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#1 2022-04-24 11:18:57
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
THE QUALITY INDEX
My journey to Ivy was strongly influenced by Ralph Lauren.
I can only speak from my personal experiences but their quality was superb.
I'm not talking about polo shirts or clothing festooned with logos. I mean the kind of stuff active members of this forum would buy - great knitwear, Goodyear welted shoes, silk ties, tailoring, chinos and cords.
I no longer dress formally for work and can't remember the last RL item I purchased so my exposure to other brands has grown significantly. But, and it's a massive but, I've now found quality to be such a variable issue.
So whose got experience with something in the Ivy cannon that they recommend.( No thrifted stuff please).
I'll start off with:
- Sunspel merino polos - great colours each season. Good size collars. Wash well. Worth the premium but purchase in the sale.
- Bills M3 chinos - quality fabrics. I love the chamois cloth
- Crockett and Jones Boston loafers.
#2 2022-04-24 15:36:25
- woofboxer
- Devil's Ivy Advocate
- From: The Lost County of Middlesex
- Posts: 7959
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
Just to name one, Paraboots. Questionable as to whether they are an Ivy item of course. I wear little else in the winter.
'I'm not that keen on the Average Look .......ever'.
John Simons
Achievements: banned from the Ivy Style FB Group
#3 2022-04-25 00:32:55
- Spendthrift
- Member
- Posts: 659
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
I suspect this thread is going to be above my pay grade. But I will add John Smedley.
I have three. Two LS merino polo sweaters and a SS sea island cotton polo. Guess I got them around ‘95. All still going strong. No signs of wear whatsoever.
The merinos are noticeably warmer than less expensive ones that have popped up en masse in recent years.
#4 2022-04-25 03:11:33
- Staxfan
- Member
- Posts: 779
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
Three items for me ,
Gitman Vintage OCBD's, the cloth is bullit proof,
Jamieson's Shetland crew neck pullovers,
Astorflex 'Greenflex' boots,
Add Cordings winter chinos and that's pretty much my 'uniform' for winter,
#5 2022-04-25 07:38:00
- RobbieB
- Member
- Posts: 2219
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
I agree with all of the above but would like to add the humble Clarks desert boot. Now made in Vietnam so a few points knocked off for that but for me they fit so well and they haven't really changed in my lifetime of buying them.
For made in England I like Marcus De Portofino desert boots. Full price a bit expensive for a desert boot but they can be bought at sale prices
'I am a closet optimist' Leonard Cohen.
#6 2022-04-25 07:40:50
- RobbieB
- Member
- Posts: 2219
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
I bought a pair of Clarks desert rock boots with a winter sole which I like but I should have bought Paraboots. Next time I will.
'I am a closet optimist' Leonard Cohen.
#7 2022-04-25 09:00:20
- Runninggeez
- Member
- Posts: 688
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
I'll have to give a shout for Harley of Scotland knitwear, Hutton's (made in Italy) Desert Boots, and Kamakura Vintage Ivy BD's.
#8 2022-04-25 10:16:16
- Staxfan
- Member
- Posts: 779
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
RG - I'm waiting for the new release of Kamakura Vintage Ivy BD's which I was told should be any time now,
Gitman's are getting expensive ( even in the sales), so I'm hoping to give Kamakura a try, what's your experience of them ?
#9 2022-04-25 10:34:42
- Runninggeez
- Member
- Posts: 688
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
RG - I'm waiting for the new release of Kamakura Vintage Ivy BD's which I was told should be any time now
I really like them Stax, excellent quality and a great price point.
I'm also checking their website daily for their new range of BD's
#10 2022-04-25 16:57:00
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
Spendthrift,
There are still some great value for money things out there.
Sure they're hard to find but I'd say Uniqlo merino knits are good. I buy Fruit of Loom pocket T's in the States from Walmart from under $5 and they're superb.
Factory Outlets and seasonal promotional codes are also popular here at Singer Towers.
My love of Bills Khakis is fuelled by eBay.
On the subject of Kamakura shirts; now they have rationalised their sizing they're much easier to buy. I think they're really good value and you're getting all those Ivy correct details.My only minor gripe is that to get the collar size bang on I find the sleeves are slightly too long. That's easily and cheaply remedied though.
#12 2022-04-26 00:57:55
- West Indian Limes
- Member
- Posts: 50
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
Japanese denim these days. Resolute. OrSlow. Nimude ...
Argyle socks. Italian these days. Bresciani.
#14 2022-06-22 01:10:47
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
Without excitement, yet acknowledging quality and (reasonable) availability, I'm flying the flag for the chaps and ladies up the road at Lea Bridge: the John Smedley works. Sea island cotton, long-sleeved polo shirt. I would have preferred more Peter Geeson; it seems difficult to obtain. Increasing reduction in body weight gives me greater confidence. Merino may follow.
#15 2022-06-22 15:05:19
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
You can still get hold of the old Dickies poly cotton sweatshirts for about £15. Quality is very good.
John Simons stocked them at both Russell Street and Chiltern Street.
They don't have the V stitching on the neck but are good value and exceptionally comfortable.
I purchased a dark green version from a work and safety wear shop online.
#16 2022-06-23 00:02:28
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: THE QUALITY INDEX
I ended up buying half a dozen USA-made Russell Athletic sweatshirts, plus an old Levi-Strauss. One was RA for L.L.Bean. Marl.
Dickies I cannot get along with.
It's a bit like our window cleaner doing his rounds wearing RL and Lacoste. The former luxury brand becomes basically work wear.
Quite the reverse with Dickies, I suppose.