tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post2167452434630877665..comments2024-03-28T06:33:38.684-04:00Comments on Salt Water New England: The Lifecycle of Preppy Companies Salt Water New Englandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940851375677714833noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-35939051602762794322017-08-18T09:42:24.027-04:002017-08-18T09:42:24.027-04:00We were going to rep Barbour at a friend's sto...We were going to rep Barbour at a friend's store, and would have done well with the brand, but the colours of the women's jackets were just so ghastly, that we passed. Dusty rose, faded blue, pale yellow? Hell no!Pigtown*Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775512940294150252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-41319873652315338422017-08-09T05:46:28.736-04:002017-08-09T05:46:28.736-04:00We have numerous McArthurGlen designer outlets in ...We have numerous McArthurGlen designer outlets in the UK and you can tell who is doing what just by browsing each store. There are many shops who are guilty of the cash grab and company shell status; Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Hackett, Hugo Boss. You can feel just how poor quality the clothing is and you know that a lot of it hasn't ever seen a retail store, it's just been designed and manufactured to be sold in the outlet with a RRP price and a cheaper outlet price on the label as if you are getting a bargain. You're not.Mad Dogs and Englishmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14592564330894131172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-79048688279624276492017-08-06T09:22:21.974-04:002017-08-06T09:22:21.974-04:00There are many local companies that will sew a Ver...There are many local companies that will sew a Vera-like bag for you, if you don't want to try DIY. There is great US made fabric, such as the Blueberry Buckle series from Clothworks/Marsha McCloskey. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-67908600397027160482017-08-04T20:27:54.291-04:002017-08-04T20:27:54.291-04:00Thankfully, I am only interested in the classic wa...Thankfully, I am only interested in the classic waxed cotton jackets. I think that this company is in pursuit of Burberry level success. At least what Burberry was before most people in England recoiled from Novacheck. They're striving to be edgy and fashionable instead of functional and classic. Timothy Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01873739501218450647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-87137552964843210082017-08-04T18:54:59.225-04:002017-08-04T18:54:59.225-04:00There are a few styles of Barbour jackets for wome...There are a few styles of Barbour jackets for women on the TJMaxx site. I didn't check to see if there were any for men. I'm pretty sure these are not the styles that are still made in England. There is a Rannoch Beadnell in navy in size 6, but I think that style is "imported." Is this telling? Cash grab?<br /><br />JacquelineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-33988397802171028102017-08-04T09:41:43.689-04:002017-08-04T09:41:43.689-04:00So True. I wish I had kept more. I moved around ...So True. I wish I had kept more. I moved around and was always purging to lighten the load. I didn't see this coming. <br /><br />JacquelineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-45986162451200440782017-08-04T08:05:03.410-04:002017-08-04T08:05:03.410-04:00Twenty years ago I attended a tea and book signing...Twenty years ago I attended a tea and book signing with Tasha Tudor and she was carrying an original Vera Bradley that looked as worn as her vintage clothes - so charming! It was a sign of the quality and integrity of their products at that time. While the Vera Bradley raffle basket still draws quite a bit of attention at our annual library auction, it holds no appeal for me. In my opinion, that line has gone down the drain. But I'm happy to have and use the vintage patterns I fell in love with over 20 years ago, all made in Indiana when VB was a cottage industry. I especially enjoy the totes and overnight pieces - some of the same ones Muffy features. Just sadly proves...nothing lasts forever.JVKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02422678952799040284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-63597436346489482162017-08-04T05:46:02.147-04:002017-08-04T05:46:02.147-04:00Russell Moccasins; the company, the products and t...Russell Moccasins; the company, the products and the family that manages the operation are precious.<br />Old pairs of Barrie's shoes are very precious.<br />Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-89503208460202840622017-08-03T20:04:39.804-04:002017-08-03T20:04:39.804-04:00Some serious irony to this bemoaning the loss of q...Some serious irony to this bemoaning the loss of quality as American brands are made overseas. The globalist dream fulfilled, top dollar prices asked for shoddy goods with luxury brand names of yore. Chinese Volvo anyone? As grandfather would say "you wanted it you got it". Hang on to your good stuff and find a good tailor for repairs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-37825154164823339812017-08-02T17:34:27.690-04:002017-08-02T17:34:27.690-04:00I ordered a pair of Quoddy bluchers back in Dec. 2...I ordered a pair of Quoddy bluchers back in Dec. 2016. I worked with a rep all throughout the design/order process to make sure the sizing and fit were good. When the shoes were delivered, I realized that they were still a bit loose at the heel. I mentioned this to the rep and she promptly put in an order for a new, smaller pair at no charge. <br /><br />I would advise talking to a rep throughout the process so that they're aware of what's going on. I thought the customer service was superb.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-37133622940346942442017-08-02T15:50:19.507-04:002017-08-02T15:50:19.507-04:00At least the classics remain for Men. The women...At least the classics remain for Men. The women's products are absolutely terrible...all fashionable, nothing practical. I have a men's navy Bedale that I expect to hold on to for years. It may not be fashionable, or get photographed for "preppy style blogs" but it is warm, waterproof and perfect for walking the dog. Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16487627682393719318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-65486326021640677292017-08-02T14:13:45.101-04:002017-08-02T14:13:45.101-04:00My very old Vera Bradley purses are still serving ...My very old Vera Bradley purses are still serving their purpose at 21 to 26 years of age. Recently, I perused the VB website and was sorely disappointed.Joanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16753653516658384807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-32959282167537543222017-08-02T11:25:31.198-04:002017-08-02T11:25:31.198-04:00Where's J Press??Where's J Press??Quintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-78818349251348778022017-08-02T10:25:08.605-04:002017-08-02T10:25:08.605-04:00Leatherman's quality and customer service have...Leatherman's quality and customer service have basically disappeared. I have been dealing with them both personally and professionally since the mid 1990's. I would say they are in a twilight zone combination of failed cash grab and poorly engineered attempt at new markets. I love and appreciate their original product, image, and mission. Just feel they lost site of that over the last 5 or so years. YRI Designs based in NH since 1967 is a classic ribbon belt company. Superior product quality, fantastic, consistent, and personable customer service. Owners are still actively involved and I have been dealing with the same Rep for 20+ years. They also have successfully balanced the retail and corporate/club world well as well as adding product that appeals to a more contemporary market, but without losing their strong New England flavor or selling out for the quick buck.The Fine Swinehttp://thefineswine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-39645999874664126982017-08-02T09:46:53.215-04:002017-08-02T09:46:53.215-04:00Aside from the cost of American labor, true also i...Aside from the cost of American labor, true also in some other countries, manufacturers sometime face the problem of finding skilled employees. Factory work has never been an attractive occupation but that's where clothing comes from. As a matter of fact, it is a problem that seems to be an issue in several industries, finding employees with the necessary skills and good work habits. Perhaps it is no wonder than manufacturers move their operations offshore. BlueTrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008640585987540252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-12640566107085886842017-08-02T09:12:31.757-04:002017-08-02T09:12:31.757-04:00"They went the way of Coach".
So true...."They went the way of Coach". <br /><br />So true. I am still carrying Coach bags from 1990 and only just gave up my last pair of CH sandals from the same era. <br /><br />Analysts demand constant earnings growth and management of these publicly traded companies have no choice but to cash grab for as long as possible before they reach their bottoms.Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-64537522887822910872017-08-02T09:03:57.464-04:002017-08-02T09:03:57.464-04:00Agree 100% on Brooks Bros. 20 years ago, it was a...Agree 100% on Brooks Bros. 20 years ago, it was a staple of my husband's closet and I also had quite a collection of shirts and blazers. Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-4829388979079237832017-08-02T04:31:09.621-04:002017-08-02T04:31:09.621-04:00This article is enlightening and a little depressi...This article is enlightening and a little depressing at the same time. Now I finally understand what has happened to my beloved Paul Smith brand - the cash grab. And it happened so fast. Three seasons ago it was still superb.<br /><br />As far as brand like Ralph Lauren are concerned I now follow a simple rule - if the garment is made in China, India, Bangladesh or any of the other fleshpots in Asia then I pass.<br /><br />Acceptable production areas are anywhere in Europe, Turkey, Morocco, and of course the USA. Adamhttp://pushingrubberdownhill.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-65040544630693535472017-08-01T18:55:48.654-04:002017-08-01T18:55:48.654-04:00The rumor here for some time has been that they...The rumor here for some time has been that they're going under, but their one store here continues to operate. Not sure what it is they are selling, it seems to be a grab bag of stuff without much rhyme or reason; it seems they are primarily catering to millennial hipsters with too much money and not much taste or style sense.Beresfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921352878517243404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-23104256711132971472017-08-01T18:51:33.105-04:002017-08-01T18:51:33.105-04:00Lands' End -- Company Shell (or beyond). I re...Lands' End -- Company Shell (or beyond). I remember when they used to have great products at very reasonable prices.<br /><br />My last experience (probably in both meanings of the word "last") was when I took a chance and bought a pair of "penny loafers" from them. First, they weren't real penny loafers, like Bass or Cole-Haan (neither of which you can find here any longer), just some sort of ugly pointy Chinese shoe with a fake piece of "penny loafer" leather glued on top. Second, they began to fall apart and the faux cordovan finish began coming off within a week, exposing an ugly pink undercoating. My wife thought they were so hideous she had a couple of pairs of my old beat-up real penny-loafers re-soled and re-finished at the shoe repair shop and she told me never to wear the Lands' End shoes again.Beresfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921352878517243404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-36332898445622640502017-08-01T16:46:34.833-04:002017-08-01T16:46:34.833-04:00I like Quoddy a lot; great quality and customer se...I like Quoddy a lot; great quality and customer service. I notice that they are changing a bit with some sales and added styles. I think their prices are fair for their quality.<br />I have been tempted by Rancourt but have not tried them yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-39963817428033716922017-08-01T09:28:47.217-04:002017-08-01T09:28:47.217-04:00I would also add that most of Barbour's garmen...I would also add that most of Barbour's garments are made in China or Eastern Europe. It seems that only classic waxed jackets (mostly Bedale, Beaufort, Border and Northumbria) are made in the South Shields factory. <br /><br />Most of the waxed and other jackets are in made in Eastern Europe, e.g. Romania. Similarly, very little knitwear is now made in the UK with China being the main source. Kennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-36171473111202359482017-08-01T09:17:56.722-04:002017-08-01T09:17:56.722-04:00Sadly, BB's OCDB is priced at over £150 in Lon...Sadly, BB's OCDB is priced at over £150 in London's Regent Street. Rip-off Britain strikes gain!Kennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-79104996832766413522017-08-01T09:11:57.067-04:002017-08-01T09:11:57.067-04:00As Timberland's and Sebago's quality and r...As Timberland's and Sebago's quality and ranges have declined dramatically due to their respective "cash grab" strategies, I need to find an alternative source to replace two pairs of Sebago Clovehitch boat shoes. <br /><br />Does anyone have recent experience of Quoddy and Rancourt? I would be interested to read comments on quality, sizing, fit and customer service. I need an American EEE (UK G) width. Alternative suggestions would be very welcome.<br />Kennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-33251125989825441262017-07-31T12:54:57.643-04:002017-07-31T12:54:57.643-04:00The SWNE Coop!The SWNE Coop!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com