I am starting a unique corset line and I am a bit disturbed at some of the prices I am seeing online. Especially on Etsy.com people are parting with heavy duty, fully boned, lined, silk brocade corsets for a less than 200!! Granted I have not purchased any of these corsets so I don’t know the quality, but from looking at some photos they seem pretty sustainable. I did a few custom corsets and was not willing to part with them for less than 600 for an over bust, 400 for an under bust give or take complexity of design. So far I have not had a problem selling a few items but if I wish to sell some corsets on etsy Im screwed! What are your thoughts on the prices of corsets? Is a ready to wear corset only worth a few hundred where as a custom piece worth more to you?
Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Corset pricing
Tue, April 15, 2008 - 1:30 PMI would recommend looking around online at some of other companies to help you gauge a reasonable price. I think it also depends on materials, as well as the complexity of the design.
I have certainly seen many corsets in the $400 - $600 range, but that's far beyond what I'd consider spending. Perhaps if I were richer and only owned one corset, then it might be another story. I have in the range of 15 steel boned corsets and the most I've ever paid for a custom made overbust is about $325. I have always payed more for custom corsets, since I generally buy my off the rack ones on ebay for about $100 through Alter-Ego or such.
good luck to you!
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Re: Corset pricing
Fri, April 18, 2008 - 8:01 AMUltimately, you have to figure out what your time is worth. Yes, you can find corsets for under $200, and then there's Dark Garden charging $700+. If you are doing custom corsets, and believe that your work is worth it, then stick to your guns. On the other hand, if you are planning to do a line of corsets, you may discover that the more you make the faster you get at making them. If they are ready to wear, and you have a tried and true patter, you may discover that you don't have to charge as much. I have had good friends at two different corset companies, at one the standard for sewing an overbust corset was 3 hours, and the other had a standard of 6 hours (neither included cutting time). I say make beautiful things, stand by your worth and be able to defend your prices, and some people will be willing to pay.
6x$20= $120
Materials= $80
Your design fee?=$100 -
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Re: Corset pricing
Fri, April 18, 2008 - 2:09 PMagreed.
I was looking at my different corset and what I'd be willing to pay for them. My corset I use for Elizabethan and Henrician costuming is worth about $60. it is all one piece of fabric, takes about an hour and a half to do, most of the cost is material and boning. For the corset that I am currently making that has 3 layers of fabric, is reversible, 9 sections, and will be boned, along with a custom fit I would pay closer to $500 for and possibly more I haven't finished putting it together so I don't know how long the production is going to take.
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