WSJ: How Can Jeans Cost $300?

mattt · Jul 7, 2011

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.

johnH123 · Jul 7, 2011

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.

Originally Posted by DLester

Most of the commenters on online articles are sour, beaten losers. The Seattle Times had an article about the opening of a new city park, and all the comments were extremely negative. What kind of person hates parks?

I love trolling the hell out of those comments.

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

NowhereOutThere · Jul 7, 2011

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.

iTylerStewart · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by NowhereOutThere

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.

KitAkira · Jul 7, 2011

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

mr.orange · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by mattt

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.

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."

Originally Posted by johnH123

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

+1 I'd like to see this too actually

Originally Posted by iTylerStewart

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

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

whodini · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by johnH123

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

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.

whodini · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by mr.orange

I'm in love with the denim section @ Barneys

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.

randomkoreandude · Jul 7, 2011

yeah barneys jean selection is def not that great, but good during sale time

jet · Jul 7, 2011

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

bosatlbwi · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by Mauro

Uncontrol is right.

never thought I'd see this.

brad-t · Jul 7, 2011

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

mr.orange · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by whodini

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.

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

Originally Posted by randomkoreandude

yeah barneys jean selection is def not that great, but good 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.

Originally Posted by jet

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

it costs $13 to make J.crew chinos

randomkoreandude · Jul 7, 2011

sorry didnt clarify that i was referring to co-op. BUT most of those jeans i can get elsewhere fairly easily except for diors and rrls

cyc wid it · Jul 7, 2011

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?

WSJ: How Can Jeans Cost $300?

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Active Member

Wait! Wait! I gots an opinion!

Distinguished Member

Conan OOOOOOO"BRIEN!

Conan OOOOOOO"BRIEN!

Distinguished Member

Persian Bro

Distinguished Member

Bae Blade

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Stylish Dinosaur

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: