What Makes Some Fashion Brands Worth Paying More For, Experts Say

If you’ve ever watched a fashion show or seen the photos, you might find yourself scratching your head thinking: who would wear that? Fashion often straddles the line between art and functionality. However, while most of us will never wear (or can afford) the outfits that make headlines on the world’s most famous catwalks, many people seek out practical fashion brands that enhance their style. , shape their identity and simply make them feel good wearing them. this.

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With that in mind, how do you determine what makes a garment or accessory worth spending more than a few dollars? Experts help us weigh the factors that make a fashion brand worth paying more for.

What’s in a brand name

A brand name by itself may not mean that a particular item is worth buying. However, branded products often use higher quality fabrics and materials, according to Muaz Notiar, co-founder of Meet Your Wardrobe, a re-commerce analytics and wardrobe tracking platform, and Revstance. , a future market for independent fashion brands.

You’re also paying for brand recognition itself, especially if you’re heading into what Notiar calls “the luxury segment.” He says, “The further you move into the luxury segment, the higher the cost. [a brand name] will be. More [you pay for] brand recognition in the segment. This is because the fabrics and construction techniques used when you go luxury are more expensive, which is reflected in the price of the item.

So, in addition to the brand name alone, some of the following qualities make this brand worth a bit more.

Robustness and durability

Higher quality materials have what Notiar calls greater sturdiness. “The more robust a product, the more utility an individual can derive from it before replacement is required. Accordingly, a higher cost would be accepted for an item on a relative scale as it increases in robustness,” he says.

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Cost per wear

You can break down robustness into a more concrete metric that Notiar calls “cost per wear” in a recent blog post. Basically, if you buy two items, say two jackets, you might notice over time that one holds up better than the other. Often this is probably the one you paid the most money for. So price alone is not a good determining factor if you use the item a lot before it breaks down.

Rameez Usmani, director of e-commerce and retail at Selkirk, adds that brand names often use “superior components”, which makes them “exceptionally durable”. Although that makes them more expensive, he adds, “you can put them to better use because they last a lot longer.”

Sustainability

Another way to think about what you get for paying more for a fashion brand is “sustainability,” according to Phil Scully, a social media and content creation expert in the fashion industry.

“There has been a massive push towards more sustainability in the fashion industry, with designers like Vivienne Westwood deliberately using fabrics that will last longer no matter how much they are worn or washed… account, the reason why some clothes are worth more is because they will give you a lot more wearability over a longer period of time, which these days is something that more and more consumers should pay attention.

Craft

In a blog post for Revstance, Notiar points out that luxury brands are putting more emphasis on fine craftsmanship, “to create unique pieces” and often handmade pieces. Many designers treat their products as an artistic project.

Non-synthetic fabrics

Much of the clothing you buy at affordable stores, ranging from Target to Old Navy, is made from synthetic materials. While these materials travel, pack and wash well, they aren’t built to last, according to Slater McLean, CEO of the Oliver Charles clothing line, whose company uses 3D knitting machines and cotton wool. yak to make must-have sweaters.

In a recent blog post, McLean pointed out that synthetic fabrics not only don’t last as long, they’re also bad for the planet. Natural fibers, such as cotton or animal wool, have a much better profile and longevity, and are worth paying more for.

Customer service and experience

Sometimes paying more for your fashion means getting better customer service, says Notiar: “When you visit a Prada or Louis Vuitton store, you’ll only get the best customer service you could ever imagine. While good customer service exists at mainstream brands, you won’t get the one-on-one attention you get with luxury brands.

Cheaper is not always better

Fast fashion — that is, products made from materials that are cheaper to produce — wears out quickly, says Eric Elggren, co-founder of Andar, top-grain leather accessories and handbags handcrafted.

“On a personal financial level, you’re not actually cutting costs or saving money on expenses by buying cheaper clothes. clothes more frequently By switching to organic materials or slightly more expensive brands, you’ll find your clothes last a lot longer and you’ll feel even better about doing your part to help the environment.

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