WSJ: How Can Jeans Cost $300? - Page 3

Surely people didn't actually think that the retail price of designer clothes reflects the raw costs of production.. yet the comments seem to prove otherwise.

This topic seems to pop up in the media every once in a while ("why do designer things cost so much") and it always seems to boil down to the same answer ("because there are people who will pay that much for designer items"). People act surprised when they see manufacturing costs vs what an item actually sells for, like it's something new.

I want to see a similar comparison done with some SF approved brands, I wonder what that would look like.


Kinda like people who populate online forums? I love tro...oops.

True Religions that actually don't look disgusting? What a surprise. The J Brand jeans I have seen actually don't seem too bad for "premium" denim, but there is better stuff out there for the same price (obviously). On sale, though, their washed pairs don't seem like a bad deal.

I have some raw J Brand Kanes and they have a nice fit and the denim is well put together.

Why do people care about a WSJ piece written by someone who probably thinks Hugo Boss is the best American designer ever

that's not what I meant. It's just that my perception, after the guy said he could potentially make the jean cheaper by producing in China, changed and made me think "I am paying a ridiculous amount of money for something that could be had at half the price."


+1 I'd like to see this too actually


I don't own any Jbrand jeans but that seems to be an accurate description of them. I'm in love with the denim section @ Barneys

Sadly, it wouldn't be very different for some. For others, the margins are definitely more conservative.

Of course, it also depends if the brand is strictly wholesale or if they have their own store/e-shop in which to improve those margins.

Is it really that good? It's much better than most retailers, granted, and hits different price ranges but I think is too much emotion for me.

I think johnH would be in for a shock if he found out his precious jcrew shirts cost $3 to make.

never thought I'd see this.

I want to see this done for Levi's and some Wal-Mart jeans and shit, too. I'd bet the markup is not as high but still would freak these people out.

It's a solid place to get some denim and even better during sale time.


are you kidding? it's got a great selection: APC, RRL, Levi's made & crafted, N&F, Simon Miller, Dior, and those are just a few. anything is great during sale time even banana republic.


it costs $13 to make J.crew chinos

I was just @ Barney's in SF today and wasn't terribly impressed with the sale - granted most of the stuff could have been picked clean by now. Didn't focus much on the denim section as I generally don't think of Barney's as a jeans place but they carry RRL?