It is the most common question in our industry. You pick up a pair of premium briefs or a lace bodysuit, feel the weightless fabric, and wonder: “Why does this cost so much when it’s such a tiny piece of fabric?”

It is a fair question. But in the world of luxury intimate apparel, you aren't paying for the amount of fabric. You are paying for the engineering, the ethics, and the expertise.

Whether you are browsing our collection of sophisticated lingerie for men or our classic cuts, the price reflects a complex journey from our atelier in Vienna. Here is the transparent truth about what you are actually buying.

1. The Industry Reality: Human Hands and Specialized Machines

Before we even talk about design, it is important to understand why the lingerie industry in general carries a higher price tag than mass-market clothing.

Lingerie Cannot Be Automized: We live in an era of automation, but lingerie resists robots. The fabrics are too slippery, too delicate, and the pieces are too small. While a standard t-shirt can be mass-produced with heavy automation, lingerie requires human hands to guide the fabric through the machine for every single second of production.

The Symphony of Machines: You cannot sew a piece of high-quality lingerie on a single machine. To achieve a final product that stretches, breathes, and holds its shape, a single garment often moves between 3 to 5 different specialized machines.

• Zig-Zag Machines: For essential elasticity.

• Overlockers: For securing delicate edges without bulk.

• Bartack Machines: To reinforce stress points so straps and bands don't snap.

• Coverstitch Machines: For seamless, chafe-free finishes. This constant switching of machinery and setup time drastically increases the labor cost per minute compared to standard clothing.

2. It’s Not Sewing; It’s Engineering

Once you move past the machinery, you get to the construction. A standard t-shirt is typically cut from four large pieces of cloth and requires maybe five seams. It is a forgiving garment.

Lingerie is the opposite. That "tiny piece" often consists of 16 to 30 individual components.

• Precision is Non-Negotiable: A difference of 2 millimeters in a t-shirt is invisible. In lingerie, 2mm is the difference between a perfect fit and a painful chafe.

• Tension Mechanics: Every seam, elastic, and panel is engineered to handle tension. It must stretch, support, and recover its shape thousands of times.

• The "Men’s Lingerie" Factor: For our men’s line, this engineering is even more critical. Creating a pouch that offers support without restriction requires advanced pattern grading that cheap "3-pack" brands simply don't invest in.

3. The Cost of "European Sourced"

Fast fashion brands keep prices low by using synthetic fabrics derived from petroleum and manufacturing in countries with loose labor laws. We take the harder, more expensive path.

When we say European Sourced, it means:

• Traceability & Material Superiority: We know exactly where every thread comes from. A prime example is our lace. While many competitors sell lingerie at a higher price point using purely synthetic, scratchy plastics, our lace is a custom blend containing 13% cotton. This natural addition provides a softness and breathability that 100% synthetic fibers simply cannot replicate.

• Oeko-Tex Standards: European textiles are subject to the strictest chemical regulations in the world. Our fabrics are free from harmful dyes and allergens—essential for garments worn against your most sensitive skin.

• Durability: Cheap elastic degrades after ten washes. High-quality European elastics, like those we use, retain their snap and recovery for years.

4. Made in Vienna: Ethics You Can Wear

The "Made in [Country]" label is the single biggest factor in pricing. "Made in Vienna" is a statement of values.

In an industry notorious for sweatshops, producing locally in Vienna means:

• Fair Living Wages: Our artisans are skilled professionals who are paid fairly for their expertise.

• Master Craftsmanship: Vienna has a rich history of textile and design excellence. Your lingerie isn't being assembled on a massive, impersonal assembly line; it is being crafted with attention to detail that mass production cannot replicate.

• Lower Carbon Footprint: By sourcing in Europe and making in Vienna, we eliminate the environmental cost of shipping raw materials across oceans.

5. The Niche of Men’s Lingerie

Men’s lingerie is a specialized market. Unlike the mass-market underwear industry, which relies on volume, we rely on innovation.

Designing lingerie for the male anatomy that looks elegant but functions perfectly, is a design challenge that requires specialized R&D. We aren't just shrinking women's patterns; we are building new silhouettes from the ground up. This low-volume, high-design approach naturally costs more, but the result is a garment that fits like a second skin and validates your personal style.

The Bottom Line

When you buy a "tiny piece" from us, you aren't buying a scrap of cloth.

You are buying hours of skilled Austrian craftsmanship and the specialized labor required to handle complex machinery. You are buying fabrics that won't poison the planet. You are buying a garment engineered to make you feel confident and comfortable.

Quality is an investment. And when it comes to the layer you wear closest to your skin, it is an investment worth making.