Items of designer brands naturally cost higher than your normal store-purchased fashion items. So, if you need a little assurance that you won’t be wasting your money by investing, you’re not wrong. If you are interested in luxury fashion but can’t afford the ridiculously high price of Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Ted Baker and Michael Kors are excellent designer brands to consider. They offer luxury at affordable prices.
Ted Baker and Michael Kors are two different brands with different histories, goals, quality levels, and overall brand values. They are similar in that they have affordable luxury items and more premium luxury fashion items.
However, they differ in style, design, and other important areas – your preference will do the deciding here. As you decide which of these iconic brands to invest in, you can use this article as a guide.
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Michael Kors History vs. Ted Baker History
The Michael Kors brand history is a popular story of a young boy of five who took interest in designing clothes. He first made an appearance on national television as a toddler in nationwide toilet paper and Lucky Charms cereal campaigns.
He designed his mother’s wedding dress for her second marriage, which was also when he changed his name. He was already a fashion addict at this time and was more than happy to design the dress.
In May 1981, he launched his brand with its very first high-end women’s wear collection from his apartment. High-end department stores sold the collection and the pieces became popular in the fashion market. However, it wasn’t all rosy for the brand as it experienced a setback for a few years, declaring bankruptcy in 1993.
It returned in 1997 with a dramatic re-launch as a lower-priced fashion label, evolving into the globally-known brand it is today.
The Ted Baker brand, on the other hand, started in 1988 (seven years after Michael Kors) as a men’s shirt brand. Ray Kelvin founded the brand, opening its first store in Glasgow, Scotland – his unusual approach to fashion was remarkable. For instance, the Ted Baker brand doesn’t advertise and it offers laundry services for shirts purchased from the brand.
These unconventional approaches to fashion made the label popularly known as “No Ordinary Designer Label;” the brand went international without marketing.
The brand’s first-ever store was opened in London in 1990, selling men’s shirts, until in 1995 when it branched into women’s products. The brand became a public company in 1997 and opened its first store in New York the following year.
It has since branched into other products, including skinwear, underwear, footwear, eyewear, and sunglasses. Today, Ted Baker is a world-renowned brand loved by fashionistas globally, having over 490 department stores worldwide.
Michael Kors vs. Ted Baker: Quality
Michael Kors is a leading designer fashion label dedicated to delivering products of only the best quality. The quality of the products explains why they are more expensive than other brands in the same category.
Michael Kors uses premium-quality materials for its items, which are carefully selected by the brand’s brilliant leadership. The manufacturing process the items go through requires a high level of workmanship and experience, all of which come at a cost.
For example, Michael Kors uses unique and exotic materials for its handbags – such as crocodile and python skin. These bags are very expensive, retailing between $3,500 and $7,000, but they are worth the price.
Ted Baker products are also high quality, but not as high as Michael Kors – the similarity between them is the lack of superior craftsmanship.
The Ted Baker brand is world-renowned for producing high-street luxury items that are top quality. For instance, its bags are made from 100% bovine leather and are made to suit any lifestyle and personal style.
However, the Ted Baker brand isn’t known for expert craftsmanship – it doesn’t emphasize expertise and delicate techniques like other brands. Regardless, the Ted Baker brand is highly protective of its workers, ensuring they work in fair and ethical working conditions.
What Is the Ted Baker Brand Known For?
The Ted Baker brand is in the premium category of luxury, although its aspirations are a bit higher than the level. Still, the brand offers a wide variety of offerings that can change anyone’s personality and outlook for the better.
The TD brand has a luxury label that offers handbags and designer footwear among many incredible pieces. The brand is known for its line of designer bags, fashionable watches, and high-quality branded shoes.
The brand’s bags are unique and they come in a wide variety of styles and designs. The beauty of the collection is that you can find the style you want in the design you want. Its line of branded shoes includes sneakers, loafers, and boots designed to complement any outfit and enhance any appearance.
Meanwhile, it offers a wide range of men’s and women’s fashionable watches, from work-suited watches to those you wear to bed. Ted Baker has incredible designs that stand out among more flamboyant European brands with their sturdy construction.
Is Michael Kors Worth Investing In?
If you love practical designs made with high-quality materials and sold at affordable prices, then Michael Kors is worth the investment. The MK brand offers various products that are classy, exquisite, and trendy.
However, if you’re looking for exclusivity, you’re probably better off investing in Ted Baker. Nevertheless, Michael Kors offers great-quality items, and if you want to enjoy its quality more, be ready to spend more.
The issue with Michael Kors is that its recently mass-produced bags are no longer valuable. That means you may be disappointed by what you get, although that depends on what item you’re purchasing. Michael Kors is an accessible brand that offers clean and simple yet elegant designs.
Conclusion
The decision of which brand to choose between Ted Baker and Michael Kors depends on what you’re looking for. If you want exclusivity, Ted Baker offers more exclusivity than Michael Kors – the latter has been accused of being too public-accessible.
However, if you’re looking for chic and sophisticated fashion items that fit in well anywhere, you can choose Michael Kors. Whichever brand you choose, it’s a fact that you will get what you’re paying for.