isn't too cheeky but if there are any members of this forum who live/work near the US store would one of you be prepared to buy something on my behalf? It's a gorgeous pocket square that's sold out online and in the London store. Apparently, the only stock is in NYC!

It's this one: https://www.drakes.com/navy-painted-petal-tile-print-wool-silk-pocket-square

I'm aware this is actually quite a big ask but I don't know anyone who lives in New York and nothing ventured, nothing gained etc.!

Thank you!

seems like its back in stock in the UK site...

 

[justinpledger]

seems like its back in stock in the UK site...

Unfortunately, it’s not. If you try to add it to your basket it says that the required quantity is unavailable. It’s just not listed as being out of stock. I’ve tried to add this to my basket so many times now! 🙈

 

[hpreston]

I hope that this isn't too cheeky but if there are any members of this forum who live/work near the US store would one of you be prepared to buy something on my behalf? It's a gorgeous pocket square that's sold out online and in the London store. Apparently, the only stock is in NYC!

It's this one: https://www.drakes.com/navy-painted-petal-tile-print-wool-silk-pocket-square

I'm aware this is actually quite a big ask but I don't know anyone who lives in New York and nothing ventured, nothing gained etc.!

Thank you!

Are you in the US?

If so, I have had pretty decent luck calling the shop, and asking them to sell items over the phone then ship....

 

[nprose]

I'm also digging the red chore coat, and I actually enjoy the price discussion on here. Unless you can live without making any cost-benefit analysis, it matters. And if you live without having to be strategic at all about buying things, then your opinions are very likely boring.

I've found with Drake's that after buying a couple of overshirts and suede boots (all which I adore), I haven't been able to make the leap into purchasing anything else. Some items are tempting here and there. I've considered adding a blazer at some point, and I likely will. I'm curious about their OBCD because so many people swear by them. I like the fleece, and I think they are unique although still hard to justify. The reality is their pricing overall seems more and more obscene even as they move into more pedestrian items.