Thom Browne vs. Band of Outsiders

[dadaism]

Both are an attempt to break down the line between formalwear and sportswear. The former is more fashion-forward and steadfastly influential, the latter more subtle in its impression and laid back in its aesthetic. Both are not only difficult to come by but difficult to afford, although the former is the clear winner when it comes to price. Both attempt to create a 'lifestyle' but only the former truly embodies this attempt in its every detail; from its namesake designer and his studio to its collection of everything from underwear, pajamas and socks to suits, blazers and outerwear to hats, garters and briefcases, Thom Browne truly offers a full-encompassed lifestyle. But Scott Schuman's Band of Outsiders certainly crafts its own image as well, and does it rather well; while it doesn't have a free-standing shop (or the range of media coverage that Thom has commanded), it has a rather interesting site set up that cleverly presents the clothing in a modern blog-like setting alongside a myriad of rare, quirky and often intellectual links and videos. Neither advertises in an way or form.

Which do you prefer/think is better/think is more successful at the 'image'/plain like? Discuss.

 

[dadaism]

from style.com

just for the sake of visualizing the discussion a bit:

vs.

 

[dadaism]

or, better yet:

vs.

source: style.com / http://www.bandofoutsiders.com/

 

[ETROsexualJ]

I prefer Thom Browne. To the untrained eye you could say they are the same thing; but, there are substantial differences in styling and the level of fashion forwardness (BoO plays it safe).
I'd also say that TB is a more mature and confident look that BoO (which can be a bit thrift shoppy).

 

[mass]

thom browne for me as well.

 

[mikeijames]

thom browne clearly understands the relationship between luxury, fashion, and aspiration. the thom browne aesthetic's so heady and so inapproachable for the fashion outsider that it steers trend in ways to which brands like band of outsiders can only react.

while technically analagous, thom browne -- by virtue of his blessing from vogue's anna wintour -- clearly outpaces band outsiders in getting his vision out for how men should dress. and his pricepoint has cleared the way for brands like tom ford to have any sort of realistic commercial venture at all....

 

[Alejandro]

Im torn.

Im well attracted to the cut and sharp look of one, and the almost childish side of the other.

so I dont know.

 

[Scott]

well,since i am not so familiar with BoO,i can only comment on the images i see here and i know thom browne and to be honest,it's all a bit boring. and the cutting is really rather generic to me. i can find the same shapes at brooks brothers. and as far as i'm concerned that whole schoolboy look has been done,and so much better,by peter jensen.

btw,just to remind you,you must add credits to your images..

 

[MJCouture]

I really am torn. I personally prefer BoO, as it suits my personal style much more than TB does, however I do recognize that Thom is truely a more talented tailor. Design wise, I think they are pretty equal, just reaching different men. While Thom is for a (ever so slightly) older gentleman, who might wear a suit otherwise, I find BoO to really be a young man's company. To me the BoO customer would not wear a suit if it were not from BoO; it is a style choice over a lifestyle one. BoO wears down well with a tee shirt, and really never looks that dressed up no matter what you do to it. TB on the other hand, is always on the more adult side no matter how its styled. All this being said, I am happy we live in a time where menswear has two really great suiting companies that have both greatly re-conceived what a suit should be, and I feel there is perfect room for both of them.

 

[softgrey]

i think they are really different...

for editorial- thom browne is very fun and playful...
but for real life...i think band of outsiders is more wearable...
plus i think a slightly rumpled look is sexier-so i prefer that...

but they both have their place...

i would add that tim hamilton falls into this category as well...
and i like his stuff too...

 

[ETROsexualJ]

Tim Hamilton is a bit more workwear and blue collar than these two. He draws a bit on nostalgia; but, it really isn't that Atomic Era men's tailored clothing look.

Check out my now defunct blog http://theboyabouttown.blogspot.com for his F/W collection. I'd liken TH with Michael Bastian in some regards (drawing upon 40s NY).

 

[dadaism]

Not really argument-related, but I figured this would be a good place for me to bring up the fact that Band of Outsiders has updated its faux-blog site to include photographs of the new men's collection as well as introduce the new women's line aptly named 'Boy'.

http://www.bandofoutsiders.com/
http://boy.bandofoutsiders.com/

 

[Luxx]

Band of Outsiders for every day and Thom Browne for work and special occasions. They've both got such great aesthetics but I think Band of Outsiders is just a bit more relaxed - seems a tad undone in comparison to Thom Browne's stuff which although incredible can look almost too quirky. I think one has to be a very specific sort of person to really pull of Thom Browne (though on the right guy a Thom Browne suit is absolutely deadly) whereas with Band of Outsiders there seems to be a bit more middle ground.