To All, Dress shirts. I have lost a lot of weight since the first of the year and my dress shirts are starting to look like they were made by Omar the Tentmaker. So, even though I have only lost somewhere like 1/3 to 1/2 of the weight I intend to lose, I needed some shirts for business meetings that are going on now. So, I bought some at my old favorite, Bluefly (once again, no kickbacks. I just like their prices and, occasionally, their selection).
I favor spaghetti shirts, so I bought a Valentino and a Giovanni Vasta at huge discounts. Both have full retail prices of $225 and sold for $49 and $42, respectively. The Valentino was terrific for $49, but had I paid $225 for it, I would not have been a happy camper. There is nothing wrong with the shirt and I like it. It just does not seem to have the quality of Zegnas, Armanis, etc. which are in the same price range. The same exact shirt is being auctioned on Ebay for $79, so the price is not a fake-out. I am still amazed that people will pay $79 for a shirt on Ebay from somebody they don't know when a store with a no questions asked money back guarantee has it for $49. But such is the power of the auction. <VBG>
The Vasta shirt was one of the nicest I've ever owned, easily equalling Zegnas and Armanis for quality. Although the selection is now getting weak in the brand on Bluefly, if one of them appeals to you, I highly recommend it. However, the one I bought has a retail of $225 and they also offer some with lower retail prices. I don't know if those are as good. The fabric is outstanding.
I may be buying other shirts in the coming weeks, though two will last me at the pace of business right now. I have not bought any of the Robb Report "Best of the Best" shirts, Lorenzini, offered on Bluefly as even with the discount, they seem awfully pricey to me. Also, the designs they have don't ring my bell, no matter how good the quality. Your intrepid consumer advocate will report on any new purchases. |
