Worn-out shoes with face scuffs and dirt marks all over the upper, yet super-expensive and mostly a favorite among celebrities? If you guessed Golden Goose Sneakers, you are right.
It’s been a while since Golden Goose sneakers are the talk of the town, and the reason is simple: They look old and used but still sell at higher prices. Many people wonder what’s so special about them and why the world goes crazy for shoes that look centuries old!
The thing is, there is not one or two reasons that scale up the price of these shoes. Even though they have a wrinkled look, it still takes a lot of effort and investment to manufacture them.
So, let’s find the answer to why Golden Goose sneakers are so expensive and which factors contribute to their increased price.
Top Reasons Why Golden Goose Sneakers Are SO EXPENSIVE
Here are the major factors that make Golden Goose sneakers one of the most expensive shoes in the market:
They are Handmade
One of the top reasons why Golden Goose sneakers are expensive is because they are all handmade. This process of making shoes by hand impacts the price in many ways.
One, it takes time, effort, and a lot of dedication to carefully craft one pair of sneakers, so the price justifies the laborious process by someone’s hands.
Moreover, the brand has to keep up with the quality of the sneakers. Every pair is crafted by skilled workers who are masters at hand-stitching and creating shoes with precision and expertise. But this also means the company must pay them a living wage and provide enough care for staff to stay dedicated to their work.
Also, making shoes by hand means workers need to work longer hours to create each shoe. While the staff is paid fairly, the Golden Goose plant makes fewer shoes each day compared to companies that use machines to design footwear.
And because they can only make a small number of shoes every day, many pairs are not always available. So, when lots of people want a pair of sneakers, the price automatically goes up.
They are Distressed
Distressing a shoe means giving it a unique tanning and finishing procedure to achieve a worn-in, crinkly, and edgy appearance.
Golden Goose shoes are popular because of their distressed look. This process of distressing involves various techniques, like adding skid marks, folded tabs, muddy tracks, and grass stains. All these elements are inspired by the aesthetics of worn-in apparel like distressed denim.
With that, the brand also gets its design inspiration from California skateparks. Like skateboarders naturally put their shoes to wear and tear during their activities, Golden Goose designs its sneakers in a worn-in design.
Basically, the idea behind distressing is to give the sneakers the appearance of a well-lived life, even though they have not been actually used. This is one of the reasons why Golden Goose sneakers are so popular, even though they have a worn-in look.
However, achieving this distressed look is much more complicated than designing normal footwear. Because they are not just creating new shoes like other shoemakers, Golden Goose staff has to put in more effort to give the shoe a wrinkled appearance.
So, each worker has to distress each shoe, consuming more time and effort. They have to make sure that the shoe looks distressed even though it has never been used. Doing this is really difficult, and this additional effort not only adds to material costs for the company but also goes into higher labor costs.
Brand Reputation
Handmade products can either cost a lot or very little, and one factor that decides this is brand reputation.
As for Golden Goose, they are a luxury brand popular among rich, celebrities, and fashion influencers. Despite their worn-out, vintage look, many celebrities like Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, and Megan Fox wear them.
And the reason is simple: Golden Goose sneakers have a unique aesthetic. The brand is like a style adventure, started by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo in Italy in 2000.
The goal was to create footwear similar to vintage distressed denim that has been sold new with holes and other markers of use for decades. Even though these jeans look worn out and used, they are widely popular as a fashion icon. Similar is the case with Golden Goose sneakers; they look worn out with scuffs, stars, and stripes, but that's their vintage appeal.
These sneakers have been in the market for more than 23 years, and they are now nothing less than a statement piece in outfits. Their premium price is both because of the brand's overall image and association with high-profile personalities.
Originality of Materials Speaks For Itself
Having skilled experts and a good reputation makes Golden Goose sneakers more expensive. But for these shoes to stay popular and well-selling for a long time, they also need to use really good materials.
And that is where Golden Goose outsmarts all the other competitors. Even though their sneakers have a vintage and worn-out look, the brand uses premium-quality materials to exceed their customers' expectations.
The originality of these shoes speaks for itself with their classic calfskin leather, high-end cotton laces, and loopback cotton toweling. Each of these contributes to the overall foot comfort, eventually adding to their price.
Classic & Durable Calfskin Leather
The calfskin leather comes from the calves, who must be healthy and reach a specific age to get slaughtered for their skin. Farmers spend a lot of money to keep their calves healthy because healthier calves result in better quality leather.
Since producing calfskin leather is expensive, it is sold at a high price. Golden Goose invests a significant amount of money to purchase top-quality calfskin leather for their shoes, which in turn makes the sneakers more costly.
Not just that, the leather from calfskin is known for its durability and softness. Using such leather in shoes makes them gentle on the feet and provides great comfort while walking.
Premium Cotton Laces
Laces are an important part of any shoe, and using low-grade material for laces often results in staining, weak durability, and easily torn fabric. But Golden Goose keeps up with their superior quality by investing in premium cotton that is tough and durable yet soft on the skin.
Most shoemakers don't pay much attention to laces since they only sit on top of the shoe and don’t directly impact the foot's comfort. But that is not true because laces are used every time you wear your shoes. They go through tying and untying a lot, so their durability matters equally.
Golden Goose understands the importance of good laces in shoes and avoids using standard cotton or other inferior materials for them. Their laces are threaded with great skill and feel soft on the skin. Because they are made with high-quality cotton, they don't let your feet slip out of the shoe.
To give their customers all these features, Golden Goose invests in the finest cotton available, even though it comes at a higher cost. This type of cotton is more pricey because it takes more effort and cost to nourish the soil and grow cotton.
So, because Golden Goose uses really good materials, it makes the cost of making their shoes more expensive, and that's why their footwear is pricier overall.
Loopback Cotton Toweling
While some shoemakers go for leather or suede for the shoe's interior, Golden Goose takes a different approach. They use loopback cotton toweling material that is specifically designed to regulate the temperature of your feet.
This means, your feel will be at comfort in various weather conditions; the sneakers will keep your feet cooler in warm weather and warmer in cold weather.
Moreover, there are many other benefits of this loopback cotton toweling. One, it allows the shoes to be versatile in any climate. Whether it's a hot day or chilly winds, your feet remain at ease.
Other than that, the material effectively minimizes foot perspiration. This makes the shoes perfect to wear for activities like skateboarding or other sports where your feet get sweaty. Likewise, moisture and bacteria won't accumulate in your shoes if you wear them for extended periods.
However, adding this advanced feature to the shoe comes at a cost. Golden Goose invests in high-quality materials for this loopback toweling, which are pricey. Then, it takes skilled craftsmanship to add the loopback cotton toweling to the shoe's interior.
Both these elements add to the higher price tag of Golden Goose sneakers.
Other Factors That Make Golden Goose Sneakers Expensive
Besides using high-quality materials and hiring skilled shoe craftsmen, other factors like unique designs, higher heels, and limited pairs also contribute to the higher price of Golden Goose sneakers.
Here is a quick insight into those factors:
Elevated Style
Golden Goose sneakers are popular for adding height to the wearer. People buy them because of their "high heels," which is basically the use of a tall leather insole in the shoes. As the insole is bigger near the heel and gets flatter towards the toes, it makes the person wearing the shoes a bit taller (about an inch taller).
But making the insole taller needs more materials, especially extra leather. So, this design makes the shoes cost more because they use more stuff to make them comfortable and sturdy.
Annual Design Overhaul
Golden Goose introduces new sneaker designs every year. These new designs come in limited quantities and are adorned with unique elements like color, art, and distressing.
It means workers have to adjust to new designs and bring better quality to the market every year. And since they change the designs each year, they have to buy new materials each time, which makes it more expensive to produce the shoes.
Exclusive Collectibles
Golden Goose sneakers are popular among celebrities and the rich, so they stand out as collectibles. Because they are manufactured with limited availability, the annual design makes each pair unique.
When shoes come into the market, people instantly buy them. They are ready to pay more money for a chance to have a special and valuable pair of shoes, which increases the price of the sneakers.
How to Get Golden Goose Sneakers for Cheap?
Golden Goose sneakers are super-popular and expensive, which means you have to spend a lot of money to buy them. But there are also some secret hacks to get them for cheaper, like:
- Look for sales or discounts. Many stores or websites give special offers where you can buy the sneakers at a lower cost. Keep an eye out for these deals, especially during holiday seasons or sales events like the New Year sale or Christmas sale.
- Another option is to check out second-hand or pre-owned pairs. Some people sell their gently used Golden Goose sneakers, and you can find a good deal. You can look for them in thrift stores, online marketplaces, or even at garage sales. And the best thing? Your Golden Goose sneakers will still stand out even if they are used because they already have a worn-in look!
- Lastly, you can look for older models or styles, especially at the year-end sale. When new designs come out, the older ones go on sale or are available at a discounted price. This option is good for those who are not picky about having the latest style, so this could be a great way to get Golden Goose sneakers for less.
Are Golden Goose Sneakers Worth it?
Are Golden Goose sneakers worth buying? Well, it depends on what you're looking for in shoes. These sneakers are known for being stylish, comfy, and unique. They use high-quality materials, like special cotton for laces and comfortable insoles, making them durable and soft on your feet.
However, there are also other shoe brands that make good shoes. But one thing that makes people get crazy about Golden Goose is celebrity endorsements and influencer culture. When stars like Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, and David Beckham wear these shoes, Golden Goose sneakers become more like a fashion statement.
So, if you have money and you want something that is premium, Golden Goose shoes are worth it with their quality. But if you are not too much into brand popularity, you can find many other shoe brands that sell good shoes at a much lower price.
Final Words
In a nutshell, Golden Goose sneakers are not pricey for nothing. They have to maintain premium quality shoes by investing in the finest materials and hiring skilled staff. These shoes have their unique aesthetic, which is why they are different from regular footwear. Keeping up with their special features requires a lot of effort, and that costs money. The annual design changes and the limited supply also make them collectible and in demand, contributing to the higher price.
