Why Is Streetwear So Expensive?

It's no secret: Streetwear can be very expensive. Some might be hesitant to do this because, unlike high fashion, streetwear emphasizes utilitarian fashion that can be worn anywhere. It makes sense to justify a suit or dress only for special occasions, but spending a lot of money on something you can wear almost every day seems ridiculous.

Still, when you look at a given designer's catalog, you'll find that certain sizes will sell out (and in some cases, most sizes) and they have a full line. It's clear they have to be selling, and it's clear they have to be doing the right thing for their customers, or they won't be in business.

Streetwear is expensive; it's true, but there's a reason high-quality streetwear pays off. High-end materials, exclusive designs, and an exclusive aura come together to make everyday fashion something to be proud of. What's more, streetwear has a strong overlap with sportswear and athletic gear, making it extremely comfortable and capable of being worn in a variety of situations.

Streetwear originated decades ago in 1970s Los Angeles, closely revolving around the surf and skateboard culture. Street fashion has moved from California to New York City, where some brands have gained cult followings due to limited numbers. Los Angeles set the standard for fashion, while New York reimagined how products were distributed.

Style doesn't have to be cheap, and many factors can affect the cost of streetwear. In addition to the regular operating costs of a business, a designer's production, pedigree, branding, and marketing also affect the overall cost of a product. Streetwear is the polar opposite of fast fashion: fast fashion uses simple designs, bought quickly and discarded quickly, whereas streetwear is consciously durable and takes care to differentiate it from other brands and other clothing on the market. Here are some key factors that affect the cost of streetwear.

Branding isn't everything, but it definitely helps no matter your field. Anyone who doesn't understand opera knows Mozart. Anyone who doesn't understand sports knows Babe Ruth. Very few people who read immediately know the type of writing you are referring to when you talk about Stephen King or William Shakespeare. A company's brand says as much about what they produce as it does about how they produce it: the people they support, its mission statement, and its vision for the future come together to create a unique brand.

High-quality materials result in a high price point. It's easy to find cheap cotton, wool, or synthetic fabric products, but choosing a lower quality material means dealing with less fabric quality and more bad ones. Luxury streetwear can take risks in design, and compared to fast fashion, it brings a lot of innovation.

Many streetwear brands are also thinking about how their designs can achieve results beyond the garments themselves. Often, the manufacturing process is more ethical and transparent than fast fashion, whose mass production can stem from hostile labor practices and quality-cutting corners. Luxury streetwear sees such cost-cutting as the enemy, and every part of a piece's history contributes to its specificity.

Terms like "limited editions," "exclusive drops," and numbered items by lot are thrown around a lot, but all of that translates into one principle, scarcity. Part of this is down to basic economics: as a designer, you don't create something that you don't think you can sell, and therefore, you don't want supply to outstrip demand. At the same time, artificial scarcity, as seen in limited editions, especially when major collaborators are involved, can create a sense of exclusivity, thereby driving up the market and social value of the item.

Scarcity itself drives up prices: To stay in business, companies need to increase their profit margins per item or increase their drop-out rates. Either way, small yields mean every drop is filled with unique items from your own wardrobe.

Also, you have to remember that streetwear and celebrities often go hand in hand. Spotting a celebrity wearing a certain streetwear brand or an item of clothing can lead to a frenzy among fans and price increases.

The above briefly introduces the reasons why streetwear is so expensive, if you want to order streetwear, please contact us.

As a custom streetwear manufacturer with more than 5 years of experience, RAINBOWTOUCHES aims to bring fashion into the world. It mainly produces and sells casual men's and women's street fashion brands and sportswear, with casual, avant-garde, comfortable, and fashionable brand characteristics. We regard producing and designing exquisite products as our basic purpose and core purpose.