New Louis Boston

horton · Mar 15, 2010

Has anyone else been there? No more Kiton or Brioni. Much more affordable and they're touting their lower prices. I'd be surprised if they have anything for over 2k now.

I know they get a lot of heat here, but I think a lot of it is undeserved. I think their new lines are much more in keeping with modern business casual.

I actually liked a lot of what I saw.

CunningSmeagol · Mar 15, 2010

If they're touting lower prices, the store loses cachet, IMO, and becomes less of a "destination". Doesn't make much sense given the general dearth of nearby retail at the new location.

I haven't been there. I hope they bring back the SW&D business, ideally without copying Stel's or Barney's.

CunningSmeagol · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

Doesn't make much sense given the general dearth of nearby retail at the new location.

Perhaps they are counting on publicity generated by nearby WAYWT self-photography of Boston's Favorite Dandy?

horton · Mar 15, 2010

To the extent they have streetwear it's on the fancier end, i.e., no denim or hoodies, but Brine pants (carried by Stels, and a good product0 and Burkman Bros shirts.

It's more like Barneys than Stel's

It's worth a look. I think they've struck the right balance for a wider audience than their typical one.

They still have challenges as you noted (e.g., the general area right now is a wasteland with no other reason to go there)

edmorel · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

If they're touting lower prices, the store loses cachet, IMO, and becomes less of a "destination". Doesn't make much sense given the general dearth of nearby retail at the new location.

I think for the most part, consumers are a bit more frugal nowadays and as long as they are not accepting food stamps as currency, they won't lose any catchet.

voxsartoria · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by horton

They still have challenges as you noted (e.g., the general area right now is a wasteland with no other reason to go there)

The ICA, Drink, and Menton.

- B

voxsartoria · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by horton

It's worth a look. I think they've struck the right balance for a wider audience than their typical one.

Honestly, Louis sounds doomed to me. I predict that they hold the line for another year, and then start chasing cheaper goods down the slippery slope before going bust.

- B

Pezzaturra · Mar 15, 2010

They already lost their cachet by failing to extend their lease and by moving to the outskirts of civilization. I hope the RE deals their owner is making will be the payoff of this unfortunate departure.
For the Boston in general;no big whoop as long as EMS store is open on Boylston, the "fashion" crowd will have a place to meet.

IndianBoyz · Mar 15, 2010

The crisis has hit the Yanks hard..

Hans · Mar 15, 2010

Their current location is only temporary, hence the somewhat limited collection. They are moving to Fan Pier in the spring: http://www.fanpierboston.com/

horton · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Honestly, Louis sounds doomed to me. I predict that they hold the line for another year, and then start chasing cheaper goods down the slippery slope before going bust.

- B

That could all prove true. But to be honest, the old building was looking frayed at the edges and everything east of it on Boylston is a dump now (weird if you think about it)

I think their "buy" was good for what they're trying to do, and the trick will be whether they can "buy" well enough and if they have enough clout to get Louis cuts the way they have in the past (e.g., their Brioni and Belvest were always slimmer and sharper than other competitors).

This is not the place to go for traditional suit and tie stuff any more.

horton · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by Hans

Their current location is only temporary, hence the somewhat limited collection. They are moving to Fan Pier in the spring: http://www.fanpierboston.com/

they are moving like 100 yards away

voxsartoria · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by horton

That could all prove true. But to be honest, the old building was looking frayed at the edges and everything east of it on Boylston is a dump now (weird if you think about it)

I think their "buy" was good for what they're trying to do, and the trick will be whether they can "buy" well enough and if they have enough clout to get Louis cuts the way they have in the past (e.g., their Brioni and Belvest were always slimmer and sharper than other competitors).

This is not the place to go for traditional suit and tie stuff any more.

Pearlstein's daughter is not the big thinker in the way that he was. Since she took the reigns, Louis has been tottering on the momentum of being the top of the luxe heap in Boston menswear. All her departures from the Murray ethos have been derivative of other stores, whether French, New York, or even up the block at Bilzerian.

If you had put Gary Drinkwater in charge of the the same legacy, maybe things would be different.

At any rate: some photos.

- B

makewayhomer · Mar 15, 2010

I've only walked in the old place a few times to look at various items and shudder at the prices. I was in there during the 75% clearance and still didn't buy anything.

there must be a niche for them to succeed by selling high quality $200 pants and $300 shirts, and given the state of the economy is probably easier to pull off with creative sourcing and design. basically, a higher end Epaulet, or a more nimble and unique Nordstrom

of course that all sounds well but success depends on implementation. I don't know nearly enough about their mgmt to hazard a guess wrt how capable they are these days

Hans · Mar 15, 2010

Originally Posted by horton

they are moving like 100 yards away

I know, but the new space is going to be much larger than their current "pop-up store". Or at least that's what they told me.

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