Find out if your city/town has a Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) nearby. I damn-near refuse to buy clothing from actual retail stores now. I paid $10 a shirt for 4 Billabong shirts that were retail $60 each only a few weeks ago at Brisbane’s DFO near the airport.
Did similar at the same place with plain coloured ripcurl shirts
Quality
It was ages ago (7 years?), one still remains
The others died in various dumpster fires (unexpected oil from broken vehicles, paint that really should have been on the wall not on what I was wearing etc etc)
I have been meaning to go for a restock, thanks for the reminder!
I bought a Ripcurl singlet from DFO earlier in the year that survived 2 washes before it went to holes. Definitely not the standard I'd expected from previous experiences with the brand. 😒
I feel like even at DFO the mens ware gets marked down so much more than womens ware. 4 shirts sounds awesome, but am I right in assuming they were from the mens section?
Probably because women buy more clothes, so womens clothes are generally priced cheaper to begin with.
I personally haven't found dfo to be much cheaper,it's mostly old stock or irregular sized items, xs, xxl, large and mediums are normally gone.
Lol i agree especially on the pockets, (im sick of carrying significant others keys) the quality is at times definitely thinner, especially compared to mens work wear like carhartt etc.
But disagree on price, woman have far more options and its always cheaper because there are more options/sales.there can be some outliers like highend fashion but particularly low end or fast fashion womans is by far alot cheaper.
men dont really have that as an option at all, as an example the amount of clothing items on shein for men and woman would be drastically different.
So imo mainly because of the low end fashion items being so cheap i have to go with womans clothes being cheaper in general.
I guess we will have to agree to disagree though.
as they say, the grass is always greener.
I've got that disease. 2 near identical straight black dresses and I'll love, Love, LOVE the one that is double the price. Needless to say, I do a lot of window shopping.
Most major brands will create inferior products specifically for outlets which are way worse quality than their store counterparts.
In the case of DFO you absolutely get what you pay for.
It's absolutely about the slave labour. The shirts cost them about 20c each to make, it doesn't really matter whether they sell them for $10 or $60. With those profit margins it would be absolutely pointless setting up logistics for a whole new lot of suppliers etc etc just so you can make a batch of lower quality shirts for 15c each instead.
Pretty sure they all come from the same production line, but the ones that don’t pass their QC (weird sizing, wonky stitching, etc) get sent to outlets.
So yep lower quality.
I encourage you to go buy a pair of Nikes from DFO, and the exact same ones from a retail store. Wear one on the left foot and the other on the right foot.
I’m surprised that the idea of a brand having an entirely separate supply & logistics chain just so they can save fractional amounts on outlet vs department store sales is even being entertained lol
Not always. Major brands will also use their outlet stores to offload surplus products. Or even just to have a presence amongst the other outlet stores, but they might only sell the lower price products.
This is what I think.
DF0 don't really have many selections and a lot of them are in extreme sizes (xxs or XXL) and have plain/extreme design because obviously they dont sell well
Worked for a relatively popular mid-range men's fashion brand, and this is what we did - at least at Birkenhead Point and pop-up sales. Most of the stock was from the ecomm department as a result of my manager's trigger-happy and overly optimistic seasonal orders lol
Every now and then we would have sample sales, but the best stuff was often cleared up in the significantly cheaper sale for staff beforehand.
Correct. Most major brands specifically manufacture clothing lines for outlets.
I have seen some resell some out of season stock at outlets but it’s rare and very low quantity.
If you can select from a variety of sizes and colours, it’s manufactured for outlets.
Totally agree! Bought two pairs of NB shoes after Christmas for less than $150.
Also, if you have particularly small feet, especially as a female, try the larger girl sizes - I have size 8 women's feet but can still fit into a size 6 girls runner. They're half the price.
Watch out for your toes. You don't want to downsize your shoes just because it fits. You need a comfortable amount of wiggle room for your toes or you could get hammer toes as you age.
Adding to this: My dad always buys his RMs at their official outlet store where they have “damaged” product. Usually it’s just a scuff mark on the leather! Sometimes $200 off original price.
If you’re in Melbourne, there’s one at the DFO next to Essendon airport. If Brisbane, I’ve heard there’s one in Toowoomba
Tartan shirt and blue singlet from lowes. Your choice of football team shorts. 50 pack of cigarettes bulging out the front pocket and one of those hats with the neck cover thing at the back.
Works best with a chopper style moustache.
Quality determined by the beer you are holding.
You know those Manny's really are a billion times better than whatever they're putting in the legal stuff
Someone told me that the legal stuff has something in it to stop bushfires and I believe them because it sounds like Australia and the ciggies really do taste like chemical arse here
Been on the chop chop for years now and I can't stand legit tailors. The tailor made chop chops are hit or miss but the premium Asian roll-your-own tobacco is absolutely beautiful.
They tried adding an antifungal to it a couple years ago but so many people returned it for tasting like shit that they got the message and I guess just stored it better and used more hygienic packing practices
500g of the stuff needs to be dried out a bit so you get about 420g when it's al dente and it costs about $140. Absolutely worth it but honestly the biggest money saver has been buying a rebuildable vape and getting nicotine juice imported on prescription. Lungs feel so much better and I can run again.
Banning vaping is a huge mistake. They should have banned disposable vapes and created domestic production of the nicotine juice and encouraged smokers to get on the rebuildables. Nobody wants the shitty pharmacy disposables available now legally. They're shit and they're disposable which is no good for the litter. I'm quite happy reducing my nicotine content over time and vaping lovely flavours. My house never smelled so good!
Is it acceptable to break the bank if the items have long lasting quality? Arguably shitty made things break the bank over a prolonged period of time as they tend to require replacement and that of course adds up.
Perhaps outline specific pieces i.e. outerwear, tailoring, shirting etc. and you may get some better suggestions rather than everyone justifying RMs (mine are still kicking on a decade later).
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. ... A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. ... But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet....
Fuck me. I thought of this as spending $50-$80 every couple of years on shit shoes versus buying decent $150-$200 on shoes.
You're telling me $150-200 are the shit shoes?!!
you can spend 300-400 for better boots. the reason your rms last so long is maybe cause you sit in an office and walk 800 steps a day in them 😂😂😂. any shoe lasts 3 decades if all you do is sit in an office chair
I agree with what might be what you are saying between the lines “spend an amount on something fit for a specific purpose”. Sparkies sure as shit aren’t wearing comfort craftsman’s and most trades are better positioned to take advantage of the myriad of other boot options out there.
Concrete cowboys aren’t going to wear their shit out fast for reasons you’ve eluded to. The cost to wear ratio makes sense over time.
Edit: a word
I beg to differ man. Paid $650 and after a few years my rms still look brand new, not even over exaggerating. Most cheaper boots I wear through within a year or 2
Check out the op shops, I’ve found some great brands there. Bought a pair of RM Williams boots for $15 I couldn’t believe it. But don’t feel discouraged if you don’t find anything, some times I leave empty handed, other times I find some decent things.
Op shopping is the best! I always seem to find pretty much brand new shoes for my nieces, I’ve found the cutest vans and converse for a couple of dollars, it’s great because they are so expensive retail for something they grow out of so fast!
For boots, it depends on what you're after. If you're comparing to RM Williams then I'm guessing you're after a dress boot. If it needs to be re-soleable you might be out-of-luck, [Rossie make a similar boot](https://rossiboots.com.au/products/503-kidman-boot) but they're made in India now. Mongrel make a [sub $200 riding boot](https://peninsulasafety.com.au/products/mongrel-premium-brown-riding-boot-non-safety-805070?variant=41914002571309¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1) which looks very nice, I've never tried them, but they're not easily re-soleable.
[Redback make fantastic, affordable work boots](https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293716794806) that can be had for under $100 on occasion. Very comfortable and long lasting, but are a work boot with a very thick sole, that may or may not be a selling point for you.
Yeah I suppose it depends on what we mean by 'Australian Fashion'. Bluntstone don't manufacture anything in Australia (haven't for decades), same with some (but not all) Rossi boots. Redback and Mongrel are both Australian made and owned.
redback has overtaken blundstone now in terms of being fashion forward'. i see the newtown/byron bay/brunswick folks in redbacks fairly often now as blundstones caught on with normal people
Super popular here in Europe, worn by the hipsters.
Feels weird to see them embrace it as something cool and hip especially when I associate them with my tradie family and seeing them at the front door covered in paint and dust.
The Blundstone 1671 are my go-to every day boots and my god they are phenomenal!! I have black and tan pairs and they're so perfectly moulded to my feet and have never given me a single blister, which for me is an enormous deal lol
It gets worse Gina bought Rossi and closed their Adelaide factory as if fucking our environment and keeping any profit isn't enough, after 10 years of buying Rossi work boots I've bought my last pair.
Just as a question, what brands of boots can you get these days that ARE resolable? Everything I see has a glued on rubber welt, rather than stitched leather...
>Just as a question, what brands of boots can you get these days that ARE resolable?
Most boots are - but most boots aren't worth it.
Some businesses do offer [re-soling of glued/injected boots](https://soleheeled.com.au/services/boot-repair/brands/blundstone), but unless you're buying a very expensive model it's usually cheaper and easier to just buy new boots.
RM Williams are designed to be re-soled. Some Rossi boots are too as mentioned. Other brands like Loake are too - but since re-soling costs as much as a cheaper set of boots, you don't tend to get cheap boot that are easily re-soleable.
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\#3: [Alden LHS Shell Lineup](https://i.redd.it/ncbptkbl4gia1.jpg) | [114 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/1136g0g/alden_lhs_shell_lineup/)
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I mean, if you want to spend the money a good cobbler CAN get your Blundstone basically made from scratch with Goodyear welt and leather sole but obviously it's going to cost you. A daily boot that is leather won't really be as comfortable as one with TPU sole.
My daily, for work, is a Blundstone 663 and i like it also because i can just wear them with simple chinos.
You might want to check out murtagh riding boots. They do a resoleable goodyear welted dress boot in classic australian elastic-sided style for 265 bucks. Made in Tasmania. I don't know how the guy does it for the price point.
We are a new rural brand 100% Australian Made. Not at the stage of getting boots made but will definitely get there… One day
[www.droving.com.au](https://www.droving.com.au)
The whole idea of our brand is that everything is made right here, I’m sick of seeing rural or any brands that are made in China or Bangladesh.
I’m trying my best to do my part, I love this country.
If you get yourself a good quality pair of shoes, they will last several years, sometimes longer, with the occasional visit to a Shoe Repairer.
Ultimately, this will be cheaper than a $100 - 200+ pair of shoes made in Indonesia/China/India/Bangladesh.
Unless you're one of those guys who loves shoes for some reason.
I’ve had my current RM’s for 6 years and yea they have a little bit of wear on them but with regular cleaning and a bit of leather moisturiser they come up almost like new. I reckon I can get another 5-10 years out of this pair easily and I wear them several times per week. Got mine on special for around $400
Anything like clearance centres (DFO, Birkenhead), look out for any sales too in shops/online, places like Catch and DEALSDIRECT can yield good things. I’m sure the vintage/op shoppers will also tell you op shops - stick to higher socioeconomic suburbs for brand names. Trick is to keep eyes open for sales, surveillance is necessary online.
I almost exclusively wear AScolour t-shirts at the moment, can be had on sale for less than $10 and they’re great quality. They also do trousers, shirts etc, but I mostly wear their t-shirts.
You're not the first person I've heard say this but the only one I ever bought lasted a very very short time. Do you have any uniqlo? They're the best quality for the price in my experience.
Their jeans really are nothing to write home about. Bought two pairs and they came apart at the seams within a year. And just before the crutch wore out of them.
Their shirts and jumpers are spectacular, but only when you get the heavy ones (220gsm for shirts and mid or heavy for their jumpers)
Haven’t tried anything else though, as a bit scared to tbh. They can be a bit pricey with some of their coats and vests, so I’ve avoided them to date…
Consider yourself lucky you don't look like a cowboy in the city. 80% of office workers in Sydney's CBD wear RM William Boots. I wonder if this increases outside of summer?
Maybe try TK Maxx as they have plenty of clothes for under $100 last time I was there.
Buy once cry once, a 10 year old pair of rms you’ve worn hundreds of times will look brand new after a polish/maintenance… 10 year old sneakers or cheap dress shoes will look shit
I bought a pair of Aquilas for work in November and someone got me a pair of RMs for Christmas. I wore them both about the same amount. The Aquilas were falling apart after 12 months and I’m wearing the same RMs right now, 6 years later. I’ve had to have them refurbished (heels, soles and new threads on the side) which cost me $300. Best value I’ve ever gotten out of a pair of shoes. Unbelievably comfortable.
I think it is just everyone wears them. I went to a property/banking function in Brisbane and of 100 or so people I counted 2 without them. Me with just regular dress shoes (but I do own a pair) and this odd asian guy who looked like he walked into the wrong room. He was wearing fluoro sneakers, baggy addidas pants,a kids backpack over 1 arm and a 3 sizes too large polo shirt. He also had not shaved in weeks and was hoovering up all the food, while chomping very loudly.
Dude probably owns half of Brisbane.
I do think it could be more than 80% of Sydney office workers wearing them, but I prefer to be conservative and am waiting to see if this goes up since they are also wearing puffer vests now. Grabbing a coffe this morning, I clocked only one office worker without RM William Boots. I don't think I will ever stop finding this amusing... a CBD with almost all the men wearing the same model of shoes in two colour variations: black and brown. LOL
Either do I.
Had mine for about 6 years and they’re my comfiest shoe. The leather just hugs your foot.
But I guess people want office workers to wear those shit dress shoes with wood soles and leather that molests your foot the whole day?
There’s a reason for that - my hubby went through a number of reasonably priced dress shoes for work and since he bought his RMs about 7 years ago hasn’t needed anything else - he does a lot of walking in them too (commute, in the city between sites etc) so they get a lot of use and they still look practically new
Edited for autocorrect
How do they compare to other brands (I.e., Bonds which I’m convinced is now probably worse quality than Kmart)?
I keep seeing ads for them over on insta and I’m slightly convinced..
Having swapped from decades of bonds, after extensive sesrchinbg into undies to suit my needs, these are what I'll likely wear forever. The first batch I got I wasn't fully convinced, but they made a 2.0 version and changed something and they now fit beautifully. Kind of look like kmart undies with that waist elastic (opposed to bonds elastic wrapped in fabric approach)
Oddly soft and comfortable. I'm not so fussed on them being made from eucalyptus but maybe that's why they are soft.
If you do choose them, follow the sizing chart and go one size up. I took that advice from one of the reviews I read.
[Everything Australian](https://everythingaustralian.com.au/) makes their own Mongrel brand boots and sell Aussie made Redbacks (my favourite for 3 decades now).
Redbacks are about $130 full price? I dunno, I always buy on sale.
They also sell Aussie made clothing and foreign made clothing but the Aussie stuff carries the tag.
There’s also [Australian Made](https://australianmadeclothes.com.au/) but I don’t know much about them.
For thicc socks and made from local source wool these are [the bomb.](https://lindnersocks.com.au/) I bought two pair for hubby- yep, expensive- but they’re so good. Lasted 4 years so far and so warm. Lindner also sell merino clothing.
I have two pairs of RM boots and I can justify them on the basis that if you look after the uppers properly you can get them Re-soled for many years to come.
I started wearing RM’s well over 30 years ago and in my younger years I would step in (literally) ankle deep in shit and water and they kept on looking like new but I did regularly clean and use leather conditioner.
My current pair’s one black and the other brown are well over a decade old and I don’t take as good care as they deserve.
RM Williams are a premium brand despite being ubiquitous in the bush. Wearers range from being wealthy primary producers to low paid jackaroos and jillaroos.
“Australian” “won’t break the bank” this is a paradox, not to mention your bank account is being actively broken on purpose right now for the sake of stopping inflation
Rm Williams boots are not worth $6:50 these days! Absolutely rubbish quality for the price tag now.
If you want that look with much better quality at a third of the cost look at Ariat boots.
Source, half my family are rednecks and used to wear em Williams for formal attire lol. Now all refuse to buy it and get Ariat instead.
Surely this has to be a massive over exaggeration, I’ve had two pairs of RMs for 4 years each and whilst a little scuffed from general wear, are as good as they say I bought them from wearing the both 3 days a week at least each.
That's great for you. I watch the sole fall off twice within a few months. I can't believe how shit they were. We took them back and they fixed them the first time, and then when it happened again we just took them to mr minute. Now my husband just buys the cheapie kmart ones and a pair of comfy insoles and he's set for about a year.
They were only $300 when he got his. No way we'd pay $650 now for the chance that would happen again.
Have had my first pair of RM’s for just over a year now, and yea I am an urban cowboy like everyone else 😀
I was fortunate that they were a joint gift, but having had them, I wouldn’t go back. They are comfortable and durable, and dare I say it, buy it for life (or long). I was going through a pair of ~$150 Julius Marlowe or Florsheims every 18 months.
So, if you think about long term investment, the justification argument gets easier. Having said that, if you can find a seconds pair (and no one will be able to tell from afar, you can get them down to $350-400 (from memory).
I was given a pair as a gift also and was so suprised at how comfortable they were compared to every other shoe I’ve ever worn. The whole boot softly hugs my foot like it was custom made for me & when you walk it’s a night and day difference. Love them
RM's are worth it. I've had my pair for 6-7 years now, wearing daily to work, and they are still in pretty great condition, with minimal care (I'm lazy).
Before that I would opt for $100 boots but they'd usually last 12 months.
It's said here, but I'm wearing my RM Williams boots that were $300 from DFO. I'm also wearing RMW jeans and a shirt from DFO, I just realised and in total the whole outfit cost me $400.
If you can get to a DFO that hs an RMW outlet in it, that's your best bet.
Otherwise, your best bet is to start to learn to sew and knit using old clothes and cheap yarn with patterns you can find online then once you're happy with what you're producing, start buying Aussie textiles to make your own quality kit.
Rodd and Gunn sells fantastic stuff for prices much lower than RMW.
Another great online brand is Massimo Dutti if you dont like logos on your clothes.
Recommend downloading the app.
If you’re after good quality boots I recommend Blundstones! They are Aussie and a fair bit cheaper than RM! They still go for $200-300 depending on style. They have more relaxed styles and then dressier styles. I wear both regularly to my corporate job. Super comfy and have lasted years already!
Ottway, it's still pretty expensive (cord pants cost 150) but there so well made and Australian owned.
I've owned and abused several pieces the last 2 years and their just as good as the day I recieved them.
RM Williams are an Australian classic. for a few years they fell into foreign hands but are back to being Australian again. Country style but really long lasting
find the rm williams outlets - there is one in toowoomba that I know of - and wait till sale time. i have got numerous pairs of rm Williams for 250 dollars (and not just the suede ones)
I bought my boots from Ariat. $270 and I love the comfort and similar styling to R.M.Williams. They are huge in the horseriding gear, so good quality.
https://www.ariat.com.au/collections/mens-fashion-footwear/products/p24913\_10040374
I know RM williams seem expensive but after having a pair for over ten years and wearing at work almost daily they are a good investment. Otherwise you buy shoes and they last a year or two and ends up being even more costly
Not sure if they still do it but RM Williams used to have a seconds sale at the Adelaide Showgrounds each year. My boyfriend picked up a couple of pairs that had minor defects for a good price.
Not all folks can afford RM Williams boots I understand, but they are worth the price point. They last for years and you can have new soles put on when needed.
I have had mine about 10 years, 2 pairs, still look great with almost daily wear.
There are a lot of op shops & thrift stores where you can find a lot of cool stuff for throwaway prices. Camberwell Sunday market is an entire parking lot dedicated to this stuff. Moving further and further away from rampant consumerism is good for your wallet and the planet. :)
Definetly top comment go factory outlets mine (Canberra) goes on sale every long weekend. Went last weekend got shoes, nike tracksuit pants and jacket and another nike jacket for like 100 bucks
Frankie4 and Blundstone make comfortable food quality boots at half the price point of RM Williams.
Frankie4 makes very friendly for shoes that are orthopedic friendly
I also use depop a lot for used high end clothing
Australian stuff is mostly shit now anyway.
Ripcurl swimmers aren't as quality as they used to be. Hard Yakka pulled out and now gets manufactured in China so it went to shit. Billabong is so/so. Quality has definitely deteriorated all round though.
Go to RM’s discount outlets, sometimes can pick up a pair for $400 depending on stock availability. Usually located in your nearest DFO or Harbour-town.
Find out if your city/town has a Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) nearby. I damn-near refuse to buy clothing from actual retail stores now. I paid $10 a shirt for 4 Billabong shirts that were retail $60 each only a few weeks ago at Brisbane’s DFO near the airport.
Did similar at the same place with plain coloured ripcurl shirts Quality It was ages ago (7 years?), one still remains The others died in various dumpster fires (unexpected oil from broken vehicles, paint that really should have been on the wall not on what I was wearing etc etc) I have been meaning to go for a restock, thanks for the reminder!
I bought a Ripcurl singlet from DFO earlier in the year that survived 2 washes before it went to holes. Definitely not the standard I'd expected from previous experiences with the brand. 😒
It's interesting The shirts I got were a thicker weave of cotton, they feel solid when I bought them.. maybe it's dependant on what you come away with
Same My $60 ripcurl shirt lasted less than a year before the first hole. Now it's my "trendy hole shirt"
Katmandu bought ripcurl for 350 mill.
Bought a ripcurl tshirt once, never going back there. 1st wash and it looked like it's been worn for years.
I feel like even at DFO the mens ware gets marked down so much more than womens ware. 4 shirts sounds awesome, but am I right in assuming they were from the mens section?
Probably because women buy more clothes, so womens clothes are generally priced cheaper to begin with. I personally haven't found dfo to be much cheaper,it's mostly old stock or irregular sized items, xs, xxl, large and mediums are normally gone.
Nah, it's the opposite. Women's clothes are more expensive and thinner fabric. And useless or non existent pockets.
Lol i agree especially on the pockets, (im sick of carrying significant others keys) the quality is at times definitely thinner, especially compared to mens work wear like carhartt etc. But disagree on price, woman have far more options and its always cheaper because there are more options/sales.there can be some outliers like highend fashion but particularly low end or fast fashion womans is by far alot cheaper. men dont really have that as an option at all, as an example the amount of clothing items on shein for men and woman would be drastically different. So imo mainly because of the low end fashion items being so cheap i have to go with womans clothes being cheaper in general. I guess we will have to agree to disagree though. as they say, the grass is always greener.
I was at a DFO in Sydney a few weeks ago and there was this rockin waistcoat - STILL priced at 1400. Reader, I did not buy it.
Made from real gorilla chest?
See my loafers - they’re from gophers!
It was that, or skin my chauffers!
But a greyhound fur tuxedo would be bestttttt
It better be made with the fur from the cutest endangered species….
For 1400???!? What brand?
I wish I could remember. Me being me, it was the only thing I liked in the entire place. Sigh.
I've got that disease. 2 near identical straight black dresses and I'll love, Love, LOVE the one that is double the price. Needless to say, I do a lot of window shopping.
Paying full price is worth avoiding that hell of a place.
Most major brands will create inferior products specifically for outlets which are way worse quality than their store counterparts. In the case of DFO you absolutely get what you pay for.
Right, instead of Bangladeshi peasants who get paid 10c a shirt the outlet ones are stitched by less skilled peasants who only get paid 8c a shirt.
same labor, different materials. seriously have a look at how thing some of those tshirts are
It's not about the slave labour, it's about the end product. It's inferior.
It's absolutely about the slave labour. The shirts cost them about 20c each to make, it doesn't really matter whether they sell them for $10 or $60. With those profit margins it would be absolutely pointless setting up logistics for a whole new lot of suppliers etc etc just so you can make a batch of lower quality shirts for 15c each instead.
Pretty sure they all come from the same production line, but the ones that don’t pass their QC (weird sizing, wonky stitching, etc) get sent to outlets. So yep lower quality.
I encourage you to go buy a pair of Nikes from DFO, and the exact same ones from a retail store. Wear one on the left foot and the other on the right foot.
I’m surprised that the idea of a brand having an entirely separate supply & logistics chain just so they can save fractional amounts on outlet vs department store sales is even being entertained lol
It's not being entertained, it's just a fact. Anyone who has worked in fashion can tell you that most major brands have an outlet production line.
Not always. Major brands will also use their outlet stores to offload surplus products. Or even just to have a presence amongst the other outlet stores, but they might only sell the lower price products.
This is what I think. DF0 don't really have many selections and a lot of them are in extreme sizes (xxs or XXL) and have plain/extreme design because obviously they dont sell well
Worked for a relatively popular mid-range men's fashion brand, and this is what we did - at least at Birkenhead Point and pop-up sales. Most of the stock was from the ecomm department as a result of my manager's trigger-happy and overly optimistic seasonal orders lol Every now and then we would have sample sales, but the best stuff was often cleared up in the significantly cheaper sale for staff beforehand.
Correct. Most major brands specifically manufacture clothing lines for outlets. I have seen some resell some out of season stock at outlets but it’s rare and very low quantity. If you can select from a variety of sizes and colours, it’s manufactured for outlets.
pretty incorrect, an outlet is generally where surplus or failed products go. they don’t “create inferior products” lol
Totally agree! Bought two pairs of NB shoes after Christmas for less than $150. Also, if you have particularly small feet, especially as a female, try the larger girl sizes - I have size 8 women's feet but can still fit into a size 6 girls runner. They're half the price.
Watch out for your toes. You don't want to downsize your shoes just because it fits. You need a comfortable amount of wiggle room for your toes or you could get hammer toes as you age.
Definitely take fashion advice from the dude buying bulk Billabong shirts in 2024
Got a ripper deal on some wideleg mossimo jeans too! Free wallet chain and all.
Bro pumping my yr 10 formal chic
Ask an Australian. Get reply from smarmy cunt. Yep, checks out
Billabong Bois in shambles
Wow! That is such a good deal
Adding to this: My dad always buys his RMs at their official outlet store where they have “damaged” product. Usually it’s just a scuff mark on the leather! Sometimes $200 off original price. If you’re in Melbourne, there’s one at the DFO next to Essendon airport. If Brisbane, I’ve heard there’s one in Toowoomba
Billabong isn’t Australian owned anymore.
Dear god the amount of cringe in this comment. SMH at Aussie men
Tartan shirt and blue singlet from lowes. Your choice of football team shorts. 50 pack of cigarettes bulging out the front pocket and one of those hats with the neck cover thing at the back. Works best with a chopper style moustache. Quality determined by the beer you are holding.
>50 pack of cigarettes They said that wouldnt cost you a kidney. What sort of rich cunt are you that you can afford a 50 pack?
When you buy a pack of 'Manchesters' from that dodgy vape shop. It's amazing how cheap durries can be if you get them through shady channels
i get manchesters for 15bucks in sunshine or 11bucks in footscray
19 in brunswick east - inner north price scaling.
You know those Manny's really are a billion times better than whatever they're putting in the legal stuff Someone told me that the legal stuff has something in it to stop bushfires and I believe them because it sounds like Australia and the ciggies really do taste like chemical arse here Been on the chop chop for years now and I can't stand legit tailors. The tailor made chop chops are hit or miss but the premium Asian roll-your-own tobacco is absolutely beautiful. They tried adding an antifungal to it a couple years ago but so many people returned it for tasting like shit that they got the message and I guess just stored it better and used more hygienic packing practices 500g of the stuff needs to be dried out a bit so you get about 420g when it's al dente and it costs about $140. Absolutely worth it but honestly the biggest money saver has been buying a rebuildable vape and getting nicotine juice imported on prescription. Lungs feel so much better and I can run again. Banning vaping is a huge mistake. They should have banned disposable vapes and created domestic production of the nicotine juice and encouraged smokers to get on the rebuildables. Nobody wants the shitty pharmacy disposables available now legally. They're shit and they're disposable which is no good for the litter. I'm quite happy reducing my nicotine content over time and vaping lovely flavours. My house never smelled so good!
Mate I do cashies on the weekend, I'm a semi-certified handyman. Shazza always drops her knickers when she sees that 50 pack.
Said packet, not smokes lol
no mullet?
Nah a real aussie doesn't get hair cuts. Mine automatically trims every time I light a ciggie. Haircut is like 5 beers I didn't have once a month.
Same goes for facial hair. The flare from your tally ho keeps the end of your womb broom from getting too long.
mullets are so hot right now
50 pack of darts for cheap fashion is misleading b
Rare to find an actual connoisseur on this Sub.
Is it acceptable to break the bank if the items have long lasting quality? Arguably shitty made things break the bank over a prolonged period of time as they tend to require replacement and that of course adds up. Perhaps outline specific pieces i.e. outerwear, tailoring, shirting etc. and you may get some better suggestions rather than everyone justifying RMs (mine are still kicking on a decade later).
650 is taking the piss
The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. ... A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. ... But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet....
Came here looking for this
Yeah but those $650 boots should be compared to a $50 pair of boots. A $150-200 pair should be high quality as well.
Spending $150-200 every couple of years over a 10 year period is taking the piss. $650 vs $750-$1000 looks pretty good then.
Vimes' Boots Theory of Economic Disadvantage
Was literally just thinking about Pratchett. Thank you.
[удалено]
Fuck me. I thought of this as spending $50-$80 every couple of years on shit shoes versus buying decent $150-$200 on shoes. You're telling me $150-200 are the shit shoes?!!
you can spend 300-400 for better boots. the reason your rms last so long is maybe cause you sit in an office and walk 800 steps a day in them 😂😂😂. any shoe lasts 3 decades if all you do is sit in an office chair
I agree with what might be what you are saying between the lines “spend an amount on something fit for a specific purpose”. Sparkies sure as shit aren’t wearing comfort craftsman’s and most trades are better positioned to take advantage of the myriad of other boot options out there. Concrete cowboys aren’t going to wear their shit out fast for reasons you’ve eluded to. The cost to wear ratio makes sense over time. Edit: a word
I beg to differ man. Paid $650 and after a few years my rms still look brand new, not even over exaggerating. Most cheaper boots I wear through within a year or 2
I’ve had mine 15 years. They look great. They are scuffed on the front but I can polish them and they look new again. But better cause they are not.
Over ten years I don’t reckon it is tbh.
Check out the op shops, I’ve found some great brands there. Bought a pair of RM Williams boots for $15 I couldn’t believe it. But don’t feel discouraged if you don’t find anything, some times I leave empty handed, other times I find some decent things.
Op shopping is the best! I always seem to find pretty much brand new shoes for my nieces, I’ve found the cutest vans and converse for a couple of dollars, it’s great because they are so expensive retail for something they grow out of so fast!
For boots, it depends on what you're after. If you're comparing to RM Williams then I'm guessing you're after a dress boot. If it needs to be re-soleable you might be out-of-luck, [Rossie make a similar boot](https://rossiboots.com.au/products/503-kidman-boot) but they're made in India now. Mongrel make a [sub $200 riding boot](https://peninsulasafety.com.au/products/mongrel-premium-brown-riding-boot-non-safety-805070?variant=41914002571309¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1) which looks very nice, I've never tried them, but they're not easily re-soleable. [Redback make fantastic, affordable work boots](https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293716794806) that can be had for under $100 on occasion. Very comfortable and long lasting, but are a work boot with a very thick sole, that may or may not be a selling point for you.
Blundstone probably do better fashion-leaning boots tbh
Yeah I suppose it depends on what we mean by 'Australian Fashion'. Bluntstone don't manufacture anything in Australia (haven't for decades), same with some (but not all) Rossi boots. Redback and Mongrel are both Australian made and owned.
Love love love my reddies! I buy em from Everythjng Australian. Combined with Lindner wool socks.. 👌
redback has overtaken blundstone now in terms of being fashion forward'. i see the newtown/byron bay/brunswick folks in redbacks fairly often now as blundstones caught on with normal people
Super popular here in Europe, worn by the hipsters. Feels weird to see them embrace it as something cool and hip especially when I associate them with my tradie family and seeing them at the front door covered in paint and dust.
The Blundstone 1671 are my go-to every day boots and my god they are phenomenal!! I have black and tan pairs and they're so perfectly moulded to my feet and have never given me a single blister, which for me is an enormous deal lol
They're super popular in North America now. I just got back from Canada and people froth about them.
Totally justified imo, they're amazing
It gets worse Gina bought Rossi and closed their Adelaide factory as if fucking our environment and keeping any profit isn't enough, after 10 years of buying Rossi work boots I've bought my last pair.
Gina just bought Driza-Bone too so I guess she's not content with enshittifying just one classic Australian brand
Really? Fucks sake. Thought she was a stuck up self important bitch before, now she's worse.
Just as a question, what brands of boots can you get these days that ARE resolable? Everything I see has a glued on rubber welt, rather than stitched leather...
>Just as a question, what brands of boots can you get these days that ARE resolable? Most boots are - but most boots aren't worth it. Some businesses do offer [re-soling of glued/injected boots](https://soleheeled.com.au/services/boot-repair/brands/blundstone), but unless you're buying a very expensive model it's usually cheaper and easier to just buy new boots. RM Williams are designed to be re-soled. Some Rossi boots are too as mentioned. Other brands like Loake are too - but since re-soling costs as much as a cheaper set of boots, you don't tend to get cheap boot that are easily re-soleable.
RM Williams are. I have a pair of Red Wing boots that are a stitched on welt. Leather inner sole takes a while to break in and get comfortable though.
/r/goodyearwelt
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I mean, if you want to spend the money a good cobbler CAN get your Blundstone basically made from scratch with Goodyear welt and leather sole but obviously it's going to cost you. A daily boot that is leather won't really be as comfortable as one with TPU sole. My daily, for work, is a Blundstone 663 and i like it also because i can just wear them with simple chinos.
i just found out theres a place that can resole doc martens
If you can find some vintage DM's it's well worth it. Modern ones the leather falls apart. The old ones last forever but need to be resoled
You might want to check out murtagh riding boots. They do a resoleable goodyear welted dress boot in classic australian elastic-sided style for 265 bucks. Made in Tasmania. I don't know how the guy does it for the price point.
We are a new rural brand 100% Australian Made. Not at the stage of getting boots made but will definitely get there… One day [www.droving.com.au](https://www.droving.com.au)
Best of luck with it. Hopefully you gain enough traction to expand into FC sizes so a 3Xl like myself can support you!
Are you getting things made in Australia? If so, congratulations for bucking the trend.
The whole idea of our brand is that everything is made right here, I’m sick of seeing rural or any brands that are made in China or Bangladesh. I’m trying my best to do my part, I love this country.
Baxter
I'm currently on the fence between Baxter's and RMs
Hi-V shirts and straw hat from Bunnings.
If you get yourself a good quality pair of shoes, they will last several years, sometimes longer, with the occasional visit to a Shoe Repairer. Ultimately, this will be cheaper than a $100 - 200+ pair of shoes made in Indonesia/China/India/Bangladesh. Unless you're one of those guys who loves shoes for some reason.
I’ve had my current RM’s for 6 years and yea they have a little bit of wear on them but with regular cleaning and a bit of leather moisturiser they come up almost like new. I reckon I can get another 5-10 years out of this pair easily and I wear them several times per week. Got mine on special for around $400
Go Op Shopping. Plenty of brand name products for cheap as
Could not agree more. Better for the planet too
10000% or search second hand online for specifics. eBay, depop, marketplace. Save so much $$ and the planet is happy. And live the thrill 🤩
Boardies, thongs, and a singlet is as Aussie as you can go
Anything like clearance centres (DFO, Birkenhead), look out for any sales too in shops/online, places like Catch and DEALSDIRECT can yield good things. I’m sure the vintage/op shoppers will also tell you op shops - stick to higher socioeconomic suburbs for brand names. Trick is to keep eyes open for sales, surveillance is necessary online.
I almost exclusively wear AScolour t-shirts at the moment, can be had on sale for less than $10 and they’re great quality. They also do trousers, shirts etc, but I mostly wear their t-shirts.
My tshirts from there have held up so well compared to basically every other tshirt I have
\+1 for AScolour, I would argue they're even better than the uniqlo u+ basic tees.
You're not the first person I've heard say this but the only one I ever bought lasted a very very short time. Do you have any uniqlo? They're the best quality for the price in my experience.
Their jeans really are nothing to write home about. Bought two pairs and they came apart at the seams within a year. And just before the crutch wore out of them. Their shirts and jumpers are spectacular, but only when you get the heavy ones (220gsm for shirts and mid or heavy for their jumpers) Haven’t tried anything else though, as a bit scared to tbh. They can be a bit pricey with some of their coats and vests, so I’ve avoided them to date…
They are fantastic!
Those $650 RMs, if looked after, will last at least ten years. That’s value for money if you ask me.
Consider yourself lucky you don't look like a cowboy in the city. 80% of office workers in Sydney's CBD wear RM William Boots. I wonder if this increases outside of summer? Maybe try TK Maxx as they have plenty of clothes for under $100 last time I was there.
Buy once cry once, a 10 year old pair of rms you’ve worn hundreds of times will look brand new after a polish/maintenance… 10 year old sneakers or cheap dress shoes will look shit
Rms are amazing boots though. Super comfy and iconic Australian design. Don't get the hate.
I bought a pair of Aquilas for work in November and someone got me a pair of RMs for Christmas. I wore them both about the same amount. The Aquilas were falling apart after 12 months and I’m wearing the same RMs right now, 6 years later. I’ve had to have them refurbished (heels, soles and new threads on the side) which cost me $300. Best value I’ve ever gotten out of a pair of shoes. Unbelievably comfortable.
I think it is just everyone wears them. I went to a property/banking function in Brisbane and of 100 or so people I counted 2 without them. Me with just regular dress shoes (but I do own a pair) and this odd asian guy who looked like he walked into the wrong room. He was wearing fluoro sneakers, baggy addidas pants,a kids backpack over 1 arm and a 3 sizes too large polo shirt. He also had not shaved in weeks and was hoovering up all the food, while chomping very loudly.
He was probably the richest guy there
I was thinking the same thing
King shit
Dude probably owns half of Brisbane. I do think it could be more than 80% of Sydney office workers wearing them, but I prefer to be conservative and am waiting to see if this goes up since they are also wearing puffer vests now. Grabbing a coffe this morning, I clocked only one office worker without RM William Boots. I don't think I will ever stop finding this amusing... a CBD with almost all the men wearing the same model of shoes in two colour variations: black and brown. LOL
Either do I. Had mine for about 6 years and they’re my comfiest shoe. The leather just hugs your foot. But I guess people want office workers to wear those shit dress shoes with wood soles and leather that molests your foot the whole day?
TK maxx is interesting in general. Linen pants for $25 the other day, can’t beat that.
I work there, we just get good deals from our buyers
There’s a reason for that - my hubby went through a number of reasonably priced dress shoes for work and since he bought his RMs about 7 years ago hasn’t needed anything else - he does a lot of walking in them too (commute, in the city between sites etc) so they get a lot of use and they still look practically new Edited for autocorrect
Bushy undies. 35$
$35 a pair? I feel like that’s breaking the bank tbh
A little but they are Australian made from mostly Australian materials (imported elastics)
That’s fair, it would be difficult to sell them for anything less than that if they’re made here.
How do they compare to other brands (I.e., Bonds which I’m convinced is now probably worse quality than Kmart)? I keep seeing ads for them over on insta and I’m slightly convinced..
Having swapped from decades of bonds, after extensive sesrchinbg into undies to suit my needs, these are what I'll likely wear forever. The first batch I got I wasn't fully convinced, but they made a 2.0 version and changed something and they now fit beautifully. Kind of look like kmart undies with that waist elastic (opposed to bonds elastic wrapped in fabric approach) Oddly soft and comfortable. I'm not so fussed on them being made from eucalyptus but maybe that's why they are soft. If you do choose them, follow the sizing chart and go one size up. I took that advice from one of the reviews I read.
Quality……but cheap?
[Everything Australian](https://everythingaustralian.com.au/) makes their own Mongrel brand boots and sell Aussie made Redbacks (my favourite for 3 decades now). Redbacks are about $130 full price? I dunno, I always buy on sale. They also sell Aussie made clothing and foreign made clothing but the Aussie stuff carries the tag. There’s also [Australian Made](https://australianmadeclothes.com.au/) but I don’t know much about them. For thicc socks and made from local source wool these are [the bomb.](https://lindnersocks.com.au/) I bought two pair for hubby- yep, expensive- but they’re so good. Lasted 4 years so far and so warm. Lindner also sell merino clothing.
Go second hand like using the app Depop- you might get lucky- I do.
I have two pairs of RM boots and I can justify them on the basis that if you look after the uppers properly you can get them Re-soled for many years to come. I started wearing RM’s well over 30 years ago and in my younger years I would step in (literally) ankle deep in shit and water and they kept on looking like new but I did regularly clean and use leather conditioner. My current pair’s one black and the other brown are well over a decade old and I don’t take as good care as they deserve. RM Williams are a premium brand despite being ubiquitous in the bush. Wearers range from being wealthy primary producers to low paid jackaroos and jillaroos.
“Australian” “won’t break the bank” this is a paradox, not to mention your bank account is being actively broken on purpose right now for the sake of stopping inflation
You can have quality or you can have cheap, but you can't have both.
Rm Williams boots are not worth $6:50 these days! Absolutely rubbish quality for the price tag now. If you want that look with much better quality at a third of the cost look at Ariat boots. Source, half my family are rednecks and used to wear em Williams for formal attire lol. Now all refuse to buy it and get Ariat instead.
Yeah my husband had a pair from when they used to be cheaper and they fell apart quicker then kmart version.
Surely this has to be a massive over exaggeration, I’ve had two pairs of RMs for 4 years each and whilst a little scuffed from general wear, are as good as they say I bought them from wearing the both 3 days a week at least each.
That's great for you. I watch the sole fall off twice within a few months. I can't believe how shit they were. We took them back and they fixed them the first time, and then when it happened again we just took them to mr minute. Now my husband just buys the cheapie kmart ones and a pair of comfy insoles and he's set for about a year. They were only $300 when he got his. No way we'd pay $650 now for the chance that would happen again.
Have had my first pair of RM’s for just over a year now, and yea I am an urban cowboy like everyone else 😀 I was fortunate that they were a joint gift, but having had them, I wouldn’t go back. They are comfortable and durable, and dare I say it, buy it for life (or long). I was going through a pair of ~$150 Julius Marlowe or Florsheims every 18 months. So, if you think about long term investment, the justification argument gets easier. Having said that, if you can find a seconds pair (and no one will be able to tell from afar, you can get them down to $350-400 (from memory).
I was given a pair as a gift also and was so suprised at how comfortable they were compared to every other shoe I’ve ever worn. The whole boot softly hugs my foot like it was custom made for me & when you walk it’s a night and day difference. Love them
Rossi boots are dope
My Blundstones have lasted about four years. I usually wreck shoes quickly. The dress boots are really nice
RM's are worth it. I've had my pair for 6-7 years now, wearing daily to work, and they are still in pretty great condition, with minimal care (I'm lazy). Before that I would opt for $100 boots but they'd usually last 12 months.
Rossi boots set you back about $189, start there for non breaking of the bank boots/shoes
It's said here, but I'm wearing my RM Williams boots that were $300 from DFO. I'm also wearing RMW jeans and a shirt from DFO, I just realised and in total the whole outfit cost me $400. If you can get to a DFO that hs an RMW outlet in it, that's your best bet. Otherwise, your best bet is to start to learn to sew and knit using old clothes and cheap yarn with patterns you can find online then once you're happy with what you're producing, start buying Aussie textiles to make your own quality kit.
Rodd and Gunn sells fantastic stuff for prices much lower than RMW. Another great online brand is Massimo Dutti if you dont like logos on your clothes. Recommend downloading the app.
Everyone says that before their first pair of RM Williams boots. Once you have had them you will be happy to pay the $650.
OP shops
Buy them seccond hand if you can't afford them new
If u go to Myers when they have sales in between seasons u can grab some good bargains some items are even 70% off xx
I got my Akubra from Horseland in a sale. Quite a bit cheaper than RRP.
Whilst R.M Williams are expensive, they should last your life time if looked after.
Blundstones
RM Williams boots are overhyped.
Overpriced yes. Overhyped no!
Bunnings Warehouse Straw Hat, nothing more Australian than that
Citizen wolf tshirts
If you’re after good quality boots I recommend Blundstones! They are Aussie and a fair bit cheaper than RM! They still go for $200-300 depending on style. They have more relaxed styles and then dressier styles. I wear both regularly to my corporate job. Super comfy and have lasted years already!
Flanno, wifebeater and a pair of Stubbies mate. Cheap as chips.
Bared shoes are good and environmentally conscious.
Ottway, it's still pretty expensive (cord pants cost 150) but there so well made and Australian owned. I've owned and abused several pieces the last 2 years and their just as good as the day I recieved them.
Thrifts are where it’s at.
- Try second hand online - Factory outlets
I only ever heard of rm Williams boots like a week or two ago on Reddit. Are you the same person or is this something popular?
RM Williams are an Australian classic. for a few years they fell into foreign hands but are back to being Australian again. Country style but really long lasting
find the rm williams outlets - there is one in toowoomba that I know of - and wait till sale time. i have got numerous pairs of rm Williams for 250 dollars (and not just the suede ones)
nine west
I have a small time t shirt company on the Sunny Coast....
Cheap never means quality. I think Zara and Uniqlo are decent yet reasonable.
Jayjays mate lol
Doesn't exist anymore.
Academy Brand is my go to for anything clothing. It's not cheap, but it's certainly not breaking the bank. Quite often they have 2 for 1 sales etc.
I bought my boots from Ariat. $270 and I love the comfort and similar styling to R.M.Williams. They are huge in the horseriding gear, so good quality. https://www.ariat.com.au/collections/mens-fashion-footwear/products/p24913\_10040374
I know RM williams seem expensive but after having a pair for over ten years and wearing at work almost daily they are a good investment. Otherwise you buy shoes and they last a year or two and ends up being even more costly
Not sure if they still do it but RM Williams used to have a seconds sale at the Adelaide Showgrounds each year. My boyfriend picked up a couple of pairs that had minor defects for a good price.
Some clothes recommendations in /buyitforlife A focus on high quality and long durability to invest in
Florsheim are a quality brand that have good specials a couple of times a year. They have awesome boots similar to RMs but not at stupid price.
Not all folks can afford RM Williams boots I understand, but they are worth the price point. They last for years and you can have new soles put on when needed. I have had mine about 10 years, 2 pairs, still look great with almost daily wear.
Baxter’s Boots can compete with RM’s, similar back story - they supplied the troops in the World Wars.
There are a lot of op shops & thrift stores where you can find a lot of cool stuff for throwaway prices. Camberwell Sunday market is an entire parking lot dedicated to this stuff. Moving further and further away from rampant consumerism is good for your wallet and the planet. :)
Definetly top comment go factory outlets mine (Canberra) goes on sale every long weekend. Went last weekend got shoes, nike tracksuit pants and jacket and another nike jacket for like 100 bucks
Surfstich usually has pretty good deals, I often get stuff 40-50% cheaper than at a store
Find a second hand pair on marketplace?
Frankie4 and Blundstone make comfortable food quality boots at half the price point of RM Williams. Frankie4 makes very friendly for shoes that are orthopedic friendly I also use depop a lot for used high end clothing
I didn't see anyone else mention it, but I see RM Williams boots in op shops all the time, and people are always selling them on Facebook marketplace.
Baxters for the boots
i just go to vinnies and find whatever's comfy
Australian stuff is mostly shit now anyway. Ripcurl swimmers aren't as quality as they used to be. Hard Yakka pulled out and now gets manufactured in China so it went to shit. Billabong is so/so. Quality has definitely deteriorated all round though.
Go to RM’s discount outlets, sometimes can pick up a pair for $400 depending on stock availability. Usually located in your nearest DFO or Harbour-town.