The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
SOCIAL status is one of the many reason why women and men wear designer clothes and accessories. These are advertised by top models on runways, sports people, musicians and those in the fashion industry. Celebrity fashion is something that people are looking up to, people copy celebrities no matter how weird the trends are.
Logos are persuasive. Branding has become a display of a person’s status and as some studies have shown, can heavily influence a person’s behaviour towards another. A study has shown that logos, especially the expensive brands — could be helpful for landing jobs and often make a person seem more approachable.
We all appreciate and desire to have designer clothes, but for some it has become an obsession. If you can afford a Gucci handbag then go for it, but for those who cannot afford designer items, go for what you can manage. Trends are constantly evolving, if you do not have a big budget it becomes a challenge because you have to keep updating your wardrobe. The Alexander McQueen gown worn in 2012 will not be relevant in 2017.
What should sway someone to buy designer labels over cheap alternatives is superior quality. You should spend $100 on those sissy boy jeans because you know they will last more than 10 washes or six years. The fabrics and materials used are also crucial, certain construction processes will result in higher quality, but cost more. The only way to judge quality is to examine the cut, touch and feel the item. Logos don’t always justify the big price tags that sometimes convince people.
More importantly the garment should look good on you. If it looks terrible on you it really doesn’t matter whether it’s a Versace shirt or Louis Vuitton bag. People can still look funny in expensive clothes and wearing designer pieces will never make you look cool if you are not.
Why wear designer clothes?
1 Consistency — People keep going back to the same brands because they consistently perform well for them. Women who shop at Edgars stores are fans of the label Charter Club because it fits them well. Even if the prices go up they stay with Charter Club because of consistency in production.
2 Uniqueness — Designer clothes are expensive because they are rare. Those who shop at Mr Price will notice that the majority of the people will have the exact clothing item. Those who shop at Forever New or Mango will be one of the few in the country with that clothing outfit.
When you are wearing designer clothes, you are never going to experience that awkward moment where you bump into someone wearing the same outfit as you.
3 Self-identity — Certain brands represent certain things about people. I will use Edgars stores as an example and their labels. Free 2 b u, is mostly for young people and women who are into the latest fashion trends. Charter club is for the sophisticated, classy, mature lady and then Penny C is for the older women who are more into the classic style, which is mostly about comfort. That is how designer labels are, people buy certain brands because what you wear represents who you are.
4 Celebrities wear designer clothes — Pink bottoms by Pokello are popular among ladies in Africa because she is a celebrity. People want to look like their style icons. When Chris Brown or AKA is seen wearing air max or air Jordan sneakers, every young person wants to get them too. Celebrities are like living bulletin boards for designers.
5 Quality — Many people who don’t believe in buying designer brands say that you are only paying for the brand name and that the product is no better than the other. If you buy an original pair of diesel jeans, they will last for about 6 years as compared to those bought at the flea market. Designer clothes are usually made from finer fabrics and have superior stitching compared to those at the flea market.
It is important to remember that fashion is an art and clothes designed by Christian Dior, Caroline Herrera or David Tlale are works of art.
They are meant to be looked at, admired, copied and worn by rich people and famous style icons. Then finally discovered by us then we get our hands on them as rejects or knock off!!!
