You walk into the store and you see it. The beautiful dress, suit, blouse, boots, or whatever it is that may have caught your attention. Maybe it’s even sporting a symbol from your favorite luxury fashion house such as Prada or Armani. You move towards it, feel the fabric on your fingers, maybe even hold it up to envision how it might look on you. It’s perfect. But then you grab that tiny piece of paper hanging off the back, the tag that reads the dollar amount. At first the amount is shock, then disappointment. How could something like this cost so much money? Couldn’t I buy something similar to this at H&M’s sale rack? Are high end brands really even worth it? That’s a great question.
As designers and fashion houses continue to integrate themselves into our fashion culture, many of us are left with the question, do I really need to shell out that much money on clothing? If you typically shop at places like Target, H&M, or other department stores, you may be wondering what all the hype is about. It can be hard to move past the sale price to understand what the big deal is, but there is much more to fashion than initially meets the eye. In fact, fashion can be seen as an art form, with careful designs and precision in every cut. While most of us may never actually see the process and work that goes into designing a garment, having a better understanding of the industry can help us appreciate the innovation and creativity that goes behind each fashion piece, and maybe even help us to appreciate what goes on our bodies even more. After all, fashion is more than getting a good price on that jacket. It’s about bringing out all the colors and flavors of who you are through what you wear. Fashion is used as a tool to express who we are, with the goal of constantly building on a wardrobe instead of hoarding the latest sales.
What Do We Mean by “High End”?
First, let’s define what we mean by “high end” fashion. High end fashion can be associated with anything that is designer or comes from a Fashion House. Typically the clothing garments are made with very expensive, luxurious materials that have been carefully handpicked to accomplish the goal of the garment, whether that be comfort, durability, waterproof, or even timelessness (1). High end fashion is considered to be the utmost quality for the general public usually made by, or carrying the label of, an infamous fashion designer. High end fashion brands can also create haute couture, which is the creation of an exclusive, custom fitting piece hand designed from start to finish, often with unusual patterns and unique fits, all tailored to the customer’s preference.
In other words, high end fashion is the pinnacle of clothing. Not only is high end fashion made with some of the finest materials in the world, making them extremely comfortable, but they are also built to last. In fact, many OG fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton or Chanel, still have many of their original garments still circulated today that are now considered vintage. The best part is, even these vintage garments look as new as they did the first time they were placed on store shelves in the early 1900’s. All of that to say, high end fashion is built to stick around.
But while it may always last through normal wear and tear, will it last through the trends? Many high end fashion brands are working to create timeless pieces of art that only get better with age. Keep in mind that high end fashion is considered an art form, and the garment you choose to wear is the ‘art’. So, while trends come and go (quicker than we can even keep up with sometimes), high end fashion is built to withstand against the trends by designing a lasting art piece for you to wear and enjoy for years to come.
Establish Your Reason
There are many reasons to make the switch to designer clothing, but first, you must establish your own reason. Do you find that your clothes aren’t lasting as long as you want them to? Are you tired of spending money keeping up on the latest trends and styles? Are you looking to express yourself through what you wear? Switching to high end fashion may be the answer to all of these questions, but understanding your reason for buying from fashion houses will help you stay focused when it comes to purchasing new clothes. Ask yourself what it is you are missing from your current wardrobe and where designer clothes could fill in those gaps.
Once you have established your reason, now is the fun part! Dig into some of the top high end fashion brands in the industry and see what speaks to you. The good news is, there is a designer out there for everyone, so whether your style is chic and sophisticated, or grungy streetwear, many designers are creating timeless pieces tailored to each person’s unique style. Remember, fashion is a tool we use to express who we are and bring out the confidence in us we know has been there all along. Understanding the brands, the designers, and the process that goes into their work, we can wear are garments and fashion house symbols with pride and poise.
The Answer is, Yes
So, are high end brands worth it? Well, if you are looking for garments that are durable, stylish, and made to last through wears, tears, and trends, then yes, high end brands are totally worth it. Don’t let the price tag scare you. Remember that instead of buying that one t-shirt that’s on sale in every color (guilty!), take that money and invest it in one good quality item instead. While it may seem like more money upfront, the garment you put your money towards will last, saving you more money in the long run, and giving you quite the impressive wardrobe as well! I don’t know about you, but I would much rather purchase a true piece of original art, than a print that has been massed produced.
