From Versace to Armani, many people wonder what all the hype surrounding designer labels is about, to some extent, myself included. But are they correct to wonder? With popularity of High Street stores such as Topshop and River Island rocketing, are designer brands and boutiques really any match for these persistent, reasonably priced retailers? Take this item for example...
Hooded scarves ('Snoods') are set to become fashion must-haves over the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 Season. This particular item costs £195 when purchased from the Dolce & Gabbana official website. The design of the knit is basic, and not difficult to produce cheaply.
This item is a very similar knit to that on the Dolce & Gabbana website, but can be bought for a fraction of the cost. New Look prices this 'snood' at a mere £7.99. There is little difference between the two items, visually; your purse would be the only indication of extravagance, which would have suffered a massive weight loss of 187 pounds (and 1 penny!). Where as many consider this to be an unneccessary indulgence, there are plenty that don't.
So what is it that makes people decide that they would rather pay almost 25 times the price for practically the same item? Perhaps status? Money is often thought to equal power, and walking around sporting a D&G scarf may assist the particular individual in feeling superior amongst a high street clad crowd. Or maybe it could be insecurity about the way they look? If they lack confidence, they may feel the need to showcase expensive clothes to enable them to feel better about themselves. There are many minor psychological or slightly egotistical reasons as to why people may choose designer over high street labels. However, if you look at the facts, designer garments are often much more likely to be higher quality and therefore better value for money.
There are a couple of things to consider when declaring items 'worth the money'. Firsty, how well they fit. If you are going to splash out the cash on designer clothing, you need to make sure they are the exact fit you are looking for, whether it be snug or loose. Just under a month ago I was on Oxford Street in London and decided to pay a visit to Selfridges. It was there I found this Tuelle cami dress, also from D&G.
The dress, in store, was available in sizes 8, 10, and 12. It could also be purchased at a size 4, 6, and 14, and although these sizes were not currently held in store, they were not difficult to get hold of. This shows how diverse designer brands can be, as it offers sizes for smaller frame and somewhat curvier ladies, while also caters for every size in between. This enables women of many sizes to fit perfectly into this little black number.
Secondly, an item must be very well designed and made in order for it to be worth its price label, down to every tiny, intricate detail. When spending a large amount of money, you would naturally want to be assured that the quality of the item is the highest possible. In hindsight, this dress should last you many, many years without developing any faults such as stitching become loose. When compared to high street labels, it is likely that the much more expensive items would last substantially longer than their inferiors.
So... next time you hit the shops, if you're an indulgent spender, maybe try becoming a high street convert for the day and seeing what bargains you can bag yourself. If you swear by Primark, try treating yourself to something a little more upmarket for a taste of the glamorous lifestyle. Who knows what you might learn?
