A.P.C. Knit Crewneck

01

Images

—01. Soft, loose gauge knit.

Words

I came across this sweater last week at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods and quite liked it. Although I haven't purchased anything from A.P.C. for quite a while, I find that I am liking the brand more and more these days. Besides the quilts that are currently available in their stores, this sweater also looks really nice and feels just as good.

—Available at Tres Bien Shop

Comments

[Brian Braddock]

Fabrique en Chine?

I was surprised to see in your latest issue that Visvim boots are made in China.

Another reason not to buy a pair I suppose.

[sexonfabric]

Probably the most overpriced piece of clothing I've seen in a while. Aesthetically it is nice, but A.P.C. knitwear is usually fairly average quality so for £250+ I will pass.

[Thom]

Anyone else remember when APC was really good value ? I completely agree with the other comment on this, massively overpriced as usual - despite being a nice jumper and as such a good pick ! Cos have got a rip-off version in a light brown if anyone's interested though...

[peter]

Yeah, I would go for a sns herning instead for that price.

[Simms]

I'm always surprised at APC. To be fair, they do have some innovative ideas from time to time. But for such high quantities, their items are still priced above $200 to $300, along with quality though good but not unmatched by other brands. One word to sum it up: hype?

[Mike Huynh]

Some of you guys are hung over the idea that everything made in China is terrible. As soon as you see the label has 'China' you immediately associate it with bad quality. The terrible truth is they are a manufacturing powerhouse and they have the knitting machines that produce these kinds of knitwear. If you are expecting it to knitted in a perennial country such as Scotland, it might triple the price and also out of the price range.

If you take good care of your clothes that I can't see how they won't last. I mean are you going to be playing rugby? There is too much of a high expectation for quality. By this time, the racks would have been cleared out by now.

[SP]

You've missed the point Mike. No one thinks the Chinese are incapable of making good products; people are just surprised at how expensive this is. Do you realise how cheap Chinese labour is? Did you know that the government in China cap the value of their own currency to limit the value of wages, holding their workers as close to the poverty line as possible?

When you're dropping a couple of hundred pounds/dollars on a sweater, you can afford to be a bit discerning about where that item is coming from. Is Inventory not a "curation of ideas in product, craft and culture"? Personally I like things with character and integrity at this pricepoint, and knowing that this will cost APC much less to make than, say, an SNS Herning jumper, yet they put it out at a sky-high price... well, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm all for spending on best quality gear but this is the inflated, anonymous fashion of yesterday (in my opinion).

I'm actually amazed that the menswear blogosphere (fuck yeah) isn't hotter on this issue, especially given the current obsession with heritage and authenticity. It's to Tres Bien's credit that they're upfront about 'Made in China' where others ignore origin except when it's made in the Outer Hebrides or some lumberjack's shed in Maine or whatever.

I dunno. It' s a nice top but there's something fishy about it, and I'm not talking about the 'fisherman look'. Does Inventory have anything to say on this? I understand if the focus is on the product alone, but where are the articles on the Chinese factories making Visvim to match those showing Duluth Pack workers hand-cutting canvas?

Sorry if I sound sanctimonious, I just think it's really important and relevant.

[Brian Braddock]

The thing is, as I'm sure I've pointed out on here before, if I 'm paying top whack for something I want it made by either the factories who've always made it or by people who are really in to it. Call me shallow if you want, but I'm not sure the Chinese tick either box.

Labour is cheaper in China so prices should reflect that. As someone notes above APC prices have gone up yet production went east. It wasn't that long ago that their knit wear was made in France and their jeans were £75 (although they were made in Macau).

[peter]

The Apc boss, Jean T (don't remember his last name), is a little annoying too.
Where do you find good value today? I think NN07, the Danish brand, makes good stuff at affordable prices.

[Simms]

APC pricing is driven by demand, not supply. So for those educated customers out there, unless you come across something you really like, there is absolutely no reason to shop APC collections like other fanboys.

[Barry Van Darry]

On the subject of pricing.....

Why is the new Inventory (issue 3) mag more expensive then the previous issue?

And from what I can see content and pages wise there's less "bag for my buck" so to speak

[Ryan Willms]

Thanks for all of the comments.

I agree that I too would prefer a product to be made by the people who have been making it for years, or people who are really into it. However, as business grow, they want to be profitable and APC has never been about those particular values, at least not to a fault. They do produce somethings in France and in local countries, but making their denim or knitwear in places where labor is cheap just makes sense.

For me, those are certainly things I want and think about, in terms of getting value. But I do think APC is a great brand and their prices are definitely figured by demand, which there is seemingly a lot of. So in the end, there is a balance between product origin, product design, quality, aesthetic, and price or value. Those are a lot of elements and to tic every box with one brand or one type of product isn't easy.

In regards to focusing on the Chinese factories as we do the likes of Duluth Pack or Wm J Mills - I wouldn't rule it out but to be honest they are less interesting and don't have rich history and family stories that make companies like Duluth Pack so appealing and interesting.

[Tim]

bahaha, fanboys!!

[Brian L]

I still think apc's raw denim is of good value, but since almost all their clothing seems to be on par with gap and banana republic, and simultaneously they are producing goods overseas, what makes them nitch at this point? I love the aesthetic of the sweater though

[jon]

lol rather get the ll bean Norwegian sweater