Is Tommy Hilfiger A Luxury Brand? Here’s What You Need To Know
Cult classic American brand, Tommy Hilfiger is known for stylish clothing and bags with a preppy look – but is Tommy Hilfiger a luxury brand?
Tommy Hilfiger is a long-established American brand that is known for its association with a whole range of musical artists, dressing them in high-quality clothing and jeans emblazoned with the Tommy Hilfiger flag.
Some may think that Tommy Hilfiger is a luxury brand because of its trendy designs, good quality feel and that it is a favorite brand among celebrities. However, some may not consider it to be a luxury brand because the price tag of Tommy Hilfiger clothes, shoes, and accessories is not as high as well-known luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton or Ralph Lauren.
To answer the question of whether Tommy Hilfiger is a luxury brand, we will look closely at the history of the brand, the quality of Tommy Hilfiger items, and some of the best-selling items before coming to a conclusion on where this designer brand stands in the luxury hierarchy.
Is Tommy Hilfiger a luxury brand?
The history of Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger founded his namesake brand in 1985, first creating men’s smart clothing, and now the brand has expanded into men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, accessories, fragrances, and home décor.
Tommy Hilfiger’s career in fashion began long before he founded his premium brand when in 1968, he co-founded a clothing and record store, named People’s Place in upstate New York. After this brand closed in 1977, Hilfiger moved to New York City to further pursue a high-fashion career.
In the early 1980s, Hilfiger met Mohan Murjani who was a textile magnate looking to launch a range of men’s clothing, and so the pair collaborated in 1985 to create the Tommy Hilfiger brand. The first collection featured button-down shirts and chinos with a relaxed, youthful feel – this aesthetic has continued to be a quintessential element of the Tommy Hilfiger brand.
The executives changed in 1989, and with it, Tommy Hilfiger became the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and focused more on men’s sportswear. It wasn’t until 1996 that Tommy Hilfiger began to create women’s clothing. The brand began to rapidly grow, with its first store opening in Beverley Hills in 1997, then a store in London opened in 1998.
Much of the brand’s growth in the fashion industry was down to their association and collaboration with musical artists – with the brand sponsoring tours and a range of musicians wearing Hilfiger clothing for TV appearances. The first sponsorship came in 1993 when Tommy Hilfiger sponsored Pete Townshend’s Psychoderelict tour, then in 1997, they sponsored Sheryl Crow’s tour, then the 1999 Britney Spears tour, and the 1999 Lenny Kravitz tour.
As the style and trends changed in the 1990s, Tommy Hilfiger adapted, making more baggy clothes with a relaxed fit, which became popular with hip-hop artists such as Snoop Dogg, Puffy, Coolio, and R&B icon Aaliyah.
These collaborations with musical artists have continued into the 21st century, with Shawn Mendes featuring in the latest marketing campaign for the brand.
The clothing lines released by the brand have continued to prove ever popular, which is why Tommy Hilfiger is stocked in countless department stores across the United States and in over 2,000 stores across 100 countries. Although the executives and CEOs may have changed over the years, Tommy Hilfiger himself has continued to be the principal designer, overseeing the whole creative process.
The Quality of Tommy Hilfiger
To work out whether Tommy Hilfiger is a luxury brand, we need to closely consider the quality of Tommy Hilfiger products and see if this fits with established luxury brands. We’re going to take a look at the price range, materials, and craftsmanship in order to work out the quality of this popular brand.
1. price range
There are lots of different items available from Tommy Hilfiger, but we are just going to take a look at the price range of a few different pieces in the womenswear section. Handbags are a great way to see how luxurious the brand is because it is easy to compare this price range with other expensive brands.
The bags from Tommy Hilfiger range between $90 and $220 – which is relatively affordable. Women’s shoes are on offer for between $40, for a pair of flip-flops, and $200, for a pair of leather boots.
Tommy Hilfiger’s clothes range between about $30 and $300, with some luxurious dresses, coats, and jackets sold for more than $500. Tommy Hilfiger tops range between $30 and $160, while the jeans, which the brand, just like Calvin Klein, is well known for, range between $60 and $150.
2. Materials
This fashion house uses a range of materials for their clothing and they are working towards making more sustainable products. Many of their bags are made from recycled nylon or recycled polyester, while some others are crafted from polyurethane, which is durable but not considered the most luxurious of materials.
The majority of clothes are made from cotton so they are breathable for the summer, but have a soft, cozy feel when it starts to get a little colder – just perfect! Polyester, elastane, viscose, and polyamide are also used in these designer clothes, sometimes on their own and other times blended with cotton to give a little extra stretch.
3. Craftsmanship
It is also important to consider the craftsmanship and where Tommy Hilfiger items are made to gain an understanding of the quality of these pieces. Tommy Hilfiger’s clothing and accessories are all made in China and Vietnam.
The brand works closely with the communities around their factories to ensure that items are made in good working conditions so the items can be made to a high standard.
Tommy Hilfiger pieces are well made, but they will not be of the same level of craftsmanship as items from luxury brands that are made in France or Italy by highly trained craftsmen and women.
Best Selling Tommy Hilfiger items
Take a closer look at some of the best-selling clothes, shoes, and bags from Tommy Hilfiger to get a better idea of the quality and perhaps inspire some future purchases if you see something you really like! There is obviously a lot more clothing for men, women, and children, as well as homeware so there are lots to choose from!
1. Clothing
A Tommy Hilfiger hoodie is a must-have piece in your wardrobe – so comfortable and so timeless too! This black hoodie is made from 100% cotton to guarantee a lovely soft and warm feel, just perfect! The front of the hoodie is emblazoned with the Tommy Hilfiger logo and a mini white and red flag for a classically American look.
This hoodie is available for just $72.50 and will quickly become a staple item all year round, plus it is available in a couple of different colors to suit your own style.
2. Shoes
A pair of slides is something you really need for the summer months in particular – they are perfect for strolling down to the pool or beach when on vacation, or just slipping on at home to run errands. These Tommy Hilfiger Flag Pool Slides are the perfect pair with a stylish look and comfortable feel.
The slides are made from thermoplastic elastomers to ensure they are waterproof, durable, and feel comfy on your feet. The wide foot strap is decorated with the Tommy Hilfiger flag for a super trendy logomania look.
3. Handbags
We love a classic shoulder bag that you can throw on at any time with any outfit, just like this Tommy Hilfiger Signature Shoulder Bag. This bag is made from 100% polyurethane for a smooth, glossy look but durable finish so you know this bag will last for years to come.
There’s minimal decoration on the front, in the form of a gold Tommy Hilfiger signature logo, while the tonal light blue canvas strap is adjustable and removable to suit you. The front flap opens to reveal the main compartment fitted with pockets – so handy!
Conclusion
Tommy Hilfiger is an amazing designer lifestyle brand that offers a wide range of gorgeous clothing and accessories, as well as beautiful homewares. However, we need to look at the quality of these pieces to determine whether Tommy Hilfiger is a luxury brand.
The materials used to make Tommy Hilfiger items and the craftsmanship they are made with are not quite up to par with other established luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci, or even Ralph Lauren Collection. This is why we would classify Tommy Hilfiger as a high-end fashion brand, or an affordable luxury brand instead, a little like Tory Burch, Kate Spade or Michael Kors.
The price tags on the bags and clothes are relatively affordable, and so Tommy Hilfiger is a great choice if you are looking for something stylish on a budget, or if you are just getting started in the world of luxury fashion.
We hope you found this article answering the question, is Tommy Hilfiger a luxury brand, helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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