[KRMaley]

They definately try to cultivate an upscale image. There's a Vineyard Vine's store here on Greenwich Avenue that's owned by Richard's and the Greenwich Types seem to really enjoy them. I, however, think that they're a tie company that's overreaching.

+1 Well said. They are way over reaching, opening too many stores, and over producing. When they started to move away from ties I was interested. I went into their Boston store this weekend and felt as if I was in a department store. Cluttered with all sorts of junk. They should stick to ties and perhaps their bags.

 

[camorristi]

I don't like them on bit. Preppy means PRL or BB in my world.

 

[dwebber18]

I like their belts a bit, but not for retail price. I would much rather have a BB polo than a VV polo, but the one I have was $2 at Goodwill, and its different than anything else I have so I like it. I'd probably pay no more than $30 for a polo from them, but at that price I'd rather have a BB 346 outlet polo.

 

[Theoden]

I like their belts a bit, but not for retail price. I would much rather have a BB polo than a VV polo, but the one I have was $2 at Goodwill, and its different than anything else I have so I like it. I'd probably pay no more than $30 for a polo from them, but at that price I'd rather have a BB 346 outlet polo.

As I've said, I've compared their polos to RL (which I own) and Lacoste (which I've tried on), and their construction is, in my mind equal or better. Rugged but soft. Well made seams. Again, I would only buy them at discount prices. But then, I wouldn't pay full price for a Ralph Lauren Polo either. The only issue is their sizing. I think the Collegiate polo (tailored fit) addresses the "blouse-like" nature of their polos.

Regarding the preppy ethos, I think they capture it quite well. If you want to wear a polo shirt to work, then wear RL, Lacoste or BB -- all of which are "serious" brands. They have status and cachet. If you want to enjoy yourself on the weekend at your summer house on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, or the Outer Banks, wear the VV polo. The whale is playful and, to some extent, very "Go to Hell". It has more of that un-selfconcious ease and grace that seems in line with that East Coast WASPY prep school culture. You don't wear VV to impress.

 

[pejm]

I also like their belts. The quality of the leather portion is the best I've found. It's thicker and more durable than the others I have. I wish I could find another company that uses the same manufacturer. The Vineyard Vines ribbon choices are quite limited and very similar to each other.

 

[Bermuda]

to 32rollandrock: I am starting to agree with the no logos thing. I think it is more grown up and trad to wear no logo shirts. The only ones I will wear now are mostly Polo and BB

 

[Joe Tradly]

A couple of thoughts:

VV jumped the shark long about the time you could find their ties in TJ Maxx. Or maybe it was when Bush and Kerry both had VV ties made for them. Anyway, the shark has been jumped. Like with many things in life, VV was cool when no one knew about them.

Please, don't wear VV anything on Martha's Vineyard, unless you are intending to be ironic. All others will be seen as what they are.

Their ties used to be made in America, maybe they still are. I have a very nice tie, one of their first, pink whales on a blue background. It's subtle, summery. I wear it once or twice a year.

Please don't confuse what VV does (and Hermes, for that matter) of closely-spaced, repeating patterns printed on silk with what is known as an emblematic tie, which tend to be woven patterns on a solid background with more space between them.

VV:



Versus emblematic:

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JB

 

[hobscrk777]

I like the idea behind Vineyard Vines, but I've never really seen any of their pieces capture my interest.

 

[inq89]

I own some VV chappy swim shorts. Like others have said, it's great for the Go to Hell look. VV and RL are the default preppy labels at my college. Some of their stuff is nice but overpriced and I never got into it. And since they're the "abercrombie" for college aged kids, I probably wouldn't wear it after my mid-20s.

 

[Ron_A]

I agree with much of what has been said, but also think that VV sometimes gets a bad rap. I like some of their stuff, and think that the quality generally is pretty good. I like their canvas dock shorts (with 7" inseam), and just recently ordered another pair. They are much better than anything currently offered by BB, LE or LLB. I have other pairs of shorts, polos, belts and a tie that I have acquired over the years, and they all have held up well. I also have a pair of flip flops that are pretty comfortable (I only occasionally wear them around the house and yard, as I'm not a huge fan of flip flops in public). When their stuff is on sale or at TJ Maxx-type places, it is a good buy.

 

[Memphis88]

I used to love their stuff and even applied for a job at the store when they opened up here in Memphis. Thankfully I didn't get it because VV has really fallen out of favor with me. Interestingly enough, I went into the store after it opened and saw workers wearing tennis shoes, lacking any semblance of color or pattern coordination, and wearing 4 polos at once with all of the collars popped. I guess I started becoming more aware of other brands and realized that I was getting ripped off when buying VV stuff. I have never come across more ill-fitting pants/shorts in my life. Just take a look at there website and you can see how awful they look. The shirts are okay, but definitely not worth the $100 that they charge for them. Adding alteration costs to mine only makes it more ridiculous for me to buy shirts from them. I still wear the shirts (wearing one today), but I haven't bought a new one from them in a couple years. There are simply too many better options out there to spend money on than stuff from VV.

 

[Theoden]

to 32rollandrock: I am starting to agree with the no logos thing. I think it is more grown up and trad to wear no logo shirts. The only ones I will wear now are mostly Polo and BB

Though it's trad/preppy/WASPY to be understanded, and ideally, wear NO logos, we must remember that the guy who invented the polo shirt, Rene Lacoste, had the crocodile emblazoned on it from day one. Polos and logos seem to go together.

And when the New England/NE elites started wearing polo shirts, I imagine they had crocodiles on them. There was a crazy, sporty, tennis champ ethos behind it.

So..if polos are closely associated with logos, what does the logo signify?

My contention is that the Whale is pretty under the radar and playful. It's sporty and fun. Maybe even more so that Lacoste which has moved over to status symbol.

The polo player seems to be bit more serious and stuffy...wouldn't you say?

 

[Memphis88]

Though it's trad/preppy/WASPY to be understanded, and ideally, wear NO logos, we must remember that the guy who invented the polo shirt, Rene Lacoste, had the crocodile emblazoned on it from day one. Polos and logos seem to go together.

And when the New England/NE elites started wearing polo shirts, I imagine they had crocodiles on them. There was a crazy, sporty, tennis champ ethos behind it.

So..if polos are closely associated with logos, what does the logo signify?

My contention is that the Whale is pretty under the radar and playful. It's sporty and fun. Maybe even more so that Lacoste which has moved over to status symbol.

The polo player seems to be bit more serious and stuffy...wouldn't you say?

I would say that many people try to use the whale to proclaim themselves as a member of a certain level of status, also.

 

[Bermuda]

to wear RL Polo as a "status symbol" is kind of ridiculous these days...go to TJ Maxx and get a polo for 20 bucks...you don't need to be upper class to afford that....I buy polo because it is high quality and the designs are pleasing to the eye....also, I'm a teacher so I'm required to be a bit serious and stuffy at times (to Memphis88)....

 

[WindsorNot]

My VV experience can be summed up with a story. At this years' Derby party, we saw a guy from the SEC region "wearing" a VV bow. By wearing I mean it was around his neck, but untied as if it were to be taken off after a long night. The GF smartly pointed out that she had not seen it tied all night and questioned his ability to tie the thing. In summation, I feel like the majority of VV wearers come off as trying too hard or not really grasping the subtleties of menswear. That said, I am not personally averse to thier clothing on any aesthetic level. Just don't overdo the GTH.

 

[Topsider]

As with most things, it's a mixed bag.

My experience with their ties (including bows) is that they don't tie up all that well. The knots on long ties are rather thick, and the bows are unlined and overly floppy.

Their canvas pants make me look fat. I only have one pair (purchased at T.J. Maxx, thank God) and never wear them. They're going to the thrift store soon.

I like my cotton sweater, however....just the right shade of pink, and fits well. Another T.J. Maxx buy.

The buttons on their dress shirts are way too thick, and guaranteed to get smashed by the dry cleaners. Two thumbs down.

All of their stuff is overpriced. If you pay full retail, you're an idiot.

 

[Hayek]

I have a few of their must-iron tattersall sport shirts which I'm pretty happy with. Nice quality. I got them on sale ($75 each, normally $100). I would say that they're only barely worth it on sale let alone full price.

I really can't stand the VV look, however, and would never wear anything with that dumb whale logo. It just screams "look at me, I'm a huge douche bag."

 

[YoungTrad]

VV ties are very overpriced. Ive got two long ties, both knots are a little too large for my liking. There are a few I would pay around $30 for, but never $75. The majority of the motifs are too cartoonish, although playful.

I own one VV belt, very GTH. It is the patch ribbon belt and I think adds a lot to khaki chinos and a solid color polo or ocbd. It has held up well, and I get many compliments when I wear it.

Id prefer VV polos to Ralph, Lacoste or Brooks. Although a tad blousy, I like the material and the colors. I think the whale is more laid back than any other logo, and I think looks more fun. I dont think "upper status douche" when I see VV, I see someone who has fun with their clothing choices and conveys a laid back attitude, just as Shep and Ian.

 

[Bradford]

I'd like to get one of their Arizona Diamondback ties...

 

[Theoden]

VV ties are very overpriced. Ive got two long ties, both knots are a little too large for my liking. There are a few I would pay around $30 for, but never $75. The majority of the motifs are too cartoonish, although playful.

I own one VV belt, very GTH. It is the patch ribbon belt and I think adds a lot to khaki chinos and a solid color polo or ocbd. It has held up well, and I get many compliments when I wear it.

Id prefer VV polos to Ralph, Lacoste or Brooks. Although a tad blousy, I like the material and the colors. I think the whale is more laid back than any other logo, and I think looks more fun. I dont think "upper status douche" when I see VV, I see someone who has fun with their clothing choices and conveys a laid back attitude, just as Shep and Ian.

I agree. Their logo is more fun. I also think that paying full retail for VV (or Ralph Lauren and Lacoste) is paying too much. I got my VV polos for $35 and my long sleeve sport-shirts for $39. I bought my RL Polos on sale, too. I'm waiting for their new Collegiate polo (taolired fit) to hit the discount stores.