Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Some things make us feel good. I have one suit that cost a lot more than all my others. I feel like a million bucks in it. It's so perfect and well made.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Posted by nov04libride

You're right. And I don't know why I even care because I can't afford the big ticket items anyway so no one's judging me in my Civic. But it's just the constant holier than thou attitudes that get to me.

Plus, no one ever says they buy for the label--without fail everyone says they buy for the quality. So everyone, even if they buy more big ticket items than anyone else, will say that's not me, I do it because they are BETTER.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

I agree. I don't get the "fake" designer bag thing. Just buy something you can afford. Fake designer stuff makes me .

A knockoff is one thing, like a department store brand that has some of the same elements, but a fake that's meant to look like it IS from that designer is just cheesy.

I don't know. I like brand name stuff sometimes. When I was growing up we didn't really have designer anything. I got a pair of CK overalls in HS and I felt like a princess. Now I have a few designer handbags and I really do like them. I think they are often more fashion forward, made better, and I like them. I love the look of Louis Vuitton. I'd still like it if it cost $120 and not $1200. I'm not going to go out and buy a fake, if I cna afford it, I'm going to get the real thing. What actually got me into LV was the cherries. before that I didn't give a rats azz.

The other brand I love (and can actually aford sometimes) is Michael Kors. I was going back to school and I was in Macy's and saw a great purple bag and it actually looked like it would hold up to my abuse, and it did. So I always look for MK stuff, and I really do like it, so that's how I became a MK girl.

Even with clothes. Gap is not a big designer, but it is more expensive than "regular " clothes. I have Gap clothes that I have had for 10 years that look better than other things I bought 2 months ago.

Even dress pants. I have some pairs of pants from normal brands that cost about $30. I NEVER wear them. I always wear the 2 pairs I own that cost $80-$100 apiece from Jones NY and INC. And the brand is not plastered on the azz of my slacks, but they fit and drape SO much better.

There are of course other reasons. It's a status symbol. Also, it can definitely have apsychologial payoff. I bought my first really splurge kind of bag (my mini LV) when I really felt like there was so much being taken away from me in my life, and it felt good to be able to have something nice. I totally got flamed for it on here, and did I NEED the bag? no. but it helped me to hold on to a little piece of being able to do something for myself. I also bought a pretty expensive Michael Kors when I graduated college. It was a huge acocmplishment and I never buy anything for myself, so I felt like I deserved it. Looking abck, did I NEED it? No. Could I have spend $500 in a better way? Probably. But sometimes it's nice to just be able to say "You know what, I deserve some of the finer things in life"

i think it becomes a problem when you're relentlessly keeping up with the Jones' and other things are falling my the wayside. But whehter it's because of the quality, or the psychological payoff, there's nothing WRONG with having designer stuff.

I probably paid a lot more money than I needed to for my car to get a limited edition color. Did I need to? No, but now the car is paid off, and my car still stands out because only 1999 other people in the world have that color

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Posted by Christine

Posted by ChrissynRicky

Here's my opinion, and it may not be a popular one...but I've been seeing A LOT of threads about this lately...

Why do people care so much about what others do, wear, or carry?

Why is it such a big deal if someone is carrying on about having "designer" items?

We don't know whether that was bought on sale, whether it's a fake, or whether it was a gift....we don't know if it was stolen, purchased w/cash, or purchased with a credit card reaching it's max.

As long as that person is not asking to borrow money from me to purchase that item - I wish them luck and hope they wear it in good health.

The fact is that there is a name brand to everything - whether you're buying Kraft American Singles or America's Choice - there's a brand attached to it. Am I a big spender b/c I prefer to eat Kraft over America's Choice?

Same applies to whether or not I rock a handbag from Target or a handbag from Louis Vuitton.

Does it really matter? How does me carrying an LV bag effect others?

I dont understand why people need to judge what others have and have an opinion on whether or not it is affordable to that person.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Posted by lipglossjunky73

I have a theory about this:

Once upon a time - like in the 50's to 80's - all the Hollywood glamour people - actors, actresses, models, etc - all were the ones with the STUFF - you know - the expensive stuff... us normal people never even had access to it - it wasn't even for sale for us... that is what set us apart and made them more glamorous...

Some marketing genius really hit the nail on the head when they decided - hey - why don't we make whats available for THEM available for the average working shmo?

So, now we can wear the same shoes, clothes, handbags, etc as the celebs and feel like we, too, are a little higher on a pedastal - a little closer to glamour and a little further from our everyday lives.

That is why some people get a thrill at thousand dollar LV bags and 800 dollar shoes. I can't ever afford this stuff - but man, I am tempted at times, I'll admit it!!!





Its not having the money for it so much as having the stuff. And people seeing that you have it. Plain and simple.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

My two cents.....I think that designer items do have better quality and better fit. I also think that they are usually ahead of the trend, so if you like fashion you are drawn to them.

But I also think that you can get a quality sweater for $100 you don't need to spend $1000 on a D & G one. Or you can get a good car dor $25k, you don't have to spend $75k.

In many cases the prices on these designer items are high, not because of quality but because of the name brand attached to them and we as a society are drawn to them.

I also think that this whole argument leads into the the topic of excess and are people who are so obsessed with "things" losing focus on what is important in life. This is not to say that all people who buy designer labels are filling a void in their life, but i think a whole lot of people buy them to make themselves fell better about themselves.

On the flipside, I think those that judge are jealous. I think that many people wonder how can these people afford this stuff? Why can't I? Even if what they have is not necessarily important to you, people get jealous that others can afford anything they want.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

If I can afford it - fine

But I think the "Keeping up with the Jones" has gotten way out of hand

To spend your life looking at what other people have and making comments about who does and does not have money is such a dangerous way to live -- you'll never be happy

Message edited 3/21/2007 5:16:08 PM.

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

I have to admit that I have spent some good money on some high status stuff when I could afford it - usually if I get a nice chunk of bday or xmas money - and I do feel like a miliion bucks - but its something I LIKE to begin with, not because of the designer or the price - I fall in love with the style and the quality - I have seen so many things I have been able to afford with the same chunk of money, and no matter how in style it is, I know its not anything I would ever wear more than once....

Re: Why are people so mesmerized by labels and pricey items?

the expensive things that i worked hard for remind me of what I have become and i am proud of that and they make me feel successful.

for example- does it make me materialistic that i am proud to own a home? and that i maybe "spent" more money on my home than someone else?

how is that ANY different than a purse, car or shoes?

how i spend my earnings is my business and anyone that has something to say about it can mind their own!

i wont judge someone on thier labels or size of their house or fancy car, but i certainly notice and appreciate those nice things!

whats wrong with that???