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Thrift Stores vs. Billy Reid – Store Wars Rd. #1

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STORE WARS: Thrift Stores vs. Billy Reid

Store Wars 8sStarting March 17th and running through April 7th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2014.  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: Who doesn’t like a treasure hunt? Picking through the racks and finding something incredible at thrifting prices is extremely satisfying. It’s the way (other than ebay) for guys on a super strict budget to find heritage, sometimes luxury pieces. In our world where most affordable new clothes are made with some level of disposability in mind, you can still find extremely well made, built to last goods hidden in the racks and on the shelves of thrift stores. From furniture to cars, the variety of desirable, great-looking stuff can be tremendous.

Weaknesses: No matter how many great, in-depth guides to thrifting you read, if you live in an area that just does not send good stuff to thrift stores, you’re going to waste a ton of time. Some of us have flat out given up. It’s a gamble, and it can be addicting. And if you’re losing 99% of the time, but still head back on the hunt, is it worth it? Also, with the younger, internet & ebay-savvy generations aging, will thrift stores become less and less likely to acquire tempting stuff? Or will the previous owner choose to sell his more desirable items online?

 

billy reid 3

Strengths: Sure they’re probably over-seeded, but this is one of only a few labels that hits that odd area between affordable and unattainable designer goods. They’re more expensive that most (all) of the other competitors, but if you save up, stumble across something at Nordstrom Rack, or hang out for a sale… you can pick up some of their incredibly well made goods at fair prices. They’ll still be pricey, but their outerwear, shoes, accessories, and even basics like henleys and polos are worth (to some) saving up. Lots of goods are made in the USA or Italy. Has a rugged but still polished feel. Their in-store experience is incredible. Outerwear is awesome, especially the Bond Peacoat.

Weaknesses: C’mon. Surely over-seeded, and maybe lucky to even be in the tournament. Just flat out too expensive. More of a niche than a go-to. Suit jackets / blazer can often look chopped. While they do offer casual to dressed up stuff, the line can seem a little limited in terms of selection.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting closes at midnight ET.

Store Wars: Thrift Stores vs. Billy Reid

  • Thrift Stores (62%, 867 Votes)
  • Billy Reid (39%, 541 Votes)

Total Voters: 1,405

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Comments

  1. Since I got a full Paul Stuart suit from good will at 25 dollars and went to 15 interviews and got 3 offers. I Think I’ll Go With Goodwill At This Stage.

  2. I know Billy Reid’s stuff is expensive. But the quality of the materials and construction makes them worth it to me for some pieces. And the in-store experience is great too, at least in NY.

  4. More of my dress shirts than I’d care to admit are from Goodwill, and my favorite jacket as well. A bad day at good will is when I can only find a couple Brooks Brothers blazers and JCrew/BR shirts in my size. The one closest to me isn’t particularly good, but it is still flush with Brooks, HSM, and the occasional Hickey Freeman. Plus it’s sickeningly cheap! Billy Reid hits on fashion well and the quality is pretty good, but you’re paying for a name on your clothes. I imagine it gets most of its fans due to the Bond Peacoat (a $700 “pea coat” that keeps you neither warm nor dry: unlined, back vent, 20% nylon, peak lapels in favor of buttoning all the way up). It looks good, but no amount of money will turn you into Daniel Craig.

  5. This is probably the toughest first round match-up. I have to go with thrift stores since the potential reward is so much higher. I think I have one item from Billy Reid and many, many more from thrifting.

  6. I want to throw out there that if you haven’t seen it, Goodwill has an auction site where they put a lot of their items. And I’m guessing it is some of their nicer stuff. The starting prices are pretty ridiculously low for some of it.

    I accidentally donated my go-to navy Brooks Brothers suit this past year and kept going back to the store to try to find it. I don’t know where it went, and kept going back to the store to try to find it (hence me discovering the auctions) but I’m sure someone got an amazing $25 suit.

  7. Question I should have asked during the selection period (but it didn’t occur to me until last night): Does the “Selection Committee” include TJMaxx/Marshalls as part of the Thrift Store composite?

  8. The Theory slacks, DKNY tie, and Allen Edmonds captoes I’m wearing today tell me to vote for thrift stores.

  9. I’m trying really hard not to hate you bastards guys that live close to awesome Goodwill stores (or live anywhere near a Goodwill for that matter); the “My Goodwill is actually a Neiman Marcus where they just mark everything $0.50” type comments ARE NOT HELPING.

  10. For those that aren’t aware, Paul Stuart is ridiculously cheap on the bay, too. I don’t even bother thrifting it anymore if it’s not my size.

    If you’re a 38R there’s a recent wool/cashmere navy suit for $80 with zero bids right now.

  11. My goodwill is a consignment shop nextdoor to a Nieman Marcus. Scored an air force blue Isaia blazer for my dad for $110, a pair of NIB shell Aldens for the same price, and there’s plenty more where that came from. If you’re having no luck at GWs, try the second-hand shops too. You won’t get insane numbers, but you’ll see a ton of good product.

  14. I’m going to abstain from this one. I’m not interested in Billy Reid prices and I’ve never had much luck at the thrift store. It’s just too hard to find a 38R that doesn’t make you look like an extra from American Hustle.

  15. Billy Reid gets my vote. With a 37” sleeve length (6’5” 165lbs… just to give you an idea of my slender build), I was a little weary to try a normal, “non-tall” size large on a henley and long-sleeve polo. However, the sleeve length was near perfect and the shirts weren’t too baggy either. Pretty rare to find a brand like that.

    People with my build tend to not let go of clothes that actually fit, which is why I’ve all but given up on thrift stores.

  16. Nice, Alan! I too have found a HF sportcoat, although it needs some tailoring (sleeves), and I sure wish it were navy, that is sweet!

    But my best to date would probably be some burgundy/Merlot Alden wingtips for $9 (IIRC).

    Thifts are certainly hit or miss (usually miss), but when the finds are found, it makes it all worth it.

  18. Haha, I know, it’s all good. The closest city to me is Buffalo. Not really a shopping capital (or sports capital). I probably just need to go find a decent city.

  19. I always get Paul Stuart confused with Paul Smith. They’re both high end stuff, right?

  20. That would probably be a bad idea for potential buyers… better to find it yourself.

  21. billy reid might have better quality, but i don’t find their designs to be a significant step above jcrew or br. and what’s so great about that peacoat besides being in the bond movie? it’s stiff and not that warm.

  23. I’m just not a thrift store person. Nothing against them… I almost exclusively shopped in thrift stores as a kid and I know plenty of adults score great finds… it’s just not for me anymore. As for Billy Reid, I don’t mind paying more for high quality, so that’s a pretty easy “yes”.

  24. This is a totally unfair seeding. Either carry a high value to the skilled hunter. Billy Reid is a fine designer with a unique and authentic flair. And a southerner. Besides, who here buys anything full price. Wait for Billy’s onl;ine or in store sales. Forget the Peacaoat. I picked up his Quail Jacket-Black in Charleston ($405) for $198. A great oil cloth without the Barbour “my dad is the Prince of Wales” action. A solid, 10 year investment. Thanks Billy!

  25. Both good, Paul Smith has more diffusion lines. The Made in Japan Smith stuff is AWESOME, if a bit fashionable. Paul Smith is tricky because it’s easy to accidentally grab stuff like the PS line which is crap.

    Paul Stuart is Brooks Brothers Plus- conservative but fastidiously made

  26. I have no clue about the shopping there, but you have my sympathies on the sports teams

  27. The only good thing I’ve ever found at a thrift store was a J. Crew leather bomber… which was too big for me, so I didn’t buy it. I’m still voting for thrift stores here, because I’ve never even *considered* buying anything from Billy Reid. Just way too expensive.

  28. Ugh, I know. I found an oversized J. Crew bomber at a thrift store once. I almost bought it, just because I was so excited to find something not total shit at a thrift store. The problems with living in the fashion wasteland that is the Pacific Northwest, I suppose.

  29. I chose Billy Reid because I am married and have young children. Spending lots of time sifting through tons of items to POSSIBLY find something is just not worth it. I’d rather pay for the convenience of time in this instance. 🙂

  30. Interesting, thanks for the info. Here’s an equally important follow-up question though – do they stick to the Brooks Brothers “everyone is either super fat, kinda fat or not fat – no one is slim or skinny” sizing model?

  31. The irony in this is you are happy you got a higher quality item, which would be what billy reid sells. If you were unable to get anything of quality at GW would you vote for it?

    So is the vote for the item, as you name dropped, or is it for GW because purely due to prices.

    DUN DUN DUN

  32. While quality is important to me, price is typically the deciding factor. So if I were being asked to pay Billy Reid prices, I simply wouldn’t buy anything. So if I have to choose between a place where I might find something I’m willing to buy and a place where I know I won’t buy anything, I’m going to stick with the place that has at least a chance.

  33. You can always size down – I am a drop 7 and wear a 38 or 40, and their 38 fits me really well.

  34. Pretty easy to find, just search Paul Stuart 38 – eBay’s new “Follow this search” feature makes it ridiculously easy to keep track of new items from good brands.

  37. “what’s so great about that peacoat besides being in the bond movie?”

    Dude… I… I just… I mean… you know….. it was in a frickin’ Bond movie!!!

  39. I have been to Billy Reids main office/ store headquarters a number of times. (I live in North MS). It is so amazing. I have thrifted some quality steals…. I still have to vote for the hometown hero Billy Reid.

  40. Those are still retail establishments selling new stuff. Thrift Stores deal almost exclusively in second-hand goods.

  41. …and when you finally find some gem, the thrill is tangible and 100% worth the time spent.

  42. Good point. I guess I was thinking of “thrift” in the economic sense as those stores tend to have sub-retail prices.

  43. The Billy Reid in Charleston has complementary bourbon… It’s Bulleit. By far the best in store experience I’ve seen.