The Obsession with Luxury Branding: Why Wealth Doesn’t Equal Fashion Sense
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No matter where you are, there seems to be this inescapable abundance of luxury brand stores that are not only taking over physically but also taking over the mainstream fashion scene. These luxury brands have staples of clothing that are constantly creeping into our subconscious of what “should” make the standard of fashion. Whether it's the Gucci belt craze of 2015 or the oversaturation of the iconic Miu Miu pleated mini skirt and cropped button-down look that consumed our social media feeds. This reignited obsession with luxury brands begs the question: Has fashion turned into a display of status symbols? Losing touch with what fashion truly encompasses can lead individuals to think that just by buying the most luxurious item, they are curating a true sense of fashion. In reality, it can be quite the opposite. Rather than being noticed for the style itself, the logo is what is on display. Rather than using personal style to illustrate one’s personality and revering looks for their construction and arrangement, fashion is used to flaunt personal wealth when styling luxury items; in these cases, fashion loses its heart – we value materialism over artistry.
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It can be pivotal to grasp the notion that fashion has this underlying sentiment. The way we come into a space and how we are recognized has an impression on our image, not only in the way that others view us but how we discern ourselves in an environment. What type of aura do you want to bring into a room through your fashion? Having control over how we want ourselves to be recognized matters as we want to be understood for our authentic selves. Where are you trying to take your image, and what do you want to relay to others through this way of expression? These ideals can often be overlooked, with this recently developed tunnel vision of having the next up-and-coming expensive item on-trend. Having this fixation with displaying wealth through style can restrict your belief of what your sense of fashion truly encompasses. While everyone's taste is personal and should be what you want to display, it can be a missed opportunity to only be represented by the top brands.
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The recent logo boom, especially throughout the pandemic and afterward, has curated luxury brands to be heavily named brand-focused rather than on the fashion item itself. It can be easy The recent logo boom, especially throughout the pandemic and afterward, has curated luxury brands to be heavily named brand-focused rather than on the fashion item itself. It can be easy to fall into these recognizable brands and have an outfit predominantly defined by a singular logo. You don’t need to be just a logo or a portrayal of a certain brand to feel that you are a part of fashion. Instead of these products being presented in a way that is based on concept or creativity, there is this impression of just being a graphic, like a walking billboard. Creating this constriction with fashion in a way that you don’t get the chance to genuinely explore different silhouettes or abstractions. Being intentional with what we put on our bodies can give an individual a whole uncharted sense of self that can completely transform how we understand ourselves daily. Limiting this exploration to only a small pool of identifiable logos can hinder one’s ability to truly showcase individual style, constructing this blockade energetically with expression. With the marketing of these brands, it can be essential to ask ourselves: Do we genuinely appreciate and resonate with the ethos and the design of this brand, or have I simply fallen victim to being influenced by the celebrity wearing it?
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Status symbols don’t make your sense of style; you do. Is this clothing item for me? When we compile an outfit, we want to feel that it aligns with who we are. When acquiring a new clothing item, we want to feel almost this sense of belonging; it just feels right. That is why you can’t necessarily buy style; it branches from who you are. Fashion should make you feel more assured in who you are and what presentation you feel gives the most organic portrayal of your character and identity. This connects with how you don’t have to inherently have a surplus of clothing items to have style. It's about having staple items that have this coordination with your awareness of your essence. You can buy a multitude of expensive items, but you can’t buy your style. Just because you have the bag or shoe of the season doesn’t mean that it's going to fit into what you feel is the most authentic way of your own expression.
Curating an image that reflects your personality and values through fashion can be paramount to our sense of style. Going beyond logos and highly identifiable brands can lead to the exploration of clothing pieces that embrace unique silhouettes, colors, and concepts that serve as a representation of what resonates with who you are. Your style isn't defined by what status you give off but by how you feel when putting an item on. Having this “yes” moment with your fashion can make all the difference in how you go about authentically showcasing your identity.
Strike Out,
Author: Emily Montarroyos
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee