Balenciaga recently came under fire for selling an expensive multicolored tank top that resembled the early-2000s style that is currently making a comeback in millennial fashion trends. The tank top is made up of multiple materials sewn together to create the illusion of stacked tank tops with lace trim in pink, blue, and white. Priced at $1,150 by the brand, the tank top is being resold for $1,490 on third-party websites.
The nostalgic style of the tank top has brought back memories of the fashion trends from the early aughts, such as the layered tank top look that was popular on Disney Channel red carpets and created using inexpensive tops from retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch and Limited Too. This resurgence of early 2000s styles has also seen a comeback of skinny jeans, whether millennials are ready for it or not.
Some social media users have humorously criticized Balenciaga for the high price of the tank top and the choice of layering techniques. Commenters have noted that the white tank top should not have been layered on top, as it is traditionally worn as a bottom accent piece. The steep price of the tank top has deterred many potential buyers, with some expressing their ability to recreate a similar look from their old undershirts for a fraction of the cost.
The tank top is part of Balenciaga’s Winter 2024 collection, which features other similarly layered styles that play on nostalgia and luxury. This collection also includes other high-priced items, such as the Raver Used Bracelet, a fake worn and aged wristband from an imaginary festival priced at $3,800. Critics have expressed their disapproval of Balenciaga’s expensive takes on nostalgic and everyday items, such as a lunch box and a handbag resembling a plastic bag of potato chips.
Despite the criticism, the tank top and other items from Balenciaga’s Winter 2024 collection are only available for pre-order with shipping set for the end of October. It remains to be seen who will actually splurge on these luxury pieces later in the fall. The brand’s daring approach to reimagining and pricing nostalgic items may appeal to some consumers who are willing to pay a premium for designer reinterpretations of popular trends from the past.
Overall, Balenciaga’s multicolored tank top and other items from its Winter 2024 collection have sparked discussions about the intersection of luxury fashion and nostalgia, as well as the brand’s bold choices in creating high-priced versions of everyday items. Despite the mixed reactions, the brand’s ability to generate buzz and provoke conversation through its unique designs and marketing strategies remains a key aspect of its success in the competitive world of high fashion.
