Cost of Goods V. Brand Name

What is the real intersection between brands, cost and quality? In the ever-growing and ever evolving world of fashion and trends, we find the selections for us have been dictated for us or curated in one form or another. Algorithms have been tracking our ever move for decades, whether online, through credit consumer bureaus and subscription services. Furthermore, as a society we can breakdown breakdown our geographic location, demographic data therein and delve into the psychographics of the shopper.

Years ago I purchased clothing that fit my lifestyle and income. I remember one shirt in particular that I had for years. Not because it was a luxury brand or even something to be reckoned with, it was Old Navy. It was a white cuffed short-sleeve button front shirt with a folded front placket, buttoned breast pockets and shoulder epaulets. When I say I LOVED this shirt, it was an understatement. I purchased it for a whopping $5. Now I know what you're thinking - "That's not going to last very long." and I was aware of this notion so instead of washing this $5 shirt like a normal person, I had it dry cleaned for $5 every time it needed a wash. Fast-forward three years and I still have the shirt in good condition. One day after a weekend away, I unpacked my bag and didn't notice that I had thrown this shirt into the clothing hamper. You can assume what happened next and you'd be right. After the wash I was folding clothes and saw ((DISASTER)) buttons had become unraveled and dangled awkwardly, the hem stick became frayed in several places and the plackets never would lay the same after that - bye bye shirt.

Jump several years and I have now owned an Hermes zip up hoodie. I love love love the quality of this garment. Cotton / Silk blend, black on the outside and olive on the inside. Riri zippers adorned the center front and the two waist pockets, trimmed with diamond shaped black leather zipper pulls. So clumsy me, I made the same dire mistake here. As a result of the wash; the zipper pull came off the center front, the color faded significantly from black to a midnight and lighter in places, the fabric suddenly sat irregular and the tiny holes that evolved over the years became open wounds like that of a sad war and devastation. I still wear this around the house from time to time.

I think the right direction to take now is that of iconography. Remember when all those 'high end' designers started adding their initials/ monograms to their garments? What was that all about you may ask? Clothing is so generic that you can't create a patent... unless it is a utilitarian or mechanical element (See the Levi's back pocket patent). Shirts, skirts, jackets; whatever - it was all free game for the knock off market. I don't know if you've ever had the glee and sensation of toting around your favorite new purchase - the experience is exhilarating, intoxicating even; I suggest everyone give it a try.

Why do some people own so many handbags? Sometimes it's the style or purpose but for some people it is iconography - the ownership of title, prestige and elegance. It's a status symbol. The dress for the season could seem like a reach - seldom occasional usage ...but a bag that has range and regular usability, now that's an investment! And also, they're so pretty.

I'll end with a rant: Why buy a Bentley when any other car will get you there just as well? We love the bells and whistles and maybe it's the status that "I can afford this and you can't". But some people have so much finance but chose to live really humbly and drive a truck and live in a 3 bedroom track house in some suburb. I suppose that some people like to live out loud with their money - and they have ALL the right to (makes the world go round), and others sit on 'family money' while working some job toward a retirement they'll never take.