The Clotheshound

December 23, 2009

What’s behind a Designer Label name?

Filed under: Fashion Industry, Fashion Trends, Golf — Tags: , , , , , , — The Clotheshound @ 2:27 pm

The term designer label refers to clothing and other personal accessory items sold under an often prestigious marquee which is commonly named after a designer.  One interesting trend concerning designer label garments is that although in the past they have been regarded as elitist and generally the province of the rich and wealthy, the deep recession that started to bite in the United States in 2008 saw thousands of women’s designer label fashion items making their way into recycle stores online. Labels like Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen and Chanel were now affordable to the general population.

An additional business trend within the ‘designer label’ industry has seen the general accessibility of the brands increase through increased affordability. This creates a paradox for the labels in question: By reducing their prices and increasing their market size, they increase their profit and customer base. However, in doing so, they alienate their extremely affluent customers who appreciate the social status accorded to them by the designer brands. This causes many of the more affluent customers to continually seek out new brands and rely less on those that are excessively commercialized – thus eventually leading to new designer brands. The rise of the internet has provided customers access to a designers and brands that they would have otherwise not known about through online commerce.

Tuttle has consistently offered “designer label” apparel, more by dint of their specialized focus, i.e. golf or resort wear, or by dint of unique style and limited distribution.  This underscores the demographic attributes of the designer label customer – unique, quality oriented, active and focused.  Currently we offer the following designers among others:

Currently we are offering these and other designer label items at a 15% savings off retail.  This is an ideal opportunity to obtain these unique and limited items at substantial savings.

December 11, 2009

Cotton-Viscose Blend Sweaters from Bolivia

Filed under: Fashion Industry, Fashion Trends, Sweaters — Tags: , , , , , — The Clotheshound @ 11:12 am

There are two basic types of yarns from which sweaters are made:  naturally occuring, such as alpaca, cashmere and various types of wool and synthetic, or man-made.  Tuttle offers some of the most interesting and beautiful  Bolivian knit cardigans which feature a 60/40 cotton/viscose yarn.   A cotton-viscose blend  produces a beautiful and  distinctive luster and drape that cotton alone cannot replicate.  Adding to shape retention and durability as well, viscose is also known as “artificial silk” and dates from its invention in 1891.  It is the first and most highly refined member of the family of man-made fibers.

Viscose, or the founding member of the rayon family,is <ital>not a synthetic fiber. </ital>Rayon was the first man-manufactured fiber.  Unlike most man-made fibers, rayon is not synthetic. It is made from wood pulp, a naturally-occurring, cellulose-based raw material. As a result, rayon’s properties are more similar to those of natural cellulosic fibers, such as cotton or linen, than those of thermoplastic, petroleum-based synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester.  The qualities of rayon are quite different than nylon and explains why it is used in higher end garments.

Adding to the quality of our cotton/viscose cardigans is the fact that the exacting specifications of knit stitch and intricate designs, including beading, coloration and finishing, follow the best traditions of single-piece, hand crafted creations.  Our sweaters are a combination of fine-machine knits assembled and finished by hand, creating a garment of intrinsic beauty and value.  We welcome you to shop and select from our current offerings.

November 30, 2009

Cashmere Sweaters for Men and Women from Tuttle

Filed under: Care and content, Fashion Trends, Sweaters, Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — The Clotheshound @ 12:18 pm

Cashmere sweaters are made from the luxuriant wool of the Cashmere (Kashmir) goat and are experiencing strong demand this Holiday Season. These sweaters’ silken feel, feather-light weight, and appreciable status make them highly desirable.

Garments made of cashmere were once only available to royalty because the rarity of the wool increased its value. Napoleon is said to have popularized the use of cashmere as shawls or wraps when he gave his second wife, Empress Eugenie, seventeen of them. Despite the glamour associated with cashmere, its roots are humble. Cashmere is the wool or fur of the Kashmir goat, originally raised and sheparded by mountain nomads. Kashmir goats are primarily raised in Mongolia, but many are bred in Iran, Tibet, India and China. American herders have also joined the international cashmere production market in recent years.

Cashmere is harvested from the goats during their annual molting season through the shedding or the shearing of their down. In the frigid high desert climates where most of the goats are raised, the dense inner coat guards against harsh winter weather, but once seasons change, goats begin to lose the protective layer of down.

The finest cashmere comes from the underbelly and throat of the goats, but a lesser grade is also taken from the goats’ legs and backs. Longer fibers from the belly and throat area make the wool especially soft and cause less “pilling” when the fibers are woven into garments such as sweaters, shawls, capes, dresses, and coats for both men and women. The shorter fibers from the backs and legs are heavier and less expensive, making it easier to afford a luxury garment. Cashmere comes naturally in white, gray and brown, but the wool is easily dyed.

Quality cashmere wool sweaters provide a luxurious feeling and comfortable warmth as well as style. Pure, quality cashmere is unavoidably pricey, but the resulting high quality garments makes it a worthwhile purchase.  Tuttle offers only the finest quality cashmere sweaters, scarves and (even) socks and hats for men and women.

Cashmere Goats in Upshi

Baby Cashmere goats

Goat and Pony Show

November 17, 2009

St. John’s Bay Rum Fragrance – A Brief History

Filed under: Fashion Accessories, Fashion Trends — Tags: , , , — The Clotheshound @ 1:33 pm

Bay Rum cologne is a classic fragrance with a long history and is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity as men are looking for classic and timeless products. St. John’s Bay Rum, the best of all varieties due to the specific climate and water of St. John, has survived since its creation in 1838 by Albert H. Riise, a Danish scientist, despite some “near death” moments:

An ad for Old Bay Rum

  • 1921 – Prohibition restricts the production of bay rum, bringing the industry to a virtual halt. In order to comply with the act, manufacturers begin to use salicylic acid (the active ingredient in aspirin) as the denaturing agent. Word quickly spreads that the new bay rum is not only drinkable but will relieve aches and pains.
  • 1952 – John Webb and Joe Felix, a native of St Barth, create a new look for St Johns Bay Rum by using the traditional “fish pot weave” made from Tyre palms on the bottle. The new packaging creates a new industry on St Barth, which thrives until 1995 when Hurricane Luis destroys all the Tyre palms on St Barth.
  • 1995 – Hurricane Marilyn delivers a crushing blow to both the Virgin Islands and the West Indies Bay Co. The factory and much of the company’s inventory is destroyed, but thanks the dedication of the tireless employees, shipments to U.S. accounts resumes within two weeks. Sadly, many of the accounts in the Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean are lost forever.

    • St. John's Bay RumToday – The vision of making St Johns Bay Rum an internationally known product is fulfilled through the internet. The product is currently sold to accounts in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. St. John’s Bay Rum makes a wonderful gift for the Holidays and Tuttle is pleased to offer it this year on our website, http://tuttlecatalog.com/holiday.cfm.

    October 6, 2009

    Bugatchi Uomo Unveiled

    Filed under: Business Casual, Fashion Industry, Golf — The Clotheshound @ 3:17 pm

    CEP---BUGATCHI-LOGOClotheshounds like to know more about the philosophy, construction and future plans as they relate to their favorite designer labels. Recently we had a discussion with the folks at BUGATCHI UOMO and have summarized it in a Q&A format.

    Q: What are the roots of your company and where are your HQ?
    A: BUGATCHI UOMO was established in the early 1980’s in Montreal, Canada, and quickly expanded to the US market with points of sale in all the major chain stores across the county . Within a decade, BUGATCHI UOMO moved its operations across the border, relocating first in New York , then in Florida. Our headquarters are located in Boca Raton, Fl with a corporate showroom in New York City.
    25212_p14-15_006-copy
    Q: What Is the fashion philosophy of BUGATCHI UOMO?
    A: BUGATCHI UOMO is about cool and classic elegance in any occasion. Our mission is to design clothing that is trendy and affordable using the finest fabrics with special attention to detail and fabrication. In both our Men’s and Women’s collections, detail is strong , yet sophisticated to add the perfect touch of elegance.25214_p14-15_003-copy

    Q: What is the relationship between the Men’s Golf Collection and the Men’s Sportwear Collection? How are these different?
    A: Unique design and color are the main threads linking both collections. Patterns that allow our customer to stand out in a crowd but is always appropriate in any occasion. Bugatchi Golf can be either “ golf with the boss… or golf with the boys “ while our Sportswear Collection offers a style that is confident by not boastful and reflects a man in control of his own personal style.

    Q:     What is unique or noteworthy about the fabrics, construction and style of BUGATCHI UOMO’s offerings?
    A: We use the finest European fabrics: poplins, yarn dyes, jacquards, prints and embroideries. Cotton sateen and soft cotton blends are the primary fabrics, but we also offer seasonal qualities such as linens, and sandwashed, textured microfibers. The emphasis is always on the quality and softness of the handfeel. Our golf and resort collection also offers 70’s 2 ply triple mercerized cotton which is the ultimate in comfort and performance, as well as intricate European intarsia and jacquard patternwork.

    Q: Can you describe the typical Bugatchi Uomo customer?
    A: BUGATCHI UOMO style is all about being comfortable in your own skin. The Bugatchi Uomo customer is fashion savvy and wants to be noticed without being obvious.

    Q: What can we expect from BUGATCHI UOMO in 2010?
    A: Bigger, stronger, broader… a true view of the Bugatchi lifestyle in all classifications plus new product categories – outerwear, swimwear, hosiery, leather goods – while strengthening our consistent style point of view and the best price-value relationship in the fashion industry.

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