Patagonia as Fashion, Part III

photo from Giltman.com

In the past I've documented some instances of Patagonia becoming a model for fashion items and I came across another example today.  On the fashion sales site Gilt.com, I saw an item from a company called Highland that has produced another variation of the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover.  It's a decent-looking piece until you take a gander at the price.  Mind you, it's polyester fleece--no more luxurious than the Patagonia pullover.  On sale, it's $169, down from a full retail price of...are you ready for this...$405.  Holy knock-offs Batman!

So if the original is better-looking (personal taste, I guess), environmentally responsible (no doubt), and less expensive (we're in a recession, people!), remind me why anyone would pay $405 again?

photo from Giltman.com

Patagonia as fashion--again?

Last week I mentioned that Patagonia was referenced by Andy Spade in an interview posted on the popular blog, A Continuous Lean. In the same week, there's been another Patagonia-as-Fashion sighting that I picked up from InventoryMagazine.com. Popular men's label Woolrich Woolen Mills has created a dead ringer for the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover. Check out this one:

Photo from odinnewyork.com

Strikingly similar to the genuine article, below, ain't it?

Photo from patagonia.com

The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover is recycled and recyclable polyester while this one is mainly cotton. Kind of weird--it's like a Bizarro Snap-T. Anyway, here's where the "fashion" part kicks in: while the Patagonia Snap-T is $95, this one by Woolrich Woolen Mills is...drum roll please...$185!

Outside Magazine Gear of the Year: Patagonia Returns

Above: The Patagonia Men's Reconnaissance Jacket. Photo from Patagonia.com

I've been reading Outside Magazine for a while now and it seems like Patagonia was a fixture in its Gear of the Year issues. Last year though, I noticed that the number of Patagonia products featured in Outside's Winter Buyer's Guide issue was thin.

Well I just received the most recent Winter Buyer's Guide and it seems that Patagonia is back in full force in this issue with no fewer than six products featured. Case in point, the Patagonia Reconnaissance Jacket pictured above. This jacket won Gear of the Year and a number of other items were featured in the magazine, including the new Patagonia Elmer Waterproof Boot ($155).

I love the expansion of the product line as well as some of the classics like the Synchilla Snap-T Pullover. Looks like winter is off to a great start at Patagonia.

Above: The sole of the Patagonia Elmer Waterproof Boot. Photo from Patagonia.com