As an insight to consumer behaviour, many believe that buying and wearing expensive apparel, including lingerie is like an investment. But a majority will then pin point and question whether putting in a grand amount and purchasing a set/single piece of lingerie will be worth the bait? What do we pay for while buying expensive lingerie? Is it the brand tag/fabric/style? If the brand tag demands attention and deserves the extra penny, then is it really worth it? Many would agree in unison that ultimately after a few washes whether you buy a super premium piece or a premium piece or even a normal lingerie set, almost all of them reaches the same destiny.
But contradictions galore, it will also be established that higher the price tag the better will be the look and feel of the lingerie. Amidst this contradiction and parallel thoughts, is it easy to reach a conclusion or does it always remain an open ended question? lingerie is surely a personal part of the attire, while some like it basic, many would love to experiment with the same too. But paying a premium price and buying a wardrobe full of lingerie, that you feel scared to wear thinking the same will get damaged due to constant wear and tear will certainly not be a solution. But still many will want to buy the expensive just to be able to flaunt the brand.
So what’s the real deal? Let’s hear it from a few picky buyers and veteran retailers to see what they have to say regarding expensive lingerie.
SOUMALI SENGUPTA
Media Professional
A qualified media and communication personnel, Soumali has been involved with the working of both Radio and Television. From producing exclusive audio and audio visual content to mapping film slots for viewers of a leading television channel. She not only has a strong consumer connect but also understands what the people demand to watch or hear at a basic regional level, also pan India. Adept with years of people connect, she is also very choosy in her own decisions and never compromises on what she puts her money in. Being an aware lingerie buyer she decides to speak for the motion.
Yes, I would definitely say ‘expensive lingerie is worth their cost’. Lingerie is the most personal piece of clothing that I own. I would spend as much on lingerie as I would, on my denims. A branded lingerie has its worth not only in terms of the comfort factor and styling, but also the statement that It stands for. A well fitted bra or a feather like panty with the right fabric is beneficial to the body as well, in the long run.
I generally prefer buying my lingerie in bulk and I look out of EOSS, so that the customs and international shipping costs are minimised. Expensive lingerie surely has its own plus sides and apart from the hygiene or comfort benefits, the same is a notch above the other categories owing to their shelf life and wear and tear possibilities. With the wear and tear potential decreasing the shelf life definitely increases when you are paying a bigger bill for those expensive pieces.
Also styles, designs and embellishments are the more obvious factors when you decide to spend more for your innerwear. With brands comes their own heavy weight extras. Which are surely missing when you go for run of the mill lingerie deals/pieces.
PARAMA GHOSH
Lawyer & Artist
A lawyer and an artist, Parama Ghosh started her own venture Parama in 2015 where she creates stories on fabric. In between juggling a part time law firm job, home and her soul-project, she loves to explore her city Kolkata, travel, read and write. She understands the preferences of women and stitches collectibles in the form of apparels and home textiles. With her deeper aesthetic sensibilities and keen eye for detailing and selective preferences she speaks adequately about both the pros and cons of buying expensive lingerie.
On a certain Facebook meme, I saw this line written: “Your bra strap is showing” to which the reply was, “Good, it was expensive”. I remember a friend having gifted me a pair of velvety bra with Swarovski crystal on the straps. I made sure it was worn with off shoulder/ cold shoulder tops and dresses so that the crystals could be flaunted. So in that particular case, the lingerie became as much a part of my attire as much as what I wore above it. Given the huge number of options available in stores and online, women don’t shy away from flaunting funky bra straps or quirky prints on bras. The better looking ones are always steep on the price. And depending on what the purpose you have on your mind for them to serve, a hole in the pocket doesn’t always pinch.
For example, if it is a Goa holiday and I would want something to show (from under a white transparent shirt), I would love funky printed or neon coloured bras. Similarly, on certain special nights with a certain special someone, one would want to be in sexy, matching lingerie. Like I had said, these are not cheap. Putting the frills and glamour aside, let me also point out here, the basic purpose which lingerie serves. From my personal experience, I have found that the fit and the strength of a bra is as important as breathing, given the fact that we wear them all throughout the day. In that case, though not always true, the bigger brands offer more choices and last longer. In terms of their proximity to one’s skin, the kind of fabric and the elastic used is very important. Keeping these in mind, sometimes the expense is worth it. Having said that, I should also add here that the price is not always or unconditionally the only decisive factors. I have worn dirt cheap Bangkok bras for years. And they were so much fun too!
PALAK SABOO
Owner, Pretty Secrets Retail, Aurangabad
Hailing from the Saboo family, Palak has closely followed her father’s footsteps to take over the family lingerie retailing business. Since the past 9 years she has been actively assisting her dad, Deelip Saboo in the business and have been proactively handling the daily affairs of the two Pretty Secrets outlets in Aurangabad. Being a keen observer and having a knack for the lingerie industry, she has also been closely analysing and understanding customer decisions over the years and this makes her adept to speak on the topic of expensive lingerie.
Technology has drastically evolved the face of the lingerie industry over the years. Many things that were a complete unthought-of scenario a few years back, is slowly becoming an obvious in the industry every passing day. And the attachment of technology or advanced mechanism and modern linings to the manufacturing process has in return increased the product value of every lingerie piece.
But the same has also increased the sale and demand for expensive lingerie. The same is an unstoppable phenomenon at present. Expensive lingerie is rapidly becoming a necessity. This is also because the same comes attached with its own perks and pleasures in every way. For value conscious customers expensive lingerie is ruling the Indian market. The same is sought after for their make, usage of best fabric and the ones to ensure perfect fitting.
Global brands like Amante, Wacoal, La Senza, Victoria’s Secret, Triumph, Jockey etc have major shares in the sales turnover of the lingerie industry collectively. Its worth is unstoppable owing to sales figures they demonstrate.
India is definitely emerging as a bright, attractive spot for globally recognised expensive lingerie brands. Thus, to sum up I would want to say that expensive lingerie is not only worth their price but also worthy in every respect.
KIRTHI GULECHA
Owner, Shapes, Bangalore
Shapes retail pvt ltd, a Bangalore based retail store for lingerie. Is an endeavour to provide a one stop shop for inner-wear and lounge wear for men as well as women. With more than 15 years of single handed association with the lingerie retail industry, Kirthi bhai is consciously involved with the trends of the season and what appeals to the consumers. Shapes is known to cater to all the inner wear needs of generations at large. From International to Nationally acclaimed brands, customers can choose their perfect lingerie from the Shapes store, and the friendly owner is ever ready to assist anyone in need of lingerie guidance. His in depth knowledge about ‘what sells’, comes in handy as he speaks for expensive lingerie.
Price tag is definitely an issue in today’s date. The more the consumers are getting aware of what might suit them or fit them, they are becoming extremely conscious about what they want to wear as an intimate wear. The choice for lingerie and the brands to invest in is defined quite progressively by the brand tags, that comes attached with the lingerie pieces.
According to popular belief and conception, if you sell brands as a lower piece at urban savvy retails outlets, like the mall stores with a low price tag then the consumer feels the brand is not worth their attention or money. But the same brand will have customers who have requirement of mid range products in local MBOs.
So it is more the consumer perception, that defines the buying mentalities. It is a said notion that consumers hold close to their hearts that the higher the prices, the better the product they are putting their money in. Also expensive lingerie is high on stakes when it comes to the effective benefits that comes with the hefty price tag. So the question of the worth of expensive lingerie is answered by the changing perception and rising demands towards investing in the most costly product as a status symbol!
