J. Crew vs. Thrift Stores – Store Wars Rd. 1

STORE WARS: J. Crew vs. Your Neighborhood Thrift Store

Starting March 15th and running through April 4th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2011.  For a full introduction see this post.  To see the updated bracket, click on the image to the right.  Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up.  On with today’s showdown.

NOTE: Talk about juxtaposition.  These two remind me of this scene from The Sandlot.
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Strengths:  The top of the non department store food chain.  Their run of success over the past few years has been remarkable.  Their Ludlow fit, their suits in general, and their sportcoats/blazers are certainly something.  They get subtle patterns.  They’ve partnered up with some heritage brands to offer unique, almost always incredibly good looking items.  Their “Factory” line gives those of us without a huge bankroll an opportunity to get the look at a reasonable price.

Weaknesses: Can get a little too big for their britches sometimes (see the patent pending Muyjens-ometer for examples).  Selling a Timex for $175 is ridiculous.  Those damn “final sales” when you can’t return items.  The high shipping costs from Jcrew.com.  Overall, pretty expensive.

Strengths: Short of finding it on the side of the road with a “FREE” sign taped to it, it won’t cost less.  Can be a gold mine for classic, well built pieces.  True vintage, not made to imitate vintage.  Much more than clothes too.

Weaknesses: They’re feast or famine.  And it’s almost always famine.  You can go to a thrift store once or twice a week for four months and not come across anything worth while.  But then you can hit on an incredible blazer and a couple of great ties in the span of a few days.  It’s like golf.  You swear up and down the course but then you hit one incredible shot and you’re back for more.  They’re the penny slots of the style world.  Not a lot of harm done if you get hooked, but man can you waste a boatload of time working them.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below.
UPDATE: Sorry thrift stores.  Love what you guys do, but, J. Crew wins in a walk.
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