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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 12:43:32 GMT -6
I would not describe myself as a Gustin expert at all. I own two shirts which I think are quite good. Not my fave, but in the top 5. I have a few things on order. Like the rest of the forum, I appreciate Gustin for getting interesting fabrics out there. That being said, does anyone else think Gustin is approaching "too big, too fast" status? I think Krispy Kreme is a good corporate comparison. Southern chain that plugged along for decades adding new stores slowly, if at all. Then sometime in the early 2000s they started expanding (especially north) like crazy. They ultimately grew too fast and had to pull way back. I think Krispy Kreme still exists, but it has no where near the presence it did 10-15 years ago. The doughnuts are delicious though. So it seems like Gustin was in a pretty good groove with chinos, jeans, and shirts, with a few other things here and there for the past couple of years. Now, we have shoes, boots, CPOs (can they just get that goddam pocket off the sleeve...who uses that?), baseball shirts, underwear, etc. I think they're moving too fast. QC seems to have suffered. Also seems like they aren't shipping stuff when they said they would at the time I backed the item. I don't know. I don't think I've uncovered some amazing nugget here, just my $0.02. I hope I'm done commenting on how Gustin should run their business, but Krispy Kreme donuts are garbage. I'll still eat the hell out of them, though. Although if you live near one, go and get one fresh out of the frier, but ask them not to glaze it. Melt in your mouth perfect. OK exophobe , you got me. The donuts aren't the best I've had, but they are like eating sugared air. Back in the day I used to drive to this super crappy neighborhood in St. Louis to get them. I'd order a dozen, wolf down 6-8 like nothing and 10 minutes later feel the gut bomb as the donuts hit my stomach. Good times... Oh, I just hit junior member status!! Can we haze the new members now?
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 12:36:48 GMT -6
Wore my wool lined supply jacket for the first time as the temps are in the mid 30s here. Still liking this jacket a lot. The best part is it can easily be dressed up for work or dressed down for weekend.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 12:27:51 GMT -6
Other brands probably make up samples, soak them, measure them and thus provide size guidance based on soaked denim. But that takes time, effort and prototypes that can't be sold (ie it takes money.) Gustin's production and price models don't allow for this. Hey at least they took a pic of the back of the denim! Progress!
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 12:25:04 GMT -6
Working today, but on administrative time, which allows me the time to post a bunch of stupid crap on this forum today. Speaking of which, once I hit 50 posts and junior member status does @winterland or Old26 have to buy me a beer or something?
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 11:38:59 GMT -6
I would not describe myself as a Gustin expert at all. I own two shirts which I think are quite good. Not my fave, but in the top 5. I have a few things on order. Like the rest of the forum, I appreciate Gustin for getting interesting fabrics out there. That being said, does anyone else think Gustin is approaching "too big, too fast" status? I think Krispy Kreme is a good corporate comparison. Southern chain that plugged along for decades adding new stores slowly, if at all. Then sometime in the early 2000s they started expanding (especially north) like crazy. They ultimately grew too fast and had to pull way back. I think Krispy Kreme still exists, but it has no where near the presence it did 10-15 years ago. The doughnuts are delicious though.
So it seems like Gustin was in a pretty good groove with chinos, jeans, and shirts, with a few other things here and there for the past couple of years. Now, we have shoes, boots, CPOs (can they just get that goddam pocket off the sleeve...who uses that?), baseball shirts, underwear, etc. I think they're moving too fast. QC seems to have suffered. Also seems like they aren't shipping stuff when they said they would at the time I backed the item. I don't know. I don't think I've uncovered some amazing nugget here, just my $0.02.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 11:29:48 GMT -6
They're still cheaper than the PBJ, or Studio Artisan alternative I think but maybe too close.... Yeah, I was just about to ask the forum if you had to spend six hundy for gen-u-wine indigo. I guess the answer is no.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 28, 2016 11:25:38 GMT -6
I am eagerly awaiting the restock of the cramerton selvedge twill chinos from Bravestar. Made and sourced in USA. I emailed Bravestar and the restock is supposed to happen in February. You can sign up on their site to receive an email when the restock happens. And only $89!! Others have mentioned Ciano. I wish he did twill too. I do have his 12oz ochre canvas chinos and they are awesome. Four-five month wait tho.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 14, 2016 13:39:00 GMT -6
So I've got 6 weeks or so left for my 90-day no spend, and have decided this year that it'd be a good idea to curb my overall spending. With this in mind, I thought I'd pick up just one pair of jeans. The thing is, I normally have to compromise on something (cost, quality, fit) and didn't really want to do it again. My main issue is that I can't find the perfect fit for me. The best fitting pair I have 546's but in an ideal world I'd want a slightly stronger taper (to around a 7 inch hem on a 32-33 inch waist) while maintaining/having slightly larger thighs. Any ideas? I know Oni does a more tapered fit but the hem would be too small. Plus, I'd want to try out another brand. Money isn't too big an issue as I just want one pair for the whole year- but in an ideal world something in between 16oz and 21oz (would be great to wear them in the summer). Thanks! If you are paying big money for a pair of jeans, I don't know if you would then like to get them altered, but I had very good luck with a local denim repairer/alterer who did a knee to cuff taper on a old pair of tellasons for me. I don't think he had to re-chainstitch the hem. Anyway, just a thought if you were able to find the perfect pair but it didn't have an adequate taper. Alternatively, if you wanted to wait, someone like Ciano could do more of a custom job.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 12, 2016 12:48:03 GMT -6
I'll second gaseousclay's review of the Elko flannel. Good fit, well tailored, which I think is tough to find in a heavier flannel. The 5.8 oz weight is nice. It was -7 when I woke up this morning and this shirt helps.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 12, 2016 12:43:50 GMT -6
It's not a vermont flannel, but if you are looking for a good fitting shirt, look at ratio. They have a few flannel options. 2-3x more expensive tho.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 9, 2016 14:25:42 GMT -6
Just received the black waxed canvas supply jacket with wool lining today. I got it from domestic domestic for ~$110 off. This is a mighty fine jacket. Nicely cut, not a ridiculous number of pockets. I have a 44" chest, so I got the XL and I am able to comfortably wear a sweater underneath. I was worried that the sleeves would also have a wool lining, but thankfully they are satin lined. Super happy with the purch.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 8, 2016 9:42:30 GMT -6
How did G screw up the pant? Sewed up funny? Something else? They never really gave me a straight answer. They noted "something got messed up" and gave me a refund and $50 store credit. So they never even shipped? I'm starting to worry about the indigo canvas selvedge chinos I backed in December. Still no production updates and they were supposed to ship in January.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 8, 2016 9:11:05 GMT -6
How did G screw up the pant? Sewed up funny? Something else?
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Post by nate001 on Jan 8, 2016 8:52:48 GMT -6
Does anyone have the Cramerton twill chinos? Looks like they are out of stock on the Brave Star website, but there are a few sizes left on Shopspring (not in my size unfortunately). I emailed them a few weeks ago and they said they would be restocked sometime in February. For $80 this seems like an unbelievable deal. Yes, the belt loops could be bigger, but I can adapt. The cut looks really good. These are pushing all my buttons. When restocked, I'm thinking this will be my last purchase after a clothes frenzy over the past six weeks or so. I don't have them (picked the non-selvedge TS in that color khaki), but I agree with you on the fit/value, it's spot on. I signed up for a notification on when they restock. I may need to add another pair to my rotation. Kinda funny, but on their website, it is a chino cut, but on the Shopspring site they look more like a jeans cut. I wonder which cut they will offer in the restock. I guess I'd be fine with either one, with a slight preference for the chino cut.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 8, 2016 7:38:46 GMT -6
Does anyone have the Cramerton twill chinos? Looks like they are out of stock on the Brave Star website, but there are a few sizes left on Shopspring (not in my size unfortunately). I emailed them a few weeks ago and they said they would be restocked sometime in February. For $80 this seems like an unbelievable deal. Yes, the belt loops could be bigger, but I can adapt. The cut looks really good. These are pushing all my buttons. When restocked, I'm thinking this will be my last purchase after a clothes frenzy over the past six weeks or so.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 7, 2016 9:13:17 GMT -6
I'm OK with it being a little long. I'm thinking I'll wear it to work and tuck it in. Sounds like its a an OK length for tucked or untucked.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 7, 2016 8:52:33 GMT -6
All right, I bought the RgT lined canvas jacket. Thanks for the info gaseousclay. I also picked up an Elko flannel from Edgevale yesterday after reading your impressions. After living through 6 Minnesota winters, I've finally decided to buy more warm stuff.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 7, 2016 8:41:05 GMT -6
I think I might pull the trigger on that RT wool lined jacket. Can anyone chime in? I'm thinking it will be a spring/fall jacket for me here in Minnesota.. I have the unlined version in tan. It's a great jacket. Just be sure to refer to RT's fit guide or even Blue Owl's. For $270 it's a good deal gaseousclay, you live in MN, right? Would the wool lining make it too hot for fall/spring? I think this thing would hit all the other marks for me. I want a waxed canvas something. The Gustin offerings have too many pockets in my opinion. THere aren't a ton of lined options out there otherwise. Plus, I'd be keeping it local with Fairbault woolen mills.
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Post by nate001 on Jan 7, 2016 8:21:45 GMT -6
www.domesticdomestic.com/collections/salesome Rogue Territory and Filson stuff on sale. they had the RT lined waxed canvas supply jacket on sale for $270 but large was already sold out. still might be more stuff available I think I might pull the trigger on that RT wool lined jacket. Can anyone chime in? I'm thinking it will be a spring/fall jacket for me here in Minnesota..
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Post by nate001 on Jan 6, 2016 13:40:09 GMT -6
So I backed four things in early december. Three of the four were scheduled for January delivery. The fourth was scheduled for February delivery. Only one of the four has anything listed under production status, which from the sounds of it will ship on time, at the middle to end of January. What about the other three items? Does the lack of a production update mean they haven't started doing anything yet? The stuff I've ordered in the past has been pretty reliable with their production status updates. I guess I could just email Gustin to see wassup...
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Socks
Dec 15, 2015 8:29:13 GMT -6
Post by nate001 on Dec 15, 2015 8:29:13 GMT -6
Re: wool underwear. I have a few pairs of Ibex merino underwear which I really love, although the waistband stiching seems a little dodgy as I've gotten quite a few loose threads coming off. They really don't stink after a day, even with swamp ass, but I've never pushed the limits with multiple days of wear without washing. They are neither too hot nor too cool; I wear them all year long. They are quite pricy, but Ibex pretty reliably has sales two or three times a year, so I just get 'em then. Maybe this is fodder for another thread, but what are experiences with made in USA underwear, particularly merino? Ibex are made in the USA. I've also tried Flint and Tinder boxers (not wool) which are so-so. Haven't coughed up for Choctaw Ridge. Any other brands?
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Socks
Dec 15, 2015 8:21:19 GMT -6
Post by nate001 on Dec 15, 2015 8:21:19 GMT -6
I just scored 4 pairs of Icebreaker wool socks @ Marshalls for under $20. Never heard of the brand, but apparently they are US made of NZ merino wool. Have quite a few Icebreaker items. Very good quality. Can be pricey also unless on sale. Are Icebreakers made in USA? I've never purchased a pair, so I don't have a label, but there website doesn't mention where they are made.
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Post by nate001 on Dec 3, 2015 8:42:50 GMT -6
Is there a reason Gustin never names the Japanese mill the denim is coming from? Would they have to pay the mill more if they named them? It seems to happen with other brands too sometimes. What's the deal? I think the reason they're so secretive about it is that they don't want other denim companies coming in and ordering up some of the fabrics they get a hold of. I'm speculating of course, but it would make sense. If you look at denim offerings from other companies they tend to list the mills where they get their fabrics from, so RT gets their stuff from Nihon Menpu, 3sixteen uses Kuroki, etc. I'm sure some are proprietary but some are not. I would personally find it more interesting if I knew which mill they sourced their denim from. Is it Kaihara? Kuroki? Collect? I've visited friends who live in Australia and they have these shops that buy up extra unsold Aussie wine from wine makers, bottle it unbranded and sell it at a fraction of the price you would spend if you bought the branded bottle. I wonder if Gustin has a similar thing going. I just think it would be very hard for the mills to ensure there wasn't some backdoor way the company wasn't letting the consumer know where the denim was coming from. Like you, and many others on this forum, I'd like to have a story behind the denim I'm buying. If they are allowed to say where the denim is coming from, I wish they would.
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Post by nate001 on Dec 3, 2015 8:23:28 GMT -6
Is there a reason Gustin never names the Japanese mill the denim is coming from? Would they have to pay the mill more if they named them? It seems to happen with other brands too sometimes. What's the deal? Could be that the middleman they buy the fabric from only lists the country of origin and not the exact mill. So then how do they know its from "one of the finest mills in Japan" and not one of the crappiest mills in Japan?
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Post by nate001 on Dec 3, 2015 8:02:40 GMT -6
Is there a reason Gustin never names the Japanese mill the denim is coming from? Would they have to pay the mill more if they named them? It seems to happen with other brands too sometimes. What's the deal?
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