The Worst Type Of Clothing You Can Buy (Apparently)

Fashion fans are quick to dismiss heavily branded or basic luxury items, which give a mediocre product a premium finish. Is there any value to this type of clothing other than communicating your brand affiliation to other people? And is 'premium mediocre' clothing really much worse than any other type of fashion? We're investigating whether it's really the worst type of clothing you can buy.
BoF article on premium mediocre fashion: bit.ly/3Etm5lh
Original blog on premium mediocre: bit.ly/3MghapY
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Persona 5 OST

[@fbrd391]

full grinch goes crazy tho

[@tommyg4842]

Yeah in the North Pole lol where everyone can see it!

[@oliversplace263]

I only mess with OG/archival Grinch

[@Kipplz]

@@oliversplace263 hmu bro i gotchu

[@kongeethegod]

When a fit is fire for all the wrong reason

[@break001_]

got that yung lean/drain gang vibe to it.

[@lgmasco]

the best part of premium mediocre is how easy it is to convincingly counterfeit them.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

There are SO many 'essentials' hoodies and such on AliExpress hahaha

[@rockyluc]

because they're mostly just basic items that you can buy in bulk in any store and slap a logo on

[@randomchannel323]

Facts always buy from an authorized retailer

[@gunmage101]

@@randomchannel323 No one's gonna know... They're gonna know. No one's gonna know.....

[@marylhere]

Trending: really bad counterfeits purchased in outdoor markets in Asia.

[@daniellord-vera6987]

as someone who's worked in the fashion industry most of the money goes to the marketing department in order to push a false lifestyle for those pieces of clothing and id say ppl should stay away from luxury brands and should go after new younger brands that actually put in the work and quality in textiles within the garments unlike the already established luxury brands.

[@bruhdo3892]

Do you have any recommendations?

[@daydrip]

I need some recommendations if you have some

[@guillaumeraux]

Commenting just for updates and recommendations. One mainstream brand that is a good sweet spot in my (subjective and imperfect) opinion is AMI. Most pieces are expensive, but not "it's luxury so it costs a few thousand bucks" expensive. Contrary to "fake luxury" (Sandro, The Kooples, Acne Studio, for instance) that have similar pricing (#marketing) but are made with sometimes average fabric in China,... with AMI, I found the quality and durability are there. The brand has a great reputation in the fashion world, but Alexandre Mattiussi, the founder and designer, stays "real" and down to earth in his approach and designs. "Everyday clothe, for everyday people. I design the clothing I'd like to wear every day." The pieces are well designed, and the attention to detail, quality, fit, and all that, are produced in Portugal. For sure, if you work minimum wage, you'd have to save up a bit to buy some pieces. And I'm not a fan of huge logos, so I stay away from those. But the money well invested, and the durability will compensate for it over time. You can definitely find similar quality for a lower price, but the brands become a bit more obscure then. Drapeau Noir is another French brand that is quite minimalist (but with a purpose and a refined creative direction) with Japanese inspirations. They make good quality pieces for a decent price (100-150 euros for most pieces), with a very coherent collection (you could basically wear most of their pieces together), all made in Portugal. One of the guys working at their shop in Paris (very knowledgeable about the industry) told me that they make no profit on a few pieces, to stay coherent with their pricing. He used to work at Sandro, and definitely saw a difference. To my knowledge, Drapeau Noir never discount, because the collections don't change that much, and the pricing is right for their market segment.

[@andreitsoy5762]

100 % agree with ya bruh 👍💣💥👏

[@tonyjoyce7012]

@@bruhdo3892 KOTN (They have more of a minimalist style but focus on ethical sourcing and a 'pricey' but reasonable price point)

[@sillyrabbit77]

The first thing that came to mind with premium lux are apartments. They add a granite counter top and charge crazy prices because it is now luxurious, when it is just a very mediocre apartment. Portland is filled with them.

[@ssbVanilla]

dishwasher and oven are metal instead of plastic😱😱😱double the rent

[@ZZ-qy5mv]

Oh I hate mid-rage luxury apartments in California, because the taste is so bad. It's almost that unless you're super rich, your choices are old and rundown with 50 layers of paint, or renovated in this dystopian tacky grey hellscape. Most apartments are so dreadfully ugliy in California.

[@cartilagehead]

“Premium mediocre” fashion definitely comes with this association of conspicuous wealth, the implication that the wearer is so rich that they just bought all of their clothes from Gucci/etc without even thinking about it, even their underwear and gym socks and t shirts. That they might wear a $500 Gucci t shirt to the park and stain it with mustard while carelessly eating a hotdog the way I might carelessly get mustard on a shirt that I got for free from an old workplace fun run. I think that there’s this perception, be it conscious or unconscious, in a lot of people’s minds that non-rich wearers of “premium mediocre” clothing aren’t simply cosplaying being rich, they’re cosplaying being the kind of rich that makes $500 Gucci shirts feel as disposable as Old Navy. It’s like meta-cosplay. I think this is one reason why many people have such an immediate and strong response.

[@Afternoon-T]

One of my biggest problems with this type of fashion is that you see a lot of pieces where the only visibly “interesting” things about them are the brand name. I think it just looks sort of tacky (and that goes for all price ranges of fashion really, but i find this is where you see it a alot). Id rather pay the same price for just a nice quality but unbranded (well unbranded as in the brands name is just posted in size 800 font on the front) piece. Though, if there is at least some element to it other than the logo, im much more willing to give it a pass. For example, i really dont like a lot of these balenciaga or essentials pieces because it could be just a plain, single coloured jumper with “essentials” on front, or a porcelain coffee cup with “balenciaga” on it. For these pieces, you are basically being charged the premium for the logo. But then for this upcoming “yeezy x gap engineered by balenciaga” collection, among the trash, there was this pretty cool baseball cap with flames on the rim. Its still just a baseball cap, but the actually interesting design would make me ok with paying the premium, even if you really could get it for cheaper. In general, if im going to be buying an expensive brand, id rather pay a far larger sum and at least get a better quality or more visually interesting piece out of it, even if there is still that brand name premium. Really though, i think a lot of this can come down to how much people value other people seeing the brand name.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Totally! The Yzy GAP stuff is actually a great example of a more affordable/accessible luxury product which provides something genuinely 'premium' with some of the aesthetic details (like the flame hat), as well as the oversized cut and double-layered construction of some items. The particularly interesting thing there is the GAP brand by itself almost has negative value (no-one before 2020 was trying to use that brand to show off), but in the context of these new items means something different because it's paired up with the Balenciaga-engineered cuts

[@isartoebes4552]

This man woke up and decided to speak FACTS

[@gilbertlopez]

Agreed but the fog essentials is good fabric and has a good silhouette. Still overpriced but at least it's not insane imo anyway though i still haven't been able to justify myself buying it.

[@mcsc730]

Spot on! Out of the entire collection the flame hat is the only thing i bought.

[@chocolates182]

these brands got yall paying top dollar for the bare minimum.. clout rags

[@ZZ-qy5mv]

I appreciate the empathy you have for why people might buy something rather than just laugh at them. It's refreshing to see online.

[@HofiAgilAghov]

For a couple of years I was thinking there's no point in even spending few hundreds of $ on Nike Nikelab/ACG cargos/jackets, when you can get the same kind of stuff for much much cheaper. HOWEVER, after trying these, I was realizing how stupid it was to spend cheap money on clothes that can't hold their cut, cheaply materialized and had no longevity. What I learned is that you'd better invest in good clothing because it pays off in the long run, as long as it stand for something more eclectic and aesthetically outstanding like the Nikelab/ACG stuff. Telling one brand from the other, that's a different story already, the next step would be to realize what is a high dollar good purchase than just a brand wimp. I don't see the point of spending high $ on "regular" clothes just because they're branded. Just like you said.

[@caleblatreille8224]

I think a big missing piece of this conversation is the role and history of luxury branding in general. The modern use of logos can 100% be traced to hip hop culture in the 80s, specifically Dapper Dan making more adventurous Gucci, Fendi, & LV garments than the actual brands themselves, while prominently featuring those logos. This had very specific aspirational and sometimes countercultural meanings (ahem FUBU) that were almost totally inverted when luxury brands started incorporating those designs themselves, and these kinds of mediocre products are the result. Absolutely nothing wrong with heavy branding or prominent logos, but this version of "aspirational luxury" definitely feels lifeless compared to the inventive, obvious-piracy version of years past.

[@gilbertlopez]

damn this is some interesting insight

[@ApricusInaros]

Exactly!

[@pinkmatter8488]

What a good comment

[@Zeverinsen]

As someone who likes to make things myself, and knows how much things can _actually_ cost or how long it might take to make it, I know for damn sure that it doesn't take as long as people think for skilled workers to make these luxury items, nor does the material cost what you'd think because it is bought by a company. It will always cost more to have someone else make the garment for you, because when you disregard the materials, you're paying for the convenience, expertise and professional touch as well. When it comes to luxury goods, I personally think it will always be a better option to pay an independent professional when paying _a lot,_ instead of purchasing "brand name" goods, because you will get more for your money. In my mind, people only spend extra on tacky "luxury" stuff, because of the brand name, and nothing else. If they only cared about quality, they would go to a local professional or something instead. It is often quite obvious who ups the price tag for quality, who does it for profit, and who does it for their image. I think a lot of people also have a tendency to delude themselves into thinking they like the aesthetic of something, simply because of the branding on it, and that in reality they'd hate it if it wasn't "designer" (The Dior saddle bag comes to mind). Having worked retail, I don't trust any well known luxury designer brands, especially not if they're selling items that aren't in their wheelhouse. If you're going to buy an expensive watch, buy it from a reputable *watch brand,* and not a brand well known for making bags or shoes.

[@hydroaegis6658]

Yup, that's why I even roll my eyes at brands charging $5-6k for "handsewn" suits which, in reality, had all the most tedious parts machine stitched.

[@ranchjenkem6002]

The problem to me is when people center themselves on a piece of “Premium Mediocre” in a way they would never do otherwise. Supreme gear is the biggest example of this that I remember occurring en masse-people buying *and flexing* Supreme goggles when they wouldn’t have ever worn goggles otherwise. Or taking a picture from bottom up so they could flash their Supreme slides. I really just see Premium Mediocre as a fashion faux pas in general because it forces people to do things they’d not otherwise do for the sole purpose of showing off a brand name on a *minor* piece of clothing

[@mateotrono]

Your discussion about most consumers not understanding that what goes into making an item of clothing is much more than just material cost is something I think even most of Internet Fashion nerds need to understand, and one of the biggest insights you’ve shared in a while. Fantastic video as always 🤘🏽

[@nova_steric1749]

Two identical hats, but with different prices, in the end they do the same thing. They're still hats. if there is no upgrade or better materials used for the hat with the higher price it makes no sense for a consumer to pay a premium just because the company behind it has higher expenses for other products overall. You should just pay for what your're buying.

[@mateotrono]

Someone buying a Balenciaga hat isn’t buying it because they just need a hat. Clothing is so much more than just a utilitarian thing to many people

[@nova_steric1749]

@@mateotrono they do it for the branding? Because if we're talking about style, as i said, an hat is still an hat.

[@konradvonschnitzeldorf6506]

@@nova_steric1749 These people live in a dream world. They care so much what others think and act like its an art Form to make themselves feel better

[@imnotaclownanymore2337]

found your channel through Frugal but just want to say (as someone who doesn't wear streetwear but just enjoys videos about it) I especially enjoy your more discussion-y video like this and the $150 rule one, they are funny and digestible but also quite informational, hopefully you make more of these in the future!

[@YEETx]

ive always been seeing those garbage simple designs with expensive brands and now i finally know how to call it

[@arwestromen]

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months - Oscar Wilde

[@jonmap8829]

your acw comparison at 13:00 was a really well-rounded perspective, thanks for another great vid!

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Thansk so much!

[@cartilagehead]

I flew premium economy to Hong Kong from NYC a few years ago and it was a much, much better experience than what the poor souls in cattle class got. When your flight is 16 hours long all of those little (and in some cases, like with the separation and reclinability of the seats, quite big) differences really add up.

[@newyorkvisionary]

To me the little details add so much. I don’t need top tier stuff for everything. Some parts of my wardrobe serve their purpose just as good as a piece that’s more premium. Not every fit you wear needs to be the latest and greatest. That desire to have all the best top tier stuff is a terrible cycle that keeps people unhappy and always chasing their next expensive item.

[@TalksWithTJ]

Good video, however at 11:27 where it's stated Essentials offers standard cut you can find anywhere, the drape and cut of their items (dropped shoulder, tapper on pants) is often the reason people will shop the brand over others. The brand is now half and half with some items showing almost NO branding similar to their collection pieces such as the long coat, relaxed trousers and nylon pants. The newer blocked branding isn't as liked and many have voiced that with the new FW22 drop. 7th Collection was on sale for 70% off recently, the perfect time to clean up on premium items for $50 versus $200 or $200 versus $800.

[@smash0h386]

I feel in the case for Essentials you get it for the consistency and colorways. You can always find something else somewhere out there that might feel better but what you get with the Essentials line are those very nice earthy and natural tones that go well with anything on both ends of the spectrum expensive and cheap. Its best to not buy things simply for the name brand but have reasons to say you want something for your wardrobe

[@benalexander5010]

It’s really easy to find good quality earth tone basics right now though. Earth tones have been in/trendy for a while now and the quality of Essentials is honestly mid at best. It’s basically a half step up from HM/Zara but is still just fast fashion mediocre cuts with very basic branding. Almost no effort goes into that brand and the items they make.

[@alexsozansky7234]

@@benalexander5010 The point you’re trying to make simply isn’t true. I know you think that Essentials is a “lower quality more expensive” brand, opposed to HM/ Zara while the styles and prices are very comparable. Actually in my opinion Essentials has much higher quality clothing compared to HM/ Zara, my reason for this is because I have a fair share of Essentials pieces myself, with that being said every single Essentials piece is very quality being double layered and the shorts, hoodies, and sweatpants are lined with cotton fluff on the inside. Zara have single layered sweatshirts that get marked up to $100.🤣

[@JeuneF]

@@alexsozansky7234 But the point here is about colors tho, not price. Like he said, hearth tones are really easy to find, so you can get better quality clothes at the same price (not H&M, Zara or whatever) than FOG Essentials.

[@alexsozansky7234]

@@JeuneF You’re entitled to your opinion, of course. To me, your statement is wildly inaccurate. I have very sensitive skin, and finding comfortable clothes that don’t leave marks or rashes is difficult for me. Essentials FOG makes soft, tightly sown clothes that makes it easier for me to be comfortable.

[@JeuneF]

@@alexsozansky7234 if it’s wildly inaccurate, you probably haven’t looked enough, but I get it, not everybody want to spend time on this. But again, the conversation is about what colors you find and at what price. So having a sensitive skin is out of context in this case. What’s inaccurate, is what you think this conversation is about. Btw I’m not saying it’s bad or you shouldn’t wearing it, we all find personals reasons to like/dislike a brand :)

[@DougC83]

id avoid logos like a plague whenever i buy something, premium or not. I even de-badged/blackout emblems of all my cars for that stealthy look 😅

[@SamuelPradhanisfit]

A man is not defined by any fashion brand or trends..but by his thoughts,good deed and success

[@ZZZ-vb2kl]

I think premium mediocre is bad when you pay premium prices for a product that isn't actually backed by quality materials or a good brand. These days though it's much harder to get away with since information on what's good is so prevalent. This has basically caused a huge rift between high-end brands and low-end brands where premium mediocre fills the gap.

[@Tirful]

Love the conceptual direction these videos are taking! I very much agree with your conclusion that the value of things like fashion is too subjective to be fairly measured in such black and white terms. When I was younger I used to feel judgemental of "premiocre" (even before this term even existed I'm fairly sure there was an awareness of this as a thing) because I saw things like expensive logo shirts as a cheap cash-in on the part of brands, conning their customers with the illusion of value. But in time I realised that this was only one perspective on a more complex issue - after becoming personally invested in certain brands (coincidentally your own example of ACW being one of my favourites) - and after gradually collecting a few bigger pieces (with much saving and over several years as I've never had a high income) I found myself much more tempted to buy smaller "everyday" items such as socks with logos on. I'm sure there's a "quality cap" on a pair of socks from ACW compared to a specialist sock brand such as Rototo (who are also cheaper), but when you have an affinity for a brand you can still feel more inclined to buy from them. My own perception of value had changed over time and this made me realise that the much-ridiculed logo shirt wearing demographic may not always (or only) be "chasing clout", but might see that logo as part of their own aesthetic identity - what we wear may be a curated narrative and a way to try and communicate our personality to the world, but it is simultaneously a day-to-day quality of life experience, so many fashion decisions may be based more in what evokes positive associations based on past experience than in the actual design of the clothing?

[@colmcgillveray1010]

Rototo socks are really nice.

[@Tirful]

@@colmcgillveray1010 agreed - they're the best quality socks I've found to date I think!

[@anotherCGi]

On the topic of margins and material costs: I stopped making fun of “heart shoes” and CdG Play a while back because I realized something - those cheaper items that appeal to a more mass market and are easier to afford are how brand really make their money. Most luxury brands are spending money to produce couture and one-off pieces to display on the runway. The way we get a lot of that experimental stuff that fashion elitists love is by financing the brand via buying their high margin items. Instead of saying the brand is ripping the consumer off, I like to consider it like a small investment in a brand I love and want to support.

[@pastelblue2087]

Along this line of thinking, I like to consider this type of clothing as "merch" for the "artist" which is the brand, same way you buy a band tee for a group you like. If I like the couture "art" but am obviously not going to wear that in my day-to-day, I can still connect with and support the brand through simple, everyday clothing (where they actually make the real money).

[@randomchannel323]

I agree and the couture isn't wearable anyways. Too experimental and you will look strange and out of place in public. With the "essentials" line you're getting "normal" clothing but with premium materials (hopefully some brands are just expensive without good materials)

[@daylight3853]

Balenciaga probably makes money on their couture tbf, think a jacket from their couture show was 20k and their most expensive item is close to 100k

[@Ulfscher]

Rei Kawakubo herself said something along the lines that Comme des Garçons would've folded almost immediately if it wasn't for the diffusion lines.

[@curlyhairdudeify]

I believe that branded, and designer stuff targets teens to people on their early 20s. After 25 years old, you pick all of that up, realize how tacky it looks and how expensive it was, and you secretly dispose of it in the garbage can in shame.

[@troelsknudsen253]

This is where techwear, and brands with combined functional quality and aesthetic focus, often comes out superior, imho. You often do get something kind of special even if its at the bottom of the pricing list of an overall highend label. I recently bought a simple Veilance t-shirt and very quickly found out that it's probably the overall best t-shirt I own. Similarly, the Shadow Project long tee I've got is just so damn comfy not to mention visually more interesting then a lot of mainline stoney stuff. You probably could get something of similar quality cheaper, but highend creators overall level can trickle down to their simple earner pieces and there's often quite a few aspect that stand out, be it design or material. I'd say you could argue that "premiocre" isn't really a thing with certain brands simply because they do everything well, it's more that their pricing scales somewhat fairly. Collabs can fall into this category as well. The ACW x Converse is a good example: not a cheap shoe but about half of what a new pair of ACW would run you and genuinely kinda innovative and unique. (I got them because of Antwon's review

[@3c3c3c]

Techwear is just uniform to express your autism

[@Stephen-lx9nm]

No

[@GOD999MODE]

I only buy Fear of God because of the way it fits. I’m a thicker, heavy boned, somewhat toned guy and I like the dropped shoulder wider fit shirts. Their 7th collection slim straight 3-yr jeans are also really nice. Top quality. Great if you can get them on sale.

[@DisastrousCake]

I never knew “Essentials” was making that much of a statement. I just thought it was a slightly expensive loungewear brand that offers quality fabrics, minimal branding, and slightly-more-interesting-than-normal cut. Are there any other brands that offer something like that with a similar quality? For context, I know nothing of this channel or high-end fashion. I mostly just dress myself in a style that I like using affordable brands that I like. This video was just in my recommended, so I decided to watch it.

[@mr.145]

62 year old here.. ive always worn a mix of stuff like,Levis, Lacoste,Ralph Lauren,along with supermarket jeans,polo shirts and stuff from Primark,Poundland etc.when it comes to doing a pile of ironing,the lables are a joy,and the cheaper stuff difficult.

[@Eirik_Bloodaxe]

I honestly didn’t even know Essentials was “designer” for a long time. It’s just so normal looking lol. Which after going to school with a lot of people who wear outfits that are almost exclusive designer brands or designer street wear brands, I’ve noticed is pretty common. So much designer stuff I feel like is so understated that I don’t even get the appeal. Like yeah I’m sure the quality is nice, but I’m not spending over $100 for a t shirt.

[@AmandaVieiraMamaesouCult]

Isn't Essentials from a former PUA KZbinr?

[@tarettime9392]

I was actually on the opposite end I had no idea they were as cheap as they are like $40 now I assumed they were like $100 despite how basic and boring they are. I thought it was one of those super expensive items that were just because of who was selling it

[@Sciencef1ction]

I recently picked up some of the aforementioned fall winter 2022 essentials (namely the relaxed waxed pants and the vest as they were free of the blatant and ugly “ESSENTIALS” branding) and I must say between the couple hundred dollars I spent and additional convenience of it being available at my local mall, I can’t complain, it pairs well with many of my true luxury garments and runway pieces, and considering one of the items was discounted as it was at Nordstrom’s rack as apposed to a regular Nordstrom retailer it was all around worth it in my case.

[@KierMailan]

Essentials is a great brand. I was very skeptical about it at first, but for only $20-$40 more than a champion hoodie you can get a quality hoodie that is the same quality than a lot of $200-$300 hoodies out there. Very comfy as well. They could've gotten away with charging more and I don't care anyone would've minded. But for only $100 for a essentials hoodie it's great value, I wouldn't call it expensive.

[@LE_NOMAD90]

100% agree, because the price for the quality of Essential's pieces are pretty reasonable. I keep buying a hoodie and a T when their collections drop.

[@ayylmao8562]

Yeah my whole wardrobe would be essentials if they didn’t put their logo on everything

[@leaninheavy]

I can’t stand the logo

[@markmcgivern5938]

The brand seems to have peaked in terms of saturation so the next seasons will be pivotal. But if they keep making comfy, quality basics I will be satisfied.

[@fbrd391]

Champion reverse weave hoodies are way higher quality than essentials and will last way longer

[@ruzzelladrian907]

Premium Mediocre is that smartphone with 4 cameras but all of them suck. The specs emphasize an octa-core processor, but can barely keep up with its user’s needs.

[@chimeiamv]

am currently working seasonal at a place that ships out loads of fear of god essentials on a daily basis. wanting to feel wealthy while wearing them without committing to the full fear of god price tag and appearance is definitely a thing. a lot of ppl at my work actually wear the line because it has decent material and quality and does make you feel wealthier. i even own lots of it myself. and hey, we're never going to be rich. there's no reason not to indulge in it if you just want to look good for yourself and give that confidence boost. same reason i drink g-fuel instead of morning coffee. makes me feel more productive and energetic instead of those corporate slave vibes that the taste of coffee gives me. there really is nothing wrong with treating yourself the way you want to live, mimicking a lifestyle you want to achieve, in my humble useless opinion.

[@krispeekornflex]

Just wear what you want to wear, STOP listening to influencers, most of them are just snake oil salesmen, don't mind when people comments either in a good or bad way about what you wear, in fact be proud, because if they comment anything about what you're wearing means that you got their attention while they never get the attention they want to the things they wear. I'll leave you with the words of Chuck :- “We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.”

[@Rapturnal]

I shop for clothes the same way I shop for food - if it looks good and has affordable pricing, I'll buy it. The only time I have ever continued to buy something under a brand is when it has continued to suit my needs - not because I'm supporting the brand, but because the brand has 'supported' me, so to speak. The expectation should be "This brand is quality, and that's why I see others wear it", but that has twisted along the way somehow. The movie 'Syrup' has a lot of takeaways about brand that can be applied.

[@CiastoToKlamstwo]

I don't really think "premium mediocre" is elitist. My personal understanding of "luxury" is something that has intrinsic value, due to quality, amount of craftsmanship, materials used and outstanding design. Except for maybe design (which can be just ripped off), all of those things are pretty objectively measurable and can't be faked. Exotic leathers come from animals that are rarely killed, so there is much less available ostritch leather or crocodile leather on the market, making it expensive; cutting edge materials require expensive machinery and complex processing to acquire, meaning not every company can produce them; bespoke clothing items require a very skilled artisan who needs to design a sewing pattern or a last, in return for the premium price you get a good customized to your physique and taste, that isn't obtainable anywhere else. There is only so much you can upgrade in a cotton jersey hoodie, throwing money at it just brings diminishing returns. This is why a lot of people think it's only about projecting wealth or being a brand loyalist, wearing an "Essentials" hoodie or a Balenciaga baseball cap isn't really that different of an experience from wearing a good quality unbranded hoodie or some generic hat.

[@HiiipowerHabits]

This is excuses people make in their head. This is true in some cases but not in all cases. A lot of times people make up excuses for the reason they buy it when really it’s just the brand.

[@HiiipowerHabits]

If it’s really about the quality, why do so many like the bland items with the brand name big on the front rather than items from the same brand with discrete logos or no visible logos at all that actually look better.

[@mistahmoogle]

I have the Balenciaga hat, and generally use it to ground the outfit when wearing avant-garde pieces, like super oversized Vetements hoodies, etc. It doesn’t work as well if you’re wearing with all basic standard cut stuff, imo.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Good way to do it!

[@randomchannel323]

$200 hat then the rest of the outfit is $20 🤣

[@pepsi_baby]

How exactly is vetements avant-garde now? What did I miss?

[@deezusnubes]

@@pepsi_baby i mean i guess some of their pieces could be considered that, maybe years ago when big oversized hoodies like that weren’t the norm

[@s.aintgabriel]

just rep the shit bruh why spend 300 on a hat

[@bighowdy60]

Honestly a bit of it is I don’t want to come off as pretentious or bougie because the rest of my fits wouldn’t vibe with super high end. Right now I’m waiting to buy a FOG 1977 essentials hoodie and I love the way it fits!

[@colmcgillveray1010]

Shrugs in OrSlow fleece.

[@isoboy1000]

I think the problem started when premium brands stared collaborating with brands like Supreme, it watered down most brands today they look the same Balenciaga is the worst.

[@nitroxylictv]

I just avoid all of it and typically wear minimalist clothing. Plain T-shirts, unbranded American Eagle or Levis jeans, Converse, a baseball cap and recently a Timex watch to add a time-piece.

[@markbailey5393]

Love a cold wall. I've got a couple of jackets and jumpers. I haven't bought any of their shoes or trainers but I have bought a lot of their trainer collabs. Which are a lot cheaper than their own. These are not premium mediocre but great value.

[@raymondleung6522]

I love ACW* bro… I have a pair of ACW* ERX 260s and a black ACW* hoodie. The shoes are very unique, and I like that they fit my aesthetic. The branding on the Velcro strap and the small textured part on the sole are really cool. The hoodie’s drawstrings have ends that are branded with the ACW* logo, and it also has this cool white patch on the sleeve explaining what the brand is. They don’t just slap logos on shirts and pants, they also have those tiny details that just make me appreciate the brand more.

[@markmcgivern5938]

the ACW shoe collabs whether doc martens or Converse have been so excellent. I got a shirt from them, gray tones that look like a paint roller hit it in a maximum wide fit, it's a bit wilder than a standard tee so it's not quite a #logotee. if I had a house fire and had to remake a wardrobe they are one of my first stops on the list.

[@raymondleung6522]

@@markmcgivern5938 haha homie praying on his house’s downfall… jk

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Totally! Hoping to pick up something from them this season but not sure what yet

[@teigeo]

Got a pair of their converse collabs .. marginally more expensive than a normal pair of converse but a lot more interesting looking ? The extra 25-30 pounds difference is totally justified imo

[@understitchYT]

I feel like if ‘premiocre’ didnt have such negative connotations to it, then Telfar would use it as marketing to describe their brand. They currently call it ‘Michael Kors but on purpose’ which I love, but premiocre has such a nice ring to it (tho Telfar’s bags and clothes are much more conspicuous than the actual premiocre stuff)

[@ranibegley]

This is a really well thought out critique of the “premium mediocre” concept. I’ve always thought myself “above” engaging in it but on reflection I’m guilty of dabbling in it myself (I own Uniqlo cashmere and a branded Maison Kitsuné t-shirt). It’s easier to justify the marginal benefit definition of the term as you are indeed receiving additional benefit for your money (Premium Economy IS better than Economy), but the overtly branded examples are looked down upon because it indicates that for the person buying the products they are in fact quite a big deal, and they want everyone around them to know about it. They want you to feel like they’re of higher status despite not doing anything more than buying a well known luxury (or pseudo-luxury) brand. A more complex version of this type of purchasing tends to buy more into the brands ethos and display their logo as you want others to know this about you (generally this is done when buying designer branded goods from lesser known, more “in the know”, labels).

[@hn6850]

I’ve actually tried many hoodies out there from reverse weave to 300$+ hoodies, but Essnetials hoodies are genuinely good quality for their price point. They look nice as long as the logo is more subdued

[@level1skeleton317]

I think there's a balance to it, you should never pay more for worse quality though

[@Trevbotics]

Man you’re so well spoken I wish you had more video essays like this available!

[@blitzar8443]

I buy budget clothing that doesn't stand out too much and looks good together, wear it until it doesn't fit me or gets degraded too much from washing (So a few years) and buy new ones after that. I also follow the seasonal sales. So buying boots during summer if my boot became unfixably torn apart, for that sweet 75% off on the already budget boots.

[@bjamofficial]

I AM DED 🤣. Solid Reddit burn. Controversial opinion people should be able to want luxury 🤔😆. I was going to use the FOG example because (while not my thing) when you actually feel them in hand they feel just that bit nicer than other similar clothes. I like how you bring it around to "you" and what "you" want, "your" expectation, "your" budget, and honestly where you live. Take your avocado toast example, I literally live in the land of avo toast (L.A.) and can at almost anytime make some fancy arse toast (you know the kind with coarse citrus salt, tanjin spic, lemon zest, etc) with what is in my kitchen simply because I live here, so it is by no means a luxury. I have eaten avocados in Europe, and well... enough said 🤣.

[@Phlegm_Thrower]

Premium or luxury brand have very little appeal to me. That is not to say I wouldn't buy from a premium brand. I value the design and quality, so if a premium brand has the design I love with good quality, then I might be in financial trouble if I can't control myself. I don't think we can compare premium mediocre products, like fashion items, to a premium service. You generally have to provide something extra with a premium service, whereas with a product, you can literally sell a regular brick for hundreds of dollar simply with a Supreme logo attached to it.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

That's very true, it's harder to attach 'brand value' to a service VS a product. I suppose in those cases it's more about providing something to the consumer which *feels* more premium or luxurious but actually costs very little to provide. Maybe getting a free drink on your flight or something.

[@campbellgates3194]

My friends always say that when I buy designer. "oh I could buy a black hoodie from Uniqlo for $30 why would you buy stone island" some what the brand contributes to the price although there is little nuances such as the cut, it may look the same as any other hoodie but the little difference in the cut is a reason why i bought. Most people find it hard to spot these little differences unless you are into high end fashion

[@WinderTP]

I just dislike branding in general. The only pieces of clothing I have with branding on them are more colourful pieces where the logo is not as visible. I've been avoiding a lot of Nike/Adidas because of it too. Tonal logos have been a blessing lately, tho!

[@ghostface5559]

facebook comment. Nike and such don't always do that. clown lol

[@kaneda4102]

My premium mediocre is having £1000’s worth of trainers but wearing the same old clothes picked up off the floor.

[@AONTrappy]

I personally hate this category of goods due to the price in conjunction to having nothing interesting in terms of "STATUS", quality, design, or artistic value. As to the example of the ESSENTIALS line it at least hits a lot of points that warrant a slight premium over the competition.

[@gsisemore]

I bought a vintage bootleg Gucci shirt which I thought would be one of my all-time grails. I haven’t worn it once. At this point I’m just buying normcore clothes with very minimal or no branding which I can see myself wearing for the rest of my life. I’m 24 right now so I have time to really establish a good concise wardrobe. I also am trying to exclusively buy second hand clothing and asking elders around my family if they have pieces they never wear anymore that I could maybe buy off of them as I’ve seen too many hit pieces against fast fashion. I know that what I’m doing basically does nothing to deter their sales, is basically meaningless, and at the end of the day isn’t altruistic, but it at least gives me more peace of mind when consuming.

[@skweemish]

Something else to note - all of those 'how to look expensive' videos say to avoid logos bc they make your outfit look 'cheap'. It always came across to me as pretty classist, and I generally don't wear big logos bc it was drilled into my head by my parents back in the 90s (when Tommy Hilfiger and Express logos were everywhere) that it looked 'gauche'. So I don't even agree with it, but I find myself adhering to it anyway. 🤷

[@stuffenjoyer2223]

I mean, most people who are decked out head to toe in designer aren’t doing so because they’re anti-classism lol. So if they want to look expensive and flex, then advice on how to do so tastefully doesn’t seem inappropriate.

[@skweemish]

@@stuffenjoyer2223 that's ... not what I said and far from my point. I think it's worth thinking about WHY people have this perception of 'logo=bad' - including myself.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

I guess the rationale behind that is the truly wealthy have nothing to prove, so luxury branding has no value to them. That, and smarter clothing (which is classically associated with wealth rightly or wrongly) is often less branded by nature and the focus is more on fitment and material quality than branding

[@germanpride]

glad this popped up in my feed! enjoying your perspective on this.

[@minibando3660]

I have exactly one premium mediocre piece - my balenciaga socks. Sure, 85 bucks for a joke may seem a bit much, but I can tell you it was worth every sarcastic penny.

[@GEOMETRICINK]

I bet Coach handbags are considered premium mediocre. But I don’t care. I will buy vintage Coach forever because the quality of the leather is superb, the craftsmanship is superb, you can still find it for a great price and most of all…I personally love it. Nothing beats a vintage Coach Court crossbody done in British tan leather.

[@ZZ-qy5mv]

I'm right there with you!!! I love the simple design of vintage Coach and you know they are quality and will last because they already have. I do love the price point as well. I've gotten the most compliments on my vintage coach bags, and it's always a "when you know, you know" encounter.

[@forcastfascistfuture]

I have a fake Versace premium mediocre t-shirt, and while I personally like it, I feel slightly self-conscious about wearing it out. Not because it's fake, but because of judgement for wanting to wear brands. Like, "who do you think you are, some kinda big shot with your luxury clothes" etc.

[@Volundur9567]

Wear what you want to. Forget others' opinions.

[@fetB]

well, why are you even wearing versace branded stuff?

[@thee_others]

Living in a place that is above 30 degree celcius and humidity between 80% - 90% all year round in the day, I am pretty much stuck with "Mediocre" style clothes. FOG Essentials kind of materials are as much as you can wear over here if you can bear the heat. It's more function over style over here.

[@hellohogo]

I won’t stand for the slander against essentials. The color palette alone is worth the price of admission.

[@Voyyager]

That plus the comfort! The sweatpants are the most comfortable sweats I’ve ever worn. I also love the exaggerated strings on all the shorts/pants

[@garyburke6156]

I bought a FOG Essentials hoodie because it was on sale and i picked the one that had the smallest, least conspicuous logo, because i'm generally allergic to logos on my clothes, but its a darn good quality hoodie and the color looks nice and i'll probably get another one someday

[@mrhsuskfkans]

Fashion boils down to those trying to look cool but arent and those who are just cool with or without the clothes.

[@withloveelli8920]

i gotta defend the uniqlo cashmere pullovers, they are actually really good for the price point and the cashmere has quite a good quality in comparison to „expensive“ cashmere pullovers!

[@randomchannel323]

I think the problem is people want into the Balenciaga brand becomes it communicates that they have buying power and therefore social status. That's why brands offer these lower cost items like hats, phone cases and card holders. But by buying only one of these low cost items it communicates that you don't have the purchasing power and social status that you are presenting.

[@brandynnoel9682]

Then buy 2

[@hermitgreenn]

I just had my Premium Mediocre experience at H&M where I impulse bought a bunch of Pima Cotton t-shirts that developed holes weeks into wearing them. That and unironically buying a North Face hat just because it looked waterproof.

[@biggestnibba]

at least the north face hat will last you way more than the t-shirts. I know because i've a lot of the north face garments, including hats, and they've been going strong for over 4 years. the north face it's one of the only brands that I wouldn't really consider that you're buying "premium mediocre" even if you're buying just a hat or some gloves, they stuff definitively has a great quality to them.

[@Rudenbehr]

@@biggestnibba my north face jacket refuses to piss off and die. It’s been with me for 8-9 years.

[@biggestnibba]

@@Rudenbehr that's what im talking about, they migh be a little more expensive, but jackets and other garments from the north face definitely can endure the pass of time.

[@MatejNovakCreative]

The worst part of Essentials is the branding. It might as well say Basic AF.

[@Clover-qz8nl]

Thank youuuu for sharing your story with the world ❤️ it’s an interesting topic you dive into 🤗 fashion is a topic that almost everyone an relate to on an individual level so it’s really interesting 💕 thank youuu and thank youuuu

[@vegard3940]

This is the first time I see the term “premium mediocre” but I love it, and I think it’s really fitting. Most people buy those products to show off and look richer than they are, there’s no point in denying that. As I once heard on a different YT channel: they’re things that “poor people think rich people wear”. If you’re not exactly wealthy and want to treat yourself to a small piece of luxury, buy yourself a good pillow, a pair of wool socks or a thick cotton bathroom towel, that will add more value and luxury to your life than a made in China baseball cap with a giant logo of someone else’s company.

[@XYZ_Vu]

I always think of mediocre more about the quality of the item. That said I did find a great Y-3 x Adidas hoodie at a thrift shop. I definitely bought it because it was Y3, but also because I could tell it was quality. It might be a little less “basic” than other clothes I own but it’s warm and cool

[@Oneiromancer._.]

I have basically negative-interest in fashion, but Anita here definitely presents an interesting window into this foreign clown world for me to marvel at

[@alainchristian]

If you're reading this comment I'm warning you to stay away from Fabric of the Universe unless you prefer style over function and are ready to treat zippers with kid gloves. It's a damn shame because their sweats feel so good but the zippers are awful. Also the stitching? Dear god....

[@NerakGreen]

I just turned 40, sooo…”Back in MY day,” department stores were of better quality than a K-Mart, Ames, Or Walmart. You KNEW Tommy Girl would have better embroidery and thicker cotton. Ya KNEW any jeans in the mall would be weighted denim cause they were twice the cost of Wally, but it was worth it in quality. No reputable designer would allow a battered piece to date carry their name. Honestly, it seems like Sear’s buying K-Mart ruined all retail quality tiers. Then Sears got Chase and it was all over. We had that mess with A&F racist as models. We also had Target out there making a Joe Shmoe signature line, like who dat?! Macy’s, Penny’s, even Nordstrom’s…It’s all garbage now, stray threads and tears right there on the rack. It really doesn’t matter where ya get clothes anymore, if u don’t hand wash and hang, most pieces are so cheaply made that they might not last a single season. That’s ok, our attention span is shorter than ever anyway

[@30m3]

I'm not a fan of branded clothing at all, but unfortunately it's hard to avoid. Veilance for example have even started branded their clothes with a stupid hang tag.

[@localforearm1627]

what do you mean like the one in the collar?

[@ThisIsAntwon]

From memory some pieces have branded buttons as well! It's true - at least with those sorts of things the only people who'd recognise the name 'Veilance' will probably also recognise the cut, materials and overall aesthetic of the clothing

[@forgottencameras]

Honest question because I don't know: Take FOG Essentials, remove logo, get Uniqlo?

[@nk-me2nw]

I like whole point of this video, I do own FOG mainline pieces but generally I prefer Essential to them as E are more comfy and easy to style whilst FOG is more premium and suits as dress out for an occasion

[@JMac80]

That is why I'm a fan of lines like Nocta that are unique enough and premium at a price point that isn't insane.

[@scottfields9801]

YOUR OPINION....What do you think of wearing shirts that display high end brand logos...that are NOT designer CLOTHING brands? Example: a shirt featuring the logo of Dom Perignon, Courvoisier, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Guerlain, Pininfarina ,TIffany, BVLGARI, Purdey,, Evian, Meissen, or Mont Blanc without getting too obvious like Ferrari. What do you think? Conversely, what do you think of wearing shirts that display low end brand logos...again, of brands that are not associated with clothing? Example: a shirt featuring the logo of Charmin (toilet paper), Ex lax, TUMS, Drano (toilet cleaner), Arm & Hammer, Listerine, Prozac (leading antidepressant), Balenciaga recently introduced a bag prominently featuring the Lays potato chip logo (with the word "Balenciaga" in smaller letters under "Lays"). What do we think of this?

[@ivantothemax]

I’m trying to read the comments while watching the video but everyone’s commenting like entire essays like this is their college entrance exam 🥴 and tbh ain’t nobody got time for that! Long story Fashion is subjection. And taste is something that cannot be taught or bought. You either have it or you don’t!

[@b0ieque]

8:16 love the reference to rocky

[@SuperKickFarty]

Spot on. This idea has been around for ages as well. Such as like "insert high fashion brand" Jeans.

[@ImMetalMechanika]

At this point, I just go on ebay and look for good “Made in USA” levi’s for my jeans. Unless I manage to go to Japan sometime soon and get decent selvage denim for sightly lower price (since the yen is currently weak)

[@Alistair_McCullom]

I just like to think of it as there is nothing wrong with having the same taste as everyone else and wanting to think you're different. If that sounds like an insult then that is just your preconceived notions seeping through

[@ringotheflamingo6900]

I think if you're being realistic, most people are buying a Balenciaga cap for social validation and have limited interest in actually expressing themselves. There is a dark side to premiocre clothing. Clothing waste. Once a brand falls out of favor you are left with something that has minimal value to the conspicuous consumer and the clothing will probably be thrown away.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

You're probably right. I guess at least because of the cost people aren't going to be consuming this stuff in huge quantities in the same way they might with fast fashion products, but their lifespan from a coolness perspective is limited for sure

[@javiersanchez1985]

I think it all falls on whether you like the piece or not. Being younger I really thought that clothes gave you a “having money” look but now that I’m older and having a store just being in expos with ppl who really have money I can see that at least the 50% of rich ppl wears the same nb, nike, adidas and vans that averyone else wears. The real difference comes when they go home to a penthouse or a really good house. Also amazing vid New sub

[@khamul29]

great video, as a rule, I don't buy clothes loudly displaying their brand. I refuse to be a walking advertisement.

[@davidp.3479]

As my mom says... I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things. It's funny that it actually works (not everywhere though!)

[@moshymosh]

I'm sensitive to items with big logos printed or embroidered on them. I really like those items.

[@acuriousscroller]

I've bought armam xchange tracksuits and have noticed the quality isn't much better than mainstream brands. However, I felt that the mainstream brands do not align to my age and makes me look like I'm not scting my age. Agree there is a premium to be paid for real high quality premium clothes.

[@KlutzyKimchy]

I know this is about 1.5 years old, but I think buying things tastefully, even those that are considered "premium mediocre" can still provide styling options, brand loyalty, and a scratch to an itch. I love Fried Rice NY, bought tons of their main pieces, but I'll buy their hats (cuz they're unique af) and maybe one or two logo shirts since it's my favorite, smaller brand

[@007MrYang]

I haven't watched this channel before, but I gotta say, I wasn't expecting Persona 5 music lol

[@BobDerGute84]

The best kind of premium mediocre stuff I own is a Porsche design leather wallet, and it's brillant. Simple, elegant and classy enough, lasts easy 10 years of daily use without loose threads or any signs of wear and tear. For about 120 or so € you get so much value. So there's that, too.

[@shn3340]

Ngl I always hated overpaying for logo ever since a kid.

[@TheSLATEcleaner]

Buy what you want to buy, but basic product with logo for a premium price sucks from the perspective of someone with limited resources. I'm not wealthy but recently rediscovered my love of fashion after not having access to it for most of my childhood and it falling by the wayside as trying to be an fledgling adult pulled me in other directions. I could've spent USD$300+ on a Margiela logo t-shirt (the brand that re-ignited my love for fashion). Instead I bought a pair of Bianchetto Chelseas from the H&M x Maison Margiela collab secondhand for

[@ArtemPochepetskyi]

Don't feel Essentials should be in one category as Balenciaga hat or tshirt. They have a fair silhouette, quality, and construction for that price tag. You don't have that in the mass market. They are closer to COS, Arket, premium Nike with the same pricing. And the brand honestly says that these are not cheap and simple clothes with the FOG logo, this is a sub-brand with different purpose and idea behind. Really happy with my hoodie. Don't think I would ever want to buy high-fashion stuff. This is just enough in terms of quality for me.

[@tohumblyvogue]

In my albeit limited perspective (I'm just a visual artist in rural ohio)... (for the aforementioned lack of a better term) premium mediocre are designer/fashion houses' way of allowing masses the opportunity to *feel* like they are associated with a brand/culture. Wearing a Calvin Klein dad hat makes you a part of the same fashion house that brought you aspirational couture runway moments. Surely a working class nurse whom could save your life deserves and has access to luxury. Of course the ready-to-wear items are more accessible than the avante garde. This is akin to an art print is more accessible than an original oil painting.

[@DroBreez0]

Still killin it with my Walmart brands (george, and no boundaries) looks just like expensive luxury essentials but at a fraction of the price. Seriously though, $4 for a plain long-sleeved t with great coloring and comfort is unbeatable. $6 for a flannels that looks just like the $50+ ones are an absolute steal. $12 for a pair of baggy blacked out jeans, enough said. They have really good deals on nice crew socks as well.

[@dcjohnson2490]

I love how "Premimum Medicore" appears on the screen with that dated font style from MS PowerPoint 2003, LOL

[@rb7500]

So if cost of production vs item cost is a factor in all of this would you consider a loro piana bomber to be worth $20,000?