No more Ellesse/ST/Diadora/Le coq? :(

Kevin T

Kevin T

Hall of Fame
This is an instance when the domination of Nike/Adidas really bugs me. Le Coq pulls out of North America (again!) in 2008. No more Ellesse at TW. Diadora and Tacchini stocks are dwindling (and still 2008 stock). Lotto seems to have one foot in the grave in the US tennis market. That leaves us with high priced Lacoste for stylish tennis gear. I'm not saying Nike/Adidas/Under Armor make bad stuff but I've always liked to wear what most guys don't. These are the brands of my youth, for goodness' sake! :) One Shot?! Balle de Match!? Quicksilver?! Yuck!! From the firesale here at TW, it looks like Diadora (one of my all-time faves) isn't doing so hot. What to do?
 
By the way, I just got the Sergio Tacchini Gardel jacket in navy and it's pure butter! Best jacket I've bought in years, great quality and MADE IN CANADA! I feel like Johnny Mac circa 1980.
 
I like some Diadora stuff but it's simple marketing: the brands of your youth have become OLD (no offense.) When it comes to athletic gear, the young people drive the market. I do like Diadora and Le Coq, but Ellesse and ST never really did it for me.

Unless those companies market their clothing more efficiently (more cutting edge, less traditional,) they will be the brands of yesterday.
 
But that's only the case for the US market. Lotto, ST, Diadora, Ellesse, Le Coq seem to do quite well in Europe, Asia, etc. Too much of the herd mentality here. I had two to three times the racquet company choices in the 80's and far more shoe/clothing choices. Bummer. :( I kinda dig the Puma stuff, just wish they still made tennis shoes.
 
Kevin T said:
But that's only the case for the US market. Lotto, ST, Diadora, Ellesse, Le Coq seem to do quite well in Europe, Asia, etc. Too much of the herd mentality here. I had two to three times the racquet company choices in the 80's and far more shoe/clothing choices. Bummer. :( I kinda dig the Puma stuff, just wish they still made tennis shoes.
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Speaking of Puma, I just bought a sweatshirt from Marshall's. It's sweet.
 
FILA always have large lines when compared to the other names you've mentioned. I have tried ST, Diadora and Lotto. And i still feel that quality wise FILA is ahead.
 
Kevin T said:
But that's only the case for the US market. Lotto, ST, Diadora, Ellesse, Le Coq seem to do quite well in Europe, Asia, etc. Too much of the herd mentality here. I had two to three times the racquet company choices in the 80's and far more shoe/clothing choices. Bummer. :( I kinda dig the Puma stuff, just wish they still made tennis shoes.
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they still do... just one low end model, named Court Cat... google it!
 
You know it's funny. I remember back when ST wasn't available at TW there were thread after thread bugging them to bring the line in. Now that it's been here a while it's no longer of interest to many. It's unfortunate that people desire what they have to bring in from overseas and then it's available easily and the desire fades.
 
LafayetteHitter said:
You know it's funny. I remember back when ST wasn't available at TW there were thread after thread bugging them to bring the line in. Now that it's been here a while it's no longer of interest to many. It's unfortunate that people desire what they have to bring in from overseas and then it's available easily and the desire fades.
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You're right! I'll admit that some of the ST/Ellesse stuff looks cheesy but the classy stuff is nice. I couldn't get any replies from TW members RE Diadora gear so I took the plunge and ordered some Matteo shorts and UV shirts. For poly, which I'm not a huge fan of, this stuff is nice!! Super light and comfy on the skin. As I mentioned, the ST Gardell jacket is money. I also took the plunge and bought a few items from the ST Dallas line and am quite satisfied. Don't know why but I never was a huge Fila fan. Reminds me of cheap basketball gear and hip hop artists.
 
FILA said:
It's the truth. ;)

FILA gear wicks moisture better than any other tennis brand. Believe me!
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I totally agree. Bought my first Fila shirt about a month ago and it's incredible how the Fila shirts wicks sweat. My Adidas shirts are crazy heavy when they are wet. I hate taking them off because they soak everything else in my bag. DOn't know what FIla is using but is DEFINITELY better quality than ClimaLite or Dri-Fit.
 
Kevin T said:
By the way, I just got the Sergio Tacchini Gardel jacket in navy and it's pure butter! Best jacket I've bought in years, great quality and MADE IN CANADA! I feel like Johnny Mac circa 1980.
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I bought the Corallo jacket - heavyweight, beefy construction and clean simple looks reminicsent of ST's best designs back in the day. It gets more looks and postive comments from the ladies than on-court opponents. Which, IMO, is a compliment.

I share your frustration. What's just as annoying is the unwilingness of these brands current owners to draw on the iconic appeal of some of their lines. Why don't they do an Originals line like adidas, or do what FILA did a few years ago with their Borg replicas?

As a start, Ellesse's license holder could begin by making the logo far larger than it currently is on their insipid gear (what's left of it).
 
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