[murman1983]

I am not sure if I am allowed to post these links, I read through the rules and did not find anything about it. If I am breaking the rules, I apologize and please delete this post.

I am new to the forum, and don't know a ton about fine clothing, but I have been doing research and came across these offers.

Zegna Coat

Just seeking a little more information on this Zegna coat if anyone knows.

HF coat

My question with this HF coat, is that I am 6'2 slim figured, and enjoy a more classic look to suits, and dont like very tight clothing but will this coat be extremely boxy? (a little boxy is fine)

Brook Brothers Coat

What do y'all think the quality of this suit is like? Ive seen some like it that are made in Mexico, which I would like to avoid. Also, is camel hair a nice material?

I will be buying one of these coats, but would like some second thoughts from more savvy individuals than I.

Thanks!

 

[SG_67]

Hey there again.
The Zegna jacket is an older model. My only concern with it is that it appears as though the lapels have been pressed flat. The fact that the top button is fastened doesn’t help in seeing the roll of the lapels.

We already discussed the HF. Same model, different jacket it appears.

I really like the BB coat. Camel hair, if you have never felt it, is incredibly soft and has a very luxurious hand and texture.

assuming fit is not an issue across the three, I would opt for the camel hair.

 

[Woofa]

Personally I would avoid all three at those prices. At least here in Dallas I could probably find something similar any day of the week in a thrift store for under $20. and then I could try it on first. My first concern is that the measurements are not the same on all three. Which one will fit you best.
if you don’t yet know your measurements then my suggestion is that if you have a sport coat or suit jacket that you feel fits you well, take some pics wearing it with business professional dress from a dozen angles or sides and post them here (If you don’t then when this scare is over head to a men’s store and try stuff on but don’t buy) The guys here will be honest about fit and when you have one that fits right you can measure off that jacket and compare to ones you find on eBay. some alterations can be costly if even worth doing. eBay is a buyers market and there will always be something different next week.

 

[SG_67]

I think ~$100 for the BB coat is a good deal. Can better be had? Perhaps. But it saves time.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

Since you are beginning on an exciting journey, some kind advice from one who has made mistakes and learned a great deal in the processes. I guess this is called “wisdom”?

I do a lot of thrifting, I mean a whole lot. I have used ebay for both purchasing and selling. I find it to be hit or miss since one can’t actually try on, closely inspect, or touch the item under consideration. As a result, I limit my eBay purchases to two categories 1) I buy at rock bottom prices where if the item is rubbish I can donate it to charity with minimal loss 2) I buy high end pieces I am very familiar with from well respected eBay retailers. This minimizes risk.

I have much greater success at local thrift shops, but I am fortunate that I live in a city where thrift shops are plentiful. I regularly find like new Brooks Brothers items of all vintages and styles for $5.99 per item.

There is also a nice menswear consignment shop across the street from my apartment. I often look to round out my wardrobe with items from their inventory.

One can go a long way toward establishing the foundation of a wardrobe, for pennies on the dollar, by becoming educated and thrifting regularly.

Good luck!

Cheers,

 

[Peak and Pine]

^^

A long way to go with that, BSR.

Murman, both @Woofa and @SG_67, while dropping opposite views, are on to something here.

Are you saying, I wanna jacket, don't mind pre-owned, let's see what's out there? If so, go with the Woof. All the stuff you've linked is waaaay overpriced.

However, if you're saying I really, really want a dark-dyed camel hair coat from Brooks Brothers, then go with SG, because you've made your search so tight that you may have to pay whatever an eBay shark is asking.

Good luck, welcome to AAAC.

 

[lightbeard]

Good luck finding a camel hair Brooks Brothers sports coat at a thrift store. Of course there is usually something exceptional to be had during a thrift store visit, but what type of item it will be cannot be predicted.

I also agree the BB coat is the best of the lot, but camel hair is not a spring/summer material. Is the intent here to capitalize on a deal for the fall season?

I thrift shop and buy on eBay. I'm also an eBay merchant that sells men's clothing for which I get my inventory from thrift stores. eBay is fantastic if the right level of expectation is in place. Around 40% of purchases will not be as expected-especially to the standards of AAAC. You are wise to have us review listings which may reduce that percentage.

However, the great thing about purchasing from eBay is if it doesn't have a return policy you can simply take the original photos and relist the item yourself. So in effect, you can consider eBay an online thrift store where your home is the dressing room and you can mail items back (eventually at least) if they aren't what you'd like.

Sometimes in these situations, I purchase 2-3 items of the same type and see which one fits. Then I return/relist the rest. So if your budget allows, consider ordering all three coats

 

[Peak and Pine]

^^
Worthwhile info. I liked your post. Except for this...

Sometimes in these situations, I purchase 2-3 items of the same type and see which one fits. Then I return/relist the rest.

That method's always struck me as nervy. May be just me though.

 

[murman1983]

Hey guys, this is awesome info. Thanks so much, I love reading these posts and learning. Regarding buying at thrift stores, I live far out in the country and have none near me. Also, due to the C-virus, I'm not sure the thrift stores are open or if I would even want to go, for now that is.

Ive been looking for "best offer", so maybe I can gt a lower offer.I thought these prices were pretty decent, had no clue they go for lower haha.

 

[murman1983]

Also, one thing about the camel hair BB is it has poly lining, and probably not fully canvased, right? Is this even a big deal?

 

[vonSuess]

Think of me such as you will, but I wouldn't buy used garments at any price, let alone the kind of prices I see addressed around here. Not that one can't save money on good quality clothing as it's just a matter of watching the sales. Buy good quality, buy it new, buy it on sale, take care of it and keep it cleaned and pressed. My experience is it pretty much lasts forever. Buy used and who knows what you get or where its been. I wouldn't buy factory seconds, either. Be a first-class guy...

 

[murman1983]

I understand your position. I am just a little short on funds right now and need some clothes for the job.

 

[Color 8]

My experience with pre-owned stuff on eBay is that virtually everybody who buys quality tailored clothes has them *tailored* to some extent, so you can't really go by the posted sizes, etc. Plus the manufacturers have different lines that all fit differently, and on and on.

So it is likely that you will need to have the stuff tailored, sometimes a lot and sometimes expensively. Now take that thrifted $75 jacket to the tailor for another $40 - $80 or more, plus cleaning and pressing, and you're not that far away from buying a new one on a good sale (like, clearance price + an additional 25% off or whatever), and saving time and drama.

Or instead of having two or three rehabilitated thrifted pieces, you could have one great piece that's exactly what you want.

Digging through a haystack of junk to find that one needle can be fun sometimes, but it gets old IMO.

 

[murman1983]

True, I am having fun with the search now, but I can see how this could get tiresome, and just get a new suit.

 

[vonSuess]

I guess hunting for the needle in the haystack can be quite the adventure. Doesn't appeal to me but I dated a tobacco heiress between marriages who used to go "treasure hunting" at Goodwill stores and such for clothing that fit in with the rest of her wardrobe. I guess it worked. It wasn't genuinely to save money as she received $2000 per day from a trust fund. So did her mother and she did the same thing...

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

Thrifting is a hobby for me, not a living, so I do it for pleasure and the thrill of the hunt. Some of the things I have found are absolutely ridiculous.

A few months ago I found a dozen BB shirts in my size in like new condition at Goodwill. They even had all been dry cleaned. Finding $1000 worth of shirts for $80 is frankly, thrilling. I imagine it is the same feeling some folks get from hitting a slot machine. As I get no thrill from gambling, I can only guess.

I found a new BB car coat at a Christian charity for $6.99.

I find at least on BB made in USA OCBD per week at $5.99. I love these shirts.

I have found some amazing vintage Abercrombie and Fitch items as well as some killer Willis and Geiger Safari wear.

Here in Atlanta, there are several of us who compete with each other to see who can find the best stuff. Some of what is found is so over the top I have suspected cheating, taking pictures of non thrifted items and claiming they found them in a charity shop. Tiffany engine turned buckles for $1.99, Alden shell cordovan for $6.99....it can be nuts.

I get it that some don’t want to dig through others peoples cast offs. But there is a lot of first quality merch moving out there in the vintage and thrift markets.

Dig in!

Cheers,

BSR

 

[murman1983]

Exactly,..Well I can tell you one thing...that as a 27 year old and single male, who doesn't have a TON to spend on luxury items, but more than enough to get by ( and very greatful for everything that i have), and discovering that I can own some pretty damn nice clothing on ebay for reletivly cheap is pretty exciting.
Once upon a time I would have looked at some of these items as something I could only dream of wearing, ie: Zegna, HF, BB, (not quite bold enough to search outh the Brionis and such haha) but now Ive learned that they can be had, and I am very giddy about it. I know that this will be a life long journey for me, and love that I have discovered that you can be born as a little country boy (Texas, middle of nowhere) and still look nice.

I just bought the BB that I posted, but would love to own something a little more luxurious as well, and am tempted to buy a Zegna, or HF. Next, I need to find some nice fitting pants, maybe a vest!

 

[Color 8]

Exactly,..Well I can tell you one thing...that as a 27 year old and single male, who doesn't have a TON to spend on luxury items, but more than enough to get by ( and very greatful for everything that i have), and discovering that I can own some pretty damn nice clothing on ebay for reletivly cheap is pretty exciting.
Once upon a time I would have looked at some of these items as something I could only dream of wearing, ie: Zegna, HF, BB, (not quite bold enough to search outh the Brionis and such haha) but now Ive learned that they can be had, and I am very giddy about it. I know that this will be a life long journey for me, and love that I have discovered that you can be born as a little country boy (Texas, middle of nowhere) and still look nice.

I just bought the BB that I posted, but would love to own something a little more luxurious as well, and am tempted to buy a Zegna, or HF. Next, I need to find some nice fitting pants, maybe a vest!

If it's working for you, that's great ! Good luck !
. . . it can definitely be a "gateway drug"

 

[murman1983]

Oh I can already tell, itll be an addiction haha

 

[murman1983]

I guess one more question, if yall dont mind. Which suit seams to be the better, between the Zegna and HF that I posted? I bought the BB, but figure I need a dark grey too.