kiltie
Practically Family
- Messages
- 732
- Location
- lone star state
First of all, let me get this out of the way:
Yes, I have been ensnared by the drama and intrigue of COW . Having said that, I was just glancing over the "what Are You Wearing..." thread and saw Alan C's Aldens ( nice shoes, by the way ). I too am fortunate enough to have gotten a pair of these, at a considerably reduced price, about three or four months ago.
Recently, however, Todd's Costumes ( look 'em up, if you don't know what I'm talking about - fun stuff...) introduced an Alden reproduction at under eighty bones. It got me to thinking more about this: how much stock do you actually place in an original product versus a reproduction. I tend toward what I like to think of as a classic mode of dress, but my wallet and the general availability of many items means mostly proxies when it comes to my wardrobe. Whenever possible, it's nice to stick with a brand that at least has it's roots in the "good ol' days" ( i.e., Redwings, Aldens, Brooks Brothers, etc...) or, in the case of hats, you have something that is fairly readily available at what a new one would cost anyway.
Original items have merit in their durability, nuances, and general status of having "the thing". However, often times "the thing" is irreplacable, lending itself to be treated with kid gloves and less frequent use. Reproductions, if well made, can be worn and used regularly without a terrible fear of having to replace them, should the need arise. Some items are just as out of reach as the vintage, with regards to price, so how would you make the decision between two like items; one vintage, the other a reproduction?
So here's the question - what do you steadfastly buy vintage, and why?
Yes, I have been ensnared by the drama and intrigue of COW . Having said that, I was just glancing over the "what Are You Wearing..." thread and saw Alan C's Aldens ( nice shoes, by the way ). I too am fortunate enough to have gotten a pair of these, at a considerably reduced price, about three or four months ago.
Recently, however, Todd's Costumes ( look 'em up, if you don't know what I'm talking about - fun stuff...) introduced an Alden reproduction at under eighty bones. It got me to thinking more about this: how much stock do you actually place in an original product versus a reproduction. I tend toward what I like to think of as a classic mode of dress, but my wallet and the general availability of many items means mostly proxies when it comes to my wardrobe. Whenever possible, it's nice to stick with a brand that at least has it's roots in the "good ol' days" ( i.e., Redwings, Aldens, Brooks Brothers, etc...) or, in the case of hats, you have something that is fairly readily available at what a new one would cost anyway.
Original items have merit in their durability, nuances, and general status of having "the thing". However, often times "the thing" is irreplacable, lending itself to be treated with kid gloves and less frequent use. Reproductions, if well made, can be worn and used regularly without a terrible fear of having to replace them, should the need arise. Some items are just as out of reach as the vintage, with regards to price, so how would you make the decision between two like items; one vintage, the other a reproduction?
So here's the question - what do you steadfastly buy vintage, and why?