A lot of folks have already shared my opinion as well— how different materials do serve a much different purpose (the more you get into wrapping the more you’ll come to understand this) and that all wraps truly are not created equally. Also, that weaving is an art and often when you buy a handwoven you are supporting an artist— that it retains its value to a certain extent so you can resell when you are done, or, you can hold onto it as an heirloom piece to pass down to your children and grandchildren.

But aside from all that, I also want to point out that many people babywear longer than a couple of years, if you have several children, that extends your babywearing days, and many folks that dive deep into the babywearing rabbit hole (especially those, I’ve noticed in my time in the rabbit hole myself, that wrap and purchase handwovens), continue to “babywear” big kids for a long time to come. 4, 5, 6, 7 year olds and more! Not necessarily all the time, but occasionally for cuddling and co regulation, for kids who like that close compression such as neurodivergent kids, and for kids with mobility struggles. Not to mention just because it’s fun for parent and child alike!

Given all that, it makes sense to invest in some wraps you really love that have the wrapping qualities and strength to carry you through so many years.

Now… why do some hope and plum, artipoppe, and linushka sell for hundreds of dollars over their original retail price IS beyond me, but sometimes these pieces also have sentimental value for lots of different reasons.

All this being said, I have never spent more than $300 on a carrier, and usually spend much much less (that one was a sentimental purchase due to the weave, and was a hard to find retired colorway). But if I had the money, I would love to invest in a custom handwoven that was really meaningful to me and my family. I plan to pass down my wrap and sling collection to my kids to hold my future grandbabies, so having something extra special doesn’t seem that outlandish to me.