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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2015 9:58:52 GMT -6
Bumping from the dead. With the Japanese yen vs dollar ratio right now being at such an advantage for Us buyers. Couple that with rakuten shops offering free shipping, free hemming, and no tax is a huge plus for Japanese repro brands. Gustin offering cheap $80-100 raws still holds a great place for entry level buyers. But I truly feel like I've grown apart from them. Example - iron heart 666 21oz vs Gustin 23oz Iron heart $213 (stevekas) vs Gustin $212!!!!! Let's compare other US brands: Work shop Taylor Stitch selvedge indigo chambray vs Gustin #2 organic indigo selvedge chambray Price shipped - Taylor stitch $80.80 with 15% off always available coupon vs Gustin $104 shipped. Hell $49 for a Dopp kit where you can find Filson for around that price but yes a bit more. This noted, I will say that I've spent a good amount of time (read: way too much) on Rakuten looking for the Moss Herringbone, or anything like the more unique Italian offerings Gustin puts out regularly, and have yielded nothing. So, I think you have to leave this as "it depends what you're looking for". Gustin is far less conservative with the fabrics they offer in shirts than Taylor Stitch, so again, taken apples for apples, maybe Gustin isn't a great idea when buying something offered by someone else given the "cost of waiting". If you're looking for the more unique stuff Gustin offers, then you're going to have a hard time with one of the other US manufacturers who release far fewer items in seasons (don't like the latest from Engineered Garments? don't worry, they'll have new stuff in three months). Taylor Stitch is your best bet in this market, but they have a very specific aesthetic they produce to. This. It really is the unique fabrics that differentiate Gustin with other makers. You can't compare Gustin to other companies when the other companies don't have the fabrics that Gustin produces. If you want to compare basics like Heavy American or Okayamas, fine. But, like the fabrics you mentioned, and others like Downtown Browns/Silks/Umbers/Hbones (minus Postal)/Cashmeres/etc, then what can you really say about Gustin's value? |
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Post by wdw on Mar 12, 2015 10:05:45 GMT -6
To be fair to G, it's the denim fabrics that bring me back. I've not seen such a wide choice anywhere else, particularly of the non-indigo colours.
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Post by ickes on Mar 12, 2015 10:38:45 GMT -6
Yep, I'll just pretty much echo what everyone else has said here. No other company yet that I have found releases as many unique fabrics as Gustin and for that they still have value for me.
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Post by brentkuz on Mar 12, 2015 12:43:40 GMT -6
I'm hoping the chinos come in perfect and are worth the money.
I have still on order
Camel herringbone chino
Caramel heavy chino
Black2's
If the re-release the cashmere indigos I will look to order them.
Maybe a veg tanned nato strap depending on the price.
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Post by Old26 on Mar 12, 2015 12:56:19 GMT -6
I'm hoping the chinos come in perfect and are worth the money. I have still on order Camel herringbone chino Caramel heavy chino Black2's If the re-release the cashmere indigos I will look to order them. Maybe a veg tanned nato strap depending on the price. I believe Gustin's strap is a ZULU, not a NATO. Nato v Zulu |
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Post by brentkuz on Mar 12, 2015 13:38:02 GMT -6
Yeah NATO is copyrighted. You can't even use the word in a sale without consent.
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jdtmn
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Post by jdtmn on Mar 19, 2015 11:36:33 GMT -6
Not sure where to post this but expressing huge kudos (again) on the service Gustin provides. They exceed my expectations and are a pleasure to do business with. Made a miss ordering a large slim shirt to try the fit. My wife politely pointed out it was a tad snug ("Are you sucking in your gut?"). Contacted Gustin with no expectation they would be able to do anything given their model. Was pleasantly surprised when they worked with me on an exchange. Excellent!
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caleb
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Post by caleb on Mar 23, 2015 9:55:44 GMT -6
To be fair to G, it's the denim fabrics that bring me back. I've not seen such a wide choice anywhere else, particularly of the non-indigo colours. Me too. The rare and/or high end denims is where Gustin seems to shine, or at least be a model that's worth it. If what a person wants is just a nice pair of jeans, Tellson offers the Cone fabrics for a little over $200. They can usually be bought at a local shop, tried on, and often hemmed for free. For the casual denim buyer, that's probably a better option than trying to figure out their size via mail order, making numerous returns/exchanges, and finally having to send the selected jeans off for hemming six months later at extra cost. For a casual buyer, I'd say the local Telleson option is probably a better value at $200 than going through the Gustin process and uncertainty to maybe save a few bucks in the long run. |
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Post by iwearjeanssometimes on Apr 14, 2015 15:48:32 GMT -6
Hello All,
First time poster and interested in this question. I have been interested in Gustin and their model for a while and wanted to ask the community what their perspective was on some changes I observe. I got the listserve on their downtown browns today and googled the product later and was redirected to last year's campaign of the same pant. What I realised is that there was a price increase of 34% this year compared to last($91 to $122). With shipping to Canada for me this represents a $150 dollar pant. While shipping is not the issue I am directed back to a blog post I had read by Josh I think in regards to why they don't take VC money:
"We were often asked: “It’s great that you’re selling jeans for $81, but don’t you think you could be more profitable and not lose that many customers if you raised the price to $120?”. Our goal has always been to build the company we would want to buy from - one that’s straightforward, open and honest. Josh and I realized that we could not pursue a path that would chip away at the reasons we love coming into work every day"
What I had been wondering is whether manufacturing and material costs are rising this much year on year or we are seeing a little bit of inelasticity markups on their more popular campaigns?
Don't get me twisted I am a serious fan of the material first, quality construction ethos of this kind of clothing company but it took me a little by surpise that prices were rising at such a clip. Or maybe I'm just bitter that the Loonie is low and I'm paying $190CAD all in for a pair of DT Browns. Any thoughts
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 16:23:21 GMT -6
Hello All, First time poster and interested in this question. I have been interested in Gustin and their model for a while and wanted to ask the community what their perspective was on some changes I observe. I got the listserve on their downtown browns today and googled the product later and was redirected to last year's campaign of the same pant. What I realised is that there was a price increase of 34% this year compared to last($91 to $122). With shipping to Canada for me this represents a $150 dollar pant. While shipping is not the issue I am directed back to a blog post I had read by Josh I think in regards to why they don't take VC money: "We were often asked: “It’s great that you’re selling jeans for $81, but don’t you think you could be more profitable and not lose that many customers if you raised the price to $120?”. Our goal has always been to build the company we would want to buy from - one that’s straightforward, open and honest. Josh and I realized that we could not pursue a path that would chip away at the reasons we love coming into work every day" What I had been wondering is whether manufacturing and material costs are rising this much year on year or we are seeing a little bit of inelasticity markups on their more popular campaigns? Don't get me twisted I am a serious fan of the material first, quality construction ethos of this kind of clothing company but it took me a little by surpise that prices were rising at such a clip. Or maybe I'm just bitter that the Loonie is low and I'm paying $190CAD all in for a pair of DT Browns. Any thoughts The question is, what is it worth to you? No one knows what the actual price increases are except for Gustin, and I don't know where else I could purchase the DTB, so the price is the price. If it's not worth it to you to pay that price for them, then that's fair. It's not cheap. |
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Post by exophobe on Apr 14, 2015 16:25:14 GMT -6
it's hard to say where in the model gustin might encounter price increases, but it simply comes down to their rarer fabrics going for more than the standards. Gustin still releases a lot of denim at the lower price-point, but the stuff that is harder to find from any manufacturer of jeans always costs more than any of their cone denim. I can't find it elsewhere in most cases, so Gustin continues to get money from me.
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Post by ickes on Apr 14, 2015 17:07:37 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum iwearjeanssometimes, glad to have you. I agree with devastitis, the question is what is it worth to you? Railcar did use the same fabric a few years back but it was a limited edition run as only 31 pairs were made, so this is a pretty rare fabric. Brown selvedge denim in general seems to be pretty rare. Even with the price increase I still believe that they are worth it. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 17:11:08 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum iwearjeanssometimes, glad to have you. I agree with devastitis, the question is what is it worth to you? Railcar did use the same fabric a few years back but it was a limited edition run as only 31 pairs were made, so this is a pretty rare fabric. Brown selvedge denim in general seems to be pretty rare. Even with the price increase I still believe that they are worth it. Railcar did a limited run of DTBs? How much did they cost? Just your right kidney or both? |
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Post by ickes on Apr 14, 2015 17:18:38 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum iwearjeanssometimes, glad to have you. I agree with devastitis, the question is what is it worth to you? Railcar did use the same fabric a few years back but it was a limited edition run as only 31 pairs were made, so this is a pretty rare fabric. Brown selvedge denim in general seems to be pretty rare. Even with the price increase I still believe that they are worth it. Railcar did a limited run of DTBs? How much did they cost? Just your right kidney or both? Not sure on what the cost was. www.rawrdenim.com/2012/08/railcar-fine-goods-spikes-x006-just-released/ |
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Post by bentin on Apr 14, 2015 18:12:57 GMT -6
Between those pics and the Gustin ones I'm glad I kept my money for the Oni Olives and the Momo Browns. But you know, that's just me.
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Post by felizuno on Apr 14, 2015 19:21:55 GMT -6
iwearjeanssometimes I have not and will probably never buy sub-$100 Gustins, although this seems to be the big deal for a few people. I missed the window where really cool fabrics were sold for that low a price, and I won't buy something for the sake of it being "cheap". I would offer that most of our experiences have led to the opinion that Gustin's true value is offering rare fabrics under $200. I think most consider the DTBs to be one of those rare fabrics. That's why people are saying "is it worth it to you?" because as long as that price is under $200 a rare fabric can be worth it depending on your tastes. TBH looking for the reason for a price change is kind of useless... only because you'll get nothing but speculation.
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Post by DigDug on Apr 14, 2015 19:42:13 GMT -6
We/You should add to the question - "compared to" . I think the question is to general for the amount of offerings Gustin has brought us.
If it's the DTB there doesn't seem to be any other suppliers.
If it's the Heavy Americans (Cone) $80, compared to a multitude of suppliers at $150+
Loomies, Zim's, BEAST, Rainbow Neps, etc
Each can be debated.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 19:44:13 GMT -6
iwearjeanssometimes I have not and will probably never buy sub-$100 Gustins, although this seems to be the big deal for a few people. I missed the window where really cool fabrics were sold for that low a price, and I won't buy something for the sake of it being "cheap". I would offer that most of our experiences have led to the opinion that Gustin's true value is offering rare fabrics under $200. I think most consider the DTBs to be one of those rare fabrics. That's why people are saying "is it worth it to you?" because as long as that price is under $200 a rare fabric can be worth it depending on your tastes. TBH looking for the reason for a price change is kind of useless... only because you'll get nothing but speculation. I missed the Grey Silks when they were first dropped, and ended up backing them with like a $30 price hike, and I still feel they're a steal at $150. I got in on the DTBs first run when they were sub $100, and I still think they're a steal at $120. Same with the Raw Umbers. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 19:45:50 GMT -6
Between those pics and the Gustin ones I'm glad I kept my money for the Oni Olives and the Momo Browns. But you know, that's just me. Because you haven't seen them in person. It's always better in person. They sell out in less than two hours every time they've been offered, and there's a good reason for it. |
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Post by bentin on Apr 14, 2015 20:21:09 GMT -6
Between those pics and the Gustin ones I'm glad I kept my money for the Oni Olives and the Momo Browns. But you know, that's just me. Because you haven't seen them in person. It's always better in person. They sell out in less than two hours every time they've been offered, and there's a good reason for it. I don't doubt they're cool, I initially liked the look of the brown hemps too. But for me, they're too close to khaki color and just look like a five pocket chino, not something I really want or need. Think of it like the opposite of navy twill five pocket chinos. They look like jeans, but they're not. I totally get why people like them and honestly, these, the grey silks and similar are a big part of why I like Gustin, even though I don't really want either of those. I slacked (no pun intended) on casual clothes for too long. I don't mind spending money for well made or unique things now. But I'm also picking up some chinos at the same time as getting some jeans, so for me, at this time, I don't have a need for jeans that look like chinos, this shoild also explain my aversion to Italian denim. The Olive Onis and Brown Weft Momos both look enough like jeans to my eyes. |
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Post by brentkuz on Apr 16, 2015 20:25:52 GMT -6
I bought the first run of downtown browns and they are awesome but price jumps here and there def make me reconsider more.
Downtown browns - $91 then vs $122 now
Heavyweight belt - $47 vs $64 now
Grey silks - $127 vs $150
Duffle - $127 vs $145
These are a few off the top of my head. I was backing a ton of items but I scaled back. Few reasons why but price is one of them. Instead of two G items I'll buy one. Especially when it comes to shirting.
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Post by scooter on Jun 12, 2015 11:27:58 GMT -6
I found it interesting..... Recently, giles stated Iron Heart, and their retailers outside of Japan, would be reducing prices by 10%, because the weak yen allows for the purchase of stock (presumably, fabrics, as well) at a better exchange rate. Yet, Gustin seems to be keeping the status quo, or increasing prices (arguably). I thought Gustin, and their business model were designed to pass on savings like this ? |
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Post by andycmd on Jun 12, 2015 11:35:53 GMT -6
I found it interesting..... Recently, giles stated Iron Heart, and their retailers outside of Japan, would be reducing prices by 10%, because the weak yen allows for the purchase of stock (presumably, fabrics, as well) at a better exchange rate. Yet, Gustin seems to be keeping the status quo, or increasing prices (arguably). I thought Gustin, and their business model were designed to pass on savings like this ? The highest cost in clothing manufacturing is in labor cost, not raw material. The cost of living in the SF is second only Manhattan. Skilled labor, especially when it comes to clothing manufacturing in the US is expensive. |
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Post by matt on Jun 12, 2015 11:44:39 GMT -6
I think while Gustin does introduce the masses to unique fabrics and special savings from mills we can actually connect back to (most notably Cone denim), we also succumb to the hype train of G and their creative copywriting that places a higher value on fabrics that are deemed rare or distinct, that may simply be denim fabric from a substandard mill and other retailers opted to pass on it. I'm not saying this is the case or not with G, but I would feel fairly confident in saying that Gustin marks up denim based on fabric costs and importing expenses, but I think there are quite a few that have a more generous mark-up because we wouldn't know any differently. That's their prerogative.
Now, if we were to really educate this group or to get a better understanding overall on the cost of production or to better identify mills (and subsequent value), we should try to get someone from Pacific Blue Denims to participate in a Q&A. I doubt it would happen to have that much of a view behind the curtain, but maybe it would help us generally understand where most of the denim is coming from and how pricing can be impacted (for not just G, but other retailers that limit the mill details).
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Post by ickes on Jun 12, 2015 11:55:58 GMT -6
Yeah I think matt is on to something when he implies that Gustin may be using denim fabric from a substandard mill that other retailers opted to pass on. Yeah, a lot of the fabrics that G uses are rare and aren't being used by a lot of other companies and I think this is exactly why. When I look at my Gustin denim fabrics now and compare them to my Iron Hearts and my Oni's....there's just no comparison really. The Gustin fabrics seem to be of a lower quality and less interesting. Sure, it's cool that Gustin has fabrics in every color of the rainbow and some unique warp/weft combos..but the fabrics themselves just seem to be of a lower quality. |
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