Fine Tuning Flair at Massimo Dutti
At Massimo Dutti’s store on Fifth Avenue, the burgeoning professional can know what the wealthy elite feel when they walk into Brioni, Zegna or Isaia – and can afford to shop. Quintessential Italian style and presentation will envelop the moderate consumer as he searches for pieces to inject new energy in his wardrobe. Everything from suits that fit like they are bespoke to sweaters of the absolute finest cotton, wool or cashmere, and shoes (oh man the shoes). Akin to the COS’s of the world, Massimo Dutti facilitates shopping on a healthy budget without feeling as such. This is the ticket to looking luxe and still eating full course meals.
Price Point: Based on the label’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection, here is a coherent rundown on what they offer. Starting with outerwear, a technical or bomber jacket can cost anywhere from $110 to $450 – pennies on the dollar considering that one will be receiving handcrafted Italian materials and fit. Spring specific Nappa leather jackets average $398, with a few premium limited edition options capping at $450. As for the tailored outputs, blazers of an undoubtedly luxurious make range from $98 or $120 for more casual numbers, and goes up to $275. For calf bearing shorts at Massimo we are looking at $50 to $65 on average and $198 for a deluxe suede pair. In regards to elongated bottoms, chinos and cotton trousers begin in the $50 range and then bump up to $98 where they stay. Bottoms for suits require a few more pennies, with entry level prices at $98 all the way up to $150. Moving on to denim, a categorical favorite, tags are marked beautifully at $65 elevating to $90 almost evenly across the board.
Furthermore, there is shirting. Casual and checked linen and cotton shirts will cost $65; exciting knit, piped cotton and patterned options will run you $98 and the most premier of wool cost $110. Dress shirts of all material families and style affiliation go from $90 to $110. We'll take one in each color thank you very much! Polos for gents with flair and study are available in basic for $35, cotton for $50, linen for $65, knit for $90 and the most desirable of leathers for $120 – only if one is really good for it. T-shirts stock at a median price point of $30.
Then we have shoes. Shoes. More shoes. Brogues, espadrilles, oxfords, sneakers, etc. This kicking bunch start at $70 for high top suede sneaks – if one can imagine – and end at $245 for limited edition leather ankle boots with a buckle detail. If an online order has not been placed already, then confusion can be declared the mood of the current moment. One could reorganize a closet with the first paragraph alone.
From left to right: Technical blazer with zip & slim fit microcheck printed shirt.
The Good: The product offering does not neglect a single age demographic. This cannot be said of every price conscious retail entity in the modern fashion landscape. In the many ways the moderately priced market is saturated with options, said options often do not honor the understated flair that is so present in long-lasting style. Massimo Dutti finely balances being culturally present and sartorially perennial. A man in his 60s can feel just as excited about a pair of dark brown woven espadrilles as his 20-something grandson. To further cement the ambience, the salespeople are tailored, sophisticated and eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm. This is crucial in authenticating the high end retail experience. Members of the massively rich are not the only ones who deserve engaging salespeople with extensive know-how in their specific areas of stylistic expertise. Having an environment where someone shopping can have a dialogue about the product they intend to consume is monumental at this level of consumerism.
From L to R: Casual fir stone watched jeans & blue Kiowa moccasins with ribbion.
The Bad: For the guy seeking abstract construction and conversation pieces this is not the ideal destination. What Massimo Dutti fails to do is incorporate silhouettes that stretch outside of the box. Sartorial whimsicality is not a mandate and does not need to exist in every outlet. Yet it is a very significant part of the male fashion renaissance of today, and the ample number of guys whose style proclivity align with the aforementioned will actively seek such spaces to indulge. This very well-conceived and deftly executed entity cannot provide the same experience.
Cufflinks: The entirety of the product assortment at Massimo Dutti are top priority. None of the displayed items felt like an afterthought. The brand’s mission statement was also lucid. An attuned shopper can truly gauge the company’s DNA along with what makes it tick; Both of which provide evidence that Massimo Dutti is a reputable lifestyle brand. The wholeness of its worth is something that must be experienced in person, whether by means of a store visit or online order. Of all the traits assigned to this subsidiary of Inditex, the same parent company as another well-reputed accessible brand Zara, one that is most striking is the coherence so prevalent throughout its brick-and-mortar and e-commerce channels. This is the kind of label that one must immerse himself in, and honestly with the product at hand, one will certainly have a sartorial desire to do so.