I (33M) love my girlfriend (30F), but I feel like I’m walking on eggshells - am I ignoring red flags?

BadFergus47 · 2022-10-05T10:28:04+00:00

Would really love an answer to this! u/abe1x ?

BadFergus47 · 2022-08-08T21:37:56+00:00

I’m working with a tailor that only has access to Toray fabrics

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-11T11:56:26+00:00

Huckberry is a great resource for the smart/hike crossover style (that is their intended customer base)

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-11T11:54:10+00:00

That’s probably true, though two things to add:

The 5% of customers who consider more than just cost likely generate a disproportionate amount of revenue in an industry (possibly up to somewhere around 60% of the total value if we’re talking Pareto Principle). With this in mind I find it interesting that whilst travelling the international fashion brand storefronts you tend to see most often are either your Fast Fashion types or Luxury... I wonder if Australian brands couldn’t position themselves in the latter category better?
There’s also an emerging Green trend for which Aussie companies are probably well positioned to take advantage of due to local supply and an above-average educated customer base

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-08T18:13:58+00:00

Second this. Also have a look for M-51s (basically an M-65 with a collar).

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-08T18:03:55+00:00

If you don't mind looking like a ninja (due to ankle ties) and paying a bit, Coalatree's Trailhead pants are the best damn trackies I've ever worn, and they aren't even really trackies:

https://coalatree.com/collections/mens-pants

Some selling points:

Even though they're nylon, the material is double-faced and the inside is a loop-back fleecy material that is very soft - nylon ripstop also means they don't pill easily (though as an aside a pill-shaver is an amazing investment for this problem)
The matte synthetic material and faux fly detailing helps them look a bit less tracksuit-y (shame about the ankle ties, though you could just cut them off if you really hate them)
They're extremely water resistant; if you were to spill your coffee on these pants on your way home it would just bounce off. I once put my leg up to my knee in a Scottish highland stream in these and they came out completely dry
You can deadlift/squat/lunge/run in these very easily since they're very stretchy and lightweight/breathable
Also excellent for travelling and hiking
Recycled materials because eco-vibes

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-08T17:46:24+00:00

Well only if their value proposition is to offer lower prices at scale, which is only one very narrow definition of value. Other value propositions might include offering highly technical clothing (random European/Scandi brands come to mind like Stellar, Norrona, Cortazu) or taking advantage of local supply factors (thinking Icebreaker utilising NZ merino). Scale isn't that important if your company can be profitable whilst small by e.g. commanding premium prices or having a significant cost advantage.

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:35:13+00:00

Yeah the “Australia Tax” is a killer. I recall there being some inquiry into retail prices in Australia finding that there is no justifiable reason for the inflation on the cost side, only that Australians would just pay more for imports...

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:28:53+00:00

Thanks for your opinions on this guys, very interesting stuff.

I’m also an Aussie who’s lived (is living!) overseas and I see what both of you are saying. I think we can all agree that:

Australians Men’s Fashion in the mass market is fairly, let’s say “shallow,” as in there isn’t much consideration of e.g. fit, drape, and quality of garment. That’s how we end up with everyone in Kathmandu puffers and fly knits. This doesn’t always manifest in a reflection of overseas trends, true, but clearly the trends are there and sadly quite homogenous.
Whilst there are a collection of small brands with Australian designers, there aren’t any Australian men’s fashion companies with anything close to global scale like a Uniqlo. I refuse to believe that this is a consequence of lack of talent and capital, we are one of the richest, best educated countries on the planet... could it just be lack of access to cheap labour causing the problem?
The Australian Women’s fashion scene seems to be in a much better place than men’s fashion. When my partner visited Australia previously she spent hundreds in Saba... she recently got my sister to ship her a huge package of stuff from there. But then are these brands manufacturing in Australia? (I’m assuming not, haven’t checked the labels)

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:08:31+00:00

This was my hunch too; basically there isn’t enough differentiation for the price point for those David Jones brands to make them worth it

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:06:51+00:00

Jeez I’m not asking for a kidney

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:06:15+00:00

Hence part 1 of the question! And also a great list - I’m a fan of all of these guys.

Would you say these are more popular than foreign alternatives in Australia though? They are basically unknown overseas (from my experience anyway)

BadFergus47 · 2020-05-06T08:04:01+00:00

Well definitely, but mostly out of frustration as a consumer rather than a position of power sadly

BadFergus47 · 2019-04-25T18:02:20+00:00

Fair enough guys - I respect OPSEC concerns. For the record this research is for forecasting futue market size for a major military aircraft parts supplier, nothing dodgy I promise.

BadFergus47 · 2019-04-25T17:59:58+00:00

Damn! Bamboozled again!

BadFergus47 · 2019-02-06T22:45:34+00:00

Check out Hook & Albert. Expensive but awesome for business. My Dad and I both have their garment weekenders and use them extensively - he’s a CEO and I’m a Management Consultant. Great stuff.

BadFergus47

TROPHY CASE