Designer vs. Department



What are you really paying for?

In today’s world everyone with unemployment at a high and a shaky economy everyone is really trying to stretch a dollar. When the recession hit even the luxury brand market felt the sting.  This is right around time designers started to pay attention to the remaining consumer groups of people with budgets.  Then the popular trend of brand name designers partnering with local retailers (Sears, JC Penny, H&M, Target, etc...) was born and truly successful.  The public responded to the partnerships with items selling out overnight nation-wide.  For example, a designer Versace dress runs in the cost of anywhere from $1500 to $15,000.  Whereas a Versace for H&M dress is $95- $250, depending on the design.

This type of product is a response from high-end designers that selling in mass numbers, but a lower price point is just as profitable. Granted when you purchase a brand partnership piece you are not buying an actual Versace dress and quality.  We’ve all heard the saying “You get what you paid for.”  Well this holds very true in the case of buying a costly designer dress or a budget friendly department store dress.  There a number of characteristics to take into consideration such as Fabric, Cut, Seams & Hems, Beading, Color, Fasteners and lining.  I have purchased a $29 dress from H&M that faded after one wash and I have purchased an $800 D&G dress that after eight years looks brand new.  It boils down to the characteristics listed above.  As a consumer you have to do your homework. Know the materials, read the washing instructions. All this can help protect your investment.

There are so many brands out there that you have no idea what’s the best brand to go with?  Well there is no right answer.  It boils down to preference and budgets. An example is jeans.  People tend to go with what’s in trend or most expensive  like Hudson, Rock & Republic, Robin Jeans, J Brand or 7 For all Mankind. Take a look at the photos below. Can you tell which the more expensive brand is? They are both the same color and material (black, 98% cotton, 2% elastane).



Option 1





Option 2



Well, they both look the same, but you are going to pay for the brand name and quality. Can you see the difference in these options?  Well the difference lays in the price.  Option 1 is $68 Levis and option 2 are $165 Hudson Jeans. Here it boils down to preference and budget. The next time you are shopping for yourself, your family or for a gift. Think about what you are spending your money on and if it truly is worth it to you. An educated consumer is a smart consumer.