Model: Juliet Pearson (nee Johns)

The short answer?  Almost always no.

While I won’t name names,  for a lot of high end designers, you’re paying for the brand and what it represents, not for any innate quality of the lingerie.  Celebrity endorsements, popular magazine features, and even that expensive high street address all go into price…which is then passed on to customers.  After all, silk is silk no matter whose label is sewn on it, and there no objective reason for a nightgown from one brand to cost $100 but sell for $1,000 down the street (see my reviews of Agent Provocateur and Kiki de Montparnasse here).

The one exception to that rule?  Handmade lingerie.  I will happily drop a few hundred dollars on a custom made corset for example, or even on a unique piece like this sheer chiffon teddy.  Handmade lingerie is worth the money for several reasons.  The first (and probably most obvious) reason, is that it’s literally stitched together, start to finish, by a single person…often to your exact measurements.  The second reason is because small designers, with their smaller buying power, are just not able to get the large discounts big retailers can so their raw materials simply cost more.  Third, and perhaps most important, you’re supporting small, independent, often female-owned businesses.  Without getting too political here, I’m a big fan of buying from that particular demographic.

In short, buying expensive lingerie is a bit like buying anything else expensive.  Up to a point, you’ll notice the difference, but then things will follow the law of diminishing returns.  After that, you could double, triple, or even quadruple the price without noticing any significant change.   Besides, lingerie is meant to be worn, and if you buy something so expensive you’re afraid to wear it, where’s the fun in that?

I asked this question on my Facebook fanpage a few weeks ago, and here’s what you to say.  Didn’t get a chance to comment on Facebook?  Share your thoughts here!

No. $50 for pantyhose that will invariably run within two wears, no matter how cute they are? I love pretty things, but a pair of adorable panties still just is inherently only worth so much to me.  If I have crazy money to give away, it’s going to charity, not on my butt. ~ Gretl

Some brands are worth the price-tag but some brands you are paying for the label (like A.P.). it really depends.  I have noticed that my Wolford stockings have held up considerably longer than the ones i buy at the grocery store!  More often than not the higher prices equate to better quality. ~ Alison

If I am spending that much money on lingerie, I am getting latex. ~ Koko 

I think expensive brands [like] Chantal Thomass, Ravage, Gerbe, [and] Dior…I think they are the money worth. ~ Michael

No.  With the exception of Wolford, even Rigby and Peller undies have the stitching coming undone on a bra that retails for over £100. ~ Andy

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