Guest Voices! | Abercrombie & Fitch Fall 2013 Sales Bargins...

GUEST

PETER

FROM

ENGLAND, UK

DISCUSSING

AMERICAN MARKET SALES

Well as much as I don't like the racks of clearance items or promotions (see my previous post), the cynic in me can't help but to bag a bargain at Abercrombie & Fitch...especially with the ridiculous amount of promos on. However, if you are expecting more controversy in this piece, the only thing you will find is the crazy low prices I paid in comparison to the full prices back here in the good old UK. So without further ado, I want to share with you some of the items that were too good to pass up and made their way into my suitcase for my return home! (I've also made notes of some bargains for the ladies, too!)...

Now my price conversion guide is as follows: original GB£ price in UK market compared alongside original US$ price in America; then clearance price of that item in US dollars, and then finally that clearance purchase price converted to UK pounds at a rate of US$1.56 (which was the rate at the time I used to covert my pounds to dollars). State tax has not been included.

All men like to smell good, (me too ha-ha!) so what better than a bargain cologne! A&F Crest will do nicely: GB£46; US$44, but at sale price of US$25 at £16!! A saving of £30 per bottle! Right, I'll have four of those then!

New tees? OK, let's have three different Newcomb Lake crew tees. UK£30; US$24.99, but at clearance for $12.49 at £8!! Yep you read that correctly!!

Cool denim shirts anyone? GB£78; US$78, but at sale price of $39 at £25! That's £53 I can spend on something else!

Pants, good for casualwear and workwear: UK£78; US$50, but on clearance for $25 at £16! Really? And we are talking olive not some of the crazy bright colours.

And as a final example for the men, you can't beat a nice comfy pair of sweatpants for loafing around the house: UK£68; US$68, but on clearance for $39 at £25!

What about ladies apparel I hear you cry? Long sleeve ladies' tees, as one example: UK£38; US$38, but on clearance for $9 at £6!

Another one for the ladies, a pink plaid shirt: UK£58, US$58, (this item had been red lined four times!) on clearance for $14.99 at £10!!

This is just a selection of my bargains in the crazy land of promotions that is Abercrombie & Fitch in the United States. One final thought: I wonder what the sales value is from other visitors to the US spending in A&F at the present time? Because no doubt this will be propping up domestic sales figures. Without these additional sales, the wheels would well and truly be coming off the A&F wagon...let's just hope one of them hits that damn fox (then what will it say)!!!

Over to you Mike...

Peter

P.S. Get a load of what I came home to in the UK. Limited and not as steeply low as in the US, but other international readers can get a look at how it is here. To get the same free shipping deal as in the US, here you have to spend the pound-to-dollar equivalent of US$160+...

Written by Peter for The Sitch on Fitch series, Guest Voices. Edited and published by Editor-in-Chief, C.E.R. Images by Peter for The Sitch on Fitch.

Tales of Vintage! | Vintage Ezra Fitch Pieces...

PRESENTER

PETER

FROM

ENGLAND, UK

FEATURING

VINTAGE EZRA FITCH PIECES

Hi everyone,

My piece for this Back-to-School 2013 "Classics" theme on The Sitch on Fitch is on the Ezra Fitch collection (2004-2006) by Abercrombie & Fitch.

On reflection, the Ezra Fitch collection was almost an A&F prelude to RUEHL No.925 – the premium collection was made up of clothing and cologne, with the cologne being discontinued in 2007. Incorporating finer quality fabrics, washes, and make, it was sold alongside traditional A&F clothing in the brand's regular canoe stores.

Prices reflected the superior quality of the materials used in making these garments, and dare I say it even the t-shirts were made in the good old US of A! When was the last time you saw that on an A&F t-shirt in an A&F store! (Not counting the current "American Made" collection).

I only have a three piece collection: two t-shirts and one coat...

The first thing that hits you about this tee is the thickness of the cotton; it's almost as thick as a modern A&F twill shirt. The front graphic is a very subtle Adirondack theme; the t-shirt seams are on the outside (it's an inside out t-shirt!); and there's destroyed nicking around the neck and sleeves which adds to the level of overall detail. It feels just so comfy and warm.

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Again, similar thickness of cotton as the t-shirt above. This one with a simple Algonquin pass and the now famous "1892". This tee has one hidden secret: a cheeky logo on the inside of the tee ;)! (Check out my longfellow). Nicking and that lived-in destroyed look adds to the level of detail. The whole feel of the tee is soft and has that premium feel that warranted the additional dollars that these items cost over normal A&F tees of the time.

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Firstly the weight! It weighs a ton!! With the Ezra Fitch logo on the left chest, the destroyed look with added paint and oil splatterings make this feel like you have just walked off a construction site. And has that rough and rugged look and feel to it. Even Abercrombie gets a mention on the right sleeve...


All three pieces – granted, now worn and vintage from over the years – have a real premium feel to them that we also briefly felt with RUEHL. They are timeless pieces that I have enjoyed wearing and I hope to continue to wear for many years to come...

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THIS HAS BEEN THE SECOND INSTALLMENT IN THE  TALES OF VINTAGE!,

A SERIES OF POSTS HIGHLIGHTING EXCEPTIONAL ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

PIECES WITH PERSONAL STORIES FROM FANS ACROSS THE PLANET.

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Images and written content © Peter M. in submission to The Sitch on Fitch for Tales of Vintage. Images and written content edited by C.E.R.

FIERCE Guest Blogger! | G. Alexander Shares on RUEHL No.925 for 'RUEHL Week 2012'...

Foreword by C.E.R.:

As Editor-in-Chief of this modest, globally influential blog in the world-spanning A&F Fans community, I, C.E.R., have been very pleased with the positive reception of our first ever RUEHL Week on The Sitch on Fitch. A brilliant new initiative, it is a tasteful homage to the cool and romance of the incredible, timeless concept that was RUEHL. And while I have had the privilege of expressing my passion for the brand to the world, I have also invited another person on board...another wonderful, creative and full-bright mind and heart. If anyone is driven more than I by an awe-inspiring passion for a love of "A&F and gang" it is definitely this personal friend of mine. He is to this day a positive member of the Abercrombie & Fitch Company. I reached out to him and he replied with the admirable enthusiasm which I know him for. As our first ever 'FIERCE Guest Blogger' on The Sitch on Fitch, he is G. Alexander with his own personal tale of swingin' with RUEHL... Ladies and gentlemen, G. Alexander...

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Wearing his RUEHL No.925 mens leather messenger bag
with in season Abercrombie & Fitch pieces.

I can remember when I first heard about RUEHL; I was working for the Company back in 2005. It wasn't until fall of 2006 that I first began to understand the magic of it all. The thing I loved and hated the most about RUEHL was it accessibility. Because it was not widespread, the closest store was almost two hours away. It wasn't as mainstream as A&F, so there was definitely an aire of mystery and I liked that it had exclusivity. You couldn't walk into a RUEHL every day, which is what made my experiences so unique and memorable – I would do anything to go back one more time.

In Summer of 2008, a RUEHL Roadtrip had been set in my place with my good friend Colette, who is now a district manager for A&F in Germany. We listening to one A&F song after another and she had shared many exciting things about the store's design and concept. None of which compared to actually experiencing it. The whole ride there I was filled with anticipation, like a kid on Christmas and when we finally set foot inside the Freehold Malll I basically exploded with excitement. I charged through the crowds of people with absolutely no idea where I was going. Colette told me to slow down and she calmly pointed me in the right direction. I could smell the signature cologne, not knowing what it was, but I knew I was close. I gazed with wide eyes at the storefront knowing I had arrived. It's the coolest thing you've ever seen – as I've recounted to many of my friends. The store was set back and lined with a cement sidewalk as if you were in the city. There was a brick facade with windows, steps and a wrought iron gate. It was like you were standing outside of a brownstone in Greenwich Village and if you counted, there were three homes. 921, 923 and the glorious 925. As soon as you stepped inside, the feeling only became more intimate. There was a small room, a foyer, with a single hanging light fixture, a tall vase of white calla lilies and shelving filled with expensive leather handbags where I was quickly greeted by a very attractive young man in a navy stripped polo. There were stairs and a long hallway head. Men's to the left and women's to the right. The denim was showcased in a large wall with a floor to ceiling rolling ladder, like you would find in an old library. I couldn't get over how cool of a detail that was. I slowly wandered room to room filling my arms with clothing and that's where things start to get blurry as I lost myself in the smooth music and seductive environment. I spent another two hours the store...

There were three additional trips in between, where I dragged friends and co-workers to experience "the magic." On one of those occasions I was approached by a manager, her name was Chrissy. She complimented me on my style and inquired about my whereabouts. She had tried to recruit me to work in the store – I was more excited than I was when I got recruited at the 5th Ave A&F flagship. I told her I was flattered and explained that I worked for the Company, but did not live around the area. I still have that card with the application information and store's phone number on my bulletin board. I've even called that number on more than one occasion after the brand closed, hoping someone might answer.

My final trip to RUEHL was in December of 2009. Alone. Looking back it's quite interesting to observe the bitter weather and my solidarity in comparison to the close of RUEHL. I just as quickly made my way to the store as I did on my first adventure. Once again I smelled the cologne and my heart started beating. Everything appeared the same from the outside, but it was a much sadder story inside. A large sign read "Christmas in the Village. 50% off the entire store." Before even making it into the first room, I could tell the store had a different energy. I frantically started grabbing everything in a size small – I didn't care what it was I had to leave with a piece of RUEHL. There were some rooms that were completely empty with all the lights turned off. I snuck into one of these dark rooms and took a seat on a small wooden stool. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight by James Taylor was playing as I looked around. Where were those tall, elegant calla lilies I loved so much? As I made my way to the back to make my purchases, there was a chocolate velour ribbon that had been untied from one of the wreathes. I slipped it into my pocket as a momentum. That ribbon now hangs over the doorway to my bedroom. I left the store with several large bags and made the necessary stops at Hollister and Abercrombie, only to return to walk through the store one more time. I wasn't ready to say goodbye, but it seemed I had no choice.

G.Alexander models pieces from his RUEHL No.925 collection.

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