Is designer clothing actually better?
Is designer clothing actually better than standard unknown brand clothing?
Designer clothes can be better than standard unknown brand clothing. In some ways they are better. I know that if I buy a designer outfit people will stare. Maybe not because of how the clothes look on me, but more about how I look in the clothes. My self-esteem rockets when I am wearing designer clothes and I feel that I can achieve anything because I am suitable dressed. You could call it my body armour, if someone puts me down when I have my pricey clothes on it is much easier to put it down to jealousy rather than true. I feel capable of scaling any mountain (without even changing my Manolo’s).
I can achieve anything and more, because I have my designer clothes on.If my personal self-esteem is a reason that designer clothes are better, it is only a reason to me.Some people may not be so shallow or materialistic (or just get the boost from a fantastic haircut or lipstick). Some people may resent spending so much money on something that only provides a basic function (after all a beautiful evening dress cannot help with the housework – although it can make it that bit more glam). Others can’t afford to buy designer – so for them designer is definitely not better.How can it be when it doesn’t benefit their lives (and never will barring some lottery miracle)?
Removing personal tastes from the debate, and even the materials that clothes are made from, it can be argued that designer is better. Yes it costs many times more but for the cost you get a quality assurance. Designer items are more stringently checked for quality and workmanship. Loose threads are a cause for concern (rather than something to be snipped off). Seams are (and will remain) straight on tops. They will not stretch and twist in the washing machine (probably because they are dry clean only but if you spend money on a top you don’t want the machine to chew it up).On a serious note, designer clothes do not employ the services of sweatshops or deprived children.
Many other clothes designers do employ these services which morally cannot be justified. When teaching a class of ten year olds wearing such clothes I have to ask myself why children in deprived areas of the world should be considered to be less than our children. Why is their childhood not valued in the same way? These designers may pay a wage that is above the national average which although sounds good is not. This employment can cause economic instability in the host country and cause local and national businesses to try to keep up; artificially inflating salaries which will increase costs for local businesses and retailers therefore the cost of living will be inflated at a dangerously fast rate, thus creating more instability.
There are so many issues raised by the manufacture of clothes and the costs involved. I have to argue that designer clothes are better because they have an aspiration element to them.In order to wear designer clothing most people have to work hard to pay for them, they are not treated as disposable commodities by most of their wearers. All my friends treat cheaper clothes in this way, it doesn’t matter if you only wear it once – it was so cheap. Which doesn’t value the effort put in during the manufacturing process?
So to me designer is better, not only because of the ethical and moral arguments, but because they make me feel like a better person both inside and out. Shallow? Moi? Maybe but at least no children were harmed in the making of my clothes.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Interesting post! I agree it is hard to argue to some the benefits of designer. Often people assume you are just a status-seeker, but often the true treasure of buying designer is in fact the design itself! You can’t get the creativity of a McQueen at Walmart! I do wonder though, in the case of manufacturers that have decent working conditions, and don’t employ children, are they not arguably beneficial to those nations? What employment would be offered to the workers that gave them as good compensation if they did not work there? Inflation is a natural thing in a growing economy, although at a controlled pace. However I do think we need to be more aware of where our products come from and the reasons why that $10 t-shirt may be so cheap.
August 24th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Designer clothes is great if it makes you feel better… unless you get sensitized to it. When I first started working at Lacoste I cherished every item I had from the store. Now, although I still love the brand, I don’t feel feel the same excitement of putting on a new crocky outfit each day as I did in the beginning. Seeing it in bulk made it lose that special “je ne se qois” for me. Oh well, I may not get the tingly feeling but at least I look hot