EastDane.com: Amazon’s New Shop for Guys
The #12 Prediction for Men’s Style in 2014 was about Amazon getting their men’s clothing act together. Right now, shopping for men’s clothes on Amazon is a bit of a nightmare. Too cluttered, plus the photography & selection is often sub-par. It’s one of the few things Amazon just doesn’t do that well. But hang on. After the post fired off, this comment came in:
I’m sorry. Whut? Amazon has a new shopping site for guys?
And the speedy shipping isn’t just for Amazon Prime members. If you do have Prime, then the same free, 2-day shipping applies to purchases on East Dane. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you get free three day shipping. Free returns for everyone, as long as you turn it around real quick: “To qualify for free return shipping, your return must arrive at East Dane within 15 days of the date you received it. Please allow 7 days transit time.”
Never heard of this East Dane site until now. Let’s take it for a spin. Some poking around was done in the regular priced areas, as well as in the sale and final sale sections. Y’know, Just to get an idea. Final sale items are noted. Analysis after some picks…
Miansai Card Holder – $95.00
Pricey, but pretty awesome looking. Made in the USA and available in four slightly unusual, but not too wacky color combos.
Seavees 05/65 Westwood Tennis Shoes – $29.40 FINAL SALE ($98)
Suede, low profile sneakers with a contrast sole. Nice price. No returns on these though. Meanwhile, they also have the super-lightweight Tretorn Nylites for twenty bucks.
Filson Plaid Tote – $72.50 ($145)
Don’t laugh. Some of us use these things. Also available in a standard red buffalo plaid. Made in the USA. “Might as well have the best”.
Gant by M.B. Herringbone Blazer | Barleycorn Blazer – $225 FINAL SALE ($750)
Both from the Michael Bastian line. Herringbone option on the left has a 100% wool exterior. Barleycorn on the right is 60% wool / 40% poly. Both are made in Portugal. Both have those terrific, rectangular corduroy elbow patches. Both are final sale.
Eastland Made In Maine Belfast Boots – $118.50 FINAL SALE ($395)
Hang on, the Kiltie is removable? Even if it’s not, these are made in the USA from Horween Chromexcel and “welted to a vibram lug sole.” Hell of a deal for $120. Sizes are a bit scattered, and they’re final sale.
Hudson Bay Cashmere Scarf – $150
Light in color, with lots of colors, but still masculine. Bit of a 70s vibe to it. Made in Scotland. But… how much?
Shipley & Halmos James Polo in Grey or Navy – $37.50 FINAL SALE ($125)
97% Cotton, 3% spandex, rubber rugby-like buttons and contrast at the collar and sleeves. Rounded hem, so be aware of that. Looks like something Michael Bastian would design for UNIQLO. Awwww… remember the M.B. polos at Uniqlo? Wonder if they’ll do those again this year. Maybe they won’t sell out in 2.8 seconds this time around.
Filson Cover Cloth Weekender Coat – $160 ($320)
Half off isn’t half bad. Made in the USA. Sizes are getting limited though.
Citizens of Humanity Core Selvedge Slim Straight Jeans – $112.00 ($224)
For the denim heads. Slim straight selvedge that’s made in the USA. Half off, but not final sale. Lots of sizes. … yet, you could get three or four pairs of Levi’s for that.
Mark McNairy Suede Pennys – $135 | Chukkas – $127.50 BOTH FINAL SALE
Were both going for $425 and $450 respectively. Limited sizes available for each. Goodyear welted. Both are made in England.
The Bottom Line
It’s pricey. Lots of high end (and high fashion) names. Feels like something between CLAD and Park & Bond. Which… are now both dead. But the experience is a big improvement over Amazon. Browsing is easy. Photographs are clean and attractive. And when an item is listed as “imported”, they even give the country of origin (China, Turkey, Spain, etc…)
What’s your take on East Dane? A well executed branch of Amazon? Or an experiment doomed to fail? Probably something in-between? And have you shopped there yet? Leave it all in the comments.