What the price actually follows
Short answer: The price of a t-shirt follows the amount of fabric, the sewing time and how many links there are between the factory and you. Quality follows only partly, so a high price is no guarantee of a better garment.
The three things that cost
More fabric and a denser knit cost more yarn. More seams and more details cost more minutes at the machine. And every middle link between factory and shop adds its own percentage on top. These three things are the building blocks of the price, and they are easy to forget when you just look at the tag.
Fabric and yarn
A thicker, denser fabric needs more yarn per meter, and that makes the garment more expensive to produce. You can feel the fabric in your hand and see it against the light. It is one of the things the price really follows, and you can judge it yourself without special knowledge of textiles or brands.
Sewing and details
Every extra seam, pocket or detail costs minutes at the sewing machine, and minutes cost money. A simple garment with few seams is quick to sew, while one with many details takes longer. That shows in the price without necessarily making the garment better to use.
Where price and quality go together
Up to a certain level there is a clear connection between price and quality. Very cheap clothing really is thinner and sewn faster, and you can both see and feel it. Try comparing it with bamboo t-shirts for men, where you can feel the difference in thickness and neckline.
Where they part
At the expensive end you often pay for the name, the shop and the marketing. The fabric can be the same as in a garment at half the price, without you feeling any difference in your hand. That is why it is wise to judge the item itself and not just the brand or the price on the shelf.
Middle links and margin
Between the factory and you there are often several links: an importer, a wholesaler and a shop. Each takes its share, and it lands on top of the factory price. With few links the price can stay low without the quality changing. That is why different retailers can have very different prices.
How to find the good level
Judge the fabric in your hand and ignore the price until you have done so. Feel the thickness, look at the seams and check the neckline. Once you have a feel for the quality you can compare prices. See for example bamboo clothing for women, where you can feel the difference between the levels.
Is expensive clothing more durable
Not automatically. Sewing and fabric decide durability, not the price tag. A garment at a high price can be sloppily sewn, and a cheaper one can be carefully made. That is why it pays to look at the seams and the fabric when you judge how long a garment will last.
Can offers be real quality
Yes. A sale is usually about season and stock, not about the item. A garment may be marked down because the collection is changing, not because it is poor. Look at the offers, where you can compare prices on items that otherwise cost more and judge the quality yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do you find the good level
Judge the fabric in your hand and ignore the price until you have done so. Feel the thickness and look at the seams, and only compare prices once you have a feel for the quality.
Is expensive clothing more durable
Not automatically. Sewing and fabric decide durability, not the price tag. An expensive garment can be sloppily sewn and a cheaper one carefully made, so always look at the seams.
Can offers be real quality
Yes. A sale is usually about season and stock, not about the item. A garment may be marked down because the collection is changing, not because it is poor.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
