Its just me and I don't ask anyone else to follow my example, but I will never buy anything fropm Lands' End, the company that murdered the venerable firm of Willis and Geiger.
Buzz
Buzz
Lands End Fall Catalogue: Signs of things to come?
I got the new Lands End Fall Men's Catalogue today. In browsing through it, three items leaped out at me:
In the catalogue, they advertise the fact that the fabric comes from a British source that has been producing it since 1666. The windowpane pattern which is shown in the catalogue seems to me to be an uber-Anglo style.
Ok, it's wrinkle resistant, which a lot of traditionalists don't like, but Lands End is offering a 3 piece option.
Again, the brown spice option is a bit odd, but they are also offering a full canvas suit. The way the website presents it, it makes it seem like the coat is made of canvas, but in the catalogue, it says "This, our finest suit, has full canvas construction- tailoring that usually reserved for suits starting at $1500."
So, this got me thinking. Many members of this site lament the fact that so few men bother to dress up in suits and ties. As that number gets smaller and smaller, won't companies that make suits be forced to cater more and more to people like us? Meaning, won't they be forced to offer things like 3 piece options and full canvas construction? If Lands End is doing it, there must be a rise in the demand for it.
Any thoughts?
In the catalogue, they advertise the fact that the fabric comes from a British source that has been producing it since 1666. The windowpane pattern which is shown in the catalogue seems to me to be an uber-Anglo style.
Ok, it's wrinkle resistant, which a lot of traditionalists don't like, but Lands End is offering a 3 piece option.
Again, the brown spice option is a bit odd, but they are also offering a full canvas suit. The way the website presents it, it makes it seem like the coat is made of canvas, but in the catalogue, it says "This, our finest suit, has full canvas construction- tailoring that usually reserved for suits starting at $1500."
So, this got me thinking. Many members of this site lament the fact that so few men bother to dress up in suits and ties. As that number gets smaller and smaller, won't companies that make suits be forced to cater more and more to people like us? Meaning, won't they be forced to offer things like 3 piece options and full canvas construction? If Lands End is doing it, there must be a rise in the demand for it.
Any thoughts?
1 - 3 of 23 Posts
I bought most of my outdoor wear from Willis & Geiger for twenty-five years, right up until Lands' End got out the garotte. I, too, am at a loss to explain Land's End's actions and so is Lands' End.It's funny you should mention Willis & Geiger. I have a good friend who is an attorney at an investment bank. He and I were really upset that LE decided to fold up Willis & Geiger. We contacted LE and tried to buy the name from them, but they wanted to just let it die.
The small consoltaion is that the old W & G stuff gets better with age and I am still wearing many old shirts, trousers, photographer's vest, A-2 jacket, et cetera.
Nonethelss, I will never...NEVER...spend one cent at Lands' End because of what they did.
Buzz
Your history is correct as far as I know. However, beyond issuing a few catalogues over the three years they ran the operation, Lands' End never marketed the Willis & Geiger brand and never had a strategy for making it a compelling enterprise. Then, at the end, they refused to sell W & G to any of several people who wished to buy it letting it die instead.I was under the impression they'd saved or prolonged W&G for a while. LE acquired ownership not long after a significant number of W&G horsehide and goatskin A-2s had surfaced at TJMaxx @ $99.99. Before that the first of the W&G stores had opened in the Southpark area of Charlotte. The same location had previously stocked an extensive amount of W&G under another store name (The Sportsman(?), a small southern chain). It languished. The fact is there was not enough appreciation of W&G amongst a large enough potential market. Orvis, Filson, etc. expanded, W&G shrank. Burt Avedon, W&G's owner apparently bailed out. Gary Comer (LE) acquired W&G and sustained it for a while. The market killed W&G.
( W&G aficianodos may recognize a few items here www.jlpowellusa.com )
J. Powell does a very poor imitation of Willis & Geiger. Principally, Powell is for people who have lots and lots of money and want to look like they are doing something while going to the mall or dining al fresco on Columbus Avenyue. Willis & Geiger. and their venerable predecessor A & F, were for men who were actually "out there" doing something.
Buzz
1 - 3 of 23 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Men's Clothing Forums
A forum community dedicated to men’s fashion and clothing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, materials, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Oldsarge
102 Replies
Vecchio Vespa
44 Replies
Preppy Climber
34 Replies
Recommended Communities
