The Emperor's New Clothes: 17 Signs You Are or May Be a Label Whore
We all like to splurge sometimes, so this does not refer to the occasional “special gift to self” lol. These refer to cases of people who spend large amounts of money and make that known, in order to compensate for an insecurity by overspending on a regular basis.
We all may have a friend(s) who are label whores and or may have encountered someone at work or wherever else at some point in our lives. Some of us may have been one at some point in our lives and realized it was a problem. And some of us may have done one or some of the below as some point in our lives, like myself lol (#16).
I was thinking about this recently and I feel this sheds light on mental health and the many different forms in which insecurity and depression may manifest itself. I personally wanted to share this because I have known a few myself and honestly felt sorry for them because they were ultimately making a fool of themselves and wasn’t even aware because of their own ego.
I also want it to be clear that the intention of this piece is not to shame anyone but to help shed light on a potential problem around consumption and its intersection with insecurity. Hopefully, this will make you laugh and, if you are a “label whore” or one of the below resonates with you, my intention is to make you laugh and self-reflect too lol:
You refuse to buy basic items i.e. caps, t-shirts, underwear socks etc. without a high-end or luxury designer name on it in a way that is clear for others to see.
You spend $50-$200 on t-shirts and other basics that only have the brand’s name on it...and no additional effort from the designer on creativity, just the brand name.
You often mention how much you paid for an item in casual conversations without being asked. And if you were asked, you say it in a haughty manner.
You pay $1,000, close to or above that amount for YSL jeans (or any other overpriced designer jeans) and your annual net worth is under 7-figures.
You feel the need to mention what designer made your clothing item if the label isn’t stamped across it for anyone to see.
When complimented on your outfit or item you say thank you and also somehow throw in the price or how expensive it was. You also do this if you were only asked who the designer was, not the price.
You say you “only buy “X” product(s) from “X” brand”...without a real solid and reasonable explanation like: Their shoes have exceptional arch support and I need that with my foot condition, so I invest in them; or, I’ve had my “X” brand coat/jeans for 10 years and it still has the same quality since I purchased it even though I throw it in the washer all the time. Or some other sort of sensible reason to invest in an expensive item as a non-wealthy citizen.
Deep down you want people to know that you are wearing a high-end brand in exchange for their: Respect, your intimidation in some way, sexual attraction, etc.
You buy items that only have the brands logo or trademark print on or across it.
10 You buy for branding not necessarily quality.
You dodge self-reflection when friends call you out on it.
Without high-end designer labels on, you feel inadequate, not confident or unfashionable/unstylish.
.You only hang out/seek out other friends/associates who are wealthy or sport labels like you...but what makes it negative is that your self-esteem drops without them.
Or, you only hang with friends who aren’t as “stylish” or “well branded” ”(however you define it) so you can stand out.
You will wear a Balenciaga cap, a Balenciaga t-shirt, and Balenciaga sneakers...all in the same outfit.
Paying “full-price” at a designer label is your preference because, you don’t admit it but, it makes you feel better about yourself.
You have $10,000+ worth of designer merchandise, that you purchased at full price, likely at the brands boutique, within the past 6 months to a year, and you make under 6-figures a year.