4 Alarming Reasons Why Swimwear is So Expensive? What Brands Won't Tell You!
When it comes to purchasing swimwear you automatically question why are they so expensive? well I am here to tell you it's not just the design. Swimwear brands just aren't that profitable overnight, it takes years of hard work and dedication, months of "unpaid" time trying to navigate individuality within the industry and even once you do make a profit, we're looking on expansion not a mansion.
1. The Manufacturer!
Look, I am not saying that the times of sewing your own swimwear in your spare bedroom, with that handed down sewing machine, that your mum used to make all your clothes back in the 90's is over! but it's definitely not a sustainable practice for efficiency. Choosing the right manufacturer can come with its outlay of costs, I'm talking tech packs, samples, shipping costs, import duty tax, the list can go on. All of this and more contributes to the pricing of swimwear, I know, I know your thinking "what the f.... does this have to do with me?" well, in all honesty, it really comes down to the ethics and sustainability in which we will talk about a bit later on but not all brands are Shein, they're not mass producing from China with little knowledge of whom is actually producing the swimwear in the factory, how many hours they're working, what they are getting paid, healthcare benefits? it's important, If your shopping ethically then the manufacturer a brand chooses can cost more to create their masterpieces, hence the swimwear pricing is reflected on this.
Ivree Boutique Anne One-Piece
2. The Brands Sustainability?
You've just received your perfect summer wardrobe in a biodegradable or recycled packaging with a lovely thank you card? well, I can assure you, these are not cheap, not to mention that FREE postage you received! from 100% FSC- certified recycled, compostable postage bags hygiene liners and hang tags, ink free postage label machines to compostable shipping labels all of these items are costly but if the brand is taking more of a sustainable approach to reduce their environmental footprint the cost is significantly higher also impacting the pricing of the swimwear. This is something Ivree Boutique are proud to be endorsing: which is their continuous improvement of ethics and sustainability whilst navigating through the industry. Bearing in mind that each time a decision is made to introduce or make an environmental change, the prices will rise.
Ivree Boutique swim separates Sage
3. The Material...
Whilst its not just about the craft of manufacturing to the highest quality but simply the quality of your material, when purchasing swimwear you want to be searching for a brand that does have quality fabrics as for the durability is greater. These such swim pieces will obviously be more pricey. This however, is the swimwear you want, the items you will pack for all your summer vacations time and time again, the ones you will wear at FINNS beach club sipping on margaritas in Bali or to the secluded Cenotes swimming hole in Mexico, the versatility of quality is endless. You could waste your money on the cheaper route buying from large commercial companies like Cotton On or Kmart at a cheaper price but I can almost guarantee that the quality is not there, not to mention you could probably buy the same item from Alibaba for a cheaper price and some.
Ivree Boutique Willson One-Piece
4. TAXES! TAXES! TAXES!
Majority of brands founders or owners, however you would like to objectify it, are still working a 9 to 5 job, well, I am anyhow. They are fully aware of the taxation department and the more income they earn the more taxes they pay. Not only this, the dreaded Australian import duty tax..... which roughly equates to 10% of all imported items with a value of $1000.00 or more unless the manufacturer posting the items is willing to reduce the pricing on the invoice....Whooopsss secrets out!!! told you other brands aren't fully transparent. Still keeping in mind that around about 27% of all profit from the business must be put aside for annually tax payments in Australia and more if they're still working that 9-5 job.
Ivree Boutique founder Shana in Rebecca bikini bottom
Whilst listed are some expenses, there is still so much more contributing to the expenses of the pricing of swimwear, from the website domain fees, credit card transaction fees, banking account fees, product images, models, electrical goods, account emails and business loans plus much more. So next time you're purchasing something, we hope you take all this into account and support your local businesses!