We’ve most had that sort of dream where we were walking down the street without anything donned. Or maybe we have that great internal struggle when there are times to show more skin than we feel comfortable with. There is also the other faction of perspective. Perhaps we relate more to the feeling of mixed elation and dreaminess when walking by the streets of branded stores. Or the inner scream of angst when we see others wearing or holding the items we desire for our own. Do we debate these feelings to ourselves? How is it that something we were not born with but have put on ourselves, can make us unhappy?
For many, we have tied down self worth to the items of clothing that is possessed. Typical self thoughts:
“That Louis Vuitton bag costs $2000, I’m not earning much but I’d feel much better to have it!”
“I don’t want a polo T-shirt unless it is from Polo Ralph Lauren”
“When can I buy that Tiffany and Co. necklace? It annoys me to see others get it so easily”
Do you see the implications these statements have? Why would holding a bag that costs more money make us feel better? Same with a polo T-shirt or a necklace. Are the average designs so bad? I would say that something aesthetically pleasing without a label would look nice, because it does. It sounds like a silly statement in itself but the fact is that. However we have lost ourselves in this era. For we judge items not by it’s look when the look is important, but by it’s cost value. Quality without a doubt is also important, and I dare say we get what we pay for. But ask ourselves this question, will that be the last bag you ever buy? Or the last shirt you ever pay for? Or the only necklace? Surely you will not say yes. So is quality that important? We need to ask this of ourselves clearly.
The world has termed it globalisation. The overtaking of powerful organizations, churning out products with shiny and extravagant labelling. A design could have been innovated by an average person on the street which may or may not sell very well in the market. Yet putting a well-known label on it, and placing it in a display case, makes it THAT much more appealing. Do we ask ourselves this question before we step into main-stream designer stores? Are we buying the brand or are we buying the looks? Are we feeling inferior not to be in possession of items on display?
The thirst for branding reigns our minds, like a software running in our brains. We have been trained to look for the organization responsible for production, less on the usefulness and aesthetic value of the item. Unfortunately as well, we tend to link it’s value to our well-being. We tend to feel more powerful and confident when we hold or use items that costs more. We would rather flash an obviously misplaced logo rather than put a more fashionable item. We look in jealousy at others using items of brands, and we fail to appreciate it’s actual use.
Clothes were meant to cover ourselves, and perhaps a taste of fashion. Ask yourself, is your self-worth tied to what you use? If you feel so and can admit it, do think about what you are getting and putting on. Whether it is costing you just money, or the deterioration of the self.