Are expensive clothes worth the money?
Posted by Aloïs Guinut on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 · 14 Comments
Some cotton T-shirts are worth 100 times more than others. Oui, oui, oui, you read it correctly.
A Primark basic T-shirt is sold 5 euros when the Dior ” we should all be feminists” model is tagged 620 euros. Which is even more than 100 times if you do the math properly.
But except a letter print (that, I checked, is NOT made of diamond powder), what justifies such a difference? and is there a correct price for garments nowadays?
I strongly believe it and will explain why.
I/ low price: low quality
Bam! That’s said.
But it’s both cotton T-shirts you may say. how can the quality be different?
All kinds of cotton are not grown equal, all kinds of jerseys are not created equal, all T-shirts are not sewn equal.
To produce quality cotton, you need to use fewer pesticides to preserve the fibers. It has a price.
Then the yarning process has to be slowly done with quality engineering and chemicals. It has a price.
Then the T-shirt has to be sewn properly by skilled workers who have enough time and a secure working environment. It has a price.
Last but not least, the design has to be carefully thought to prevent ill-fits. It has a price too.
Therefore, a T-shirt under 30 euros will necessarily be of poor quality.
Simple math.
It won’t fit you impeccably and won’t last you long.
It will harm both the environment and the workers. and your style ma chérie.
II/ middle prices: heterogeneous quality.
In this category, you find everything and nothing.
From trendy brands who put all the effort into the look and very few in the quality to conscious brands who put all the effort into the quality and forget the cool.
Luckily, there are also brands who combine great designs, quality fabrics and sewing and cool attitude.
Overpriced middle-range brands
You will recognize them by their extensive use of synthetics, their poor sewings and their opaque communication about sustainability.
Well-priced middle-range brands
Those are where I take my clients shopping.
You can recognize them by their use of natural fabrics, quality sewings, and designs.
Often they have expertise. Some in tailoring, other in knit, other in leather.
And they mention where their products are manufactured and how on their website.
III/ High prices: high quality and dream tax
Luxury garments are almost always prime quality.
Major brands cannot afford to have their reputation harmed.
However, the quality on its own doesn’t explain the sky-high prices. That’s due to what I would call the “dream tax”.
Price is linked to unique “know-how”
Hermès, for instance, has been manufacturing leather since 1837. quite a time to develop unique expertise.
There is no denying that their products are the finest quality in the world.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean the dream margin is not included.
Problem is, nowadays, if you want top-knotch quality, you have to pay the dream margin too.
Plus “dream tax”
The Kelly bracelet, made of leather and gold plated brass costs 455 euros. Is this the real cost? I doubt so. but that’s the necessary price to maintain Hermès unattainable for most consumers.
This “dream tax” makes some classic pieces a good investment as they will maintain their worth on the second-hand market.
As a conclusion, I think a garment is worth its price… up to a certain level.
And you? Do you think it’s worth paying more to get quality clothes?
Cover collage: Me, thinking about the lasting of things in a second-hand knit and me, fiercely posing with my mom’s 30 years old beige sweater. You can follow me on Instagram <3 Category: Blog · Tags: