Thursday, February 4, 2010

RLX Fall 2010 - Setting the Bar






Quick run down...

1) The gray tones of RLX Fall 2010 are sophisticated, clean and very modern. Inspiration was taken from the maverick attitude and sleek lines of the clubhouse at the Bridge in Bridgehampton, NY. 

2) Featured items in the line include numerous twists on heritage pieces. They include: a Fair Isle sweater, sleeveless birds-eye cardigan, jersey windowpane vest and a shadow-plaid rain suit.

3)  This photo is for the commenters here, who said a plus-four could not be done in a cool way. The down vest is techy enough to keep the look modern and the pant is cut slim - the scarf an unexpected addition. In my opinion, the guy with the plus-fours is the coolest mannequin in there...

4) A late-spring/Father's day package takes a lighter approach - tech-piques in pastels with white and lighter gray trousers...

5) Outerwear as art... (L to R) Rotator, Elude, Connex

-Sean Hotchkiss


29 comments:

Anonymous said...

A great deal of hard work and inspiration, and dare say perspiration has gone into this collection. However I can't help feeling it's somewhat wasted. In Mainstream fashion Winter collections are the big earners for retailers. Summer is shorter and by nature we wear less clothes. Golf is the other way around. Plenty of polo's and trousers, shorts you name it in Summer. Winter is a short season for golfers, just how many pieces of outerwear are we going to buy? For what can amount for only a few weeks of golf. I love the energy in the RLX collection, but would rather see it used in summer! If you lust after any of the collection wait, the sales after Christmas will be when most of it moves of the shelves. . . Ps, the plus fours look ridiculous!! Sorry Sean.

CaptainSpaulding said...

WOW!! This stuff is hot. Definitely anxiously await seeing this in person.

And I agree with you KC...the plus fours on that mannequin is slick! I would definitely rock that.

Anonymous said...

Well done RLX, good job. nice use of FJ custom Icons too. . .+4's suck!

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon,

Agree. Fall/Winter golf is a very short season and a finicky one at that. However, the way I see it is that this is a major move towards a whole new attitude and progressiveness with regards to golf clothing and it's going to serve as a springboard for what will be appearing for Spring 2011. Waste? Never!

KC

Anonymous said...

Sorry Captain Spaulding, Iggy Pop couldn't make Plus fours rock. They belong to Bobby Jones and his pals. You and Sean are gonna want to see them in spandex next! About as classy as Sergio Garcia's three stripe trousers.

Anonymous said...

KC,

Your love shines thru, But you don't have to buy and then retail this stuff? Too much money tied up to get the look. Sure nice to look at but come on! Who's going to stock it in Depth? Department stores, granted. But your local Pro shop? Come on, get real!

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon,

I realize that. It's high-end stuff. No question. Most golfers can't swing for $250 pants and $500 sweaters... noted.
You could take a lot of the things these guys are doing and do it at a lower price point, though.
I'm more inspired by the broad scope of the collection and the depth of design than the price tag.
Idealist? Maybe. It's still the best stuff out there...

KC

Anonymous said...

KC,

The bottom line is who buys it? As an earlier commenter said. Most of it sits on the shelf until the sales. We are out here trying to make a living and provide a service. My fear is people would like to see the Pro stock this stuff to look at! J Lindeberg appears to have the balance of fashion and function about right. I have never met a poor Idealist!

Anonymous said...

I can't see RLX sat in our club next to the Mars bars and Gatorade. Sorry, a Polo shirt with a pony on it is about our limit. Our club is pretty exclusive too.

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon,

Great points - honestly - all of them. I know the struggle of the merchandiser and the retailer, alike.

I assure you, my idea isn't to look at the clothing, but to wear it and enjoy it...

J. Lindeberg and RLX are on par as far as price point, in fact - JL goes slightly higher on some of the fashion polos... both are great brands and photos of JL's new stuff will be up soon.
But that's not as important as the simple fact that all I am here to show you guys is great clothing - period. I'm not telling anyone what to buy, this is a website of suggestions, opinions and appreciation. If I went to the PGA Show and came back with photos of stuff I thought might sell, but looked like crap - I wouldn't be long for this world.

-KC

Anonymous said...

Hey Sean,

Well said. With respect to the comments from what appear to be Pros or retailers. There are price points for all golfers. Like houses, cars, electrical goods etc. You buy what you can afford or justify! fashion always come with a price tag. If you can't or don't want to pay, there are plenty of pile it high sell it cheap, and make a profit brands out there. Sportswear giants will see to that. What RLX and JL do next year, the rest will do the year after. It's a small window on the future if you like. I don't mean to disrespect anyone, but people do aspire to the nicer things in life. I do my best within a budget and own some really cool stuff I'm proud of.
(Plus fours not among them!!!) Russell (GB)

Anonymous said...

Love it.

Clean, classic, elegant and above all very stylish..

Fjrocket

Anonymous said...

I've gotta say I love the RLX line. I think most of the comments that are negative don't even make sense (no offense). A. the plus fours are probably just for the "fashion" rig for the show, and not even in the line.
B. I've never heard of RLX NOT selling at a pro shop, in fact the clubs i belong to, its the #1 seller. Their golf shirts are the same price as everyone else's, but they're just better colors, better material, better styles, etc. The outerwear is HANDS-DOWN the best on the market, and remember RLX started 10 years ago as a ski company, so no wonder their outerwear is the best. Ralph Lauren is sick, they don't react to the marketplace by just creating a polyester shirt, they lead the marketplace. And if its more expensive than some others, its because its made the best and has the best fashion sense. Anyone with any fashion sense, and knowledge of golf or apparel knows you get what you pay for and this brand is the best. RL has been arond for 40+yrs for a reason. Thanks for the photos KC, they're sick.

Anonymous said...

Those silver and white spectators? Kick ass. Any idea of the brand? Are they FJ Icons?

This is great stuff. More than anything I love the colors -- that's what makes the fall gear so awesome. The muted grays, browns, blacks and winter white with the splash of electric blue and red? Love it. Love the fabric of the plus-fours but they would be epic as full-length trousers with the rest of that outfit. Fall/winter golf is very much a sport in the south so I look at this collection with much interest.

Not so taken by the "late spring" package (with the exception of those fantastic spectators, of course). Seems dulls next to the fantastic fall stuff.

Anonymous said...

What I find interesting is the very large difference of opinion between the comments from US postings and UK or European. Its striking how the US customers view see this RLX collection as being fashionable and that the +4's are some how cool? I have looked at these pictures several times and it looks very nice and we all know the quality is not a question. But its hardly pushing anything forward, argyle pattern jumpers are as ancient as the +4 and so predictably golf...why do them...where is the creativity and invention of new styling. Its all been done before and it hardly looks any different from what you would see in own label chains like Zara, J. Crew, Banana Rep.

KC you made some good points but " photos of stuff I thought might sell, but looked like crap - I wouldn't be long for this world" surely you have got this upside down? If you think it will sell we can assume it will be commercial and popular which is why it sells? So why is it 'crap' when its so popular as the sales would prove?

The majority of golf apparel lacks a lot but is popular for example because the brands market things as technical and the majority are gullible enough to buy it! Big golf brands gave up taking the risk of designing good clothing 20 years ago and started to build this story about technical shirt. These are made of the cheapest of fabrics and smell after an hours wearing. Unfortunately this works and the product sells. Its the customer that needs some help to understand what they are being fed.

Anonymous said...

and ps, what "exclusive" club sells mars bars next to golf shirts?

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon #15,

Excellent points. You're right re: the point I made about things selling that were crap. I suppose my effort was to explain that I don't - as a general rule - trust the average golf apparel consumer, buyer, what have you... As I believe you remarked, the goal is to educate - such is certainly one of the goals of this blog at its conception.
So if I said, "posting crap from the show I thought would sell, but I didn't like," I actually meant if I posted things that had habitually sold, but didn't match my personal taste level, then I'd be doing everyone a disservice, because I wouldn't be authentic - I'd be aiming to please, looking to call nothing about the industry into question, etc.
I think the golf apparel industry is riddled with holes that can be exploited and I want to see companies aim for these niches and keep pushing the limits of what we regard as golf apparel...

-KC

Anonymous said...

I am a PGA qualified golf professional, Living and working in Scotland. My Club is an Open Championship venue. The shop is pretty poor to be honest. Most of the visitors to the Club are from the USA and Japan. These ladies and gentlemen will buy almost anything that bears the Club crest. The majority of these items are not high end, but the customers are happy to pay.

By the way, When not teaching or playing, we do a shift in the shop. This is commonly known as selling Mars bars. We sell more of them than Pro V1's. Interesting blog.

long and straight said...

I think what we all are lacking here with regards to our commments on RLX golf is a little vision. by that, I mean instead of focusing on one slightly absurd pair of plus fours, we lose sight of what the message is or so what I have perceived it to be: by respecting the history of the game and the nuances that differentiates golf from other sports (argyles, plus fours, cardi's, spectators) and juxtaposing that attitude with ultimate function and fashion, what these folks at RLX have done is bridge the gap between the old and the future. Anyone can make something rediculous and fashionable...but what I think makes sense here is that there is a high taste level and what that means to me is that the pedigree is there (similar to an artist who is classicly trained and ventures off to be more abstract and progressive...the successful ones are trained to sketch classicly and paint technically)...so I commend these guys for respecting the game with being innovative...p.s.-if you have actually ever worn any of their outerwear it is crazy good...the difference between JL and RLX is that RLX is actually designed, from what I understand, first and foremost to be functional where as JL is designed to be fashionable (either way both cool brands and especially for golf)...I met the guys that work on it at the PGA and they were serious college golfers and still do the am tourney circuit so they are wearing all of these pieces and constantly tweaking to improve the function...ralph lauren designed with crazy golf specific function and we stress plus fours and pricepoints!!! shame on you

The Khaki Crusader said...

l+s,

i think you summed it up well... the idea is to take a step back and appreciate the clothing for what it is. anyone who is passionate about style can pick things apart until they're blue in the face, but if something is beautiful and functional, we all should enjoy the fact it is out there and available to us as golfers...

-kc

Anonymous said...

Long & Straight - very nicely written but what a load of twaddle. Did you swallow a thesaurus! I have been a designer for 20 years and can't see anything thats future in these pictures. Its the same old stuff again and again and again!

Anonymous said...

I have never heard such a load of bull***t with regard to golf clothing! You debate it like anyone who plays is actually going to buy that s**t! Put your money where your mouth is. Oh! And don't forget to sign for your 85 before you leave sucker! Long and Straight have you swallowed a copy of Vogue? What's your handicap KC? You can play golf without looking like a character from a P G Woodhouse novel you know. Look in the mirror and laugh at yourselves folks.

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon #22,

1.) A lot of golfers do buy RLX. That fact isn't debatable.

2.) I haven't shot 85 in a while...

3.) I think the whole message board would be interested in hearing what you enjoy wearing or what you think is quality golf clothing. We know by now that you have the capacity to be negative - love to hear some positivity...

Cheers,

KC

Anonymous said...

I buy from H&M and Gap mostly, my Pro shop, others stores too. They do the Job for me, some of it is pretty nice. I sure don't have $500 to spend on a sweater for golf or any other occasion for that matter. It's just a label! I see guys all the time in fancy clothes, a big tour bag with the latest gear. They make a load of noise, and cant play! I'm a regular guy, but the sycophantic drivel I see written on this message board makes me laugh. I touched a nerve I know, but that kinda proves my point.

Anon 22

The Khaki Crusader said...

Anon 22,

I hear you and thanks for the response...

I played a lot of my fall golf in 19 dollar cords from Uniqlo, so maybe we've been elbowing eachother at the bargain bins...
i understand the whole "let's laugh at the guy who is decked out and can't play" idea, but it's kind of silly to automatically associate a high-end brand with those type of players because it fits the stereotype.
Lots of great players wear expensive, big-name clothing, like lots of fantastic players wear cheap clothing - that's golf and that's life.
Take the label out of my favorite sweater and all the things I love about it aren't going to change. Anyone who really loves clothing is going to agree there...
I guess I just struggle with your quickness to find fault, humor, whatever.. in the collective appreciation and healthy debate of good clothing - price notwithstanding.

-KC

Anonymous said...

Anon #22, your mistake is you trying to link golf skill to style. They have nothing to do with each other, and quite frankly if you're expecting "golf" discussions on this blog you've probably come to the wrong place. This is about style, and I think you're mistaken to twist the concept of style into an class issue, which you seem to be doing. Be happy in whatever you'd like to wear out on the course and don't judge people who take pleasure in a different style.

long and straight said...

love the banter and thanks for the load of bull comment...classy! So here goes my rebutle (you should have fun with this one, oh yeah, by the way just sh!t out the vogue!!!

1. Can you tell me the best selling tech shirt at Winged Foot, PV (Pine valley), Doral,etc...it goes on??? I know this will be tough to SWALLOW but it is RLX...sorry and actually factual...

2. whats new? to the 2o year designer:
-patent bi swing technology with power stretch mesh interiors. while walking through the show the designer pointed out that there are two essential spots on the body that needs totally range of motion...the back (shoulder blade to shoulder blade) and the chest area...the big muscles as he put it...this technology was developed so to keep the fit slimmer but not restrictive...sort of cool so I thought..
-three layer bonded membrane with shingle system for venting...ugh-if you know anything about fabric and golf then you will understand...if not, then sorry!
-tech jacquard knit vest with wicking and mositure management system,
-16 gage cashmere with paneling for performance...

I could go on but at the expense of being extraneous I will not!!...also, wouldnt want to use words that were too sophisticated...that would be unfair...but the designer actually walked me through every meticulous detail (little much I might add) and I can say that there isnt really anything not new other than your basic sweaters...even the trousers are built with mechanical stretch so to move with your body...not restrict any movement...

My credentials...just to make you feel more at ease when you decide to criticize:

-+2 handicap at Saucon Valley
-qualified for US am
-alt in US open is 2000
-havent shot 85 since I was 12

hope this helps!

lastly, I will leave you with this..." I buy from H&M and Gap mostly, my Pro shop, others stores too" very poignant! Thanks for inspiring me...by the way, this is a fashion blog...just a heads up!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Anon 22 really got to you guys. Hats off to him.

parrot golf said...

Peter Millar's summer comfort tech shirt is the #1 tech shirt at Pine Valley and Winged Foot. Get your facts straight.