UKingdom
06-11-2006, 03:31 AM
Perhaps a silly question just asking to be flamed, but why are these shoes and clothes so ridiculously expensive? As a fan of urban streetwear I am puzzled and amazed at how overpriced these items are and yet they remain so popular.
Especially the shoes...they are basically Air Force Ones with Stars on them. You cannot deny that. How come they cost $200-300? I'm guessing maybe rarity or more unique colorways?
But...not really...most of these $289 shoes' colorways look pretty generic. They don't scream $289 to me if I saw someone copping them on the street.
http://www.pickyourshoes.com/size/bape.htm
Some of the stuff like the crazy Camo hoodies are very unique and I think are very very cool (and worth higher prices)...but a lot of the stuff is extremely generic looking too and still costs $300+. I honestly still can't figure it out. Quality wise the shoes are no better than standard Air Force Ones (which are already high quality). Those who tell me "quality" are telling me these $289 shoes are 5 times nicer than their Nike Air Force One counterparts?
I won't even get into $100+ white t-shirts, etc.
Again, I'm not trying to troll or threadcrap, I'm just genuinely curious. Usually if you're going to demand that high a price either it's because it's really rare, in demand, or high quality. (Like paying more for a Ferrari because it's better performance, etc). I'm leaning towards the demand and rarity...quality wise it's no better on an objective level than most other urban casualware. And design wise sans a few unique items it is EXTREMELY derivative.
Is it a status sign? Perhaps that you like to wear Bapes to flaunt your wealth or to show you have money/value/status? I'm just trying to figure it out. The BAPE phenomenon is something I find fascinating.
I suppose you could broaden this question to overpriced fashion brands in general but I'm particularly curious about BAPE because in terms of URBAN fashion/streetwear, it appears to be the most expensive for no good reason. And since a lot of BAPE stuff is mostly derivative of similarly designed Air Force Ones, it can't be because of the "looks." There's something else...
Perhaps it's a snowball effect; I create a brand that costs a lot, people think it must be good, it creates the demand, so they buy/show off, keep the price high and people automatically associate with high value/status and the demand stays high.
My theory: People desire what they cannot have, it's basic human nature; so you make something expensive, people want it. It's that simple. If BAPEs started costing $50-60 a pair for the shoes and $10 for the shirts (because you know they cost no more than a few bucks to produce, the quality is no different than standard wear), you wouldn't like it anymore....BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GET. But since it's rare and costs a lot (and by wearing it you validate yourself by showing people you rock expensive clothes), you want it.
So as a relative newcomer/someone who knows very little other than what I've read in articles about Nigo and Bathing Ape, what would you tell someone about it and explain why it's so expensive?
And tell me, what is it about BAPE that appeals to you?
Especially the shoes...they are basically Air Force Ones with Stars on them. You cannot deny that. How come they cost $200-300? I'm guessing maybe rarity or more unique colorways?
But...not really...most of these $289 shoes' colorways look pretty generic. They don't scream $289 to me if I saw someone copping them on the street.
http://www.pickyourshoes.com/size/bape.htm
Some of the stuff like the crazy Camo hoodies are very unique and I think are very very cool (and worth higher prices)...but a lot of the stuff is extremely generic looking too and still costs $300+. I honestly still can't figure it out. Quality wise the shoes are no better than standard Air Force Ones (which are already high quality). Those who tell me "quality" are telling me these $289 shoes are 5 times nicer than their Nike Air Force One counterparts?
I won't even get into $100+ white t-shirts, etc.
Again, I'm not trying to troll or threadcrap, I'm just genuinely curious. Usually if you're going to demand that high a price either it's because it's really rare, in demand, or high quality. (Like paying more for a Ferrari because it's better performance, etc). I'm leaning towards the demand and rarity...quality wise it's no better on an objective level than most other urban casualware. And design wise sans a few unique items it is EXTREMELY derivative.
Is it a status sign? Perhaps that you like to wear Bapes to flaunt your wealth or to show you have money/value/status? I'm just trying to figure it out. The BAPE phenomenon is something I find fascinating.
I suppose you could broaden this question to overpriced fashion brands in general but I'm particularly curious about BAPE because in terms of URBAN fashion/streetwear, it appears to be the most expensive for no good reason. And since a lot of BAPE stuff is mostly derivative of similarly designed Air Force Ones, it can't be because of the "looks." There's something else...
Perhaps it's a snowball effect; I create a brand that costs a lot, people think it must be good, it creates the demand, so they buy/show off, keep the price high and people automatically associate with high value/status and the demand stays high.
My theory: People desire what they cannot have, it's basic human nature; so you make something expensive, people want it. It's that simple. If BAPEs started costing $50-60 a pair for the shoes and $10 for the shirts (because you know they cost no more than a few bucks to produce, the quality is no different than standard wear), you wouldn't like it anymore....BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GET. But since it's rare and costs a lot (and by wearing it you validate yourself by showing people you rock expensive clothes), you want it.
So as a relative newcomer/someone who knows very little other than what I've read in articles about Nigo and Bathing Ape, what would you tell someone about it and explain why it's so expensive?
And tell me, what is it about BAPE that appeals to you?