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Contango

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how doesn't drake's have a story? it has history. a similar arc as ralph lauren.
Ralph Lauren is still Ralph Lauren. Drakes is a company that used to make spectacular ties (and a small number of other accessories), then they sold the company to a couple of young so-and-so’s who got rid of most of the good designs, tripled prices and started riding off the coattails of the name to sell a bunch of other overpriced goods that in many cases they’ve probably done little more than slap their label on.
 

crazn

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i'm guessing they didn't make that many of them, so the price is higher than you would normally expect. and it's made out of casentino for some reason. maybe they should have sold it as a pre-order. people may have been willing to pay a deposit and then the rest on delivery

if they would have made it with a cheap wool, it could look like casentino after few wears anyway...
If the brand is supposed to trade at a premium. Then there are casentino coats at the rake by rubinacci in their values section. In much easier wearing colours. Though they do have the other casentino classic green.
 

SimonC

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Drakes price is gouging on that casetino. Whether judged by trade price per metre on the fabric, or by the price of a merino wool fleece jacket made by someone like Mufflon (top quality, made in Germany).
 

flashjack

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Ralph Lauren is still Ralph Lauren. Drakes is a company that used to make spectacular ties (and a small number of other accessories), then they sold the company to a couple of young so-and-so’s who got rid of most of the good designs, tripled prices and started riding off the coattails of the name to sell a bunch of other overpriced goods that in many cases they’ve probably done little more than slap their label on.
What? Isn't creative director Michael Hill the son of said spectacular tie maker? Describing him and Mark Cho as corporate raiders is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
 

Contango

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What? Isn't creative director Michael Hill the son of said spectacular tie maker? Describing him and Mark Cho as corporate raiders is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
Not quite sure how one gets from “they sold the company” to the idea of a hostile takeover, especially as it was/is a private company.

The relevance of shared DNA is questionable.
 

smittycl

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How is a $800 fleece pullover worse than the other stuff that gets talked about on here?

$5,000 for bespoke shoes and $7,000 for bespoke suits (e.g. Cleverley, Lobb, anything from SR)?

$1,500 for ready-to-wear factory-made shoes (e.g., Edward Green, John Lobb, etc)?

$1,500 - $3,000 for SWD type outerwear (e.g., Visvim, Sacai, RRL)?

$500 to $1,000 for sneakers (e.g., CP and Visvim)?

And $1,000 to 2,000 for knitwear (e.g., Loro Piana, Cucinelli)? Or even stuff that's considered "value" buys, like William Lockie (once $750 with import taxes, although I don't know what they are now).
You're going to compare EG to Drake's? You mention your Piccadilly's constantly and in glowing terms. I want a pair. Factory made in-house to high standards with amazing leather. No comparison to a pullover.

I'm dropping over $800 on a pair of C&J cordovan loafers. Just ordered them. Same price but again no real comparison to a fleece pullover some Stockbroker-Bro will likely wear to Starbucks (insert: ...in his C&J loafers...).

Anyway, was thinking that Drake's is just trying to be unique or maybe create a different niche. I'm just not buying it, at least this go-around. Very little of their F/W 19-20 stuff is appealing to me, even the ties and scarves. I miss their great CM scarves that Barneys used to stock. Luckily I have a pile and they last forever.

Drakes will remain one of the first places I look for accessories. I wish them great success. Maybe they are aiming for a new audience and those of us who only like the accessories will just have to deal. I enjoy discussing it here and try to avoid vitriol. It's okay to NOT like something and discuss the reasons why. The reflexive and unsupportable comparisons to other clothing items don't work.

(PS - anyone tried The Armoury's new loafer line yet?)
 
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Riva

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Ralph Lauren is still Ralph Lauren. Drakes is a company that used to make spectacular ties (and a small number of other accessories), then they sold the company to a couple of young so-and-so’s who got rid of most of the good designs, tripled prices and started riding off the coattails of the name to sell a bunch of other overpriced goods that in many cases they’ve probably done little more than slap their label on.

Talked to a current upcoming brand and they did mention what The Armoury did to the prices of RJ. Not sure if there is merit as I wasn't into RJ back when they stayed in Japan.
 

matty long legs

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Personally, I’m a big fan of the casentino jumper (except the orange color). If it were navy or green, it’d be an outstandingly unique and versatile piece. I understand the orange heritage associated with casentino, but I also want to wear the piece without people assuming I’m helping their kids cross the sidewalk after school.

If I had extensive funds in my account, the price tag wouldn’t bother me. But my sense is that Drakes is appealing to a wide age demographic inclusive of certainly a younger one, too. The cost drives me away. It’s not hard for me to go by a pullover somewhere else and just accept that it’s not casentino. Not hard to get over.

Couldn't have said it any better. I like the pullover, just wish it was in a different color and the price was half of what it is now.
 

cbusguy

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Ralph Lauren is still Ralph Lauren. Drakes is a company that used to make spectacular ties (and a small number of other accessories), then they sold the company to a couple of young so-and-so’s who got rid of most of the good designs, tripled prices and started riding off the coattails of the name to sell a bunch of other overpriced goods that in many cases they’ve probably done little more than slap their label on.

i can imagine people thinking the same thing when ralph lauren was becoming less involved in the day to day, expanding, and creating new labels

i wasn't buying drake's before michael hill, so the prices don't seem outrageous to me. yes, the price of casentino seems high. but how does drake's determine the price of an item? maybe it was picked at random by an intern?

would the price be more acceptable if there was an everlane level of transparency that showed the cost of the item?
 

circumspice

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Talked to a current upcoming brand and they did mention what The Armoury did to the prices of RJ. Not sure if there is merit as I wasn't into RJ back when they stayed in Japan.

I have been in the Ring flagship twice in Tokyo, and haven't bothered trying on anything as their fabric choices didn't do much for me... And yet I bought the blackwatch sport coat from the Armoury in their 3a model
 

Chaconne

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You're going to compare EG to Drake's? You mention your Piccadilly's constantly and in glowing terms. I want a pair. Factory made in-house to high standards with amazing leather. No comparison to a pullover.

I'm dropping over $800 on a pair of C&J cordovan loafers. Just ordered them. Same price but again no real comparison to a fleece pullover some Stockbroker-Bro will likely wear to Starbucks (insert: ...in his C&J loafers...).

Anyway, was thinking that Drake's is just trying to be unique or maybe create a different niche. I'm just not buying it, at least this go-around. Very little of their F/W 19-20 stuff is appealing to me, even the ties and scarves. I miss their great CM scarves that Barneys used to stock. Luckily I have a pile and they last forever.

Drakes will remain one of the first places I look for accessories. I wish them great success. Maybe they are aiming for a new audience and those of us who only like the accessories will just have to deal. I enjoy discussing it here and try to avoid vitriol. It's okay to NOT like something and discuss the reasons why. The reflexive and unsupportable comparisons to other clothing items don't work.

(PS - anyone tried The Armoury's new loafer line yet?)

It’s not about not liking it, it’s about complaining about pricing based on nothing but a picture. The fleece Drakes is offering may indeed be worth it to someone who wants a better quality fleece than what Costco sells.
I have news for you, your Canali suit isn’t really worth what you paid for it to some people who would be just fine with a Costco suit for a tenth of the price.
No difference between paying a lot for the perfect white Tee or paying a lot for the perfect tweed SC, just get what you want and stop worrying about the price of what you don’t.
 

smittycl

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It’s not about not liking it, it’s about complaining about pricing based on nothing but a picture. The fleece Drakes is offering may indeed be worth it to someone who wants a better quality fleece than what Costco sells.
I have news for you, your Canali suit isn’t really worth what you paid for it to some people who would be just fine with a Costco suit for a tenth of the price.
No difference between paying a lot for the perfect white Tee or paying a lot for the perfect tweed SC, just get what you want and stop worrying about the price of what you don’t.
Fair enough. It always boils down to just buy what makes you happy. :fonz:

EDIT: my Drake's boating stripe scarf arrives from Barneys tomorrow!
 
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dalevy

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E684CC3E-F7F4-4533-BA3D-4D33AEA928A7.png

Personally, I’m a big fan of the casentino jumper (except the orange color). If it were navy or green, it’d be an outstandingly unique and versatile piece. I understand the orange heritage associated with casentino, but I also want to wear the piece without people assuming I’m helping their kids cross the sidewalk after school.

If I had extensive funds in my account, the price tag wouldn’t bother me. But my sense is that Drakes is appealing to a wide age demographic inclusive of certainly a younger one, too. The cost drives me away. It’s not hard for me to go by a pullover somewhere else and just accept that it’s not casentino. Not hard to get over.

Similar issue with the chore jackets and overshirts. Love the green corduroy chore jacket. It would get tons of wear. But I bought a green Epaulet one, and I’ll get over the fact that it’s not corduroy quickly because I did save $500+ Again, if cost weren’t an issue, I’d grab it. But ...for VERY few people, that is a reality.
 

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