STORE WARS: Lands’ End Canvas vs. Brooks Brothers
Starting March 13th and running through April 2nd, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2012. For a full introduction see this post. The bracket on the right will be updated as the tournament progresses. Click on it for the full size. 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:
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Strengths: Last year’s champion. Nice, upgraded casual basics for good prices, and those prices can get dirt cheap when on sale/clearance. From blazers to shirts, shoes to pants, you could put together an entire outfit of just them. Handwritten thank you notes to first time customers, which has played a part in developing what appears to be a solidly loyal customer base. Despite some complaints, the ultra-cheap, Alden-Indy inspired Crosby Moc Toe (now just $60.) Their waxed cotton trip bag. Their guarantee. Not only is one of their models an SI Swimsuit model, their swimsuits have appeared in the issue as well.
Weaknesses: They seem to have lost a bit of their way, or perhaps they have some new strategy that reduces the number of items they produce and raises overall prices ($100 for a cardigan? $100 for… cargo pants?) Blazers can fit a little big sometimes, and this season’s blazers look to be running real short in the tail. Overall the brand is more fitted, certainly more so than Lands’ End, but not a true trim fit most of the time. Used to run sales and codes often. Now it’s more like a free-shipping-at-$50 code every once in awhile.
Strengths: The original outfitter of well dressed American Men. Founded in 1818 and has rolled with the punches since. Understands that they can’t disrespect their more tradition minded customers, but they’re not afraid to do something bold and current every so often. Their Regent and Milano slim fit blazers and suits. Trim and Extra Trim fit Oxford Cloth Button Downs. They still have some of their stuff made in the USA. Decent sales from time to time. Football leather briefcases.
Weaknesses: The prices. Some would argue that their quality is a step or two above, but… the prices. Despite the heritage and patriotism, it’s a little odd to see “made in China” on much of their inventory. Fits have slimmed down, but they’re still pretty generous. Yes, their Black Fleece line is sort of akin to a garage full of concept cars in the automotive world, but seriously. What. The. Hell. Social media interaction involves the usage of “sir” and “gentlemen” to the point where you wonder if their Facebook/Twitter staff all wear monocles.
Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below. Voting ends at midnight ET.
UPDATE: Tradition takes one on the chin. But much respect to BB. Guessing they’ll still be around in 2118.
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Store Wars: Lands' End Canvas vs. Brooks Brothers
- Lands' End Canvas (74%, 916 Votes)
- Brooks Brothers (27%, 331 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,234
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I have never regretted buying BB merchandise. I cannot say the same for LEC.
Got some great LEC gear in a recent sale. Nice trousers and a collection of cotton/cashmere sweaters that all worked out at $16 per item with all the discounts – plus a reasonable freight cost to Australia.
Went into a Brooks Brother store on Michigan Ave, Chicago when I was in the US a couple of years ago. The sniffy shop assistant looked me up and down, and obviously made a decision that I was not a potential buyer – funny how that attitude often makes those expectations a reality! I left and haven’t been back to one of their stores since!!! (although this is admittedly an easy resolve to keep since I came back to Australia soon after!)
I am a very loyal LEC customer and I can thank this website for that. I only wish they carried a few more dressier items (i.e. suits). Casual is good but they can be too casual at times.
I love Brooks Brothers’ products, but don’t usually buy them from Brooks Brothers. They’re a good value 2nd hand, though. LEC quality isn’t always good enough, even for the price, but I’ll still give them the nod.
When LEC goes on sale and the price actually reflects what you’re purchasing, they’re tough to beat. They’re a staple of my (very) casual wardrobe. Just picked up a few pair of shoes from them that I like quite a bit for super cheap on sale.
Let’s be honest-J.Crew will come out on top in this! They carry everything in all fits and fabrics and colors. Their details are polished and versatile and you get great promotions and discounts and service beyond compare! BB is phenomenal but you’re right with the made in china (for a patriotic brand) and that ridiculous (Ralph) price point! And Canvas is a good concept-but it’s time to grow up men-mommy dressed you in their clothes growing up, but it’s time to step out of her stylistic shadow!
I want to like LEC so badly but i’ve returned probably 90% of the things I’ve bought from them.
I love the new LEC line, the trends are cute and finally I have stuff that fits. I can actually talk to someone live on the phone or on-line if I have questions, cant say the same for BB – customer service wins everytime!!
While it stinks that LEC prices have gone up, just about everything seems to go on sale at some point. Not a fan of everything there, but hard to beat for cheap staples.
I still own Brooks’ gear I purchased as a freshman in college (’00). I’ve had to donate LEC sweaters and trousers after just one year of wearing. Considering the updated cuts, the sales that BB always has, and their return to Made In America tradition (seriously, they have an entire page on their site dedicated to M.I.A.), I can’t fathom throwing money away on cheaply made and ill-fitting garments from LEC. I love their concept, I respect what they’re doing, but when it comes down to it – nothing beats the original: Brooks Brothers. Wait for sales and build your closet with tried and true staples, not with cheaper “looks of the season.”
I really like LEC, and I have a lot of their stuff. The new prices seem a bit high, but I’m sure they will be more realistic on sale.
I love the BB slim fit shirts that I own, but that is all I will ever be able to afford to buy there. I vote LEC, but it is a shame that they met in the first round, I would have picked BB over a lot of other retailers.
I never buy BB at full price, but when they have decent sales, I can’t resist. I’ve a penchant for slim-fit non-iron shirts, and you cannot beat BB when it comes to those. The fabric is phenomenal (especially the Supima), they last forever, they look great, and they resist wrinkles way better than other brands. I’ve never once had to steam them to finish up, even after I accidentally leave the shirts in the dryer for hours. They always come out flat and perfect, or get that way after a day in the closet.
The best part about LEC used to be that they were exactly what they set out to be: a source of slimmer fitting, great-looking, casual clothes. Their cuts aren’t always the slimmest, the fabric isn’t always of the best quality, but for those lazy Saturday afternoons, or a casual Tuesday night hangout, it’s hard to pass up on my LEC items. Now, recently they have tried to grow their brand and be competitive with J. Crew and the like, causing an increase in price. If this trend continues in the future, then LEC will probably lose my patronage. For now though, they are still great in my book.
Brooks Brothers is quality, plain and simple. They are a classic American brand, and continue to make great clothes. However, they are not as accessible as LEC, both in price point and customer service. I have had the experience, listed by a few other gents here, of walking in to the store in jeans and a T-shirt, received the once over from the sales staff, and was basically ignored. My pride aside, if BB was going up against someone like Ralph Lauren, Indochino, J. Crew, or some other retailer who offers the same dressed up options, it would be a tough call. For this matchup thought, my vote is LEC.
I realize that LEC is the more practical choice here (and I have a ton of their stuff), but I just like BB too much to vote against them… So I’m sitting this one out.
Ha! How very diplomatic of you Alan.
Does anyone know if there are any plans for LEC to start selling tall items? They still get my vote for the pants, shorts and swimsuit I got and love, but I feel left out whenever their shirts show up on the site.
I wish I could like Brooks Brothers. But they hardly sell anything in my size, at least as far as suits go, they are absurdly expensive (relative to a lot of other Dappered favorite stores).
LEC is hit-and-miss but their slim-fit chinos are my new favorite pants. I’ve also really enjoyed my striped OCBD, even if it’s not as slim as it could be. I just wish they were a little more consistent in terms of sizing, fit, and quality.
Uh… what?
You forgot to say “In my opinion”! I’d like to see eBay (Zegna suits for $150 anyone?) or BR win. But that’s my opinion!
Every LEC shirt I’ve bought, including those sold as ‘slim’, has been too big in the body for me. Their shirts also seem to have a weird taper where they’re much wider at the bottom than at the chest, making them look terrible untucked. I know, story of my life with a narrow torso and long arms, but J Crew and Ralph Lauren Custom fit me great.
Not right now but you can call Lands End and leave that as
a customer request.8009634816, I call 5X per week
Love LE Canvas
I like the direction BB is going towards but since I work in an office 5 days out of the week. I am going with BB. LEC items are great for weekend casual.
Joe did a post last year sometime on a BB sale and I snatched up this Gingham shirt and it fit me PERFECTLY off the rack. Extra trim fit, and I wear like a 16.5 neck, 36 sleeve so I cant just drop in a store and get shirts. I’ve gotten shirts tailored, but it’s kind of hit or miss sometimes. All that said, I have to step out on faith and vote BB although even if I had cash to blow I probably couldn’t pay retail in good conscience. But the extra trim shirts are simply the best imo.
I’m still mad at BB and the coated canvas “Italian leather” card case. Shame on you guys. LEC all the way.
I don’t think that’s an uncommon experience from a Brooks Brothers store. I was just in the 44th and Madison store today trying on some loafers and the person handling me instantly decided I was just here to browse.
I was fairly well dressed and had just been to Allen Edmonds next door where everyone was friendly but apparently looking young disqualifies you from courteous treatment.
For all their efforts with the youthful SS 2012 collection to draw in a younger audience, it’s not going to work unless the retail experience is conducive to that goal.
My family and I love the LEC jeans we got on sale
I vote L.E.C. all the way! they’re clearance section is one of the best i’ve ever seen.