Hi!
Long time lurker here, since before I owned any quality garments, and I've learned quite a bit by reading this forum, so thanks! Let me also preface this by saying that the point of this thread is not to brag or show off (why would you brag about being a cheapskate?).
For the past 2-3 years I've been on the quest to build a quality wardrobe on a fairly tight budget. Not because I'm particularly poor, but because I like to avoid unnecessary expenses if I can. I'd like to think that I've succeeded quite well, but you can be the judge of that. What I've found is that, for quality RTW, depreciation is absolutely horrendous. I've been able to curate a full (for me) rotation of 8 suits and 4 sports coats, all well fitting quality RTW, barely used, mostly Italian and fully canvassed - with one exception. With the same exception, they've all been bought second hand and I calculate that I've spent less than €2000 in total, including dry cleaning and alterations (by rough estimate, I think full retail should land closer to €30k).
All of these have been bought very lightly used and with modern styling (no old boxy power suits at all). A couple of them were acctually new with tags, never worn. Naturally it's taken quite a bit of sifting to find the keepers, but I've bough with return policies and gradually gotten better at spotting the good ones online. And just to be clear, these are all mainline and 100% genuine. So here's the rundown of my complete suit and sports coat collection that cost me less than €2000.
The Grey 2-piece suits
The Blue 2-piece suits
The Sports Coats
So,
A) How do you think I've done?
B) Disregarding the fact that none of this would be possible if no one did, why would you spend anywhere near retail for a quality RTW suit when the depreciation is this bad? I get that some people would be fussed about some stranger having previously worn it, but if it was in great condition to begin with and after a dry cleaning, it's really no different to me than picking up a new garment from a store that people have likely tried on in store. They may have even bought it, worn it a bit and then returned it for all you know, meaning there would be no difference at all, or what do you think?
Best regards,
Long time lurker here, since before I owned any quality garments, and I've learned quite a bit by reading this forum, so thanks! Let me also preface this by saying that the point of this thread is not to brag or show off (why would you brag about being a cheapskate?).
For the past 2-3 years I've been on the quest to build a quality wardrobe on a fairly tight budget. Not because I'm particularly poor, but because I like to avoid unnecessary expenses if I can. I'd like to think that I've succeeded quite well, but you can be the judge of that. What I've found is that, for quality RTW, depreciation is absolutely horrendous. I've been able to curate a full (for me) rotation of 8 suits and 4 sports coats, all well fitting quality RTW, barely used, mostly Italian and fully canvassed - with one exception. With the same exception, they've all been bought second hand and I calculate that I've spent less than €2000 in total, including dry cleaning and alterations (by rough estimate, I think full retail should land closer to €30k).
All of these have been bought very lightly used and with modern styling (no old boxy power suits at all). A couple of them were acctually new with tags, never worn. Naturally it's taken quite a bit of sifting to find the keepers, but I've bough with return policies and gradually gotten better at spotting the good ones online. And just to be clear, these are all mainline and 100% genuine. So here's the rundown of my complete suit and sports coat collection that cost me less than €2000.
The Grey 2-piece suits
- Canali Charcoal Herringbone
- Corneliani Dark Grey Glen Check
- E. Zegna Light Grey in their crossover fabric (this one has yet to make the trip to the dry cleaner/tailor)
The Blue 2-piece suits
- E. Zegna Navy "High Performance"
- PRL Dark Blue Birdseye Windowpane (acctually the most expensive of the lot)
- Canali Mid Blue Hopsack in their Impeccabile-fabric
- Corneliani Black 2-piece suit
- Corneliani Brown 2-piece suit (looks darker in reality)
- Corneliani Tan Gingham Sports Coat
The Sports Coats
- Brioni Charcoal Plaid (a bit gawdy I know, but a fun piece for parties)
- Kiton 100% Cashmere Grey Herringbone
- Corneliani Light Grey Windowpane, rayon from bamboo
So,
A) How do you think I've done?
B) Disregarding the fact that none of this would be possible if no one did, why would you spend anywhere near retail for a quality RTW suit when the depreciation is this bad? I get that some people would be fussed about some stranger having previously worn it, but if it was in great condition to begin with and after a dry cleaning, it's really no different to me than picking up a new garment from a store that people have likely tried on in store. They may have even bought it, worn it a bit and then returned it for all you know, meaning there would be no difference at all, or what do you think?
Best regards,
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