Anonymous wrote:A lot of these are brands that were heavily invested, at their prime, in having mall stores. As malls declined, the brands declined too.

Even before that, NAFTA and changing standards started changing clothing quality back in the '90s. It accelerated with things like malls declining and also with every recent recession.

Wait influencers and magazines have been trying to tell me Ralph is back.

A lot of these are brands that were heavily invested, at their prime, in having mall stores. As malls declined, the brands declined too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Can't wait for this story to drop! https://worse-on-purpose.beehiiv.com/

All of these brands no longer exist?!!
"Brand Guardians" wait for a brand to get into financial trouble, buy all their IP, trademarks, logo, and then license to third-parties (probably lowest bidders) to actually make the stuff. Lots of brands that are regularly recommended on DCUM. Anyone notice specific quality slippage?

Authentic Brands Group: Aéropostale, Arrow, Barneys New York, Billabong, Brooks Brothers, Champion, DC Shoes, Dockers, Eddie Bauer, Element, Forever 21, Frederick's of Hollywood, Frye, Greg Norman, Guess (pending), Hunter Boots, Izod, Jones New York, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand, Nautica, Nine West, Prince, Quiksilver, Reebok, Rockport, Roxy, RVCA, Sperry, Spyder, Tapout, Ted Baker, Van Heusen, Vince, Volcom

WHP Global: Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, Rag & Bone, Vera Wang, G-Star, Express, Bonobos, Joe's Jeans, Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Isaac Mizrahi, Warners, Lotto, Lands' End

Marquee Brands: Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sur La Table, Emeril Lagasse, America's Test Kitchen, BCBGMAXAZRIA, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Anti Social Social Club, Totes, Isotoner, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, A Pea in the Pod, Stance, Dakine, Body Glove

The new owners of the brand typically aren't paying anyone to make stuff for them, so this lowest bidder thing is incorrect. What happens is the manufacturer pays for (licenses) the brand's name and IP in order to make what they sell more attractive to buyers, and the IP owner earns royalties as a cut of those sales. It's in the IP owner's best interest to do business with high quality licensees, not the lowest bidders.

However, these new manufacturers may not be at the same quality as the original ones were (which makes sense because the brand isn't hot now and is trying to regain its value)

Anonymous wrote:A lot of these brands haven't been popular in like 25 years. Hunter boots? Lucky, Nautica, Nine West? Those were popular when I was in high school; I doubt anything on this list is anyone's favorite brand in 2026.

No interest in dry feet anymore?

A lot of these brands haven't been popular in like 25 years. Hunter boots? Lucky, Nautica, Nine West? Those were popular when I was in high school; I doubt anything on this list is anyone's favorite brand in 2026.

Anonymous wrote:

Can't wait for this story to drop! https://worse-on-purpose.beehiiv.com/

All of these brands no longer exist?!!
"Brand Guardians" wait for a brand to get into financial trouble, buy all their IP, trademarks, logo, and then license to third-parties (probably lowest bidders) to actually make the stuff. Lots of brands that are regularly recommended on DCUM. Anyone notice specific quality slippage?

Authentic Brands Group: Aéropostale, Arrow, Barneys New York, Billabong, Brooks Brothers, Champion, DC Shoes, Dockers, Eddie Bauer, Element, Forever 21, Frederick's of Hollywood, Frye, Greg Norman, Guess (pending), Hunter Boots, Izod, Jones New York, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand, Nautica, Nine West, Prince, Quiksilver, Reebok, Rockport, Roxy, RVCA, Sperry, Spyder, Tapout, Ted Baker, Van Heusen, Vince, Volcom

WHP Global: Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, Rag & Bone, Vera Wang, G-Star, Express, Bonobos, Joe's Jeans, Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Isaac Mizrahi, Warners, Lotto, Lands' End

Marquee Brands: Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sur La Table, Emeril Lagasse, America's Test Kitchen, BCBGMAXAZRIA, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Anti Social Social Club, Totes, Isotoner, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, A Pea in the Pod, Stance, Dakine, Body Glove

The new owners of the brand typically aren't paying anyone to make stuff for them, so this lowest bidder thing is incorrect. What happens is the manufacturer pays for (licenses) the brand's name and IP in order to make what they sell more attractive to buyers, and the IP owner earns royalties as a cut of those sales. It's in the IP owner's best interest to do business with high quality licensees, not the lowest bidders.

I don't understand what you're trying to say OP. What is the difference in category in all the brands you've listed?

Might explain why I've seen Brooks Brothers lamps and housewares at HomeGoods.

I was confused.

Anonymous wrote:This is news to you?

It's news to me! I think I read somewhere that Ralph Lauren was basically leasing his brand name but no longer responsible for or making any of his clothes under that brand.

I had no idea Brooks Brothers was doing it. I was eying a BB shift dress and thought it would be high quality. But if it's just made the same as an Amazon shop I'm not going to buy it. I don't know who to buy from at this point.

Most of us are well aware of mergers, acquisitions, private equity, buying and selling of intellectual property, etc...

This is news to you?

click bait?

I’m confused - isn’t there a Brooks Brothers store at Tysons? How does it not exist?

Can't wait for this story to drop! https://worse-on-purpose.beehiiv.com/

All of these brands no longer exist?!!
"Brand Guardians" wait for a brand to get into financial trouble, buy all their IP, trademarks, logo, and then license to third-parties (probably lowest bidders) to actually make the stuff. Lots of brands that are regularly recommended on DCUM. Anyone notice specific quality slippage?

Authentic Brands Group: Aéropostale, Arrow, Barneys New York, Billabong, Brooks Brothers, Champion, DC Shoes, Dockers, Eddie Bauer, Element, Forever 21, Frederick's of Hollywood, Frye, Greg Norman, Guess (pending), Hunter Boots, Izod, Jones New York, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand, Nautica, Nine West, Prince, Quiksilver, Reebok, Rockport, Roxy, RVCA, Sperry, Spyder, Tapout, Ted Baker, Van Heusen, Vince, Volcom

WHP Global: Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, Rag & Bone, Vera Wang, G-Star, Express, Bonobos, Joe's Jeans, Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Isaac Mizrahi, Warners, Lotto, Lands' End

Marquee Brands: Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sur La Table, Emeril Lagasse, America's Test Kitchen, BCBGMAXAZRIA, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Anti Social Social Club, Totes, Isotoner, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, A Pea in the Pod, Stance, Dakine, Body Glove