Where Do You Buy Your Clothes from? I'm Quite Picky

spamsational on 15/02/2021 - 11:16
Last edited 15/02/2021 - 11:16

I don't like shopping at Kmart/Target/DFO etc, because I believe the quality of those clothes are terrible. Hyper thin, sometimes uncomfortable, potentially tear, and wear out pretty quickly.

I'm looking for clothes that are good quality. I'm happy to pay a premium on that. I'm also not a super fashionable guy and since I'm not trying to book any modelling gigs, the clothes have to just look 'fine'. I guess I like Rodd & Gunn, that kind of thing. You know, nicer material, breathes easily, and so on.

Here's the other thing. I really don't like logos or branding. My friend has a going out shirt, I know it because he wears that shirt every time he goes out. It's a polo shirt, but the logo is literally 20cm big. Not attacking anyone, I just think it's very tacky. I don't want a picture of a dog on my nipple, or a chap playing polo, or a crocodile, and so on. I don't like that kind of commercialism. Don't get me wrong, I understand why they do it, it's just that I don't want to be walking around with someone's logo on my chest like a human billboard.

So, can anyone recommend me somewhere that has?

  • Good value (we're on OzBargain after all)
  • Good quality
  • No visible branding

Polos, t-shirts, chinos, shorts - doesn't have to be all in the same place.

For business shirts, I use ct-shirts which I really like. Although they don't come with a front pocket which is very frustrating!

Thanks, everyone!

Fashion & Apparel

closed Comments

  • Hybroid on 15/02/2021 - 11:18
    +19

    https://www.next.com.au/en/men

    https://www.marksandspencer.com/au/l/men/

    Decent quality, good pricing, nothing flashy or showy but classic. I too do not like being a walking ad for companies with logos plastered all over clothing.

    • spamsational on 15/02/2021 - 11:19

      I'll check em out. Cheers!

    • AussieDaddy on 16/02/2021 - 15:51

      The shirts from that Next site seem good. Do they have physical stores, or is it all online? Would be nice to try on shirts in store before buying them, which makes online purchasing kinda hit-and-miss.

      • Hybroid on 16/02/2021 - 17:13
        +2

        They're on every high street in the UK but don't have physical stores here unfortunately. I really like their clothing especially jeans, cargo & chino pants, jackets, innerwear etc. I believe you get free returns if you pay by Paypal so double check and worth a try.

        • AussieDaddy on 16/02/2021 - 17:49

          Cheers. Will check them out.

    • conan2000 on 16/02/2021 - 22:12
      +1

      I still use Next online for a lot of my closes purchases after leaving the UK almost 15 years ago. Cost vs quality their stuff is great. I particularly like that unlike a lot of Oz shops, that I can buy jeans/trousers of the exact size without having to get them taken up.

    • Hardlyworkin on 18/02/2021 - 07:45
      +1

      Anyone tried Next brand Underwear? How is the quality/longevity?

    • OzBarAnon on 18/02/2021 - 23:11

      How are the shoes? Pretty cheap, so not sure on the quality, but it sounds like you have some experience with the brand

      • Hybroid on 19/02/2021 - 09:59

        M&S (semi)smart shoes are actually quite decent for the cost. They're standard fare for office workers in the UK. Haven't really tried other types.

  • holdenmg on 15/02/2021 - 11:19

    Why do shirts without front pocket cost more? lol

    • spamsational on 15/02/2021 - 11:20
      +5

      They don't cost more. You need to pay like $5-$10 to get a front pocket stitched on. I think it's akin to getting avocado at Subway.

    • Muzeeb on 15/02/2021 - 11:21
      +2

      I don't know. Why do shirts without front pocket cost more?

      lol

      I assume you are laughing because you know the punchline.

      • holdenmg on 15/02/2021 - 12:54

        I'm serious, this shirt is useless. Maybe it is a design flaw?

        If there is a punchline, it is probably they need to remove the pocket before sale and labour costs adds.

        • andresampras on 15/02/2021 - 14:21
          +1

          I'm serious, this shirt is useless.

          just go topless and wear a bumbag, more storage that a measly shirt pocket

  • TimApple on 15/02/2021 - 11:26
    +28

    I buy basically everything from Uniqlo and Kmart.

    • SF3 on 15/02/2021 - 12:18
      +36

      For me Uniqlo, but not Kmart.

      • Godric on 15/02/2021 - 12:29
        +7

        For me too, Uniqlo, but not Kmart.

          • SF3 on 16/02/2021 - 13:52

            @striker5950: Curious to know how did this end?.

            Can confirm not like those neighbours.

            • striker5950 on 18/02/2021 - 10:51
              +7

              @SF3: to answer your question they moved, curious to know why did you take offense at my question? so what if you are Asian, if i was asian i would not take offense.. this is how i woulda answered, "yeh im asian and proud, and yeh i do shop there". my question was not to offend anyone it was a genuine question, for example i see a lot of lebos wearing TN/nike shoes or hats, its not racist its just statistics from what ive seen (and i do have lebo friends and they can attest), but looks like too many snow flakes on ozbargain. i wanted to know about the sizes because yes asian people are small and they use smaller sizes. is that offensive too?

          • hobo123 on 16/02/2021 - 13:54

            @striker5950: That's racist!

            But yes I'm currently wearing Uniqlo and Asian.

            • sk3iron on 16/02/2021 - 16:19
              +14

              @hobo123: Stereotyping is not racism it's just observation. They make small cuts for small builds with typically Asian styling, lettering and design.

              • striker5950 on 18/02/2021 - 10:52

                @sk3iron: thanks someone with a brain sets it straight, too many snowflakes..

              • KMeister on 19/02/2021 - 00:56

                @sk3iron: Stereotyping is not strictly applying to racism only, but definitely not "just observation" either.

            • striker5950 on 18/02/2021 - 10:52
              -4

              @hobo123: if you are a snowflake you might consider it racist, but it was a genuine question. so now asking peoples background is racist smh whats next, looking at them is racist

          • Cantbanme on 16/02/2021 - 17:14
            +5

            @striker5950: I'm a sexually active white man
            Size 38 pants and XL shirts and everything from Uniqlo fits like a charm.

            • striker5950 on 18/02/2021 - 10:55
              +3

              @Cantbanme: ok cool thats all i wanted to know, the sexually active part was crucial thanks for being open about it, if i woulda asked the guys above if they F#ck they would have called me racist

          • Cave Fire on 18/02/2021 - 02:36
            +2

            @striker5950: Well, they do fit smaller… anyone above a certain size or build can't buy some of the stuff there…

          • ely on 18/02/2021 - 21:50
            +3

            @striker5950: For me, Uniqlo and not Kmart. Not asian, as apparently that's relevant.

          • kogi on 19/02/2021 - 14:49

            @striker5950: Yes, It annoys me that at uniqlo an Australian L size is larger than the L size from Hong Kong or Japan

        • Kinjiru on 16/02/2021 - 17:17
          +3

          Some uniqlo stuff is pretty ordinary, some of their stuff is great for the price. Stay away from the low quality stuff (you can generally feel it) but there is no rhyme or reason to which is which. e.g. A lot of their business shirts are crap, but some specific patterns are made of better material and have been great.

          • JimB on 17/02/2021 - 13:48
            +1

            @Kinjiru: Ok, my wife bought me a couple of T shirts, wasn't impressed with the quality..

            I'll check out it in-store.

        • mrhanky71 on 17/02/2021 - 11:06
          +6

          ive stopped buying uniqlo. flimsy cheap material

    • patinadiary on 17/02/2021 - 18:56
      +1

      +1 for uniqlo. Price vs Quality they are up there, without garish branding.

    • Cave Fire on 18/02/2021 - 02:28
      +1

      Uniqlo is great. Usually look for designer collabs that get reduced to >$15 as they are better quality. Most of the stuff is also better than Kmart for about the same price (basics + graphic tees) They definitely last longer.

  • tabz on 15/02/2021 - 11:28
    +25

    ASColour

    • Hellfire on 15/02/2021 - 11:34
      +1

      +1 Great quality

      • Dean29 on 15/02/2021 - 15:32

        +1

    • Munki on 17/02/2021 - 16:17

      Good price, good quality, good shit.

    • brayhouse on 17/02/2021 - 16:18

      +1. These guys are great for staples, they're Australian, and for added OzBargain points their sales are dirt cheap. I bought a bunch of their plain t-shirts for something like $6 years ago and they're still going strong.

      • spacebanana on 18/02/2021 - 08:44
        +5

        Would there be interest in an OzBargain ASColour group buy? I can get pretty good wholesale prices, I love their stuff but I didn't realise so many others did too!

        • theguyrules on 18/02/2021 - 23:19
          +1

          100% yes. I exclusively wear their tshirts.

      • phoenixx on 19/02/2021 - 16:10

        They're Kiwi.

    • AmbiguousMilk65 on 19/02/2021 - 18:28

      I heard the shirt sizing is quite long? Can anyone comment on that

      • tabz on 19/02/2021 - 19:11

        I only get the Staple Tees so can't comment for the other ones, but they're a perfect length for me.

  • Mechz on 15/02/2021 - 11:32
    +19

    Not sure how you can single out DFO as low quality when they're just made up of stores like Rodd & Gunn, Tarocash etc.

    • Presence on 15/02/2021 - 11:37
      +6

      Often the products at DFO are completely different to those in "real" stores. Eg Levi's 511s from Myer/DJs, etc will be slightly different material and build to those sold in DFO. Basically they are made cheaper to sell cheaper.

      Just Google "outlet store lower quality" for lots of sources and stories.

      • dasher86 on 15/02/2021 - 13:17
        +7

        that's false about Levi's…
        However, some brands will specifically produce SKUs to be only sold at their outlets.

      • Grunntt on 16/02/2021 - 07:56
        +1

        Maybe it's just my googlefoo skills are lacking but when I did enter that search I got only 2 links and one of them was to this thread.
        The other was a Tripadvisor post.
        Can you point me to the 'lots of sources and stories'?

        Ah… just found the links you referred to - if you enter the search string without quote marks. I made the assumption that you were showing the quotes included as needed.

      • MrFrugalSpend on 17/02/2021 - 22:13
        +4

        Generally that would often cost them more then running less stock lines. The idea of outlets is to run out clearance lines, last season, excess stock that isn't selling well etc. Most would not source separate products for such stores. That fails to recognise where they make money and minimise their losses by clearing out stock.

        • dasher86 on 18/02/2021 - 09:16

          that is the correct theory of running an outlet, but what it doesn't take into account it the erratic supply of 'premium' products not selling (or a true outlet store will also sell 'seconds'.)
          it's no good having an outlet store half empty…and still paying rent, wages etc. so some brands produce specific SKUs of lower quality to be sold at these outlets, (generally in my experience) they do no share SKUs with premium products.

    • This Guy on 17/02/2021 - 10:06
      +7

      Tarocash is not quality. The only time I have had Tarocash shirts or pants last more than three months with out a seam failing is when I didn't wear it weekly.

      • chriskq on 17/02/2021 - 10:18
        +3

        I think he was giving an example of a high quality vs low quality store at DFO hence the wide net and not accurate to say DFO quality is not good

      • redrum22 on 17/02/2021 - 18:43

        Every time I see Tarocash my mind says Eurotrash.

        • tryagain on 18/02/2021 - 16:57
          +1

          I see "Tailor for you first court appearance"

    • samfisher5986 on 18/02/2021 - 10:21
      +1

      Ralph Lauren definitely does this, to the point where you can easily tell between a normal shirt and a DFO shirt.

      Having said that I haven't shopped there in years since I found this out, so I'm unsure if its still true.

      • astrotrain on 19/02/2021 - 14:09

        They have an outlet brand that just says Ralph Lauren on the label, you can feel the difference when compared to the regular Polo Ralph Lauren shirts as they feel a lot cheaper. DFO sells both versions, you just have to be aware of the difference and check the labels.

        https://samtalksstyle.com/2020/05/27/a-guide-to-ralph-lauren…

        • samfisher5986 on 19/02/2021 - 14:20

          Maybe now.

          Back then there was no difference, I had two shirts side by side to compare.

          • astrotrain on 20/02/2021 - 16:30

            @samfisher5986: i buy from DFO and DJs/Myer etc when on sale its easy to tell the difference between the lower tier Polo Ralph shirts same as their polos..

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 15/02/2021 - 11:35
    +1

    Kmart, or sometimes Target.
    I've found a few Retro gamer shirts on Amazon I've thought about buying.

    I bought a shirt on Ebay, shipped from China a few years back. Uncomfortable material, and a bit tight.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 15/02/2021 - 11:36

    Search google for 't-shirt tier list' and find a post like the one in the link below where some fashion dweeb has broken down the offerings in detail. It'll be mostly American brands but usually still pretty relevant and definitely better than the info you get from OzB users.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/9puasq/g…

    • macrocephalic on 16/02/2021 - 12:33
      +2

      Typical MFA. All but the cheapest two there are over AU$40 each.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 16/02/2021 - 12:48

        I think if you're looking for an actually well made t-shirt then $40 is a reasonable starting price. When you consider cost per wear against uniqlo and bonds tees that blow out after a few washes they're not really that expensive, just don't buy white tees.

        OP are you looking for a heavyweight tee that will be rugged and sit fairly flat or a light tee that will conform to your shape?

        IMO Los Angeles Apparel's basics have the best price/quality ratio currently. Their sweats are super thick. Shipping usually kills it though unless you're ordering a few items.

        • witheredcouch on 16/02/2021 - 14:38
          +1

          I find Uniqlo's U line to wear and age very well, nice boxy cuts and decently heavy fabric, and still have fit after countless washes which i can't say for most other tees i've owned, but the regular line offerings I would agree with. Also, why not white tees? I wear plain white tees at least 7/10 days and don't have any issue with keeping them nice.

          • Cheaplikethebird on 16/02/2021 - 15:13
            +1

            @witheredcouch: I'll have to give them a shot but I'm not a fan of the big sleeves.

            White tees just show stains more easily, you can soak them etc to help keep them white but a dark coloured tee will always look newer longer.

            Now that I'm thinking about it Carhartt Workwear tees are also really good. You need to get it from a workwear store or OS though as most of the Carhartt that is sold here is from their trendier, lower quality WIP line. You can get their heavyweight tees off Amazon for about ~$15 with Prime. You have to deal with the little Carhartt patch but kids think that's cool.

            • witheredcouch on 16/02/2021 - 15:44
              +1

              @Cheaplikethebird: I can see the big sleeves not being for everyone. I find they work very well for my aesthetic, but can see why people wouldn't want them. Regarding white, I'd agree that darker colours are easier to look after, I guess i just prefer white, i'm someone that regularly purchases light coloured footwear, knowing full well that they won't look great for long, but the brief time they look incredible is worth it, tees are the same i feel.

              • Cheaplikethebird on 16/02/2021 - 15:46
                +1

                @witheredcouch: I wear white sneakers on the daily, they look better beat up.

                • witheredcouch on 16/02/2021 - 15:51
                  +1

                  @Cheaplikethebird: That's how i used to feel about them, my view has shifted a bit it seems I feel the sweet spot is when they are lightly beat up, then they just get that level of filth that never quite cleans out. I also sometimes like my footwear to be a similar tone to something in the upper half of an outfit (depending on the vibe i'm going for), which is difficult when they get filthier.

                  • Cheaplikethebird on 16/02/2021 - 15:53
                    +1

                    @witheredcouch: Nah I like them with the soles yellowing but I'm an elitist fashion hipster so ignore me.

                    • witheredcouch on 16/02/2021 - 15:55
                      +1

                      @Cheaplikethebird: Haha no, i get it, that was very much what i went for a few years ago, now I just have dozens of slightly similar boots and shoes so I have something for every occasion.

  • omguleh on 15/02/2021 - 11:54
    +1

    Anything that’s made from Pima cotton will feel great.

    • kogi on 19/02/2021 - 14:54

      Uniqlo suprima T's are on special for $9.90 until the 24th feb

  • bazingaa on 15/02/2021 - 11:57
    +13

    Salvos

  • frondono on 15/02/2021 - 12:15
    +1

    Brooks bros are good

  • pharkurnell on 15/02/2021 - 12:23
    +3

    Lowes

  • djones145 on 15/02/2021 - 12:25
    +9

    uniqlo

    • Zondor on 16/02/2021 - 14:45
      +1

      ^ this, I get a year out of their $10-15 shirts but that's being worn every week and you could still wear em, they're just abit daggy at this point.

  • OpenHand on 15/02/2021 - 12:44
    +5

    Uniqlo. No logos, great basics. Quality varies, e.g. a thick jumper will always lost longer than the thin stuff they sell. Ethically, it's variable as well, but probably not much worse than most other options.

  • DannyC on 15/02/2021 - 13:36

    I usually get my jackets n outerwear from Zara Men, I like their stuff and the sizing fits me well. That being said Zara in Asia typically has better stuff than here in Oz.

    For business shirts, I use ct-shirts which I really like. Although they don't come with a front pocket which is very frustrating!

    I use Institchu for a lot of my business shirts, made-to-measure, they have showrooms around Sydney, Melbourne etc, pretty customizable with the material, buttons, cuff design, pockets etc etc.

  • MeesusEff on 15/02/2021 - 13:46
    +1

    I buy my husbands tshirts from Target and big w, the plain block coloured no logo ones. He prefers the Target ones (about $12) but I find they are pretty good quality. Hasn't ripped or anything after a year and he cycles through them once a week for work

  • isthatallyougot on 15/02/2021 - 14:32
    +7

    Kmart , their 6$ tshirts are great.

    • Loopenip on 16/02/2021 - 21:51

      Kmart Tshirts are still serving me well, but any pants (including shorts) of any kind have been nothing but horrible experiences for me

      • isthatallyougot on 17/02/2021 - 09:03

        They have these short pants now which are made of a thicker material , they seem to hold up quite well.

  • good grape on 15/02/2021 - 14:37
    +5

    Uniqlo - perfect for no branding

  • Marcsie on 15/02/2021 - 14:43

    UniQlo and Muji

  • Mlepnosclay on 15/02/2021 - 15:49
    +1

    Uniqlo & Muji

  • JuryWheel on 15/02/2021 - 15:58
    +1

    Id like to know the best online stores (for men) who have a great return policy! Nothing turns me off buying online more then either not being able to return due to change of mind (not matching the images that well) or due to poor fit, or having to PAY for the return postage.

  • Sensei888 on 16/02/2021 - 08:00
    +6

    Industrie has the best quality clothes I wear. Their light weight silk style short sleeve shirts are great. Always get compliments when I wear them out.

    • itsme56 on 17/02/2021 - 21:33
      +2

      Can vouch, my industry pants/chinos are next to none!

      • Mikay89 on 19/02/2021 - 11:11

        +1 for Industrie pants and chinos, very comfy especially the softer 'drifter chino' pants

  • Preshaw on 16/02/2021 - 08:27
    +2

    I get most of my clothes from op shops.
    But you need to shop around. Some are full of crap, but a few obviously have a regular donor that churns their wardrobe every 6 months.

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