Brian Maynor April 2, 2014

By Brian Maynor
April 2, 2014


 ‘Designer brands at discount prices’ is one of the most common tag lines in retail today.  The term ‘designer’ is used to describe just about anything on the market from clothing and accessories to home goods, but in fact is one of many categories in retail and has a very specific meaning.

Since the goal of marketing is to drive sales, it is often hard to determine if something is really a designer product or simply being called ‘designer’ to garner attention.  Here is a breakdown of the most popular terms in retail in their hierarchy to help you better understand exactly what you are buying:

1.    Mass Market.  Target and Old Navy are two of the most popular mass-market apparel retailers in the city.  This is the lowest end of retail in both price and quality.  Usually limited to casual wear, jeans and t-shirts these items are generally under $50, which is a great option for trendy pieces that you only want to last through the season, but you can also find hidden gems.  One of my favorite scarves came from Target and I get complements on it every time I wear it.  

2.    Discount.  Just like the name, these stores are stocked with items that could have originally been sold at any price point, but are now significantly reduced.  T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls are some of the most popular discount stores.  Oftentimes these items are from previous seasons, overstock or damaged, so while you can find some good deals, you have to be very meticulous and inspect each item carefully.  Also because there is no consistency with the inventory these are not stores you can count on to always have what you are looking for.  Unless you are a bargain hunter who likes sifting through racks and trying on clothes literally hunting for deals my recommendation is to avoid the inherent frustration of discount stores entirely.

3.    Private Labels.  Kim Rogers; ALFANI; INC; Roundtree & York; Antonio Melani, and Stafford are just a few private label brands that have name recognition and loyal customers.  These are brands that are owned by the retailers, generally department stores, and are only produced for those stores.  Often major profit centers because they can be heavily discounted and still profitable; these lines offer trendy, stylish options for a fraction of the cost of similar ‘name brand’ products.

4.    Moderate Brands.  GAP; Banana Republic; Land’s End, and Nine West are all national brands that offer moderate lines.  The quality and price point of these products are higher than the mass-market retailers, but they are still considered ‘affordable fashion’ and can vary in price from $50 to $500.

5.    Secondary Lines.  Also called diffusion lines, these are typically less expensive, more contemporary lines from designer labels.  MARC by Marc Jacobs; DKNY by Donna Karen, LOFT by Ann Taylor and Simply Vera by Vera Wang are just a few.  These are also called bridge lines because the hope is that customers will be introduced to the designer through this label and become customers of the true designer collection.  Thanks to mass-market retailers like Target and H&M we are also seeing a lot of diffusion lines in the form of capsule collections like Jason Wu and Isaac Mizrahi for Target and Lanvin, Versace and Marni for H&M.  

6.    Designer.  The term that started it all.  True designer labels, or ‘name brands’ have very high standards of quality, design and construction.  The collections are considered ready-to-wear but they are often limited productions and retail for over $1,000 per item.  Prada; Gucci; Burberry; Chanel; Valentino and Tom Ford are just a few true designer brands.

7.    Haute Couture.  The crown jewel of fashion.  This label is reserved for a small group of customers who can afford custom, made-to-measure clothing that often exceeds tens of thousands dollars.  This term, like designer, has been misused and manipulated over the years to encompass far more than its original definition.  Technically speaking this French technique is carefully regulated and controlled by law, but is often applied to any high-fashion, custom-fit clothing.

This hierarchy is not a judgment or snobby look at fashion, where mass-market is bad and only designer matters.  Most of us have a closet that mixes all of these levels.  It is, however, useful to understanding the fashion industry and to decide for yourself if an item is really a good deal or worth the cost.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].   Also find each of these storyboards athttp://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern
styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.