Clothes - What to buy and Where to buy?
Notes to self about Clothes - What to buy and Where to buy
- Do not buy pants that make you look fat. Big shirts are probably ok but big pants are not.
- Cheap T-shirts without brand logos:
- Old Navy - The T-shirts from Old Navy don’t seem to be holding quality for too long. Try to stay away from them.
- Cheap T-shirts with brand logos:
- Aeropostale, (I am guessing that they are going to be available in American Eagle and Abercrombie as well.)
- Good T-shirts (with Collars) with brand logos: Levis
- Overall good quality products:
- Eddie Bauer (flannels, outdoor shirts, their workout selection is minimal) ,
- Columbia (but they are a little pricey) (good stuff for outdoor activities - they do not have cotton/flannel/thick shirts for winter though)
- Sports/Workout wear:
- Apart from Nike, Adidas and Under Armor, these are the places where they are available: Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, ..
- Good quality shorts and pants for low prices: BJs/Costco. However, they are not very fashionable.
- Good quality shorts and pants for high prices: Carhartt
Good brands
- LL Bean
- Kuhl
- Brooks
- Levis
- Fjallraven
- Carhartt
- Dickies
For Summer
Do not buy cotton clothes for Summer - not shirts, not pants, not anything.
Search for golf pants, travel shorts, travel pants, etc.
Prefer clothes made with polyester, nylon, etc.
- Royal Robbins
- REI
- Kuhl
- Prana
- Marmot
- Patagonia
- Outdoor Research
- Mountain Hardwear
- The North Face
- Columbia
- Vuori
- Fjallraven
- Arcteryx
- Free Country
- Toad & Co
Pants
- Kuhls pants
- Take note of various Levi’s Jeans models - what they look like.
- Levis 514?
- Josh Brolin’s from No Country for old men - Levi’s 505 Regular Fit non-stretch cotton denim jeans in dark indigo “Rinse” wash
Levi’s 501 vs 505
The main difference between Levi’s 501 and 505 jeans is the fit. The 501 has a regular, straight fit, while the 505 has a slightly more relaxed fit, with extra room in the seat and thighs. Additionally, the 501 has a button fly, while the 505 has a zipper fly. Here’s a more detailed comparison: Fit: The 501 is a classic, straight-leg fit, while the 505 is a slightly more relaxed, straight-leg fit with extra room in the thigh. Fly: The 501 features a button fly, while the 505 has a zipper fly. Denim: Both styles are available in different washes and fabrics, including stretch denim, offering a range of comfort and fit options. Style: The 501 is a classic, timeless style, while the 505 offers a slightly more modern, relaxed feel.
505 tapers slightly at the leg. This creates a slim, streamlined silhouette without being overly tight or “skinny”.
https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/blog/article/501-vs-500-mens
Where can we find high quality clothes for cheap?
How to not buy shit clothes off fast fashion websites? How to not pay a fortune to increase the wardrobe size?
Look at “cost per wear” as well. A trendy piece that will be out of style shortly, or will fall apart in the wash, is not a good value. A piece that costs a little more but that you can wear for years to come is a far better investment. Jeans in classic styles, basic black pants, solid color jackets and cardigans will be things you can wear for years and pair with an inexpensive trendy or more colorful piece, or with inexpensive accessories that you can also buy at consignment shops. Quality clothing becomes cheap when you don’t need to replace it once a year. $150 jacket I replace every 10 years is better than the $50 jacket I replace every 3.
Find brands that you like the quality of that you can try on in person. Get an idea of how they fit and what your sizing will be and then go buy gently used on eBay/Poshmark.
ThreadUp is very good for this - make an account, add things to your watchlist but don’t buy, and wait for the “extra 45% off” coupon to hit your email. Thredup can be overwhelming at first but I’ve had some amazing fines of gently worn brands I would never buy full price. You can favorite items as you search and then add to your cart later (weekends they often do extra sales).
Just know what you’re looking for in advance. If you’re looking for just anything, you’ll find a whole hell of a lot of it. Stick to the list! Go on Pinterest and build yourself a style board of outfits that you like. From what you already have in your closet, make yourself a list of things you’re in search of. That way, you won’t end up buying something just because it’s a good steal and then never wearing it.
Find local consignment shops, especially ones in higher income areas. The good ones tend to buy only good quality pieces in excellent condition. I’ve bought items that are new with tags for a fraction of the original sale price. Don’t shy away from Thrift Stores, especially near wealthy towns. Plato’s closet. Goodwill.
Sales and timing. For example, buy cashmere sweaters in March. It’s end of season. Low demand means lower prices.
https://www.rei.com/used/shop/gear
https://www.mountainkhakis.com/
- Good quality
- On the expensive side
- Lasts longer than Kuhl clothing
Prana
- Good reviews on reddit
- Pranas Zions are great. Stretchy, durable and great for summer.
https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/comments/1emclkq/kuhl_and_fjall_raven_pants/
https://www.reddit.com/r/hikinggear/comments/sbleqi/is_eddie_bauer_and_ll_bean_overpriced_or_is_it/
Lessons learned from buying socks that are not good
- At BJs and Costco, I get tempted and buy socks that are kind of thin.
- I learnt that I do not like thin socks. They do not provide the support I need when I put them on - especially with athletic shoes and boots.
- When you are shopping, if you see something and if your gut feeling is that you will not enjoy it 100%, just don’t buy it. Do not give them the benefit of doubt.
- If you buy them, you are stuck with them for a long time.
- After buying, every time you put them on, you are going to be miserable.
- So be very very careful about what you buy.
Why is everything at bass pro shop so expensive?
A shoe that I bought on ebay for $66 was priced at $169 in the store. Everything seemed ridiculously expensive. It doesn’t even come close to Kittery Trading Post.
What is the alternative?
REI is an option. Or, just stick to ebay.
Bass Pro Shops can be expensive due to retail pricing, inflation, focus on higher-quality (and more expensive) gear, and past legal accusations of price-fixing. While they offer warranties and a vast selection, everyday items are often at or slightly above standard retail, leading to a perception of higher costs. [1, 2, 3, 4] Key reasons for Bass Pro Shops’ pricing
- Retail/No-Haggle Model: Prices are set nationally, often reflecting standard retail rather than deep discounts.
- Inflation: The company’s CEO acknowledged rising costs, impacting overall prices.
- Quality/Specialty Focus: They stock high-end, premium, and fast-tapered gear, which inherently costs more to manufacture and is passed to the customer.
- Perceived Overpricing: Many consumers find their everyday gear more expensive than online or local competitors.
- Alleged Price-Fixing: A 2025 lawsuit accused Bass Pro/Cabela’s of conspiring with manufacturers for artificially high archery prices.
- Warranty/Experience Value: Some argue the higher cost is offset by strong in-house warranties and the unique retail experience. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fishing/comments/1gjivxg/bass_pro_shops_is_overrated_when_it_comes_to/