So, why are jeans so expensive?
Jeans have become the epitome of casual wear over the past few decades. Their popularity has crossed all boundaries of region, gender, and culture.
Have a party to attend? Put on your fancy pair. Need to go to school or college? A casual pair will do just fine.
But as some basic research or even your shopping sprees will tell you, jeans are not the cheapest product in the clothing industry.
You would think that a product with circulation as wide as this garment, the prices would be extremely affordable. So, why is it that these simple garments cost so much?
why are jeans so expensive?
Durability
Jeans are an everyday wear type of clothing.
This means that they are probably exposed to more wear and tear than the rest of your wardrobe. They are exposed to the kind of environment that we would never wear our designer outfits into.
This is why they need to be more durable in comparison to other items of clothing.
Otherwise, they might not last longer than a few months. A good pair of jeans can easily serve you for years. This is one reason why they cost more.
Material
We might underestimate what raw materials can cost in the clothing industry. Most jeans are made of denim which is a fabric made from cotton.
While cheap cotton is easily available in the market, most big brands would never use it.
They use the best quality of cotton available in the marketplace which does not come cheap at all. The difference in the quality of the material used in a pair of jeans could mean the difference of up to a year.
Furthermore, since cotton is a plant-based product, its availability is uncertain. If bad weather leads to a bad crop, it will directly affect the production of these companies. And if production is low, prices are obviously going to be high.
Manufacturing
The way a pair is manufactured makes a lot more difference than you might think. In a business that uses machines for producing its garments, almost no attention to detail is paid.
Whereas, some of the bigger production houses choose to hire skilled workers so that each individual piece turns out perfect.
Of course, labor does not come cheap, especially not skilled workers. Plus a company that charges more for its products is more likely to be paying its workforce fair wages.
However, this is not to say that machine-based production is cheap. In fact, a flat-felled stitch machine costs a lot per unit. This can also drive up costs.
Good Fit
Designer jeans cost a lot more than those available in the average store. This is because of the difference in the fit.
Jeans that are available in low-end stores are typically not designed for any particular kind of fit.
Whereas custom boutiques care more about the individuality of the product. That is, they make an effort to ensure that the pair you buy suits your body shape perfectly.
The right pair of denim can do wonders for your look and for your confidence. The importance of the right fit should never be underestimated. These services of course add an overhead to the actual product.
Quality
Jeans need to be of good quality. Besides normal wear and tear, they also need to withstand spills of all kinds and multiple washes besides other things.
A low-quality pair will start to lose its color after a few washes. Some of these cheap items also have a very fragile stitch which makes them very prone to tears.
A higher-priced pair is more firmly stitched and also has good quality dye. This makes them more likely to last more than a couple of washes. They are more likely to retain their shape and color than a cheap pair.
Advertising
The fashion industry is brutal. The competition is fierce and abundant. It is not easy for a brand to establish itself in this market. The firms around here are cutthroat.
This is especially true in the denim industry. There is no shortage of businesses in this space. This is why these companies end up having to spend a lot more on their marketing and campaigns.
A lot of cash has to be spent on making the perfect ad campaigns that attract the consumer. The ads need to be vivid and creative and also need to highlight the product in a prominent way.
The manufacturers spend a lot on marketing and of course, they have to source those costs from somewhere or the other. Plus, the people who come up with these creative ways of marketing need to be paid too. All this adds a premium to the product itself.
Designer Jeans
Some popular brands add their own premium to their products. After all, a company that has spent years and years establishing its credibility is not going to give away its products for cheap.
Companies like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Escada make jeans that sell for thousands of dollars.
It may sound extremely unreasonable for just a piece of denim, but who can question what a fashion giant decides to put on its price tag. To be fair, these companies also add stunning details and use extremely high-quality raw material into their products. And many are happily willing to pay the price for the luxury of owning an exclusive pair like that.
How Much Should I Spend on Jeans?
Lucky for you, jeans are one of those things that are very frequently available on sale. While we would not advise picking up a $20 stray pair from a random store, you do not need to spend thousands on them either.
Just ensure that the seller you are buying from is credible and that the pair is sufficiently durable. Additionally, if you do buy a quality pair and take proper care while washing, it should survive for a good year or two.
It goes without saying, a good pair of jeans is a worthy investment.
You can also check out the best jeans for men over 40 to shop our picks.
