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Post by matt on May 19, 2015 18:02:31 GMT -6
Does anyone copy these beliefs to a website that someone from Gustin actually reads? It doesn't really do us much good to tell them "we want American made" if we're just yelling at a brick wall.
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Post by exophobe on May 19, 2015 18:07:53 GMT -6
Does anyone copy these beliefs to a website that someone from Gustin actually reads? It doesn't really do us much good to tell them "we want American made" if we're just yelling at a brick wall. I asked them, they said they're not announcing anything yet, and then changed the main image on their site to remove the "Always Made in America" that I quoted in my query. I haven't gone so far as to tell them how important it is to me that they make them here, though I'm working through an appropriate way to mention that. Since some of the finest shoes in the world come out of Italy, I'm not sure they'd hear the rally cry over the scramble to back whatever they drop. Styleforum doesn't really seem to care, and reddit was largely positive while Gustin was there announcing that they weren't answering questions about the shoes. |
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Post by wisdom on May 19, 2015 18:08:10 GMT -6
I don't think they care.. I know many disagree with me, but I see this as evidence that supports my suspicion that they've gone from pursuing passion to pursuing profit.
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Post by brentkuz on May 19, 2015 18:15:02 GMT -6
Does anyone copy these beliefs to a website that someone from Gustin actually reads? It doesn't really do us much good to tell them "we want American made" if we're just yelling at a brick wall. I asked them, they said they're not announcing anything yet, and then changed the main image on their site to remove the "Always Made in America" that I quoted in my query. I haven't gone so far as to tell them how important it is to me that they make them here, though I'm working through an appropriate way to mention that. Since some of the finest shoes in the world come out of Italy, I'm not sure they'd hear the rally cry over the scramble to back whatever they drop. Styleforum doesn't really seem to care, and reddit was largely positive while Gustin was there announcing that they weren't answering questions about the shoes. Just feels like they are leaving a core belief that helped them establish such a customer base. It's an established brand changing core beliefs that's kinda weird. What's next taking of the radical value part? Gustin was set apart by more than just their releases. It would be like red wing suddenly adding in an Italian style fashion forward croc loafer. Haha I kid I kid. |
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Post by exophobe on May 19, 2015 18:54:55 GMT -6
Just feels like they are leaving a core belief that helped them establish such a customer base. It's an established brand changing core beliefs that's kinda weird. What's next taking of the radical value part? Gustin was set apart by more than just their releases. I absolutely agree with you. Unfortunately it seems pretty clear Italy is in the cards at this point. |
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Post by curieux88 on May 19, 2015 18:58:23 GMT -6
And just like that, "Made in America" disappears from the Gustin Home page....  maybe they will end up saying "made in first world countries" |
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Post by jdtmn on May 19, 2015 19:03:35 GMT -6
Does anyone copy these beliefs to a website that someone from Gustin actually reads? It doesn't really do us much good to tell them "we want American made" if we're just yelling at a brick wall. I have cited it in every customer feedback survey they have sent me. I will also definitely send a note when the shoe details are released if they are not manufactured here. Overall, I have a very positive and loyal attitude toward Gustin. I'm hoping that can continue. I'm fed up with sending our jobs and manufacturing overseas all in the name of shareholder demands. I'm a 100% capitalist and trying to hold up my end of the supply/demand equations by not letting price drive all of my purchasing decisions (especially in discretionary areas and hobbies.) |
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Post by exophobe on May 19, 2015 19:07:20 GMT -6
By the way, I was trolling the facebook page and found that the boots on the Khaki Selvedge shot are also Gustin. I hope with the wealth of workboot manufacturers in the USA these are at least domestic.  |
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Post by brentkuz on May 19, 2015 19:44:02 GMT -6
A while ago they said they were working on boots and those boots have popped up in different offerings.
Hopefully they are at least made in the USA.
I would like to see the shoes manufactured in the USA even if they source the soles else wear.
Basically how they do it now. Japanese denim but sewed in the USA.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 20:18:52 GMT -6
And if it holds true that the shoes are not made in the USA, then we see why this country is further divided between the haves and have nots. It all sounds good until some VC comes in and says "you guys are going to make $20/pair on those shoes. Move to (fill in the blank) and make $50 a pair! Now, prove me wrong, GUSTIN. But I fear it may not be. Vietcong? I swear, that's what I thought it meant lol |
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Post by metals37 on May 20, 2015 4:25:06 GMT -6
I agree with all the postings above talking about how the G team doesn't really care - as long as all their offerings sell out. However, because of their business model, I feel it's important that all of us who feel strongly about them giving up "Made in USA" need to let them know that is a hugely important issue to us. I sent them a note last night detailing out my concerns. If, in fact, the shoes are going to be made in Italy, I'm probably done with G. That's disappointing to me, but my wallet needs to speak to the values that I profess. I want my neighbors to have jobs. I can help make that happen by buying things that they make.
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Post by SlimFatty on May 20, 2015 9:55:33 GMT -6
I suspect trying to find a US shoe company that does quality contract work and is willing to have Gustin's product undercut their own shoe prices is very difficult, if not impossible. A lot of "Made in USA" companies outsource some or most of their production save for their high-end lines or final assembling (Allen Edmonds & Danner come to mind).
As long as Gustin properly vets their overseas producers, I don't have a problem with them sourcing out some of their designs. Italian families need to put food on their tables too.
Also, the "Made in USA" label is no guarantee that a product isn't made in a sweatshop. There are plenty of examples of poor working conditions that exist in the US, particularly in the garment industry. I have no idea if the US sew shops Gustin contracts with aren't sweatshops filled with illegal immigrant laborers, but I'm hoping/expecting/trusting Gustin to monitor that. Until I find out otherwise, I'm planning to continue buying way too many pairs of US-made Gustin jeans, but will stick with Red Wing (or others) for my shoe needs. My spending, or lack thereof, will help Gustin determine whether it's worth it to outsource their shoe line and have an asterisk in their business model.
I don't know if I'm making any sense, but it just seems kind of harsh that we are indicting Gustin for having fallen to the dark side by deviating a bit from their model. That said, I like knowing people are still passionate about how & where their clothes/products are made.
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Post by exophobe on May 20, 2015 10:09:58 GMT -6
It's tough to find those old interviews now that The Flash starring Grant Gustin has taken off.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 10:15:25 GMT -6
It's tough to find those old interviews now that The Flash starring Grant Gustin has taken off. Lol.. I remember perusing eBay for Gustin denim and Grant Gustin would keep coming up. I was like whoTF is Grant Gustin?! No, I don't want a key chain with his face on it, dammit! |
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Post by metals37 on May 20, 2015 10:25:40 GMT -6
I suspect trying to find a US shoe company that does quality contract work and is willing to have Gustin's product undercut their own shoe prices is very difficult, if not impossible. A lot of "Made in USA" companies outsource some or most of their production save for their high-end lines or final assembling (Allen Edmonds & Danner come to mind). As long as Gustin properly vets their overseas producers, I don't have a problem with them sourcing out some of their designs. Italian families need to put food on their tables too. Also, the "Made in USA" label is no guarantee that a product isn't made in a sweatshop. There are plenty of examples of poor working conditions that exist in the US, particularly in the garment industry. I have no idea if the US sew shops Gustin contracts with aren't sweatshops filled with illegal immigrant laborers, but I'm hoping/expecting/trusting Gustin to monitor that. Until I find out otherwise, I'm planning to continue buying way too many pairs of US-made Gustin jeans, but will stick with Red Wing (or others) for my shoe needs. My spending, or lack thereof, will help Gustin determine whether it's worth it to outsource their shoe line and have an asterisk in their business model. I don't know if I'm making any sense, but it just seems kind of harsh that we are indicting Gustin for having fallen to the dark side by deviating a bit from their model. That said, I like knowing people are still passionate about how & where their clothes/products are made. This exists, of course, but we have rule of law whereby there are consequences for a) having people work for you illegally and b) putting your workers into unsafe conditions. There seems to be much more lax enforcement of that in other places in the world. See some of the comments earlier in this thread regarding "Made in Italy". For me this points to an erosion of what appeared to me previously to be fundamental values of the brand. And I told them that. |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 12:12:40 GMT -6
If these are indeed made overseas they will loose some customers but they know that. It would be a calculated decision. I only own one item from G, the HA. I got them because of the value and being all USA. I doubt I'd buy shoes from them even if they were made here.
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Post by SlimFatty on May 20, 2015 12:37:46 GMT -6
I understand your point, but why not just boycott the shoes and tell them why rather than giving up on the entire company? All of their other offerings will still be US-made (for now??).
At least they are aren't pulling the final assembly "Made in USA" end around BS with the shoes that they could have likely gotten away with.
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Post by sund3v1l on May 20, 2015 12:57:33 GMT -6
Intrigued but I think they need to rethink their strategy.
They are making SO MANY PRODUCTS right now, from tote bags to bracelets to belts to wallets to shirts to jeans to chinos?
Stick to great quality jeans. Their shirt-fits need a redesign IMO as well.
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Post by curieux88 on May 20, 2015 14:18:51 GMT -6
Intrigued but I think they need to rethink their strategy. They are making SO MANY PRODUCTS right now, from tote bags to bracelets to belts to wallets to shirts to jeans to chinos? Stick to great quality jeans. Their shirt-fits need a redesign IMO as well. I agree with you that they have a ton of products, but I think that's the right decision. The problem is that they are expanding their line up too fast. No denim company can stick to jeans forever. Mills can't possibly design/produce that many variety, and a lot of "unique" fabrics are already not that unique to Gustin. Also, more people will stop buying stuff from Gustin, not necessarily because of quality/cs/etc, but because of the fact that they have way too many jeans. There have a ton of jeans that I wanted to back, but I didn't because I feel like have enough for the rest of my life. Unless they asee the sales going downhill dramatically, they won't change a thing. I highly doubt that they will redesign the shirt fit. I'm happy with the fit, and so as a lot of customers. |
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Post by bugula on May 20, 2015 14:41:08 GMT -6
there's also a need for businesses to grow. they're trapped in start-up fueled SF where you're only successful if you're doubling growth so branching out into all of these areas is how they're making up for us not needing to buy a new pair of jeans monthly (though some of us do that  ). they need to get their marketing engine in swing to attract a new audience vs. bleeding the existing. |
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Post by sund3v1l on May 20, 2015 15:50:05 GMT -6
there's also a need for businesses to grow. they're trapped in start-up fueled SF where you're only successful if you're doubling growth so branching out into all of these areas is how they're making up for us not needing to buy a new pair of jeans monthly (though some of us do that ). they need to get their marketing engine in swing to attract a new audience vs. bleeding the existing. I hear you.. but they lack ingenuity in their product offerings. www.3sixteen.com/collections/accessories/products/double-wrap-bracelet-tanLook familiar? And don't get me wrong, I enjoy the cheaper price of the Gustin one I ordered, but when I saw 3sixteen's original version after I ordered mine, I was disappointed in the false hope that they actually came up with their own unique product for once. www.weargustin.com/store/1434This is minor to bicker over a damn $15 leather bracelet, but its case in point & amplified to level 11 when they pop out a carbon copy Filson briefcase. Come on, I mean they added a zippered pocket and removed the Filson labels but that's about it. They won't get away with offering cheaper products their whole life. I'm all for expansion. I've probably spent $1500 on Gustin stuff over the last 7 months.. so their marketing strategy has worked, to a degree, but come up with some unique stuff. These shoes, with an appreciative minimalist style & easy on the eyes, do not show me a brand that's passionate about their own ideas, stylistically. Their jeans are quality made, quality materials. Their shirts are average IMO. Their Ts seem forced. I don't like the trend, that's all.. |
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Post by exophobe on May 20, 2015 16:05:57 GMT -6
I hear you.. but they lack ingenuity in their product offerings. Their jeans are quality made, quality materials. Their shirts are average IMO. Their Ts seem forced. I don't like the trend, that's all.. Just keep it in context that you're comparing the ingenuity of companies that have their bread and butter in making the same 5-pocket design. |
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Post by brentkuz on May 20, 2015 18:31:00 GMT -6
Sizing is going to be a bitch no doubt about it. Waiting 3-4 months to find out they don't fit stinks. I find shoes more finicky than jeans.
Maybe Gustin's Instagram account will now have more "lifestyle" pictures from Italy now!
Pardon me I gotta oh this out. Oh oh oh oh
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Post by julian on May 21, 2015 1:58:44 GMT -6
This exists, of course, but we have rule of law whereby there are consequences for a) having people work for you illegally and b) putting your workers into unsafe conditions. There seems to be much more lax enforcement of that in other places in the world. See some of the comments earlier in this thread regarding "Made in Italy". It's kind of a standing joke in the UK that the major nations within the EU deal with EU legislation in the following ways: The Germans make the rules The British follow the rules The French ignore the rules The Italians never read the rules in the first place |
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Post by jjflynn3 on May 21, 2015 3:32:12 GMT -6
I'm in for a pair of the white low tops, barring crazy pricing of course
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