I bought my Rapha jersey at the London Soho store when I was visiting England a couple years ago because the price in pounds seems lower than dollars... ahaha
I never knew how good jerseys and under layers could be until I tried Rapha. My jersey is a ‘classic’ one and is very comfortable and very functional.
People who disparage brands generally say things like: “it’s stuff no one needs”, “it’s overpriced”, and “soulless” but if you dig deeper they have no experience with the product from the brand or even been to the brand’s stores. My guess is they say these things because their friends say it and they think it’s what they’re supposed to say, but have little actual knowledge to back it up.
Some people are just looking for any reason to be angry. I know an Aldi hater who refuses to shop there because she has to bring her own bags.