Why Designer?

Research suggests that the clothing we choose everyday creates our identity and is seen widely through different fandoms. While I was doing my research on the psychology behind the clothing we wear, I started to ask myself: Why do people buy designer items regardless of the price? What makes the items at such a high demand that they cause people to spend every last penny on one thing? Is it the idea of owning something that some people can’t? Or is it the fact that the items are generally well made and created out of higher quality materials?

There are many different factors to consider when buying a designer item. When I asked my best friend Ellen, a fashion design major at Texas Tech University, she said that she purchased designer items because of the quality, the name, and the trendier look. I purchase designer items for many different reasons:

The first reason is quality. Typically when you spend $100 or more, the quality is going to be better. The items tend to last longer and are able to endure many different climates. For instance, I recently invested in a pair of Tory Burch riding boots for the fall. They are brown leather and have a small gold logo on the side. I have worn them to class during the rain, ice, and snow and they look almost brand new. My generic brand boots from DSW, however, are worn, slightly tearing, and dirty when they have only been worn a couple of times. The quality of the item can make the price worth it.

The second factor in buying a designer item is the name. The name or the label does in fact establish a sense of belonging to something. While I was in New York over Thanksgiving break, I noticed that I would feel more confident wearing a name brand, rather than something plain. I would receive compliments in department stores that sold similar items. The name/label says something about you to people that don’t even know you. People who share the same fashion interests create a community of fashion lovers. Different groups are known to like different brand names. In movies, there’s the stereotype that during sorority rush girls are supposed to wear as many designer labels as possible in order to prove that they would belong or fit into the group. Although this isn’t completely true, there are specific labels for the different groups in society.

The last reason that I buy designer things is the sale. I don’t mean that I want to spend $400 on one item. However, if I find a designer item on the sale rack or at a discount store then it attracts me more. It gives a sense of accomplishment if I find a Kate Spade purse that was originally $500 for $60 at Nordstrom’s Rack (a discount store that is a branch of Nordstrom’s-the department store). If the item is at a reasonable price, then chances are I will buy it. The excitement of a sale adds to the experience of shopping for labels.

Overall, I like to buy designer items and I can understand why someone else would want to own something that is a designer brand. What are some contributing factors that you have when buying items, whether they’re designer or not?

*Pictures are courtesy of Pinterest*