Alandale’s Has Armani Look on C & R Budget
Not all bargains are cheap, of course, just a lot cheaper than elsewhere. If you could buy a Rolls for 50% less than list, isn’t that a bargain? For gentlemen with Giorgio Armani or Hugo Ross tastes on a C & R budget, read on. This latest source for the designer look for men reflects hefty savings on high-end merchandise.
Alandale’s is a name you may remember. It was a retailer of men’s and women’s high-end apparel that flourished on the Westside for many years. About 10 years ago, it closed. Owner Glenn Laiken continued, however, to investigate the men’s apparel industry and finally came up with an answer to the high prices of his favorite designer, Giorgio Armani. Buy direct from the same factory that makes Armani, use the finest Italian fabrics, find an inexpensive Westside location, remodel it yourself and then work on a close markup.
That’s precisely what Laiken has done. He bought a garage facing Rancho Park Golf Course, gutted it, put in skylights and rebuilt it. He achieved such a charming and efficient ambience that he could probably be a success as a contractor as well.
The suits, slacks and sport coats he sells are classic European designs. “Armani Corporate” is the description Laiken gives it. Double-breasted or single, the look is slimming and very sharp. The price range for suits is $450 to $650, about half what you would expect to pay for this quality elsewhere. Most of the fine wool fabrics are made by Zegna and are a high-twist yarn with amazing resilience: hence, few or no wrinkles.
The silk sport coats are to die for. Buttery silk with the Armani cut in black, olives, taupes, some checks. These would, and do, sell for $800 were you to buy them with the Armani label. Here, the price range is $235 to $395. Coordinating slacks are $125 to $175.
For the most drop-dead gorgeous tuxedo we’ve seen in years (retail at $1,200 to $1,800), the tag at Alandale’s reads $495.
Accessories--shirts, ties, socks--are stocked, so this can be one-stop shopping for the busy executive. Gorgeous Italian leather belts that we’ve seen for $80 to $100 are $28 to $33. Ties are not inexpensive, but when you see the designs, colors and fabrics, $40 to $55 is a bargain.
The quality here is consistent. Everything is tops, and I defy you to find it anywhere at these prices. To cap off the one-stop shopping angle, there is a hair salon on the premises at Studio A (for Alandale’s).
Just because one has a lot of money doesn’t mean one has to spend a lot of money for the in look, so more and more members of the celebrity crowd are frequenting Alandale’s, as are the studio wardrobe folks. The Century City lawmen discovered it almost the minute the doors opened. And for anyone who needs a little help in putting it all together, Laiken is just the gentleman to ask.
Alandale’s, 10500 W. Pico Blvd. (actually around the corner on Patricia Avenue), Rancho Park, (213) 838-8100. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. MasterCard and Visa.
