Getting tired of the same old.

[Fizzmix]

Everywhere I go out to shop, I always find the same things. Same shirts, same jeans, same coats, same shoes... All in different colours, with different logos and stitching on them.

I don't care to pay $100 for a shirt that fits moderately well, but has J.LINDBERG plastered on the front, or the same peacoat that half of the university population is wearing.

I like to try to wear clothing with interesting cuts, like the Trovata zip-up hoodie with the buttons, or the W+H shawl collared stuff. I'm looking to get some Schmoove shoes too (to little avail, as most stockists don't ship to North America). I do wear some normal stuff for sure, like AA t-shirts and hoodies, Nudie jeans, etc, but I like to have some pieces that speak to me and don't bore me to tears.

Can anyone make any suggestions of brands to check out, or specific lines/seasons some brands have put out that would be worth looking into? Patterns/designs are alright, but I hate displaying logos. I like the cuts/fits to speak for themselves.

Does anyone share my pain, or am I looking at things wrong?

[Charlie Delta]

Just look around here for a while and the're plenty of treasures to be found, show some initiative! Why don't you try to tell me about a brand I haven't heard about before?

small questions here please

[Loop]

Does anyone share my pain, or am I looking at things wrong?

Rest assured, you're not the only one, but you know, that's life. Things could be a hell of a lot worse that a lack for interesting ways to spend your disposable income..

I see a definite lack of thought or diversity when I go shopping, but then I live in the back of beyond so I kind of expect it.

At least when you do come across something special, it's really special. Nothing beats that unexpected find.

[Charlie Delta]

oh, and start thrifting!

[cultpop 0217]

oh, and start thrifting!

definately.

[verb]

Can anyone make any suggestions of brands to check out, or specific lines/seasons some brands have put out that would be worth looking into? Patterns/designs are alright, but I hate displaying logos. I like the cuts/fits to speak for themselves.

Does anyone share my pain, or am I looking at things wrong?

You really need to jump into high fashion. I was sitting at the same spot as you and started sifting through men.style.com's fashion archive. Discovered a bunch of new lines and restored my faith.

Of course then you have to figure out where to buy them besides eBay

A few collections:

Cloak F/W 04

Cloak S/S 06

Ann Demeulemeester S/S 06

Dior Homme F/W 04 (browse gqstyle.com for this one)

The key is to dive in and look at EVERYTHING from EVERY year and explore. You'll find something you like.

[Charlie Delta]

^ also you'll need money, whereas for thrifting you won't! (well not much)

[Guest ATS]

definately.

but try not to end up looking like this bloke

[hollaforadolla]

but try not to end up looking like this bloke

haha nice. minya is laying down the law. good call *thumbs up*

[DJ2xTech]

make your own clothes is the best way.

[poly800rock]

make your own clothes is the best way.

i've made a post new years resolution that i'm buying cheap (unless its something i really fucking want) and buying mainstream and doing alterations/redo's. I have 2 projects right now that i'm starting this week.

1. A cropped pea coat i got in japan a long time ago, already removed the one side of button ala every pea coat i get, quality is pretty shitty so I'm tearing out the lining and replacing it, but trying to reline it using thinsulate, and sew it back up again.

2. a pretty cool bennetton jacket i got earlier as well, cut off the outside pockets, resewing them inside, making the sleeves shorter, and cutting the bottom to crop and slim it up. weighing the difference between using darts or just sewing the inside. Darts seem to be cleaner overall...not sure yet.

but I agree here, this brand that brand, i never really cared about that shit in the first place, and found myself getting too into that, so i'm stopping while i still have some money left

[ge0ffzilla]

Get into Julius.. Or like someone said get into higher fashion, be willing to pay more money and you'll find some pretty different stuff.

[masuerte]

You don't necesarilly have to pay more money or buy the things you see at retail price when you look through high fashion / runway shows. I've been looking at high fashion since I was broke in college and it helps give you ideas on how to put things together you might already have in your wardrobe in unique ways. It'll help inspire you to be daring in your thrift purchases even. It especially helps inspire you when you make your own clothing.

[djrajio]

Get into Julius.. Or like someone said get into higher fashion, be willing to pay more money and you'll find some pretty different stuff.

I think this is the completely wrong way of going about it. Frankly, I think your problem isn't necessarily that things are getting old but rather you lack inspiration and opportunities for exposure to diverse styles and ideas. My recommendation is to expose yourself to new environments, people, try to study and learn new things, and then try to develop them into your own personal style if you desire. Try going to a bar/club you've never been before, you'll end up meeting people with different interests than yours, this will explode into new labels, brands, etc...I discovered a shit load about English vintage biker jackets by meeting a 70s loving hipster guy who only wears used 70s clothing a couple months ago.

[verb]

I think this is the completely wrong way of going about it. Frankly, I think your problem isn't necessarily that things are getting old but rather you lack inspiration and opportunities for exposure to diverse styles and ideas.

This is also dependent on your environment. For example, I live in the middle of Indiana where the thrift stores are filled with old overalls and tired old t-shirts. I hit them up every week, like clockwork, and have found two reasonable pieces in the past 2.5 years.

eBay is another route, but you really never know what you're gonna get and end up sifting through thousands upon thousands of items.

[nairb49]

i've made a post new years resolution that i'm buying cheap (unless its something i really fucking want) and buying mainstream and doing alterations/redo's. I have 2 projects right now that i'm starting this week.

1. A cropped pea coat i got in japan a long time ago, already removed the one side of button ala every pea coat i get, quality is pretty shitty so I'm tearing out the lining and replacing it, but trying to reline it using thinsulate, and sew it back up again.

2. a pretty cool bennetton jacket i got earlier as well, cut off the outside pockets, resewing them inside, making the sleeves shorter, and cutting the bottom to crop and slim it up. weighing the difference between using darts or just sewing the inside. Darts seem to be cleaner overall...not sure yet.

but I agree here, this brand that brand, i never really cared about that shit in the first place, and found myself getting too into that, so i'm stopping while i still have some money left

I think poly has a good approach here. Good job on the peacoat btw, looking sharp.

[Brienneoftarth]

yeah one big recomendation I would make is shop at POLO Ralph Lauren. He has some really great unique designs (which his clientelle, who are more mainstream, rarely ever buy so they go on sale every season) that are devoid of any branding. I regularly check out bloomingdales Polo section and find amazing stuff on sale for like 80% off. I wont even wear the polo pony symbol so there are definitely tons of unique shirts/jackets to get there with no label. I just bought a white dress shirt with a real cool 1920's type collar on it for 25 bucks. it retailed at nearly 150. I plan on finding some good dye and dying it a better color. then picking up some glass buttons on ebay. there you go, a one of a kind piece with nice construction that costs very little. I even take the inside tags off my polo stuff.

[mis]

I've never been dissappointed with H&M in terms of looks and price. Maybe quality wise its not up there, but its definitely worth a visit.

[kauflust]

I agree with DJ2xTech, Djrajio, and Downwithianbrown. Get out more, thrift, make your own shit, customize.

Aside from mags, I like to look at costume books from different periods and countries for color schemes, interesting cuts, ratios of lengths. Ethnic clothes are the best for inspiration.

Regarding buttons; thrift for buttons. Even if the item of clothing is shit, buy it for the buttons and throw the rest away.

[cmyke]

Wow, those Schmooves are looking pretty slick! How the hell can you get them in the USA?

[fade to black2]

my suggestion is (and don't take this personally, this is just MY outlook on the whole issue in general): stop thinking about it, and start cultivating other interests...in the end it's just clothes, as long as it keeps you warm and looks respectable that's all that matters.

[dasman989]

i've been traveling a decent amount recently and I agree with you. If you go in the main stream stores it's the same shit in every fucking city. I ask locals where the boutiques are and then go to them and ask if they have any stuff done by local designers. Found some really cool t's in San Fran doing that. You just have to look a little deeper.

[Guest ATS]

The internet is going to turn fashion into a uniform.