What exactly is "Premium Denim"?

JuliaInGermany

I've read so much about premium denim here on the forum and in Angie's blog and you all rave so much about it. Perhaps it's a totally dumb question to ask, but what exactly IS premium denim? Is it the price or the brand that determines if something is premium, or is it maybe a different kind of dye or finish? I am totally stumped. How do I recognize premium denim?

The brands that you mentioned in other posts as being premium denim are not familiar to me, I think they may not be available in Germany. Would my Levi's jeans be considered premium denim?

Lots of questions.

15 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from FiestyWife

JuliaInGermany

Active Member

And I have yet another one: Why are Levi's Jeans so cheap in America while I have to pay 100 Euros for them (135 Dollars)? This is not fair, now, is it?

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I'm not sure what the production processes are in creating premium denim, so I can only say what the results of those processes are: Softer, longer lasting, better fitting jeans. The washes are usually much nicer as well, and the color wears better. Because of this, the prices are higher, but I think it's worth it if you consider the cost to wear ratio. Premium denim is an investment and as long as your size doesn't change too dramatically, you can easily keep the same pair in rotation for a decade or perhaps more. When you think of all the cheaper jeans you constantly buy and replace due to bagging and sagging and regular wear and tear, it essentially ends up costing the same...maybe even more for the cheaper jeans.

I think some Levis might be premium, like the Capital E line, but most of them are not. I'm not positive though.

15 years ago

shiny

Veteran

When it comes to clothes, price is affected by:

- labor
- fabric
- marketing/brand

I'd assume labor for premium jeans is comparable to non-premium (although I do know some brands like to claim they put more labor into their jeans, I'm not really buying it). Yes, marketing makes up a large part of the price.

But, fabric is very critical: premium denim is simply higher quality. It doesn't stretch as much. It's softer. It feels nicer to the touch.

Let's say you are going to eat spaghetti for dinner. Which would you expect to pay more for:

1) Boxed spaghetti with jar of spaghetti sauce, and Kraft Parmesan cheese

2) Fresh, homemade noodles with sauce made from scratch from tomatoes in your garden, with freshly grated cheese

THAT's the difference. It's the ingredients.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'd bet that thread count has something to do with the difference in fabric. You know how bed sheets come in different thread counts, and the nicer ones have a higher thread count? I'm guessing that is why premium denim doesn't stretch and bag like non-premium does. More threads in the fabric, means it holds it's shape better.

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Very smart Khris, hadn't thought of that, but I bet that does play into it.

15 years ago

JuliaInGermany

Active Member

Thanks for your replies. When I need a new pair of jeans I'll try to find premium. Sounds like it's easy to recognize the superior quality.

15 years ago

Ele

(website)

Active Member

pm, you've had some great replies and I agree, better-quality fabric plays a huge role in whether denim is "premium" or not. I just wanted to add something about labour, which Shiny touched on. In my experience a LOT more time goes into the making of these higher-end products. Not necessarily in the actual sewing of the garments (sewing a cheap pair of jeans is much the same as sewing a premium one, after all), but in the pre-production work.

I've worked for both designers and high-street brands, and the former is much more likely to spend more time and money perfecting their patterns than the latter. Often a mainstream brand will have a maximum number of pattern changes and fit sessions (say, three or four) before a garment must sealed and sent on its way to the factory. ("Sealed" is an industry term for a pattern that is production standard- like saying "no more changes from this point on".) Designer labels are willing to spend more time and money at this stage, often having fit sessions in multiple sizes or on differently shaped models, to ensure a good product.

So, often the higher price of premium denim is due to a better fit, perfected by talented pattern makers and lots of time, as well as better fabric!

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Has YLF ever mentioned a list of premium denim brands? Maybe even by body type, ie one better for pears, another for hourglass, etc. Also do you just recognize them by the higher price tag?

15 years ago

FiestyWife

Active Member

I'd really benefit from a list like that Lisa! As a pretty pear with hourglass tendencies (just learned that last night) it would be helpful to has some more specific brands to look for as I'm learning what works for me.

15 years ago

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