Jinjer:
If you re-read, you will see that I was specifically talking about poly/cotton blends. I did not mention modal (which is rayon BTW)..
and addendum to the denim thing:
“seams” are not produced on looms..you may be referring to the selvedge (and the little red thread that runs along the selvedge line)..easily reproducable on any loom.. it’s just how you warp it.

Expensive micromodal is completely unrelated to cheap T-shirt cotton:
* softer
* more often on-grain (that cheap junk is almost always torqued)
* pills less
* drapes better
* Dyes better
… & costs 3 times as much (I think it’s worth it)!
(& I bet it’s harder to sew–kind floppy)

By premium denim.. I am talking about the FABRIC itself being promoted as premium. The denims you mentioned are all the same.. until you get to the finishing processes.
(The washing, distressing, etc.)
And as you stated above, the DENIM is made of the same fibers, the same weaves…the same quality.
My beef is with the promotion of “premium” as somehow being a “better quality” fabric- which it isn’t. It is often the SAME fabric used in those good ole levis as in those $200. “premiums”.
I think the way you and I see the word “premium” being used is different.
I see “premium” being touted in the fabric itself (which is what I stated).. You see “premium” as describing the cut, design, distressing techniques, etc.. (and some brands that say “premium in their ads are using NO distressing techniques in their newer lines)
This is where we differ. “Premium” is a misnomer.
The FABRIC is not better. It is “the same ole stuff”..just cut differently and beaten up a “special way” ..which does not necessarily mean “better” (I know lots of people who cannot wear many of those specialized contemporary brand jeans because the cut is uncomfortable on them)
WE are different..and I also do not agree with you about the sweater thing..
I DO feel there are some very good sweaters out there for $50… and there are some pretty crummy ones for hundreds. Hand loomed is not touted as “better” or “premium”.. it is stated as a technique. The “better” or “premium” would come in at the fabrication point i.e. I do feel that a cashmere sweater (whether handloomed or mass produced) is “premium” or “better” quality fabrication compared to an acrylic one. (and I would not get offended either way.. either a customer likes what is offered or not..)
My point is at the “emperor has new clothes” promotion of many contemporary lines. I see some fabrications being pr’d as “new” “better” and “premium” (because they have embroidery, rips, bleach or rhinestones on them)…when in actuality..the fabrics come off the same rolls frome the same mills and some of the basic brands that have been around for years. the fabric itself is not “premium”.
Now, I have also seen some “luxury” weaves that incorporate gold and silver thread into the weave. I also have seen some denim that is a mix of linen and cotton or silk and cotton. These could be considered as a more “premium” or “luxury” weave compared to a basic cotton or a cotton/lycra.

I would have to staunchly disagree with that. For some people, jeans are jeans. But that doesn’t mean that all jeans are equal. There are people who see no added value in any features a “premium” product might carry, because they are only interested in utility (i.e. they wear jeans when they do their gardening). And there are others who are more into the fit, appeal, look and the “dressing up” aspect of premium denim.

I have a pair of Levi’s 515 that retail in the $40 range but can easily be purchased for twenty-something dollars. I have a pair of Old Navy jeans, probably just a tad under $30 retail, and I have a pair of Blue Cult that retail for about $150 or so. These are just three examples.

There is absolutely no comparison. All jeans are low rise boot cut with 1-2% lycra and they all have a similar color denim with a worn wash. All technically in the same size, so one could argue they should be very similar. There is NO comparison. First the Blue Cult jeans use a higher quality denim. Secondly, they garment wash, but they also apply the “distressing” by hand. Lastly, the fit is vastly different as the Old Navy and Levi jeans are made to fit the “typical american” bodytype, thus I get a much better fit out of the premium denim, which is targeted towards the contemporary market.

Coincidentally, I purchased the Levi’s 515 in a darker blue and couldn’t wear them. The distressing on the legs was applied in such a way that it had the horrible look of someone trying to be trendy but getting it all wrong. They were distressed too far down the leg (thus didn’t elongate the leg properly and makes the wearer look shorter), they were distressed too heavily (thus having that stark dark/light contrast, making the leg look wider). And lastly, the more “mass market” jeans have a more “mass market” fit and thus are not as flattering.

Now there are times when a consumer truly does not notice a difference between product A and B. And there are many times where any difference is perceived as nominal and therefore not worth the increase in cost. But there ARE differences.

I am sure you would get offended if someone came along and said they could get a nice sweater for $50 and there was no reason to pay over $100-200 for a handloomed sweater and yet you would find it fitting to defend the quality of your products, and therefore your price point. Yet you so easily claim that other products have no such difference and is just a bunch of marketing hype as though you operate in either the only, or one of the few, niches in which true value exists.

If I were willing to put my money on it I would bet that these are items which you do not purchase, you’re not a consumer of, thus you feel so free to scoff at another industry’s product line and marketing efforts while you charge a premium price for items you make with “fifty cent” fabric.

That’s not necessarily the same thing as you making more though – since lower prices may take too much margin and leave you with a lot of volume and very little to show for it.

If a rep suggests that lowering the price would generate more sales, its fair to ask them “how much more?” With that information, a little business acumen and a healthy dose of common sense, you should be able to figure out whether its worth considering a price change.

Now that Tahari has moved out of the boutiques and into the department stores, the fancy buttons wouldn’t be feasible with the increased volume.