Target vs. Indochino – Store Wars Rd. 1

STORE WARS: Target vs. Indochino

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:

Strengths: As affordable as it gets this side of thrift stores.  Everywhere and incredibly accessible.  Their ultimate dress shirt is the best you can buy for around $20.  The new Merona Kensington cotton unstructured blazer.  The place to find Timex Weekenders (just about the entire series) plus slip-thru straps.  Mossimo trim fit polos and t-shirts.  Bold striped socks.  Surprisingly decent wool/silk ties.  And some of their furniture ain’t half bad either.

Weaknesses:  You’re not going to find a lot of stuff that’s built to last.  Or manufactured in the USA (or this hemisphere.)  Good to great for low cost casual stuff, but understandably struggles when it comes to more dressed up options.  Sweaters can be wonky fitting.  Jeans aren’t really worth the savings.  Wearing a red shirt when shopping there might leave you with confused customers asking you questions.

Strengths: People love them.  There are just not a lot of options for suits that cost less than $400, have minimal shoulder padding, and have higher than average arm holes.  A step above department store brands that range in the $200 – $350 range.  Thanks to the customization process, you get to choose your lapel, whether or not you have a ticket pocket, functioning button cuffs, center or side vents, lining color, side tabs instead of belt loops, etc…  The up to $75 re-tailoring credit effectively makes their suits cost $50 – $75 less than list price.  One of the few places to go if you’re an odd size since they’re custom.

Weaknesses: People hate them.  Easily one of the most divisive brands or retailers out there.  Some message boards / forums out there have a myriad of Indochino-horror-story pictures.  Measuring yourself is key, which leaves room for user error, and some have complained that Indochino’s tailors don’t seem to stick to those provided measurements.  Sales and codes seem to have dried up.  They appeared to have been concentrating more on $400 and up suits for awhile there, but then they introduced a few more options in their essentials collection.  Their shirts cost $100, and sometimes they look like this.  They just started making cotton chinos… for $100.  Accessories seem to be priced too high.  Returns can be a hassle if you’re in the U.S. and you’re shipping it back to Canada.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting ends at midnight ET.
UPDATE:  And DOWN goes Indochino.  Target vs. Nordstrom in round two = battle for the ages?
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