Brand Name Clothing

[CatInASuit]

In today's world of fashion everything is labelled and branded with some names meaning more than others.

I don't think I have any clothes that could be considered top quality brand names, no Armani or Levis, but usually slightly more hardwearing versions with no real brand on them.

Are there any brand name clothes you always buy, or only for special occasions?

Are there any brands that are actually worth the extra money, or do you think clothes branding is for gullible people who just want the name attached.

[Cluricaun]

Levi's aren't really a top brand over here, they're decent jeans for sure but top brand jeans here go for double or triple what a pair of 501s are going to run you. Top brands are things like Diesel or True Religion or Lucky Brand, all of which can easily hit $300 a pair. Are they worth it? I have three pairs of designer jeans right now, and the rest are cheap-o Target jeans from Converse or Mossimo and you can tell a difference in terms of quality and fit for sure. A $280 difference? I don't think so, but you can't argue that the spendy ones look good.

But anyway, I'm not a label whore, you can't tell what I'm wearing based off of the fact that it says "I PAID X AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE SHIRT" or anything, but I do tend to buy mid-level department store stuff, Kenneth Cole and DKNY and Nicole Miller and the like, all of which are decent stuff. Going up a level I do have several pairs of Coach dress shoes and I do have three bespoke suits because they're all quality things to have, not because I go around flapping my coat open so you can see the label on lining. I'll own all of these things until I no longer want them, or I lose so much weight that the taylor gives up on me. I won't ever have to buy another pair of dress shoes as long as I live, I can just have these re-soled because I paid for all the shoes I would have bought otherwise up front.

Actually I'd like to get a label on the inside that just says "It's nice to not have kids, isn't it?"

[Sarahfeena]

Except for Levi's, which as Cluricaun said are kind of a mid-priced brand here, I don't go for specific brand names. If I see something I like and it's a little expensive, but it's a brand that I know is good quality, I'll buy it, but I'm not into labels particularly.

[What Exit?]

I have Levi's which is a fairly well valued brand here as said. I have some Izod shirts from an outlet store for the same price as a generic ones from the discount department store. Not because I wanted the brand name but they actually fit better. But I also have plenty of polo style shirts from the discount department stores and a chain called Kohl's is very good for inexpensive quality clothes. Oh, I buy Reebok classics, an all black walking shoe as I really like the way they wear and how long they hold up.

I think Reeboks and Levi's are generally worth the extra money and I have had fair luck with the Izod shirts.

[Revs]

I'll get Levi's when they go on sale, but other than that I generally don't seek out any particular brand of clothing. If an item of clothing looks good and is decently priced, I don't really care where it's from.

What really baffles me is when people wear a plain shirt where the only graphics are the name of the brand. Why would I want to pay 80 bucks for the privilege of having HOLLISTER or ARMANI EXCHANGE on my shirt when the 5 dollar one I got at walmart works just as well?

ETA- And why the hell would someone want an Armani tshirt? All that means is you're too broke to buy an actual Armani suit. It's like the cheap Halloween costumes that actually say the name of the character you are dressed up as.

[RabbitMage]

Levi's are about as far up the chain as I go. They have a style of jean that fits me really well (not easy to do) so when I can find them and I have the money, I'll grab a pair.

Budget, comfort, and quality are my primary clothing considerations. If I can ever afford $300 jeans and they're comfortable and well made and will last, I might buy them. But I will buy them because they're comfortable and well made, not because of whatever name is on the tag.

[What Exit?]

I'll get Levi's when they go on sale, but other than that I generally don't seek out any particular brand of clothing. If an item of clothing looks good and is decently priced, I don't really care where it's from.

What really baffles me is when people wear a plain shirt where the only graphics are the name of the brand. Why would I want to pay 80 bucks for the privilege of having HOLLISTER or ARMANI EXCHANGE on my shirt when the 5 dollar one I got at walmart works just as well?

My Izods were only $16 to $22 at the outlet store. Outlets make a big difference when buying shirts. Also end of season clearances. I wear short sleeves all year and thus buy a lot of my shirts at the end of summer when they are on clearance.

[Cluricaun]

What really baffles me is when people wear a plain shirt where the only graphics are the name of the brand. Why would I want to pay 80 bucks for the privilege of having HOLLISTER or ARMANI EXCHANGE on my shirt when the 5 dollar one I got at walmart works just as well?

It gets even better when you realize that A/X aka Armani Exchange has as much to do with Armani suits as Armani cologne does. It’s a 100% separate company which licensed the name and logo of the Italian suit maker in order to foist off $80 T-shirts on people. This happens all the time in the clothing world. That’s why you run into things like Kenneth Cole Reaction as opposed to Kenneth Cole New York. The difference is one is actually made by Kenneth Cole, the other is a license of the name. When you buy one of the downbranded labels you’re actually paying extra money for the name (which is why the name brand tends to be a bit more obvious on them) on clothing of no better quality than you’d find without it.

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but we have stores here like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Nordstrom Rack which are discount clothing vendors selling factory seconds and last season’s stuff, which is a great way to load your closet up with real designer stuff at a fraction of the price, if you’re willing to spend the time digging through mish mashed racks of things and knowing that you’ll only find a real treasure maybe once or twice a year. Just a month ago I was so close to nabbing a Ralph Lauren Purple Label velvet sport coat for less than $50, but I was cursed with these Adonis like shoulders that wouldn’t let me pull it off, I needed one size bigger. I did find a pair of True Religion jeans for $25, which is a steal for any pair of jeans.

DSW is a good one for shoes too if you watch the sales, that’s where I got two pairs of my Coach shoes and an awesome pair of Frye engineer boots for a pittance compared to what they should have run me. Luckily my fiancée loves shopping, so I get lots of opportunities to find new things.

[fachverwirrt]

Luckily my fiancée loves shopping, so I get lots of opportunities to find new things.

You're engaged to a woman who loves shopping?

Clearly you are blessed beyond all other men.

[Cluricaun]

Haha, not everyone does really. I've dated plenty of women in the past who hate shopping actually. Perhaps the inverse would sound better: She's lucky to have a guy who loves shopping too.

[The Original An Gadaí]

Clotheswise I buy any (non-branded, non-sloganed) fatty clothes I like, boots-wise I usually buy Columbia, which I've had several comfy pairs of. My latest pair is a different shape and not nearly as comfy so the streak is over.

[Oliveloaf]

I try to avoid certain brands, if I can. I really dislike Nike, and would rather not wear anything Ralph Lauren.

That said, I am a sucker for Cutter & Buck shirts--mostly because they fit me well, and because they are really, really nice.

[Sarahfeena]

I like shopping, but not for jeans. That's why I buy Levi's, cause I know they will fit me. I just go to Macy's, Penney's, Kohl's, it doesn't matter which (whoever has them on sale for $35-40), pick out a couple pairs of size 8 medium 505s, and I can pay without even trying them on.

[vison]

I have reached the time of life when elastic waists on my trousers and loose fitting tops are as stylish as I get. I was once a very dressy woman and had dozens of pairs of fabulous shoes, but no longer. Dr. Scholl's do me fine.

How are the mighty fallen.

[Peeta Mellark]

I don't flip out over brand names all that much, but when I can afford it I do try to get higher end clothes. They're usually of better quality and last longer. While they might not be entirely worth the ridiculous amount of money that's occasionally charged for them, I'd rather have a few quality pieces in my wardrobe than a whole bunch of crap that's going to fall apart at the seams quickly.

Of course, since I'm a poor college student how this usually translates is careful shopping at secondhand stores and trying to find non-hideous non-monstrosities in clearance.

[Marsilia]

I have a pair of Saucony sneakers. Why? Because, I bought my last pair while staying with my mom after Katrina in 2005, and they'd only started getting scuffy when I got my new pair earlier this year.

[Hatshepsut]

I am totally indifferent to labels, but once I identify a store as selling the kinds of clothes I like, I'll go back there. I like practical, timeless clothing and am relatively oblivious to fashion (although if something I happen to like comes into style, I'll buy a lot of it because I like it and it is easy to get, not because I'm fashion-conscious).

Being an old lady, I must sadly reveal that my idea of a good place to shop is Talbots (ARHGHGHGH!!!! My mother loves Talbot's!!!! I am in despair) or at least the "traditional" Talbots (I hear they've tried to renovate their image, but living in Indonesia I haven't experienced the new look yet) and British India. Oh, I lurve British India, except they are so damned expensive (to me - I'm cheap when it comes to clothing). On the other hand, their clothes are all linen, which lasts forever, so anything I buy there now will probably be in my closet when I die...