This is What Makes a Garment Expensive, if you have ever stood in a store, staring at a garment with a price tag that makes your jaw drop? You’re not alone. The world of fashion can be high up in price points, leaving us wondering: what makes a garment so darn expensive?
Fear not, fashion detectives! This blog post is your magnifying glass, ready to dissect the factors influencing garment costs and shed light on the mystery of the sky-high price tag.
What makes a garment expensive?
The Price Pyramid:
Imagine a pyramid, its foundation the cost of materials. This includes the fabric itself (think luxurious silks vs. basic cotton), trims and embellishments (hand-stitched beads vs. plastic buttons), and any special treatments (organic dyes vs. conventional ones). The higher the quality and rarity of these materials, the sturdier the base of your price pyramid.
Next comes the labor factor. Skilled craftsmanship, from intricate stitching to delicate embroidery, requires time, expertise, and often, fair wages. Think of it as the skilled hands that sculpt your garment into a masterpiece. The more specialized the skill, the higher it climbs the price ladder.
Overhead costs like rent, utilities, and equipment maintenance also play a role. Imagine the difference between a bustling factory with cutting-edge machinery and a small, home-based workshop. The bigger the operation, the larger the overhead slice of the price pie.
Finally, we reach the brand premium. A designer’s name, reputation, and marketing efforts can significantly inflate the price tag. Think of it as the brand magic that sprinkles pixie dust onto your garment, making it more than just clothes, but a symbol of status and exclusivity.
Click here to read our blog post about 3 Things Affecting Cost of Garment Production in Nigeria