I see all these expensive basics everywhere from Cos, COS and Uniqlo, all doing the same minimalist-beige thing. Some of them cost 60-80 euros for a simple linen shirt. Does that really make sense, or did I just fall for a marketing hype? Where do you guys see the practical difference compared to regular clothes?
it really depends on whether you actually wear the stuff or just let it sit around - a good linen shirt in neutral colors lasts forever and goes with everything, but whether you need to spend 60+ euros on it or if 20 at h&m is enough is just a question of your own budget. in my experience, i actually wear quality pieces more because they don't fall apart after five washes, but that's more of a psychological thing than a real necessity.
Don't fall into the trap of equating the brand with quality - just because something is expensive and looks minimalist doesn't automatically mean it lasts longer. The practical difference really comes down to how much you actually wear the stuff: a cream-colored linen shirt from a cheap chain will fade after a few washes or wear thin quickly, whereas better fabrics actually look good for years. But whether you need to go with COS or if other labels offer similar durability for less money - you've got to figure that out yourself by checking reviews and maybe buying a piece to try it out.
I think the point is that quality and hype are just two different things 🧵 A good linen shirt from COS will actually last you longer than cheap versions because the craftsmanship is better - but does that automatically justify 60€? Not really, if you check out local shops or second hand and find similar quality for less. For everyday wear you really don't need the expensive thing, as long as the basics fit and don't fall apart after a season.
Before you buy anything, I'd always hold a cheap and an expensive piece of the same type next to each other and feel them - then you'll see right away whether there's actually a difference or if it's just marketing. For me, it's like this: years ago I bought one of those plain beige linen shirts from one of these brands because it was hyped everywhere, and honestly you wear it constantly because it really goes with everything and doesn't get all stretched out after many washes like the 20-euro version from the discount store. But that doesn't mean you always need the more expensive brand - sometimes the difference is marginal, sometimes the whole thing really just screams hype and premium pricing without any real added value. Trying things out and comparing them yourself gets you further than listening to whatever influencers have to say.
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