Why are we so "hung up" on designer stuff?

Question

I was n a store the other day and saw "designer jeans" from Gloria Vanderbuilt - Did Gloria actually sit down at a sewing maching and develop a special design that costs almost ten times more than a pair or Wrangler or Lee Jeans. I was in K-Mart and I wanted to buy some ice cube trays. They were selling "Martha Stuart" trays for about five times the cost of a no brand name in Wal-Mart. Really did Martha really make all those ice containers. No wonder so many people are in debt - they overspend on useless items.

Answer 1

I agree with you to a point, however there are certain brands a person comes to trust with time.

By the time you're 10, you know what soda brand tastes the best.
By the time you're 20, you know what shampoos and soaps are the best.
By 30, you know your tried and true bras, underwear, and socks.
At 40, you know your cookware, linens, paint, garden tools, etc.

You get my point - people rely on the brands that work for them. I don't think it's such a bad thing.

Answer 2

Because"we" aren't. I'm not going to pay my hard earned money on such stupidity. Unless martha's ice trays fill themselves and put themselves back in the freezer they aren't worth anymore than the ones I already have and use used every day for 5 years now. Gloria's jeans don't wear as long as a pair of wranglers,weren't designed for working,just for saying "Hey look I've more money(or better credit) than sense.
Designer trademarks are for those afraid to be anything other than what is trendy,because they lack just enough to not think completely for themselves. Have to be just like everyone else or they won't fit in. That and as a whole most people are simply followers.

Answer 3

They are buying for the name. Some people think it makes them look cool, or important, or well-to-do if they are wearing someones name across their chest or on their pants pocket. I don't agree. I fell like if I'm wearing their "sign" I'm advertising for them, and I'm certainly not going to PAY them big bucks for the priviledge. I'm with you. Most of my stuff comes from Target, WalMart, or a couple of choice on-line stores. You can put together quality outfits that are just as stylish there. I get compliments all the time on the way I dress, so I guess it's true. I think it's all tied up in confidence anyway. It's in the way you feel about yourself, and the way you carry yourself. Clothes don't make the man, the man inside the clothes makes the man.

Answer 4

It's primate display behavior; every culture does it in some form. Some apes show their attractiveness by the bright color of their butts, we show it by the expensive apparel we wear. In western civilization, today, that means designer clothing. It means we are financially OK (even when we aren't), we are young (even if we aren't), and we are ready for love (again, even when we're not). In other cultures it takes various forms. In some asian cultures, they wear ALOT of gold. In some primitive tribal cultures, they stain or tattoo their skin. White people 'tan'.

But that just explains the clothes. I bet those people who buy those Martha ice trays make a big production of letting other people see them. It's competition; you are sending your acquaintances and loved ones a subtle message; I am well off enough to afford over priced bogus ice cube trays. Again, this is a form of display behavior. By buying this junk, you are telling other people that you are subtly superior to them because you can buy SUPERIOR ice cube trays.

Answer 5

Frustrated hunter gatherer instincts. So we search out the latest trends, and bag them and bring them home. Display our victory for everyone to see, and brag about the kill. Retailers know this, so accordingly they raise the prices on the things that are in more demand. Because of course they will create a false shortage to make sure it is a much sought after object.

Answer 6

Because a lot of people have very low self esteem and the advertising is tapped into that fact- people buy designer stuff simply to feel good about themselves.

Answer 7

it has to do with high quality of the fabric, some issues are made through hand and others can take years to make previously being placed on sale, so merely because it sounds like a effortless handbag, you could truly be stunned what type of exertions it took to seem that way.

Answer 8

because people like to wander the streets as walking billboards for rich folks.
while they spend their whole paycheck on designer shoes, the designers are sipping apple martinis by their shoe shaped pool.

Answer 9

people seem to like stuff wit a logo on it. and the world is to materialistic. And no that didnt actually sit down and make those them selves.

Answer 10

its just the kids who are hung up on that stuff. But that is normal. thats the way things are. the older you get the less inportant designer stuff is.