HOT HOT HOTTER than HOT - Saks 5th Avenue Sale

[KokomoGST]

Actually for folks with NORMAL price budgets on their wardrobes (I'm talking even the typical middle class Ferengi shoppers of AT)... Off5th (Saks' outlet store) does have good deals on clothing.

The price at which these clothes are selling... you're making the kind of money that you don't even have to care that it's on sale. You'd buy it anywho.

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: Helenihi

80 for a tie? Now what the hell is going on here? A tie is a tie. You don't feel the material, the shape is pretty much standard, and those designs aren't particularly impressive.

You don't weart ties often, I assume?

 

[Cullinaire]

If anyone was interested in those $6995 eiderdown comforters, I noticed that they were offering free shipping. Yes that's right, FREE SHIPPING.

Them luxury threads seem quite popular here whenever they pop up. The bentley thread was mildly satisfying, but this-oh what a delight! So it only proves that deep underneath, everyone here wishes they could wrap themselves in fine thread and pilot exotic motors. Nothing wrong with that, of course.

I'd jump on this deal myself if the sweater could plug the water leak in the trunk of my corolla-that damn leak has severely degraded the luxury I am so used to!

 

[yak8998]

Originally posted by: dxpaap
fun thread to read - although not sure why someone would be spending time in this forum if you can afford to purchase $560 sweaters .....

for me, saving $20 bucks here, $15 there lets me upgrade my video card geekkkeeeeeee

cheers

Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you don't have hobbies (ie computers?). Look at cars - theres people ricing out civics (no offense intended here, trying to work an easy example) and there are people ricing out porsches. I kind of agree about the saving money thing tho, but I'll bet for people buying this stuff thats really not an issue, the problem is video cards are too cheap.

I make 100K a year and Old Navy suits me just fine. They're all the same.

Its not all the same, Old Navy is shoddy.

 

[Ardy]

If it makes you feel good then do it....

 

[tbates757]

I hate to threadcrap... but this thread is seriously lame

 

[ETan]

Buy stocks of this type of stores... SKS went from a low of around $7 back in March to around $14.50 now.

I don't think you are what you wear, but you're definitely what you eat, and even more so you are what you do.

 

[Softy]

Originally posted by: tbates757
I hate to threadcrap... but this thread is seriously lame

Don't feel bad....crap is about appropriate for this "deal" or better yet vomit. This thread is more about someone impressing himself by telling the world what he spent on overpriced clothing than anything else.

 

[Verinnal]

I'm curious as to what the salaries are of the people that can rationalize the purchase of a $500+ sweater. I'm very interested. Extremely interested.

 

[OsSpengler]

After reading this thread, I think the academics are correct: the internet frees man from his social contract. Free to do and act as he pleases without fear of social reprimand, the Online Man has devolved into the Lord of the Flies.

If you are going to talk about people who can afford $500 sweaters, please consider that price is relative. Some people would consider such prices extreme, others, trivial. There are some stores, after all, that don't even have price tags on the merchandise--such is their clientele.

Nevertheless, myriad generalizations being used here. Are we talking about the affluent, or the wealthy (there's a significant difference). To see the purchases of the affluent, read the Robb Report. It's all there, everything but the deals.

For those of you who expressed amazement at a moderately-priced sweater, there's a world of consumption beyond your reach. You AnandTechers are quite patriotic, but there's a taboo subject in America: the subject of Class. When 1% of the country owns 40% of the wealth, when 1% of the country owns 85% of all stocks, then you will find some people who can spend $5 for a sweater--and some that can spend $50,000.

When the CEO of a company makes $12 an hour for every $1.20 he pays his employees--then you see who can afford this merchandise.

But that's capitalism: if someone's up, it means another man is down. It's all relative in the land of haves and have nots. But hey, work hard, get ahead--anyone can do it! This is a system by the common man and for the common man, right? It's the American way!

 

[The_Dude8]

Originally posted by: Verinnal
I'm curious as to what the salaries are of the people that can rationalize the purchase of a $500+ sweater. I'm very interested. Extremely interested.

maybe they are lawyers, making $100K a year,.

 

[THRILLHOv]

Originally posted by: OsSpengler
Unlike Tommy, Polo, etc., which make of the wearer a billboard, the more expensive the product, the more logo-free it is.

There's a certain understated elegance to wearing finely-tailored clothing. This exquisite projection would surely be ruined by conspicuous branding.

And please, consider the maxim of Each to his own. Just as you may impugn fine clothing, many people would consider it ludicrous to spend upwards of $400 for a videocard.

respect to the well thought out point. its all about priorities. I would never spend $400 on a vid card, and i would never spend $600 on a sweater, but its just cause i dont have that kind of cash to throw around. If i had that much disposable income I imagine id prob buy both and not be concerned with looking through a hot deals forum. Thanks for attempting to share your find any way. and although i agree with your views on logos (damn you abercrombie and fitch, i hate that place, wanna talk about over priced, id see spending $600 on one of these sweaters before spending $100 on one of theirs any day) i truely doubt any one on this forum is gonna get any use out of it.

 

[MrPabulum]

There IS a difference between more expensive clothing and cheaper clothing: the fit and cutting. A more expensive dress shirt/coat/sweater will "drape" (that's the term I believe) better than a cheaper one. Some of you might find that ludicrous; some will find it readily apparent. Go and try some expensive clothing on at Saks one day -- try some Ermengildo Zegna wool jackets on and compare the fit, styling and drap to those at stores like Banana Republic.

As someone who buys some clothing from Gap, American Eagle, Express and all the rest, the difference between the clothing from those companies and that of Zegna, Armani (not Exchange), Zara etc. can be night and day. Some sweaters that I've bought in Gap have fit me very well, and so the $40 I spent on them was worth it. Likewise, if I spend (rarely) $200-300 for a piece from the latter, then the fit and finish is truly a step up. Perhaps one day I'll have enough money to purchase clothing from expensive tailors. For now, I have to limit myself. Of course, if you walk around in very baggy jeans and very large sweatshirts, then this probably wouldn't apply or matter to you (ehem..50), but why get offended? If anything, you luck out, since you don't have to spend that sort of money.

Besides, the most relevant point was made by sjwaste:

Actually, its not about the price point of diminishing returns. It's about consumer surplus, an economic concept you might have encountered sometime. Remember that downward sloping demand curve? Well, the target market for this good is those consumers whose demand falls on that curve very close to the Price intercept. Economically, I don't see any problem with the original poster buying these goods. Some producer has them on the market because a segment exists that will buy them. I say go capitalism. Personally, the prices are excessive. But he's right about the quality and the fit. I can't afford these on my own (I'm an economics student, flame away), but I do have a relative who works for a designer which I won't name. I might not be willing to shell out top dollar for the best video card out there, but I'd be willing to buy these clothes once my financial situation allows it. It's all about buying what maximizes your individual consumer surplus across all markets in which you participate.

Thank god for the free market.

:beer:

 

[amnesiac]

Those of you bashing on this deal, stop.

Just because you still can't afford it even after the prices drop doesn't mean that it's a bad deal.

So maybe you can't afford -- or *can* afford but can't justify the purchase of a $600 sweater. That's fine, but that doesn't mean someone else does. Like OsSpengler said, you're paying for the brand, the prestige, and the quality of workmanship.

Those of you saying "even if I could afford it I wouldn't buy it" -- first, what are you doing in this thread? Second, I assume you would also insist on buying a Toyota Prius (cheap, efficient) even if you made hundreds of thousands of dollars a year just because "you don't see a point" in buying something more expensive. I'm sure if you made that much you wouldn't know what to do with it. When you reach a certain level of income -- and also a proportionate level of disposable income, your view on materialistic goods changes. You buy it because you *can* and because it makes an impact on the lifestyle with which you're accustomed.

Yes, I know people who make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and live very modestly because they don't have a need for extravagance. However, I know others with similar incomes who spend tens of thousands of dollars buying Christmas gifts, drive Bimmers/Jaguars, and live in several-million-dollar homes because they have clients, friends, or others they need to impress.

I completely understand how the concept of buying such excess seems preposterous to some of you, but you have to realize that just because you can't imagine a type of lifestyle doesn't mean it can't, doesn't, or shouldn't exist. It especially bothers me when I hear comments like "people like you make me sick." Why? Because they make heaps more money than you do they're not entitled to spend it on what they want? That sounds like jealousy to me. Keep in mind that it's all relative. What might seem excessive to you is normal to them, just as you spending $5 on a meal at a fast food joint is EXTREMELY excessive to someone living in a third world country.

 

[a2k]

For those of you reading this thread because you actually might buy something... there's a 10% off coupon to be found over at that other hot deals site that expires on 12/29.

Now, to jump into the madness of the rest of you who are reading this thread but aren't going to buy anything...

80 for a tie? Now what the hell is going on here? A tie is a tie. You don't feel the material, the shape is pretty much standard, and those designs aren't particularly impressive.

The tie makes the suit. Buy a nice suit and cheap tie and you'll look cheap. There's no getting around it. You can't overclock a tie.

 

[LordAthens]

For those flaming, have you actually put on a NICE piece of clothing?

It's amazing. Even the most depressed person can act like they own Microsoft when they are put in a nice tailored suit. I agree with OP, you are what you wear. I work in retail and thus cannot justify a 500+ sweater, but if I was pulling in the coin, absolutely I would be wearing it.

Do you go on a important job interview wearing your classy Old Navy pants and Sketchers? Of course not, you pull out your finest clothes because you are dressing to impress, thus you ARE what you wear.

Everytime (rare) that I get a chance to put on my tailored suit, I feel like I could rule the world. You *do* get a holier-than-thou feeling about yourself and on occasion, it's damn nice. Wendsday myself and my girlfriend are going out to a very uppity resturant. I'll be wearing my tailored Hugo Boss suit, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and my TAG Kirium. I'll look like and act like I make in a week what the waiter makes a year. Simply, it just feels GOOD.

I envy those that can afford fine clothing on a daily basis.

 

[Softy]

Originally posted by: OsSpengler
After reading this thread, I think the academics are correct: the internet frees man from his social contract. Free to do and act as he pleases without fear of social reprimand, the Online Man has devolved into the Lord of the Flies.

If you are going to talk about people who can afford $500 sweaters, please consider that price is relative. Some people would consider such prices extreme, others, trivial. There are some stores, after all, that don't even have price tags on the merchandise--such is their clientele.

Nevertheless, myriad generalizations being used here. Are we talking about the affluent, or the wealthy (there's a significant difference). To see the purchases of the affluent, read the Robb Report. It's all there, everything but the deals.

For those of you who expressed amazement at a moderately-priced sweater, there's a world of consumption beyond your reach. You AnandTechers are quite patriotic, but there's a taboo subject in America: the subject of Class. When 1% of the country owns 40% of the wealth, when 1% of the country owns 85% of all stocks, then you will find some people who can spend $5 for a sweater--and some that can spend $50,000.

When the CEO of a company makes $12 an hour for every $1.20 he pays his employees--then you see who can afford this merchandise.

But that's capitalism: if someone's up, it means another man is down. It's all relative in the land of haves and have nots. But hey, work hard, get ahead--anyone can do it! This is a system by the common man and for the common man, right? It's the American way!

No doubt you received the exact reaction you were aiming for in posting an absurd "deal" for a $600 sweater and labeling it a quadruple hot when the average clothing deal on this forum is a free T-shirt for filling out a survey. Your follow-up essay was simply fascinating but now that your Highness has wowed us with your wealth and your intellect perhaps it's best you allow us peasants to get back to our Hot Deals.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Hahaha. Mankind at its best. People envy those that have more than them. People spurn those that have less.

 

[daadaa]

Wuzzup Os

Sounds like a good deal, thx

However, I'm not that comfortable shopping online for the brands I'm not familiar with, the quality may be lower than my expectation. But, I'd like to recommend www. old navy.com. I know 4 sure that old navy only offer premium quality, eventhough it's kind a pricy.

PS: ME and my coworkers @McDonalds only shop the coolest attires from WalMart, Target, etc. Coz they have stuffs that sista in our hood dig in. Peace broooooooo

 

[huesmann]

I prefer my clothes to be made by 6-year old children in third world sweatshops. Children have better manual dexterity than adults because they have smaller, not big and bulky, hands. So they do a better job of sewing your clothes.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: Verinnal
I'm curious as to what the salaries are of the people that can rationalize the purchase of a $500+ sweater. I'm very interested. Extremely interested.

It really depends. I can see someone that really wants the sweater might buy it even though they make only $60,000 or so. On the other hand I know people who make $175,000 and never buy a sweater that costs more than $40.

 

[Racketear]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: Verinnal I'm curious as to what the salaries are of the people that can rationalize the purchase of a $500+ sweater. I'm very interested. Extremely interested.

It really depends. I can see someone that really wants the sweater might buy it even though they make only $60,000 or so. On the other hand I know people who make $175,000 and never buy a sweater that costs more than $40.

I know several people w/ 7 figure incomes that dress worse than I do.. Buying high end designer clothes on sale means they are out of season, and that is a bad deal for people that are seriously into fashion. I spend about 8-10k a year on clothing not counting suits, and I do not pay more than $120 for a shirt. There really isnt much of a quality increase past that price point, and I can buy 5x as many nice shirts than a $600 shirt, and always be in style. 3 months down the road when your $600 shirt is last season, I have a years worth of style left.

My gf spends a lot of time in BCBG and still doensn't spend that kind of money on her clothing yet, looks as well dressed as people who do.

Also, you can't say a shirt is better because of the general fit, if a pretailored shirt does not fit well on you it just as bad as the " 2 size to large american market shirts."

Hot pricing on designer clothes would be like 50-70% off.

Oh BTW I went to the off 5th ave store in Waikele, and they were selling clothes that I had purchased 3 years ago at maybe 30% off msrp.

 

[badmouse]

This thread is hilarious.

I'm getting divorced from a senior-executive dude, so I know all about those $4000 sportscoats.

Here's the rules: In many circles, the clothes you wear mean "does this person belong with us?" If you aspire to be a senior executive, you must wear the same very expensive labels as all the other executives, because if you don't, then you don't get to be a senior executive. Believe me, every other senior executive looking at you will know where your clothes come from, how much they cost, and what the brands are, even if the labels don't show.

THE ONLY REASON TO WEAR THIS STUFF IS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FIT IN WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO DRESS THIS WAY.

This cr*p about them being better cut, better drape, nicer fabrics, and not sweatshop-sewn is not automatically true. If you happen to have the body to wear expensive suits, then you probably also look good in cheap ones. If you have a good tailor, then THAT is where the fit comes from. Not surprisingly, stores that sell $15,000 suits are more likely to have good tailors than, say, WalMart. Yes, some expensive clothes last a long time. However, I still have KMart clothes I bought 20 years ago, too.

I don't personally know about all luxury brands, but my neighbor who owns shoe factories in China makes shoes for everything from "hand-sewn Italian" (SOME of the stitching may have been done in Italy) to K-Mart shoes. He SAYS it's not precisely a sweatshop. The point is, it's the same factory, no matter what the price. You don't avoid a "Sweatshop" by spending more for your shoes.

The other thing I want to say is, if anyone who actually wears this stuff were to say "I got it on sale," he'd be out of his executive job so fast his cashmere underwear would melt. That is COMPLETELY missing the point.

And, in parting, I would like to point out that the higher-ups at all the companies that sell things made cheaply, wherever (like Gap, WalMart, Target, Etc) ALWAYS wear these high-end expensive threads. Hmmm.

 

[replicator]

It isn't about being fashionable when it comes to buying shirts and sweaters that are the price of a low end laptop. It is more about flaunting your wealth, or trying to fit in with the 'high' class lifestyle. However, if you can afford it, how you spend your money isn't any of my business.

The way I see it, most of these people who live by these expensive brandnames are just trying to make up for what they lack. I know some butt ugly people who seem to feel a bit celebrity when they wear their prada shoes and luis vuitton bags.

That being said, I do have a few items that are a bit pricey (mostly gifts), but generally don't care much about brandnames, except for when it comes to things like suits and dress shoes, it doesn't hurt to go with a well known maker, as long as the price is reasonable. They normally dont put branding labels on these articles, so they need to sell on their own merit, and not on some logo.

 

[ChrisCramer247]

Angry Ticks and $100 Bills Started Flying Out of My Nipples!!!!!!!

Wohooo I'm Rich! Time to by a sweater for every tick and nipple!