By BrandsShouts No, Esprit is not a true luxury brand, but it can be described as a premium casualwear and lifestyle label that provides stylish wear for everyday fashion at an accessible price point. There is no luxury price tag or exclusivity, even for such high-quality products.
The Esprit Story
Esprit was founded in 1968 by Susie and Doug Tompkins in San Francisco, America, with the inspiration of the Californian style. The brand started gaining popularity for being an easy-going option with quality casualwear. At the end of 1980, Esprit started gaining popularity and expanded internationally with a strong presence in Europe and Asia while creating new designs from headquarters in Germany and Hong Kong. Over time, Esprit expanded its product range and now it offers clothing, footwear, accessories, and home products in more than 40 countries.
Why do People Think That Esprit is a Luxury Brand?
Various reasons make Esprit look like a luxury brand, even though it is described as a mid-to-premium tier casualwear and lifestyle label. The key reasons are:
- Global Heritage: Decades of international presence and recognition give Esprit a polished, upscale image.
- Quality Fabrics and Fit: Consistent use of good materials and comfortable tailoring makes Esprit garments feel refined compared to typical high-street brands.
- Modern, Timeless Design: The brand’s minimalist aesthetic and versatile pieces create an air of sophistication.
- Premium Store Experience: Esprit operates stylish standalone boutiques and is featured in quality department stores, offering a pleasant shopping atmosphere.
Why can’t Esprit be considered a Luxury Brand?
Luxury brands and premium-tier brands are different in several ways. Esprit doesn’t offer exclusive products, whereas luxury brands tend to have only luxury options with limited stock and one-of-one options. Secondly, Esprit fits best in the premium casualwear category due to an accessible price range as compared to luxury brands, which cost five to ten times as much as Esprit products.