Men's Denim

[drexl]

Mostly SS05. Someone over at the Shopaholocs thread posted that they got a Fall coat, but I don't know if it was the same pattern in a spring fabric because I know the coat he posted and I didn't recall seeing it on the racks. It could have been brought in later, I suppose...

edit: oh, wait - YOU posted that coat. I suppose you didn't get it from the sample Sale.

Lol, nope, although I wish I couldv'e been there, I wouldv'e loved picking up SS05 stuff for close to 50% off (it's still 25% off here...what's left of it at least)

 

[baklanyc]

Lol, nope, although I wish I couldv'e been there, I wouldv'e loved picking up SS05 stuff for close to 50% off (it's still 25% off here...what's left of it at least)

If you call Opening Ceremony in NYC, they're selling SS04 at 30% off already. That's another reason I thought the sample sale was disappointing - it's really not that much better than at a store, esp. if you wait a bit.

 

[kLm]

The Cloak sample sale has skinny jeans that are some of the narrowest I've encountered. They have a higher waistline though, and the denim wasn't the sturdiest I'd seen (in black or grey, if I recall correctly), but they're super slim. The Cloak sample sale is ongoing in NYC until this weekend, I think (see the Sample Sale thread for info). They're not really at sample prices, but at $145 a pair, come out to about 45% off retail.

Those are probably the jeans that I mentioned earlier in this thread (or maybe in one of the Cloak threads) that I couldn't even get up over my damn thighs in my waist size. Well, maybe I could have, but I believe that looking like you've been poured into jeans is a look that is strictly for the ladies.

Also, those blazers with the elbow straps (as also mentioned before somewhere) are super un-functional. The armholes were way off.. I know somewhere that does (or did) have that coat you posted drexl, I've thought about getting it, but I have so much stuff from that collection--and the f/w stuff coming up is really really nice (and the Cloak shop opens in August!).

 

[jhaime]

Sorry , I haven't , the only exclusive Hong Kong jeans that I heard of is the Evisu clone label , ETIENNE OZEKI . Reasonable , but nothing special .

BTW , I got my 2 pairs of Beauty/Beast jeans at a couple of FLANNELS - Manchester sales . Could have been surplus oki-ni stock .

The GAIJIN Jeans came from a superb little shop , now closed - GEESE - Manchester . Where I also bought two pairs ( different styles ) of YAMANE DELUXE Jeans , and a hooded denim jacket , also Yamane Deluxe .

I REALLY regret the passing of that shop on Bridge St. near to the infamous RICHARD CREME . The owner used to go frequently to Tokyo to buy the most exclusive and obscure labels , eg a pair of SUGAR CANE JEANS for £50 !!!

Ah !!! Those were the days .

Why did it shut down? just not enough business? I would have thought manc was big enough to look after a unique boutique...

I've never actually been shopping in Manchester before...obviously I've been to flannels of manchester...but never anywhere else...

any shops I should look out for next time i'm in?

You mentioned EO jeans...i used to like them...but i've really gone off them...bit too common i guess...especially in leeds, both Accent and Life carry them now..plus they're a bit too straight forward...not the most comfortable in the world for the price either...

It's strange too...Both Van Mildert and Sarah Coggles of York used to carry the EO line...and now they have both stopped...

It's funny too...When etienne ozeki first arrived their denim was £110-£115...then it went up too £130ish..and now last time I checked it was £165..

Same with Michiko Koshino...started out at £130...give or take £10..(depending on the Boutique)...now you're looking at £180-£190

They're both pricing themselves out of the Market...especially when you can pick up Replay, G-star & RedEar and so on for £90 or so...

It's a bad move for them both (EO & Michiko) when you consider that Labels like BlueBlood are springing up, and entering the market at £180-£190...and taking a share very easily...simply because the quality is actually there to merit the price, and they are in far limited stock in comparison to others...

 

[jhaime]

Who are Gaijin kit? or..'Foreign Barbarian' if we use the english term...unless i'm mistaken (& it wouldn't be a first, nor a last)

 

[kit]

Why did it shut down? just not enough business? I would have thought manc was big enough to look after a unique boutique...

I've never actually been shopping in Manchester before...obviously I've been to flannels of manchester...but never anywhere else...

any shops I should look out for next time i'm in?

Interesting . B)

I think that GEESE shut down after Selfridges, Exchange Square , and Harvey Nichols opened up within a year of each other . Up to then , FLANNELS and , God forgive him , RICHARD CREME had it all to themselves .

The manager said that David Beckham was a regular customer for the obscure labels , until Roberto Cavalli , DSquared2 , Andrew Mackenzie et al became available at the two new department stores .

You should try to put your head in the door of Richard Creme on Bridge Street on any visit to Manchester , but he only opens when he feels like it , and although you may be impressed by the selection of Yohji Yamamoto pour Homme ( minline collection ) , Dirk Bikkembergs , Dirk Shonberger , Xavier Delcour and Dries van Noten , the way that he loads his prices by at least 50% extra , will knock you for six . There's also a Vivienne Westwood boutique somewhere , but I've never visited it as I'm not a fan of her menswear .

Manchester is very good for shopping , so I would visit the two chic department stores , and Emporio Armani and Hermes , both on King Street . There's an Armani Collezioni , also on King Street , but it would seem to cater for the businessman rather than a young man who's fashion forward .

AND , if you have a touch of the chav about you , there's a separate Louis Vuitton boutique in Selfridges that stocks all the essential pieces .

I haven't shopped in Leeds , ever , merely taken sixth formers to day-long courses at the university , but I hear that it is as good as Manchester .

BTW , I'm always a little wary of Yorkshiremen , as you know what they say -

" You can always tell a Yorkshireman , but you can't tell him much !!!! "

No offence intended .

 

[kit]

Who are Gaijin kit? or..'Foreign Barbarian' if we use the english term...unless i'm mistaken (& it wouldn't be a first, nor a last)

I read in somewhere like GQ that they are a jeans line started up by an ex-designer for Evisu Europe .

The translation of the name would seem to be apposite in the context of a Japanese inspired jeans line .

BTW

Geese also sold Adriano Goldschmeidt jeans and also the Michiko Koshino Yen jeans . Both VERY good quality .

 

[jhaime]

lol...you know what kit...i couldn't agree more with your statement...especially considering I was born in Scotland with a Swedish mother...lmao!

What are your Gaijin jeans like? you have any links or articles on them...?

regarding shopping in leeds...well...it's okkk

Theres harvey Nichs obviously...with a whole floor to menswear..they carry awful stuff though...like Kurtis cameron, nicole farhi and some other rubbish...I've only ever bought a Rogan belt (don't usually buy Rogan, their stuff is awful quality but they punched above their weight with this belt) & a Maharishi sweater...last years winter collection, the £245 one with the japanese house on the back...

they also carry chav stuff like Prada and Burberry...and they also carry Nudie and True Religion...pah!

For sneaks...your best bet is Ace or Size...urban/skate/streetwear rubbish..oh, Aspecto gets some crazy sneaks now and then...

Accent carries stuff like G-star, EO, RA:RE, Replay, Diesel (strangely considering there is a Diesel store in leeds), Old Glory and Hands...suits upstairs

'Chimp' caries stuff like Michiko, T-book, fly53r135??? i think...energie, aem' kai, blood & violent and so on...street/urban

Then there's Hip across from it, carries stuff like YouMustCreate, Stussy, MHI and so on...

Then there's Flannels...

so, in all, not that great...oh there's all saints too & Life, carries Eo, One true Saxon, Stone Island, Prada etc...owned by us...there's a Viv Westwood as well as a Jeff west...and there are Ted Baker, lambretta and Henry Lloyd all fantastically positioned next to one another...lol..

we used to have a strand, but that shut down...

I've been working on a business plan for the past year now as well as having discussions with the bank and external investers for opening up a small, exclusive boutique down Thorntons Arcade, two doors up from Chimp and across from Hip..Things are beginning to look more positive...I'll give you a shout if it ever gets the go ahead, as I'd be looking to stock labels you seem to have a taste in...

 

[jhaime]

lol...to be honest mate i hate Michiko...I loved their first line they introduced about 3/4 year back...they fitted beautifully...

But their past 2 seasons have all been like 34" or 36" insides...meaning you have to turn them up or have them tailored...plus they all lend up sitting too saggy for my comfort...

if you're interested, Attic have a load on 30% off at the moment...

http://www.atticclothing.com/index.php?B_ID=110310&Categoryid=28&SubCategoryid=45&Command=ShowProducts

 

[jhaime]

i tried these ones on in Van MIldert of York...in a 32

http://www.atticclothing.com/index.php?B_ID=110310&Command=ShowProductDetail&Productid=1051&SubCategoryid=45&Categoryid=28&Password=

All i wanted to do was get back into my BlueBloods

 

[kit]

Thanks so much for the info
at this particular moment I cannot get out much due to illness , so that keeps me from splurges of money that I don't really have !!!!!

The gaijin Jeans have a curved low yoke effect on the back rather similar to styles by MARITHE et FRANCOIS GIRBAUD in the past .

( Now THERE'S a Jeans line , once the toast of the Continent but which seems to be now somewhat neglected . I must be their GREATEST fan having built up a collection over the years in my visits to Perpignan , Barcelona etc . A visit to their flagship store , 38 Rue Etienne Marcel , in Paris , is an absolute MUST if one is an afficionado of men's denim . )

I think I will pass on the Michiko jeans , despite the price , and be content with my purchase last year of a pair of M&S Autograph Jeans , distressed and with baked - in creases , that I swear to God have been more complimented than any other pair I possess .

£49 from M&S Handforth Dean , Wilmslow , I kid you not .

Anyways , your BlueBloods must be the bee's knees .

And guess what , I think our exchange of obscure jeans labels will have given the DIOR HOMME JEANS crowd something to chew over .

£450 for a pair of coated and destroyed black denim jeans , made in Japan or not !!!!!
You've GOT to be kidding .

 

[kLm]

It's funny too...When etienne ozeki first arrived their denim was £110-£115...then it went up too £130ish..and now last time I checked it was £165..

Same with Michiko Koshino...started out at £130...give or take £10..(depending on the Boutique)...now you're looking at £180-£190

They're both pricing themselves out of the Market...especially when you can pick up Replay, G-star & RedEar and so on for £90 or so...
.

Ok, I need to ask a question here. I travel to England once or twice a year to visit numerous friends I have there. I know roughly what they make, and I make a good amount of money, but holy sh*t, the sticker shock there is just unbelievable. I mean, sometimes it is practically a 1:1 correlation with prices: jeans here are $150, jeans there are £150--but via the exchange rate, right now that is almost _$300_! Here's the thing--my translated salary in £ would exceed everyone I know over there, but the place is still just unbelievably expensive even at that level of income. I could live in London, but I couldn't really buy many clothes! How the hell do you guys do it? No one has ever been able to explain it to me. I've been to a lot of different cities and towns that are cheaper than London, but they are still damn expensive compared to the States! I don't even know if I'm making sense, because this is just a mystery I've been trying to unravel for a while (none of my friends there wear anything designer, so they don't have the answer, but sometimes I don't even know how they can possibly afford to eat out on a regular basis!)

 

[kit]

Ok, I need to ask a question here. I travel to England once or twice a year to visit numerous friends I have there. I know roughly what they make, and I make a good amount of money, but holy sh*t, the sticker shock there is just unbelievable. I mean, sometimes it is practically a 1:1 correlation with prices: jeans here are $150, jeans there are £150--but via the exchange rate, right now that is almost _$300_! Here's the thing--my translated salary in £ would exceed everyone I know over there, but the place is still just unbelievably expensive even at that level of income. I could live in London, but I couldn't really buy many clothes! How the hell do you guys do it? No one has ever been able to explain it to me. I've been to a lot of different cities and towns that are cheaper than London, but they are still damn expensive compared to the States! I don't even know if I'm making sense, because this is just a mystery I've been trying to unravel for a while (none of my friends there wear anything designer, so they don't have the answer, but sometimes I don't even know how they can possibly afford to eat out on a regular basis!)

You've hit upon the greatest conundrum of all .
As a citizen of the USA , you are blessed with the most advanced living standards in the world , AND the cheapest .

Have you not heard about the UK citizens , going to NYC with empty suitcases and coming back with them full of items that are half the price in the UK .

The usual comparison is with a pair of LEVI 501s , which are about £50 to £60 in the UK , more than TWICE the price in NYC .

http://eu.levi.com/index.jsp

Another often quoted comparison is with the mail-order firm ' Land's End ' , where prices in the USA are in $ , and exactly the same amont in £ is charged in the UK .

http://www1.landsend.co.uk/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/LandsEndUK/legbr_Home.d2w/report?mdiv=wl

You are fortunate in having one of the cheapest costs of living IN THE WORLD .

If you were to work in the UK , it could be that you would be paid more than you would be in the USA , as the pound is so strong at the moment .

But it's not always been so , the pound has fallen to parity with the dollar on many occasions .

In a fashion context , I can remember in the middle 80s , BROWNS in London ,

http://www.brownsfashion.com/

had to close their Calvin Klein shop , as the pound had fallen SO low against the dollar , that to sell Calvin Klein , a VERY hot name at that time in the UK , Browns had to charge nearly 50% more in price for the merchandise than they could charge for Giorgio Armani , one of the first of the super-luxe labels , as far as price was concerned , to come out of Italy .
It was impossible , as Giorgio Armani , made in Italy , was of far far superior quality than Calvin Klein , made at that time on Seventh Avenue .

Obviously , when later Klein moved his production to Italy , selling his clothes at a reasonable price became a possibility again here in the UK .

I have never been to the USA , but friends who have remark on the cheapness of life's essentials , like food , clothing , rent or real estate ( apart from the BCBG areas of the big cities , of course . )

Hopefully you WOULD able to afford luxuries if you worked here , but don't forget that we're talking fashionistes here , who would NOT be content with a pair of LEVI 501s , unless of course they had been found at the bottom of some Arizona mine with all the signs of ageing that one would expect .

Incidentally , in a previous post , I mentioned a pair of black denim tarred and whiskered jeans at £450 . I'm pretty certain that if you scroll through the DIOR HOMME threads in the D&C forum , you'll find that quite a few of your fellow citizens willingly paid that price at the DIOR HOMME flagship in NYC .

 

[jhaime]

kLm, it's the same with everything...and any product...

it's mainly due to our taxing laws...but yes...it's madness...

how do people afford it? by living in debt...lol

personally i'm ok, plus I gain 60% discount on most things...

MARITHE et FRANCOIS GIRBAUD...i've never heard of them...will have to have a look...

cheers for the info.

 

[kit]

kLm, it's the same with everything...and any product...

it's mainly due to our taxing laws...but yes...it's madness...

how do people afford it? by living in debt...lol

personally i'm ok, plus I gain 60% discount on most things...

MARITHE et FRANCOIS GIRBAUD...i've never heard of them...will have to have a look...

cheers for the info.

http://www.marithefrancoisgirbaud.com/

Look particularly at their jeans history . B)


ENJOY .

 

[Paullw]

Thats why there is over a Trillion pounds of personal debt in Britain. Sky-high prices, yet an average wage of only something around $21,000. Everyone expects to live like Americans, so they borrow. Either that, or don't spend but complain a lot. We're damn good at that!

 

[kit]

Oh my God !!!

I've JUST realised that quite a bit of what I have said about my fave makes of jean , I actually said in some posts MUCH earlier in this thread .

It must be the pills I'm on .................

My apologies .

 

[Rodrigo Lorenzo]

I have a vintage pair Levis 501 that was coustomized those are by far my favorite jeans. Then Raw denim I like Nudie they opened up distribution to about 20 stores in the U.S. a little to much for me but super hot jeans. Then I like Eo japan denim made in U.k. and lastly I LOVE Reds.. japan Denim made in Italy super hot and they got a pair of natural tan jeans I fell in love with.. I post a pic later..

 

[ChadR]

Rodrigo, Please do!

 

[Rodrigo Lorenzo]

what would you like a pick off?