As a fashion enthusiast and avid shopper, I'm often left astonished by the soaring prices in luxury fashion. Just today, I came across Chanel flats priced at over $3000. While adorned with crystals, it's hard to ignore that they are shoes, not diamond stud earrings. The eye-popping costs make me question the sanity behind the price tag.
I can’t help from asking: Are customers are as insulted as I am by the ever increasingly price of luxury fashion?1
In the realm of high-end couture, where craftsmanship and creativity converge, one would expect prices to reflect the unparalleled skill and the ingenuity invested in each piece. One expects prices to reflect the artistry and craft.
The problem is that as the cost of luxury fashion continues to climb, we have seen a steady decline in quality. Besides for a handful of products deemed “hot” for the season, I don’t see a lot of fashion selling unless it’s steeply discounted.
In decades past, handbags and shoes used to be purchased as a more affordable way to tap into the luxury fashion scene. Back then, investing in quality accessories offered a taste of high-end fashion without the hefty price tag of a full outfit. A customer could also justify a handbag purchase or a pair of shoes as the “cost-per-wear” to could outrun that of a pair of pants or a dress.
Times have indeed changed, and it's now commonplace for handbags and shoes to command prices that rival, if not surpass, most clothing items. The cost of stepping into the realm of luxury fashion has skyrocketed, with a $600 belt often marking the entry point for many high-end brands today.
As prices have risen, the landscape of fashion acquisition has evolved. Vintage and preowned clothing, are now readily accessible through online platforms. Navigating sites like eBay, The RealReal, Postmark, Depop, and various smaller auction platforms has become just as effortless fas browsing through Gucci or Nordstrom.
It just begs the question: Who is justifying $3000 shoes and why?
Photo credit: Chanel Shoes “Price Upon Request”