Originally posted by: finkl
This post did not make me sick, but made me VERY UNCOMFORTABLE because he was obviously more concerned about showing off than helping us save money. I NEVER thread crap, but am forced to do this time because I feel I am obligated to rebutt OnSpengler's pretentiousness.
This deal is NOT hot at all for the following reasons.
It's not my policy to respond to either fools or ad hominem attacks, but Finkl's post is so fraught with fallacies that it merits my response. This response is more for the sake of the forum than for the sake of my ego, for never before have I seen such fashion ignorance.
Warning: to most in this forum, my reply will be given to some rather esoteric fashion description/history. But for those who took Finkl's "expertise" to heart, a reeducation is needed. Never before have I seen such vitriol, and never has it been so misguided.
Let it be known that neither Kors nor Varvatos are supposed to represent the pinnacle of haute couture.
They merely represent here what I and many others considered to be hot deals. I prefer other designers to these two, but at such prices, who can pass them up? On a relative scale, they represent quality garments, and fashionable garments. That much, I think, we all can agree upon.
(1) The Michael Kors sweater was 50% off at Beverly Hills Saks with the usuall additional % off. The price was below $300. You obviously paid too much but I guess he wouldn't care because he is rich.
(1) Can you verify that the sweater was below $300 at the Beverly Hills Saks? Is this a nationwide deal? It certainly does not sell at the Saks flagship store--the one in Fifth Avenue--for this price. Nor is it available at that price online. Perhaps you should be posting Hot Deals yourself rather than criticizing others.
(2) Michael Kors and John Varbatos are NOT the top brand by any means. They are an upscale Banana Republic without a strong design concept or European tradition. My ex-girl friend was a merchandising specialist for Newman Marcus, and believes that both brands would not last for long.
(2) "In" fashion is considered a moving target, so it's difficult to say what's hot today. Nevertheless, there exists in fashion criticism a consensus that these two items are by men among the most accomplished designers. Regardless, as with any fashion, there is an element of
personal preference.
Here's some fashion education: I'm not sure who John Varbatos is, but John Varvatos is the most premiere haute couture designer in the world. After Tom Ford and Miuncia Prada, he defined 1990s casual menswear more than any other designer. So not only are you paying for quality, you're also paying for his fashionability. Also, Michael Kors, much of his lineup now designed by Celine, ranks among the best designers. Not everyone needs clothes with a "European tradition," whatever that means, and if you haven't noticed, many of the rising designers are from either American or Japan.
Banana Republic, on the other hand, is designed by committee, and generally designs minimalist, Armani imitation items. Your ex-girlfriend, like many Nieman Marcus saleswomen, has little knowledge of fashion except for what helps her sell merchandise.
(3) There are many outlets for John Varbatos (one in Palm Springs). Go there, and you will find much better deals (at least for Californians). I heard that Boston and New Jersey also have outlet stores. But even if you do, don't go to their store, go to Dolce & Garbana outlet store. A much better jeans can be bought at a comparable price (or slightly more expensive). Most John Varbatos jeans are made in India or third world countries while better brands are made in Italy. Why pay so much if you are to buy almost the same stuff as Banana Republic?
(3) Dolce & Gabana?! I choked when I read that. Are you saying D&G is a quality product? And more so than Kors/Varvatos? You have no idea what you're talking about. D&G, if any brand, sells Prada-inspired clothes for Prada-inspired prices. (Read: poor items, poor prices. And unlike Prada, poor fashion. My personal opinion there.)
Where do you get that Kors or Varvatos are made in India? What blatant fallacy is this? If you look at the tags or even the Saks website, you'll see that they are both
Made in Italy.
I remember someone who posted 60% off for Emporio Armani a year ago. I would call THAT was a deal. On the other hand, 20% discount on Michael Kors or John Varbatos should not be called a "deal."
If your admiration for D&G did not illustrate your sartorial ignorance, than surely your extolling of Emporio Armani will. The Emporio Armani line is a step above his Armani Exchange line (it's a joke). If anything, it is more similar to Banana Republic than the other brands, both in terms of fashion and in terms of quality.
Your criticisms of the deal may be valid, but your fashion claims are ridiculous.
And pretentiousness? By serving the public and telling of them of a sale--one that many of them both thanked me for and took advantage of--I'm somehow pretentious? Do you even know the meaning of that word? Please, in the future, speak to when spoken to.