What:The Gap introduced a premium denim line called 1969 last month, and it did so with some pretty aggressive advertising. Well, now makers of other similar high-quality jeans (like 7 for All Mankind and Levi’s) are having to defend their high prices. Gap’s denim costs around $50, while others cost triple that. Many say the Gap is overstating how premium their denim really is, as most their materials come from China and Mexico – as opposed to Italy and Japan.
What They Say:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, if the economy continues the way it is, they may have to. I personally don’t know what the big deal is with designer jeans. I’ve never paid more than $30.00 for my own jeans, and quite frankly, don’t see why I should, when there such a variety available in the marketplace at affordable price points. But then again, to each his/her own.
Honestly, I worked for A&F for a good 4 years and I’ve literally watched the quality of their clothing deteriorate during that time. When I started working for them back in 2004, their denim was well worth the price of $79-$90 bucks. Now, they clearly skimp on materials (stretch denim equals: not durable, thin, and nowhere near worth the price they sell them for which is higher than what it was 5 years ago. I can’t say with 7 For All Mankind or Levi’s whether this trend has occurred as well but I wouldn’t be surprised. The whole point of the “premium” jeans is for them to appear relatively exclusive; therefore to keep up appearances (and for the simple fact that people will still pay for them), I doubt they’ll ever reduce the prices. I also sincerely doubt that Gap will one up them; their jeans are made to be cheap.
The only that matters about jeans, or any pants for that matter, is how they look on your butt, aka, the FIT. A person in $30 awesome fitting Wal Mart jeans will look better than one in ill fitting $150 jeans. I get more compliments on my $50 guess jeans, which cost me $15 on the clearance rack, than my $300+ Dolce & Gabanna jeans, which cost me $125 on sale. Plus my fiance says my butt looks way better in the Guess ones, and per him, that’s all men care about anyways.