I was in the mall with my mom for a little holiday shopping when we ventured into an unnamed clothing store that also has a pretty robust offering of lingerie. Some of them were pretty cute, but then I saw the price tag and had to run for the hills. I mean, honestly, why are bras SO expensive?
Writing for a hemp underwear brand that prides itself on transparency and accessibility, I just don't understand how expensive some bras are, it's crazy! I needed answers, so I began to research, 'why is lingerie so expensive?' I came up with a few different reasons, which I'm going to explain below for you.
Before we find out why bras are so expensive, I want to give you two recommendations for wallet-friendly, high-quality bras: the racerback bralette , perfect for yoga class and lounging, and the triangle bralette , ideal for date night and errands!
Like any business, lingerie brands sell their product for a higher price than what it takes to make them. But some brands take that a little too far and charge way more than what they cost to make. So let's start with a breakdown of what goes into making a bra and how expensive are bras to make.
Bras have to be made with high-quality, durable, and soft materials because of their job. After all, how many bras do you wear until they're basically held together by sheer will? Plus, because they rub up against some of our most sensitive skin, it's important that they're not abrasive or have toxic chemicals on them.
The only problem? Good quality materials, especially ones that look nice, are expensive! The brands that use this type of material do need to set a higher price, but there are also brands that use cheap materials and still upcharge a lot.
So what materials should you look for in a bra if it's worth its price? Natural, sustainable fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, and responsibly sourced silk are all great options. Plus, materials like hemp are breathable, antibacterial, and super flexible! On the other hand, those plasticky materials like polyester or spandex just aren't worth the price tag. They might be cheaper, but they're not as durable and bad for the planet.
Real human beings with lives, families, and goals make our clothes, so it's important that clothing brands are paying fair wages and providing safe workplaces. Most bras are handmade, which takes skill, time, and a lot of attention. This can cost extra, but it is ALWAYS worth it. If you're shopping at an ethical lingerie store, you might notice a higher price tag to cover that labor.
In my humble opinion, I would gladly pay a few extra bucks, so people can live full, happy, and healthy lives. Of course, I do have the privilege of being able to make that decision, so it's a complicated issue. If you can afford to spend more to support brands that treat their workers fairly, that's fantastic!
Fast fashion and other unethical lingerie brands don't use fair labor practices , which means their workers aren't being paid living wages and have to work in unsafe conditions. And what's especially tricky is that these brands don't exactly advertise their horrible labor practices. If you can't easily find transparent information about their supply chain, that's a pretty good hint that it's not good.
P.S. read about our supply chain here!
Many smaller, sustainable lingerie brands make their pieces in small batches. It lowers risk , gives brands more control over their stock, and reduces potential waste. But it can also mean that things cost a bit more because the brand cannot purchase materials and other production essentials in bulk.
This is especially true for size inclusive brands that design bras for sizes not typically catered to by lingerie brands. For example, it's hard to find bras with a large band and small cups because brands assume that all plus-size bra wearers have large boobs. But some plus-size babes are proud members of the itty bitty titty comittee! Brands that recognize this make bras in small batches to avoid potential waste because it isn't as common.
Beyond just how much do bras cost to make, there are other answers to, 'why are bras so expensive?' And unfortunately, most of them don't make me feel better about how expensive are bras. Without further ado, let's get into it!
Because we live in a capitalist economy, even our choice in bras involves corporate greed. Companies will charge hundreds of dollars for a cheap bra because they want to stuff their pockets. Note, these are also usually the companies using unsafe factory labor , and the cheapest materials they can source, without thinking about the impact these decisions are having on the planet and its people.
So what are we supposed to do as consumers to avoid lining the pockets of millionaires with mark-up money? Shop as ethically and sustainably as we can. Support small, local businesses that support their community and environment. It may seem difficult, but there are plenty of affordable ethical clothing and lingerie brands! Transparency is a good hint that the company is on the up-and-up with their finances, labor practices, and sustainability!
We all know big, popular lingerie brands that make crappy bras, only worn by middle schoolers that don't know any better yet. When you buy one of their bras, you're paying for that cute little tag and ostentatious shopping bag to tote around the mall with. And for some people, that's what they want, which is totally cool!
If you're like me, however, you want a bra that is comfortable, affordable, and sustainable. And unfortunately, many big brands don't prioritize those values. So if you've only shopped at big brands and have been disappointed, try a smaller brand without huge annual fashion shows!
We know that most bras are crazy expensive, but there are some pretty amazing bras you can find that you don't have to take out a second mortgage for! How do you find them? Look for brands that are:
If you're still not sure where to start, head over to our collection of ethical and affordable hemp bras !
So why is lingerie so expensive? Well, there are some good reasons like high-quality materials, the cost of labor, and inclusive small batch sizing. However, corporate greed and brand names can jack up the price, too.
Some bras are worth every penny if they make you feel good and aren't bad for the planet or people. Although it can be difficult to know when a bra is priced correctly, transparency is key. If a company is open about their materials and labor, then the bras are probably priced correctly.
What do you think? Should bras be so expensive? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below!
Have you ever shopped for something ' say, an item for your house or another everyday product ' and been floored to find out what it costs? Well, here at TMRW, we're shaking off the sticker shock to examine why certain products are so dang expensive. Today's item: bras. There are more options than ever for size, cut and material at a wider range of price points, but how much should you spend to get one that will last?
Whether you're an A cup or larger than a DD, you've likely been frustrated at some point in your life by how much you've had to spend on a bra. But when you find a good one, you'll likely wear it until it's quite literally falling apart.
To understand the bra industry, TMRW sat down with two experts, who broke down the ins and outs and what to look for the next time you're bra shopping.
Swing by Target or Walmart, and if they have your size, you can pick up a bra for $10. Visit a specialty bra maker and you could easily spend more than $100. A primary reason for the range in price comes down to a concept called "economies of scale," which refers to the cost advantages of businesses with larger operations.
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"People talk about how Walmart's prices are so cheap. It's because they buy so much at a single time," Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict and author of "In Intimate Detail: How To Choose, Wear and Love Lingerie," told TMRW.
The idea of economies of scale is especially "critical in the space of lingerie," added Lively founder and CEO Michelle Cordeiro Grant.
A single bra is comprised of many more pieces than other clothing items, such as shirts or pants, and "without economies of scale, you're paying up for all the components," Cordeiro Grant explained. "Within one bra, there's as many as 25 components," such as clasps, straps and adjusters.
"If you're a small company ... you're not going to get the price advantage as if you're running 10,000 or 60,000 units," she added. "If you're running just five 34Bs, six 36Bs ... that makes it really expensive."
Smaller clothing makers can reach economies of scale more easily if they use a mill that's already making fabric for several different companies. But this is much harder to find for 25 bra components in the dozens of sizes and styles bras come in, compared to four or so for T-shirts, Corderio Grant said.
What's more, big box chains might be able to afford to price bras lower and take the financial loss because they're making it up with other products, according to Harrington.
Simply put, "bras take a lot of labor to produce," Harrington said. "They're all ... handmade by people sitting in front of sewing machines putting these little pieces together."
While bras may use less fabric than a coat, for example, the process of sewing a bra requires more specialized knowledge and machinery.
"The labor, the expertise, the time it takes to make, the fact that there are some bras that have taken years of research and development to produce ... all of that together is what contributes to that final cost," Harrington continued.
She also stressed that while people may presume clothing made in developing countries is lower quality, this isn't always the case for bras. "All of these garment workers are all extremely good at what they do," she said.
Still, labor costs in countries like France and the U.S. are higher, so these bras may be more expensive. But just because a bra is on the cheaper side doesn't mean it's made with sweatshop labor, thanks to economies of scale, Harrington said.
Many companies that sell bras for cheaper prices tend to be focused on keeping their final costs down. As a result, they're "not able to spend as much time on research and development ... and perfecting that fit," Harrington said.
"Something that you can get with a brand or store that just does bras ... and particularly if they're specialized for that larger bust, they're going to be a lot more focused and obsessed with fit," she explained. "Then you also have that layer of expertise that you're getting from that smaller shop."
More expertise going into a product usually translates to it costing more money. This, as well as big box stores not making a wide range of sizes, can also contribute to large bras being more expensive.
A more expensive material, like lace, will drive up the cost of a bra somewhat, but ultimately the expertise of knowing how to handle it is worth more than the fabric itself, according to Harrington.
Similarly, Cordeiro Grant said people assume a bra made in Europe will use European material. But increasingly, companies that manufacture in countries with higher wages are using less expensive materials to offset labor costs. And the same is true for companies sending expensive material to places like Asia.
"(Cost) goes back to the total makeup of the toolkit you're using," Cordeiro Grant added. "I don't think it can be related to just one thing anymore."
In the past 10 or so years, there's been an "explosion of new brands and new sizes far beyond what there were ... at a range of price points," Harrington said. The next time you step into the wondrous world of bras, try out these tips.
Figure out what you want. Do you want something sexy and luxurious? Or something that feels good and you'll enjoy wearing every day? How about whatever's accessible, like Victoria's Secret? Establishing your priorities should structure how you shop, Harrington said.
Know that you have options. Many people are "uninformed about the breadth of options available to them right now," Harrington said. "A lot of people think they wear an impossible-to-find size, and they just don't know what brands make their size."
Wait for sales, if you can. Harrington called the $60-$70 range "the sweet spot" for bras that come in a wide range of sizes and last a while. The best part? When they're on sale, you can get the high-quality fit and engineering for half the price. It's usually a better option than spending $30 on a full-price bra, Harrington added. The down side? Waiting for sales means risking the brand runs out of your size.
Read the reviews. Looking at the stitching and touching the bra are among the best ways to tell if you're buying a good one, but reviews are the next best thing when online shopping. Cordeiro Grant recommended searching for comments about adjustability and how the raw materials feel.
Many places that sell bras online also offer easy returns, which can be a big help when you don't know how the bra will fit. Just make sure that when you send the bra back, it's in tip-top condition ' no perfume or deodorant streaks ' so companies will continue to offer these services, Harrington advised.
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