✨💎 Conspicuous Consumption and Alternative Fashion 💎✨

[@dreamland3658]

Oh when you brought up kill star I almost choked lol. I heard this from a rapper that my boyfriend listens to that if you can’t dress yourself in thrift then you can’t just throw on expensive brands and think that you know how to dress yourself. It doesn’t matter what you wear if you know how to style yourself and wear it with confidence.

[@TheStitchess]

Very true! It’s about taste and style ^-^ who makes your clothes is secondary

[@itsrey5475]

True! Like I don't dress the way I do because I thrift. I'd dress the same if I shopped at fashion retailers and spend far more doing it. (And the stuff that is in big retailers now is the same stuff that will be donated to thrift stores later so I don't see a problem? Lol) Treating thrifting with contempt is a classist way of thinking. Smh

[@dreamland3658]

It's Rey the funniest thing is with rise of depop and resale places like that thrift is pretty trendy now. It just makes me think of what she said about them convincing us to put monetary value into things socially. Like you see people selling things for outrageous prices on depop not because the piece is cool or anything like that it’s again because of a brand name but now not only is there a brand name tag, the tag of being a thrifted brand name piece makes people think it holds more monetary value.

[@itsrey5475]

@@dreamland3658 The same goes for the tag "vintage", I've see. Every reseller adds the tag "vintage" and hikes up the price and it's like my guy, there is nothing vintage about early 2000s stuff uhhhh It's all pretty ridiculous 😂

[@dreamland3658]

It's Rey oh I know!! Vintage and rare everyone loves those key words just because it’s a little older doesn’t mean it’s rare or vintage. I mostly get this when I toy shop on the internet, especially with early 2000’s stuff because right now y2k is super popular. I just don’t wanna see this stuff thrown out after the trend is dead.

[@acekidatelier]

Handmade By Me (tm) will always be the best brand out there

[@TheStitchess]

The BEST!

[@kamilareeder1493]

Such a power move lol 😆 💪

[@Princessetch]

This is so refreshing to see. It was only after getting into jfashion that I started watching clothes haul videos. I now can name a good 20-30 jfashion or alt-fashion clothes brands off the top of my head and that blows my mind because growing up I dressed differently not by choice, but because we only went to thrift stores. I am thankful to say that my tastes were formed by a lifetime of thrifting and that many of my thrifted clothes fit naturally into alt-fashion and even jfashion-related looks. But I find myself spending more now on clothes than I ever have in my life. On things like brand apparel. Which I was so abhorrently against growing up! I recognize that I can now afford these things but also realize that jfashion has quite ironically made me feel for the first time in my life the pressure to "keep up with the Joneses".

[@TheStitchess]

I feel like we had the same upbringing...

[@khazermashkes2316]

I love the vintage Coach handbag I bought at a thrift store because it is made of durable leather and will last decades longer than a fast fashion bag that costs more. I didn't initially realize that it was a brand name purse until I examined it more closely because the only indication is the small hanging tag and a authenticity label on the interior lining. I hate that contemporary designer purses are poorly made and have conspicuous logos.

[@Xan1120]

I’m v aware of my consumption lately, and I’ve tried my best to buy things I know I appreciate and will use for a long time. I’ve been buying so much more from small businesses and it’s so fun to have something that v few people will have and is more unique!

[@Saint_Medusa]

apart of me feel like the only way thirfting would become completely unattach from consumerism is if more people were givivng , selling , buying and sourcing than coporations like the goodwill who have a shady track record

[@TheStitchess]

Goodwill gets me so heated lol

[@rynthorn1551]

It would be interesting to see an analysis of the problem that at least some people seem to have where they want to get into alternative fashion and they don't know how. So when someone wants to get into goth fashion (for example), the default in their minds might be "I need to buy from Dollskill because that's A Goth Brand(tm)" as opposed to other ways of dressing alternatively in the aesthetic that you want without feeling the pressure to shuck out huge dollar amounts. It's like the idea of what alternative fashion even is has gone from just being about dressing alternatively to mainstream fashion to being about which particular big brand aesthetic you're going to choose to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on.

[@enchantedluna111]

Great video ^^, To be honest, I never liked logos being such a focus on clothes. It makes me feel like a publicity walking billboard. When I thrift now something that I like but has a small logo on it like a Lacoste one or so on a jacket or jumper... I kinda apply a patch over it >.> I think I wouldn't mind as much if it's a logo from a small company or one person work but in general, I never liked much the concept of doing publicity with my clothes and our days it's like the logos have become so big o0

[@joanateixeira1646]

Yes, it's amazing that we don't mind wearing clothes that are effectively just free advertising for corporations. Promoting independent artists and small ethical businesses instead is a great way to subvert this, but I also prefer my clothes to just be clothes.

[@samiaskyers172]

This is kind of why I like finding things that have their logo that's a patch or embroidered on so I can remove it. I try to buy second hand clothes to revamp it into my own style. I honestly hate brands that feel like they have to incorporate their logo into the design.

[@xPrincessJellyfishx]

Same! I hate logos. I try my best to avoid those, or get them off if I can.

[@TheStitchess]

I feel your pain, and these days it feels like everything has at least one small visible logo 😓 at least a seam ripper is good for getting most of them out... and then we have more videos on KZbin teaching kids how to put fake logos back on clothes 😭

[@itsrey5475]

Yes! I hate this! I've had this striped sweatshirt for years that fits nice and is super comfy. It has its brand name (Aeropostale) written on every single stripe though. 😒 Wearing it makes me uncomfortable-- like a walking billboard, as you said-- and I'm constantly wrapped up in the "Should I sell this or not?" conundrum. 🙄

[@kaylarosen1476]

I really like this! I was just thinking about posting zine hauls as a form of conspicuous consumption, and where I landed is that while it still broadcasts disposable income, it's effective as a way of boosting independent artists.

[@TheStitchess]

I was actually planning on doing a zine haul this Saturday 😈

[@xciellew]

I suggest that you look into what Marx has to say on the fetishization of commodities when you talk about consomption. It's fascinating and super useful when talking about consumerism.

[@TheStitchess]

I had to read lots of that stuff in college ^-^ I just try not to bring up a ton of this kind of stuff cause when any American hears about Marx in a KZbin vid it’s basically nothing but calling me an anti-capitalist nut job in the comments lol (which, I mean, fair tbh)

[@xciellew]

@@TheStitchess True true! The red scare is still well in place, but at least there are some progress with Bernie Sanders, the climate strikes, etc. (even thought my examples are more social-democrat than socialist, anarchist or communist, it still can get liberals to start to question the system). I am glad that you and Elanor Medhurst are KZbinrs of the kawaii community that actually adress political issues when the automatic mode is to deny the political or economical affiliation or impact of art, fashion, etc.

[@mic806]

i love how all your videos are just happy and cute ilysm!!

[@nix1218]

i mean to be fair, the goth vs killstar/dollskill thing is not just cheap-brand clothes being cheap and tacky, it’s also rooted pretty deeply in the Goths™️ vs “goths” debate that’s been going on ever since goths became a more mainstream recognizable subculture

[@RogersJimmy-n4q]

I'm not one for big brands. I don't like wearing big logos on my clothing simply because I don't want to feel like a walking billboard. I like to buy stuff from the thrift store and alter it to my liking. If it has a logo on it, I try to find a way to get rid of it or cover it up. If I can't do that, then I don't buy it.

[@ЯнаЛевкович-к9ц]

After watching this ample overview of conspicuous consumption, it occurred to me that financially insecure young people are significantly more susceptible to this phenomenon than well-off middle-aged ones. Over the last two decade the conspicuous consumption has become increasingly wide-spread way of achieving social success. The first reason is that it proves to be one of the easiest and fastest methods of self-assertion. Since the opportunities to ensure a secure economic state and social well-being in Russia are utterly infinite, young people aspire to compensate it by ostentatious purchasing. Buying high-end good seems enough to show off an allegedly prestigious position in society, lavish lifestyle, and high level of income. Another reason is the lack of background knowledge to make sensible choice. Young people are less likely than others to weigh up price differences and get recommendations. They tend to buy on a whim, based on what they see in an advertisement, and what will make them more popular with their peer group. It`s safe to say, that nowadays brand logos serve the same social function as keeping the clothing`s price tag on - everyone should know what premium the wearer is willing to pay for style. Even though a luxurious car might cost a fortune some consumers would rather get in debts and starve a week, than come across as being out of trend. Finally, not only young people are actually so vulnerable to conspicuous consumerism. Over centuries it was considered a normal behavior model to demonstrate your stable economic background and get the chance to extend social networks. Today this practice, on the contrary, come in for a lot of criticism and is more likely to be associated with financial illiteracy or pretentious behavior. That being said, I cannot but quote V. Pelevin, one of the authority on the subject. The author finds an excuse for Russian ostentatiousness: “The compulsion to relentless and pointless posturing is a widespread Russian disease ... It stems not so much from the vulgarity of our national character as from a combination of European refinement and Asiatic oppression, a combination in which is to be found the essential characteristic of our life. The Russian … is not trying to show that he is better than the people to whom he struts his stuff. It’s just the opposite. He is calling out, ‘See! I’m just like you! I also have a claim on happiness. You must not despise me because life has been so cruel to me!’ Only through compassion is it possible to gain a true understanding of this condition” (Empire V)

[@oliviawa1000]

Lol I still consider visible logos tacky. I was in middle school when Hollister was at its peak and I think their insane logos did something permanent to my psyche... This was also when you weren't considered a true rebel unless you got your ears pierced in the school bathroom by a girl with some ice and a sewing needle but I'm not sad to see that particular alternative kid status marker go

[@HollyHemlock]

I feel this in my soul but like I still will buy some Killstar n dollskill when on sale. Usually only when it's something I couldn't make myself or find somewhere else for a better price/more ethically. There are things that you unfortunately can't reliably get secondhand and somethings that indie creators can't create due to being indie :/ I hope that becomes better over time though and I'll keep trying :D and I thrift and diy too so like I'm ok? xD

[@aliceis9068]

I love this!!!!

[@geneticallymodified2102]

Lemme be honest here I love the Burberry plaid and want to make my own shirt with a print like it but like $450????

[@ahhh4117]

I bought faux burberry tartan in a fabric warehouse and I made an aristocrat set with it, the fabric cost me $15 for 3 yards and it came in a lot of finishes

[@marcusanark2541]

I recommend watching Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things.

[@PriyankaSingh-ur5oe]

Then what is the basic difference between conspicuous consumption and conspicuous necessity?

[@TheStitchess]

I had to look this up BUT a conspicuous NECESSITY is something that is NOT OPTIONAL for interacting with society - ie, phone service, internet, refrigerators, food, housing. These items are typically expensive but they are necessary for survival in developed nations. These are the types of things your government would typically help you secure if you had no other options for paying for it yourself. Conspicuous consumption as a sociological term applies to LUXURY goods. Yes, you need shoes to protect your feet - but you do not NEED $300+ Air Force Ones. You need housing but you do not NEED a McMansion. These items are purchased solely for the social benefits of having one. In other words, you buy them not because they fill a specific need that you have, but because they imply to other people that you have the money to afford expensive things, that you belong to a higher economic class. Hope that helps!