Are designer labels desirable due to quality or the expense?

jsmoke said:
Armani jeans in the mid 90s because somebody in school usetd to wear all the designer clobber and I was trying to look hip however they lasted for around 6 years after wearing them a lot. So definitely better quality.
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Jeans are supposed to be hardwearing, 6 years life is nothing to write home about IMO.

To answer the OP, for me it's about the expense / aura around the label, not the quality. You will get a few exceptions like brands that have build a stellar reputation for quality, but generally it's just marketing. I'm currently sat here wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt I bought in the US back in March 2008. I wouldn't say it's noticeably better quality than ones I've got for around £12 in Next, M&S etc.

It's kind of a chicken-and-egg situation, if some of these brands were cheaper, they'd become less desirable. Whilst they maintain high prices, I want them and look out for them in sales.
 
Years ago yeeeeears ago I remember a great doc showing a chinese factory producing denim and it being sent off in shipping containers.
The majority denim went to cheap companies to finish the denim into cheap jeans etc.
And some of the same Denim went to be stamped with the badges of Armani, Gucci, Boss, etc etc
The same Denim.
And people will deny it!
Jimmy Choo sell sandals over 600 bucks that are a piece of wood and a leather strap. Cost to make .... 10 bucks if that.
Cost to have the label ..... 600!
Is exclusivity. If you buy Jeans at 200 or more chances are no one else has the same jeans etc on your night out.
Fashion is fallacy.
It is like the watch thing.
Men wear a watch as a status symbol of wealth. And it is a device that tells time. Which technically does not exist. And is a thing you cannot own or have or control. But for 150 thousand pound watch you can tell roughly when the next bus is due. :cry: Fallacy.
Pointlessness of fashion fascinates me to be fair.
I do have a good few star wars t shirts though. :cool:
 
The irony being that a high price and a fancy label might mean it is less hard wearing that a significantly cheaper alternative.

You are paying for the image, and that's all. And the image is there basically to say "I have money, or enough that I can do whatever the heck I want".

Often, a very expensive clothing company will actually be ruined in quality by the prospect of fast cash from chav's etc.
 
I don't know if this has been mentioned but to answer the OPs question designer brands are desirable because of the image they sell. Sometimes the image they sell started because of their quality.
The price they command often helps to maintain that image by helping to pay for endorsements and maintaining the exclusivity amongst the pheasants.
 
Humanity ego trip, flashness etc... take your pic really

back when i was younger thats what it was pretty much, they got it so i want it aswell haha

Nowadays bit more thinking involved. But certain things like trainers etc.. are better i have found if they are some time of brand last longer etc..
 
ChrispyKarma said:
Years ago yeeeeears ago I remember a great doc showing a chinese factory producing denim and it being sent off in shipping containers.
The majority denim went to cheap companies to finish the denim into cheap jeans etc.
And some of the same Denim went to be stamped with the badges of Armani, Gucci, Boss, etc etc
The same Denim.
And people will deny it!
Jimmy Choo sell sandals over 600 bucks that are a piece of wood and a leather strap. Cost to make .... 10 bucks if that.
Cost to have the label ..... 600!
Is exclusivity. If you buy Jeans at 200 or more chances are no one else has the same jeans etc on your night out.
Fashion is fallacy.
It is like the watch thing.
Men wear a watch as a status symbol of wealth. And it is a device that tells time. Which technically does not exist. And is a thing you cannot own or have or control. But for 150 thousand pound watch you can tell roughly when the next bus is due. :cry: Fallacy.
Pointlessness of fashion fascinates me to be fair.
I do have a good few star wars t shirts though. :cool:
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This is so silly. How much do you get paid? Is it "your absolute basic needs" and no more?

The 'cost plus' equation for pricing is a fallacy as it doesn't value all of the intangibles that humans do value - innovation, brand image, quality, craftsmanship.

I bet on one hand you say this yet on the other hand you buy craft beer.
 
I care not for the brand itself, but Diesel jean just fit me perfectly, and last ages, so I am happy to pay the premium.
 
krooton said:
I care not for the brand itself, but Diesel jean just fit me perfectly, and last ages, so I am happy to pay the premium.
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Just bought a pair from Bicester, totally agree. Would never pay full price though. I got them at outlet price (70) then gave my email for 10% (63) and then had an Amex cashback for Bicester (57).

Of course that is offset in 25mpg of premium unleaded and a 60 quid lunch but ce la vie :cry:
 
jsmoke said:
Bit of both probably. I bought I pair of Armani jeans in the mid 90s because somebody in school usetd to wear all the designer clobber and I was trying to look hip however they lasted for around 6 years after wearing them a lot. So definitely better quality. I'm generally not into that kind of clothing but must have got caught up in the hype back then.
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I've got gap jeans im wearing since 10 years, just dye them every time they need new life.

you don't need to buy expensive for things to last just above tat quality.

one pair I cycled in for literally thousands of miles too, no stretch in them or thinning of the materials near the knees
 
I've found Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirts last a lot longer than something from M&S or Next to be honest. Even after a lot of washes they still maintain their shape unlike the other brands, so on a cost per wear they are probably cheaper in the long run.
 
krooton said:
I care not for the brand itself, but Diesel jean just fit me perfectly, and last ages, so I am happy to pay the premium.
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About 8 years ago, we took my teenage son to a Diesel store in London to buy some jeans. It was full of skinny young people in the 18-24 range and I was (an overweight 50 year old).
I was like "how bloody much!!" and then tried on a pair of Waykee jeans and was shocked at what a good fit they were (and the assistant was really really helpful)
They cost about £130 at the time, I still have them, I've worn them almost every day for the last 5 years of WFH and and they're absolutely fine.
 
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