Whether it makes financial sense or not, I have been electing not to purchase any Chinese made goods, when visiting 'brick and mortar' stores, and have been returning items that are purchased online, when I discover they were produced in China. With clothing it's not too difficult to find other options but, it gets pretty tough when purchasing toys for the grand-kids!

 

I'd return them simply because Chinese ties are easy to find for $15-20, sometimes even less. Check Marshall's and TJ Maxx. Basic striped Nautica and Hilfiger ties go for $13 there.

 

I returned them this afternoon. I just couldn't keep them. I did try and find another, that wasn't made in China, but, no luck I do have a Chinese made Polo shirt, and the tails are a 2-3"-shorter than other Polo shirts made in Indonesia, or India. I'm have ordered 3 Southern Proper ties that are on the way, but I think I'll try Sam Hober. I've ordered 4 pocket squares from him, and they are INCREDIBLE, as well as the service!
I'll post photos when they arrive.
Thanks all
Mark S.

 

BB extra long and made in the USA:
https://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=587

Perhaps the #1 stripe, guard stripe or the Argyle & Sutherland? Currently you can buy one and get the 2nd 30% off, or perhaps you might want to wait for the next sale. You could ask a rep at your nearest BB to order something that is not in the store if you're willing to wait.

 

I'd rather wear the same 5 American-made BB ties every work day for the rest of my life than own a closet-full of Chinese imported ties. Maybe it's xenophobia or elitism or maybe I'm fighting off the incoming tide of Walmartization, or maybe I'm a dinosaur dwelling on the past American manufacturing glory, but that's how I feel.

 

Lars- I agree, 110%! Walmart is just an example of the dumbing down of America. People will crowd into a huge building and wait forever in line to spend American dollars on Chinese made crap. And Walmart feeds this frenzy by forcing prices down. I'll get off my soapbox, now.

Wolf- I'm very familiar with the BB longs, and own several, including the 2 you mention. Non of the BB offerings have quite the right the olive shade that the jacket requires. Let me post a photo later today.

 

J. Press is now selling made in China ties. I picked up 5 ties on a recent visit and when I got them home I discovered that they were all made in China. Very disappointing.

 

Maybe it's xenophobia or elitism or maybe I'm fighting off the incoming tide of Walmartization, or maybe I'm a dinosaur dwelling on the past American manufacturing glory, but that's how I feel.

Why is supporting you own country, employing your neighbors, keeping jobs local a bad thing?

As a moderator I'm conflicted about keeping this thread here as it seems to be more politics and maybe should be in the Interchange. I will leave it for now as "buying American" seems to be a reoccuring topic among us trads and those who appreciate trads.

 

Personally, I have a bunch of 7-fold ties which were bought in China for around $3-5 per tie; they are extremely well made and the silks are exquisite.

I presume all this "buy American" drumbeating means none of you would ever buy a Sam Hober tie, since, IIRC, he (David Hober) is located in Thailand. Whether you call it jingoism, chauvinism, xenophobia or whatever, it's a very tiresome argument.

 

Do these made-in-China ties have a Sharon Stone motif on them? Sorry...bad joke...couldn't resist.

 

I presume all this "buy American" drumbeating means none of you would ever buy a Sam Hober tie, since, IIRC, he (David Hober) is located in Thailand. Whether you call it jingoism, chauvinism, xenophobia or whatever, it's a very tiresome argument.

Usually there's one reason to have things made in China (or India, or Malaysia, etc...) and that's because you want it done as cheaply as humanly possible, to the exception of all other factors. Usually this means you don't care about quality or consistency, either.

There are, of course, many exceptions - but if nothing else about a product is known other than label and country of origin, odds are if it's made in the USA, or England or Italy, it's probably going to be higher quality than something made where the average wage is $2/day.

I've dealt with the electronics industry in Asian and saw examples of this all the time. One large company was OEMing for ours (you probably own one of their products) had an awful failure rate, something like 20%. They didn't see a problem with this - they just make more to compensate, it's not like it cost anything significant, except they weren't failing until consumers got them. Not good when it's your name on the product.

 

...I presume all this "buy American" drumbeating means none of you would ever buy a Sam Hober tie, since, IIRC, he (David Hober) is located in Thailand. Whether you call it jingoism, chauvinism, xenophobia or whatever, it's a very tiresome argument.

Aah but, check the record and you will find out he started out in Colorado...we still count him as one of our own!

 

If you read my op, I'm not saying buy American, but I didn't like buying Chinese. I certainly don't mind buying Japanese cameras(Nikon), or cars(Isuzu Trooper, 200,000 miles and counting!)
I'm also not opposed to buying American when I can, but some things are just made better overseas.
But, back to my original question. I guess it really didn't matter if the ties are Chinese, but I was worried about the quality. As it turned out, they were short for me so I returned them for both reasons. I don't want this to get into a political discussion, so I'll just say I wasn't happy, so I returned them.
BTW, I wouldn't dare disparage Mr. Hober on these forums, I like his ties and pocket squares way to much:icon_smile:

Mark S.

 

Why is supporting you own country, employing your neighbors, keeping jobs local a bad thing?

As a moderator I'm conflicted about keeping this thread here as it seems to be more politics and maybe should be in the Interchange. I will leave it for now as "buying American" seems to be a reoccuring topic among us trads and those who appreciate trads.

Hope that this stays here and doesn't get moved...

We don't mind buying locally-grown produce or supporting mom-and-pop operations, so buying a quality US-made item like a BB tie or a pair of Aldens or AEs is just another expression of that "buy local" principle.

Especially when said item has a long history of being made-in-USA, it is almost an artform. A person with years of experience working in a US factory making a traditional US-identified item has developed an eye for quality, a feel for the product. This intangible cannot be replicated so easily or quantified.

Back to the clothes, the difference may not be noticable to the average person, but as someone who has grown up seeing US-made items, the non-US items that fill the stores these days lack some finishing details, perhaps the cut of the leather, the alignment of stitching, the feel of the fabric.

 

I know I would much rather that my ties be made here in America by immigrant foreigners, than made by foreigners in some other country.

 

I know I would much rather that my ties be made here in America by immigrant foreigners, than made by foreigners in some other country.

:icon_smile: I think its funny because its true

 

I've had Chinese made ties from Rooster that tended to fray sooner than American made ties by other brands. So I tend to buy American in the tie department. Other items, I've not noticed much of a difference.

 

I bought 3 recently that are made in the US and UK. Not all of them are Chinese made, just certain ones.

J. Press is now selling made in China ties. I picked up 5 ties on a recent visit and when I got them home I discovered that they were all made in China. Very disappointing.

 

BTW, I wouldn't dare disparage Mr. Hober on these forums, I like his ties and pocket squares way to much:icon_smile:

Mark S.

I certainly would not disparage Mr. Hober nor his products; they are superbly thought-out and made. My point was how easily we tap-dance around ideas like "buy American" when a non-American-made product is to our liking.

 

Yes, Rip. This whole area is replete with double-standards, misunderstandings, and convenient arguments that omit important facts. Personally, I just look forward to the quality of goods around the world going up and, environment permitting, being able to support artisan producers wherever and whoever they may be. I don't support the people who - for political reasons - advocate not buying American just as much as I don't support the people who advocate not buying Chinese. And, as for commodity purchases, it's a global market. Here, in Europe, we get rubbish of dubious standards from all over the world - the US, Europe, and the Far East. I can't send it all back!

 

Being made in China does not mean it is an inferior product. If someone decides not to purchase Chinese made products or products from most other inexpensive labor nations it is rather limiting decision.

Like every other nation on this planet the Chinese can produce mediocre products as well as products with exceptional quality. Take for instance such Chinese tailors and clothiers as Ascot Chang, WW Chan, Mytailor and such. Many have factories and tailors in mainland China as well as Hong Kong.

The quality of the product you are purchasing will vary depending on the specifications of the merchant retailing the product. I have several ties and other clothing accessories i.e leather goods of high quaility from high end retailers i.e. Saks, Nordstroms and Nieman Marcus that are made in China. Then again I've seen products made in China from other retailers that are quite poor in quality.

In addition if any of won't buy from China mindset, please keep in mind if you have any electronics i.e. cell phones, stereos, televisions, computers, office equipment, auto parts and such are either made in China or have components made in China. All major manufacturers have plants or subcontract out of China. Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Intel, HP, and Dell are just a few that have factories, subcontractors or interests in China. Not to mention such companies as Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

Simply put made in China doesn't always mean the quality of the product is poor, it is often the merchant who decides whether to offer a product of poor or high quality.

 

I only buy American, English, Swiss, etc. For me it isn't about jingoism or xenophobia at all. It's about a quality product made by workers paid a fair wage and with quality materials. Certainly a well made shirt from the developing world CAN be just as good as an American-made Gitman, BB or Sero, but it's unlikely due to the reasons for outsourcing. If you want to pay a fair wage to a well-trained craftsperson, it is probably less expensive to make here in the US (or wherever you are based) due to shipping costs and time to process order than in the far east.

That's why I almost always buy American ties, shirts, pants, suits, sportscoats, etc.

If a manufacturer defies these ideas, then they deserve to be exempt. I look forward to purchasing some Hober ties when I get the chance--they look exceptional.

 

I only buy American, English, Swiss, etc. For me it isn't about jingoism or xenophobia at all. It's about a quality product made by workers paid a fair wage and with quality materials. Certainly a well made shirt from the developing world CAN be just as good as an American-made Gitman, BB or Sero, but it's unlikely due to the reasons for outsourcing. If you want to pay a fair wage to a well-trained craftsperson, it is probably less expensive to make here in the US (or wherever you are based) due to shipping costs and time to process order than in the far east.

This is really it for me- it's nice to buy a lot of comfortable clothes, but kind of off-putting to think of people living in third world squalor making them for you. Of course, our clothes have historically been made by poorly paid people in abominable conditions, even in the U.S. (the Triangle Shirtwaist tragedy, for example). What gives me and a lot of people pause about buying in China are (1) human rights abuses, and (2) our growing trade deficit with them.

I'm also realistic, and can envision the day when basically all our clothes come from abroad. I think a good compromise would be a list of companies and nations with decent human rights and labor practices. Places that pay "fair" wages and give their workers humane conditions- probably not by U.S. standards- but at least decent. Finally, I refuse to pay made in U.S. prices for overseas goods. If you want to cut costs by shipping all our jobs overseas I'm not going to allow you to take my money and keep the extra profit.

 

Ties

Gentlemen

My experience with everything, that has been outsourced, has been terrible.Especially when Brooks Brothers outsourced their shetlands some time back. As well as ties.
I think shirts and ties. Attention should be paid to where made; And quality.
I have always tried to get either from England ( Drakes is one of many. As well as Italy ( many makers, Marinella, Battiston etc) France (Charvet)
Look for deals my friends.
Nice day

 

I guess Chinese ties are okay when you're getting them on clearance at Target for $4.95 each. I picked up this tie yesterday (and one just like it in red). They have some very trad tie offerings right now for someone on a very, very tight budget.