The Ultimate Toronto Thread

[induere_to]

Something I have been thinking about throughout the past year has brought me to introduce the topic to this thread to see how it may trigger the opinions of the other half of the people involved in this consumer/vendor relationship.

I've seen it stated rather frequently, that the StyleForum community is a niche group of menswear enthusiasts that believe they have a more educated understanding of menswear than those who are not a part of the StyleForum community. I've seen these boasts scattered across numerous threads and some of my clients have even gone ahead and mentioned mirroring opinions in person.

However, my dialogues with menswear professionals around the world that have had any mention of StyleForum syringed into a topic, always turn the conversations sour. From bespoke shoe makers, to tailors, to suit vendors and made to measure specialists, guys that just enjoy dressing well, bloggers; etc. the opinions on StyleForum seem to converge pretty heavily depending on which side you're on.

I've had a number of business owners reach out and ask me if StyleForum is something that could benefit their business and whether or not they should become involved. I have had friends in the industry ask me if outreach on StyleForum is worth looking into to pick up new clients.

My question to this thread is regarding the StyleForum consensus approaching local (to keep it relevant to Toronto) business owners. Do you think the pseudo-tailor and pseudo-cobbler reputation that a lot of artisans have about the StyleForum community is deserved or justified? How can this relationship between the two parties evolve to benefit each other? Is it even possible or worth resolving? Or even any opinions or challenges on the aforementioned statements are also welcome.

 

[othertravel]

Something I have been thinking about throughout the past year has brought me to introduce the topic to this thread to see how it may trigger the opinions of the other half of the people involved in this consumer/vendor relationship.

I've seen it stated rather frequently, that the StyleForum community is a niche group of menswear enthusiasts that believe they have a more educated understanding of menswear than those who are not a part of the StyleForum community. I've seen these boasts scattered across numerous threads and some of my clients have even gone ahead and mentioned mirroring opinions in person.

However, my dialogues with menswear professionals around the world that have had any mention of StyleForum syringed into a topic, always turn the conversations sour. From bespoke shoe makers, to tailors, to suit vendors and made to measure specialists, guys that just enjoy dressing well, bloggers; etc. the opinions on StyleForum seem to converge pretty heavily depending on which side you're on.

I've had a number of business owners reach out and ask me if StyleForum is something that could benefit their business and whether or not they should become involved. I have had friends in the industry ask me if outreach on StyleForum is worth looking into to pick up new clients.

My question to this thread is regarding the StyleForum consensus approaching local (to keep it relevant to Toronto) business owners. Do you think the pseudo-tailor and pseudo-cobbler reputation that a lot of artisans have about the StyleForum community is deserved or justified? How can this relationship between the two parties evolve to benefit each other? Is it even possible or worth resolving? Or even any opinions or challenges on the aforementioned statements are also welcome.

Good question. In the case of Styleforum, a lot of biases are baked in, so if a vendor wanted to join the forum as an affiliate, they'd have to cater to the above-average and super-educated users on the forum.

A good example is CNES Footwear, which joined as an affiliate recently. Their product is tailor-made (excuse the pun) for this forum (i.e. their product marketing emphasizes aspects that mean a lot to this crowd - hand welting, clean beveled waist, etc...). In other words, they joined the forum knowing what its users value.

On the flip side, if a menswear company that made suits joined as an affiliate and focused less on construction and fabric, but emphasized trivial things like contrast-colour button holes, well then they're not going to get many fans here. They basically joined blind without knowing what the above-average SF user values. That said, I'm not knocking a company that takes this approach, as there are customers that appreciate things like that, but not typically on this forum.

You should create a new thread on the forum for this topic. Not just in the Toronto one.

 

[Jamesbond1]

Something I have been thinking about throughout the past year has brought me to introduce the topic to this thread to see how it may trigger the opinions of the other half of the people involved in this consumer/vendor relationship.

I've seen it stated rather frequently, that the StyleForum community is a niche group of menswear enthusiasts that believe they have a more educated understanding of menswear than those who are not a part of the StyleForum community. I've seen these boasts scattered across numerous threads and some of my clients have even gone ahead and mentioned mirroring opinions in person.

However, my dialogues with menswear professionals around the world that have had any mention of StyleForum syringed into a topic, always turn the conversations sour. From bespoke shoe makers, to tailors, to suit vendors and made to measure specialists, guys that just enjoy dressing well, bloggers; etc. the opinions on StyleForum seem to converge pretty heavily depending on which side you're on.

I've had a number of business owners reach out and ask me if StyleForum is something that could benefit their business and whether or not they should become involved. I have had friends in the industry ask me if outreach on StyleForum is worth looking into to pick up new clients.

My question to this thread is regarding the StyleForum consensus approaching local (to keep it relevant to Toronto) business owners. Do you think the pseudo-tailor and pseudo-cobbler reputation that a lot of artisans have about the StyleForum community is deserved or justified? How can this relationship between the two parties evolve to benefit each other? Is it even possible or worth resolving? Or even any opinions or challenges on the aforementioned statements are also welcome.

Styleforum crowd for most is definitely a tough one!! Having said that in particular the TO crowd is mostly focused on value rather than the bespoke business. Yes everyone is a bespoke shop but you know better that most of them are bespoke by name only.
It is not possible to buy a 911 for the price of a Camaro just as it is not possible to buy a bespoke suit for what is off the rack or a made to measure suit.
I don’t think it matters who thinks what of an establishment as you can’t satisfy 100% of your clientele in particular the ones who know most!!
So for a real bespoke tailor such as Signor Francesco majority of Styleforum crowd is not going to benefit his business.

I do enjoy zipping through SF but not to crique it is mostly to like what people posts. And yes I do not know it all so this is just my view point!!

 

[othertravel]

I wonder where I've seen this before:

9 Mr. Porter Tom Ford Ties

9 Mr. Porter Tom Ford Ties. 1 Kings Man Drakes Tie. New With/Without Tag selling all 9 ties for $150 Free shipping USA.

www.styleforum.net

Your point being? Try not to be so coy.

I'm actually selling close to cost as I had to pay a proxy in the states to ship it.

I decided to downsize my tie collection from three racks down to one.

 

[EddieK]

Don't want to be that guy, but I feel this is very important for us Torontonians and those in GTA. This is a good watch for us to educate ourselves.
Professor from U of T says some really important stuff here.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

 

[borbor]

Don't want to be that guy, but I feel this is very important for us Torontonians and those in GTA. This is a good watch for us to educate ourselves.
Professor from U of T says some really important stuff here.

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

the places that got hit by SARS are the places that are aggressive. tbf even HKG the GOVT was passive; but the people themselves were diligent as hell about hygienes, passive and active means (social distancing, face masks, etc)

we (as a country) had a chance to take the lead on it; but i mean how many people do you know before this week had the attitude of "oh it's just the flu". it wasn't until pm's wife got hit that actions were taken lolllll. anyone who believed what the WHO said since december, they all got fucked.

be glad we didn't climb that exponential curve already. i saw the pics of US airports on the weekend and those guys are gonna get FUCKED in a week or two.

 

[Viral]

Good question. In the case of Styleforum, a lot of biases are baked in, so if a vendor wanted to join the forum as an affiliate, they'd have to cater to the above-average and super-educated users on the forum.

A good example is CNES Footwear, which joined as an affiliate recently. Their product is tailor-made (excuse the pun) for this forum (i.e. their product marketing emphasizes aspects that mean a lot to this crowd - hand welting, clean beveled waist, etc...). In other words, they joined the forum knowing what its users value.

On the flip side, if a menswear company that made suits joined as an affiliate and focused less on construction and fabric, but emphasized trivial things like contrast-colour button holes, well then they're not going to get many fans here. They basically joined blind without knowing what the above-average SF user values. That said, I'm not knocking a company that takes this approach, as there are customers that appreciate things like that, but not typically on this forum.

You should create a new thread on the forum for this topic. Not just in the Toronto one.

I get what you're implying, but there is nothing "above average" about the peeps on SF. Most people absorb certain keywords and run with them. I guess the only "above average" thing which separates SF user is the time spent making useless posts and the misinformation conveyed on SF.

I don't care what you read/know/think you know........when all is said and done, most people with all the knowledge and nerdy-level obsessions about tailored clothing still cannot wear a suit well enough to demonstrate the same.

 

[othertravel]

In related news, Harry’s is running a 20% off promo on regular priced merchandise.

I think it’s because of the covid downturn. They did something similar after the markets crashed on 2008.

 

[Encore]

how would a 20% promo help when market drops more than 20%

 

[hrv123]

How anyone could be spending their money on overpriced clothing with all the economic uncertainty surrounding us is beyond me.

 

[KWang94]

How anyone could be spending their money on overpriced clothing with all the economic uncertainty surrounding us is beyond me.

lol a local menswear business owner here was posting about COVID and then he hashtagged italian quarantine while showing off the insides of his Ferrari. Funny thing, is the company he owns is in Northern Italy. Thought it was the most tone deaf and cringy thing I ever saw.

 

[bings]

RE: the styleforum post; i have found the same in conversation but i believe is it largely due to a difference in opinion on the value of forums vs. in person engagement.

whether it be fashion, watches or automotive or anything else that you may be a forum-rat about there are many that just do not trust what they cannot interact with in person.

they're the kind of people that assume everything you buy on-line is fake or who still don't use ebay or paypal because they once heard a horror story.

it's fine though. leaves the better insight, discussion and deals out there for those of us that know have to navigate our preferences digitally.

 

[suitforcourt]

Toe plates and rebuild of a pair of Blundstones

Ambros' Shoe Repair - Andrew Morden - Saskatoon Saskatchewan

In my ongoing journey of trying out Canadian cobblers and promoting their work, I've come across a cobbler in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Andrew Morden runs the shop and was at one time, colleagues with Martin Sugg in Thunder Bay (Timeless Shoe Repair). Andrew was also recommended by other...

www.styleforum.net

 

[bings]

How anyone could be spending their money on overpriced clothing with all the economic uncertainty surrounding us is beyond me.

the uncertainty is not evenly distributed though.

i'm waiting for the blow out sales from othertravel on that TF suit

 

[Omega Man]

The Blundstones look really good. Did it originally come with the Vibram sole? A complete replacment?