Name brand items are over priced. Oftentimes you can get the same item at the same quality at a much cheaper price. For example, I paid almost $40 for my flared jeans from Fashion Nova, but my flared jeans from Walmart are just as comfortable and cost less than 30$. My Jeans from Fashion Nova have wear and tear but my Walmart jeans that I wear to work frequently still look the same as the day I grabbed them off of the shelf. So why is it that millions spend big money at name brand stores? Surely there must be some reason that brands like Nike and Louis Vuitton bring in billions of dollars.
As humans, we always need some form of validation, whether it be from our peers or our parents, we’re always looking to someone to tell us if we’re right or wrong, doing a good job or a bad one. This has become more significant as social media continues to grow. In a world where there are so many opinions, almost everyone wants to get famous and have others watch them. This is why name brand items seem to always be selling. What better way to get quick views than wear something that many people can’t afford?
Fashion has always been an easy way to get noticed. Prom is a huge example of that. Many people spend thousands of dollars they don’t have trying to keep up with the trends. This idea of being as impressive as the next person is where the phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses” comes from. Trying to look as good, if not better than the next person. Many people try to make themselves look as successful as the next person which leads to them doing things that don’t fit their budget or that they wouldn’t normally do. This circles back to name brand items. Wearing something that’s expensive and considered stylish gets you clicks and compliments and even if just for a little makes you the center of attention.
Take celebrities such as Cardi B for example, she’s always head to toe in designer and many people make videos talking about where each item comes from. Often, these celebrities are wearing custom outfits just to show off their wealth and influence. So people buy name brand glasses, shows, and custom dresses just the same to appear as impressive as celebrities.
Another huge reason people buy name brands is to fit in. Take the Labubu epidemic for example. Everyone wanted a Labubu just because it seems like every Tiktoker had it. Take Ed Hardy sets as another example. Once one person had it, everyone had to have it. This feeds of normative conformity–a need to fit in. This is normal, it’s a basic human need to have a crowd or place where you belong. However, this feeling is often extreme and leads to many people doing or buying things they wouldn’t normally.
It’s fine to want to be admired or to fit in, these are normal human emotions. If you didn’t feel this way, you’d lack some basic things that make humans well human. However, it’s important to understand that many brands capitalize on this. So don’t go spending money needlessly because trends are ever changing. Stay true to yourself and live your life unapologetically.
