The Most Over-rated, Over-valued Industry On the Planet!

by lcombs
92 replies
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Why does the fashion industry mean so much to so many?

I just don't get how clothing can be taken so seriously
and why people are willing to pay so much for it.

I guess most people are more "sheep" than I had
imagined.
And I had imagined that the majority of people are sheep.

Any answers or explanations?
  • Profile picture of the author websitescamp
    It is because this is what people are taught from the very beginning. Focus on the outside instead of the inside. Everything is a matter of "saving face" : look good, drive expensive cars, use expensive gadgets, be seen going to expensive places etc. Because people can immediately see the outside, so why bother looking for the inside.

    This and the sheep explanation to.
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    You know....

    The thing is, women, (mostly), buy all this over-priced ****
    to look good.

    And, for the most, they do.

    But, it comes down to the "Ginger or Mary Anne" question.

    And, everytime I've seen that question asked, Mary Anne
    wins buy a landslide.

    So, if men prefer the "down-home, under-stated" look,
    then who are these women trying to impress?

    Ladies, any response?
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Ah... for the right woman, a man will bust his butt day and night to buy her "this over-priced ****." And be glad to do it. :rolleyes:

      Joe Mobley

      Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

      The thing is, women, (mostly), buy all this over-priced ****
      to look good.
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      • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
        Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

        Ah... for the right woman, a man will bust his butt day and night to buy her "this over-priced ****." And be glad to do it. :rolleyes:

        Joe Mobley
        LOL - NOT!!!
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        • I've gone on this rant before, but I still don't understand how women succumbed to this whole fashion conspiracy in the first place...

          When a man wears size 32 waist pants, or a 42R jacket that is basically what they are (maybe a little tailoring), but what does a woman wear? What size is that? and who determines what an '8' is? or a '16?

          Popular Body styles do change - Marilyn is an icon - but she was what...a size 12? 16?...and she was and still is considered a beautiful, sexy woman (what size is Christina Hendrix?)

          Now women's dresses are in size 2? and even size ZERO?

          What is that...size zero? Does that mean you're so small you're invisible? or what? :confused:

          It's all a game - I sometimes wonder how women put up with the sizing system they've been dealt. When a guy walks into a store, he's waist size 32...that's what he buys. What a Woman buys for that I have no idea - it depends on the maker...

          Oh, and Ladies...while I'm on a rant - this "opposite button" thing has got to end sometime soon...seriously, when was the last time you had a handmaiden to dress you? :rolleyes:
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      • Profile picture of the author lcombs
        Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

        Ah... for the right woman, a man will bust his butt day and night to buy her "this over-priced ****." And be glad to do it. :rolleyes:

        Joe Mobley
        Well, maybe....

        But, I do know this:

        If it weren't for women, men would still be living in caves.
        We'd have beer, TV, and Sports.

        Virtually everything that's been invented has been done for one of two reasons;

        Either to impress women;
        Or, to make money to impress women.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
    The financial foundation of this planet rests on banking and textile.

    Recommended viewing: The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson.

    I think PBS has 6 videos on the topic.

    Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

    Why does the fashion industry mean so much to so many?
    Signature

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  • Watch Robert Altman's " Prêt-à-Porter sometime...it's his "Nashville" of the fashion industry...
    (or just do yourself a favor (spoiler alert), and skip to the last 5 minutes of the movie...:p)


    What has always cracked me up about a lot of fashion designers, is they have a gift for making women dress in some of the most ridiculous haute couture...yet, for the most part whenever they are seen - they invariably are wearing a pair of jeans, and a black or white t-shirt
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    The ladies are trying ti impress each other,they just make the men think its them.
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  • Profile picture of the author A.Green
    Men and sports. 'nuff said. Women may spend money, but I rarely see them neglect their families or get into brawls over fashion. Plus, plenty of men spend a ton of money on suits and other business wear.

    Also, the wife may get away with looking dowdy, but the mistress generally looks a little better and it's the latter who's getting the dinners out and the jewelry, n'est-ce pas? Not that I've ever been a mistress, but I've met some.

    That said, sure, if you're just following fashion to be with "the in crowd," I agree that's silly, but there's nothing wrong with knowing what styles and colors you look good in and buying quality clothing instead of WalMart junk.

    Ah... for the right women,
    Fixed that for ya!
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    • Profile picture of the author lcombs
      Originally Posted by A.Green View Post

      Men and sports. 'nuff said. Women may spend money, but I rarely see them neglect their families or get into brawls over fashion. Plus, plenty of men spend a ton of money on suits and other business wear.

      Also, the wife may get away with looking dowdy, but the mistress generally looks a little better and it's the latter who's getting the dinners out and the jewelry, n'est-ce pas? Not that I've ever been a mistress, but I've met some.

      That said, sure, if you're just following fashion to be with "the in crowd," I agree that's silly, but there's nothing wrong with knowing what styles and colors you look good in and buying quality clothing instead of WalMart junk.



      Fixed that for ya!
      You watch entirely too much TV.

      Levis are Levis no matter where you buy them.
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      • Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

        You watch entirely too much TV.

        Levis are Levis no matter where you buy them.
        As someone who has worn Levi's 501's all his life - (and no...I am not Amish :p, or a Luddite ) I have to say, have you tried to buy a "pair of Levi's" lately? Sheesh! It's like trying to find the right cough medicine! :rolleyes:
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        • Profile picture of the author KimW
          Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

          As someone who has worn Levi's 501's all his life - (and no...I am not Amish :p, or a Luddite ) I have to say, have you tried to buy a "pair of Levi's" lately? Sheesh! It's like trying to find the right cough medicine! :rolleyes:
          I agree 3M.
          I wore Levis for years and still do basically on weekends. (Even working at home I dress "business casual" at home during the week,I never know who might knock at the door.)

          We went to an outlet mall last summer and they had a Levis store there.I'm thinking I can go in and get some at a decent price for a change. First,the "outlet: store had regular store prices, and ther ewas no such animal as a regular pair of Levis anymore.
          But the did have Levi wallets, Levi belts, Levi caps, Levi everything.But a pair of regular Levi jeans. :rolleyes:
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          • Profile picture of the author lcombs
            Originally Posted by KimW View Post

            I agree 3M.
            I wore Levis for years and still do basically on weekends. (Even working at home I dress "business casual" at home during the week,I never know who might knock at the door.)

            We went to an outlet mall last summer and they had a Levis store there.I'm thinking I can go in and get some at a decent price for a change. First,the "outlet: store had regular store prices, and ther ewas no such animal as a regular pair of Levis anymore.
            But the did have Levi wallets, Levi belts, Levi caps, Levi everything.But a pair of regular Levi jeans. :rolleyes:
            Actually, I used "Levis" as a generic term for quality blue jeans.
            Personally, I prefer Wranglers and get them about a mile away at Walmart.
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      • Profile picture of the author lcombs
        And, I disagree with statement about quality.
        I think it's all about thye name on the lable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      I had someone in particular in mind.

      Joe Mobley

      Originally Posted by A.Green View Post


      Fixed that for ya!
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        I'm just going to tip toe on in here and say that I am extremely happy that I love to go shopping and fill my walk-in closet.

        As you know we lost power last Thursday am and Friday is my regular laundry day, so we had already worn a weeks worth of laundry at the time of the outage. Power didn't return until about 10:30/11 am this morning.

        I still had lots of clothes to wear and looked dang good in them while others had to wear rumpled, wilted clothing, choosing the cleanest of the already worn clothes.

        Not over-rated, not over valued, downright useful I tell ya!

        Terra
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        • Profile picture of the author lcombs
          Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

          I'm just going to tip toe on in here and say that I am extremely happy that I love to go shopping and fill my walk-in closet.

          As you know we lost power last Thursday am and Friday is my regular laundry day, so we had already worn a weeks worth of laundry at the time of the outage. Power didn't return until about 10:30/11 am this morning.

          I still had lots of clothes to wear and looked dang good in them while others had to wear rumpled, wilted clothing, choosing the cleanest of the already worn clothes.

          Not over-rated, not over valued, downright useful I tell ya!

          Terra
          My condolences to your common sense....
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          • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
            Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

            My condolences to your common sense....
            Surely that's some of your wry sense of humor? :confused:
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by A.Green View Post

      Plus, plenty of men spend a ton of money on suits and other business wear.

      Uh-huh. The difference there is, suits genrally make men look better, while a lot of "fashion" makes women look like ... well, I'll let you decide what they look like.



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    • Profile picture of the author Nicole7575
      Originally Posted by A.Green View Post

      Men and sports. 'nuff said. Women may spend money, but I rarely see them neglect their families or get into brawls over fashion. Plus, plenty of men spend a ton of money on suits and other business wear.

      Also, the wife may get away with looking dowdy, but the mistress generally looks a little better and it's the latter who's getting the dinners out and the jewelry, n'est-ce pas? Not that I've ever been a mistress, but I've met some.

      That said, sure, if you're just following fashion to be with "the in crowd," I agree that's silly, but there's nothing wrong with knowing what styles and colors you look good in and buying quality clothing instead of WalMart junk.



      Fixed that for ya!
      hehehe nailed it ! :p
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  • For those who didn't see this story on Karl Lagerfeld from another thread - here is the ridiculous replay :p

    Karl Lagerfeld followed by butler holding a glass of Pepsi at Chanel bash - NYPOST.com

    Karl Lagerfeld doesn't just have two personal maids tending to his Siamese cat, Choupette -- he also requires a butler to follow him around at parties with a goblet of Pepsi Max on a silver tray.

    At Lagerfeld and Chanel's launch of his exhibition "The Little Black Jacket" at the Swiss Institute Wednesday, the ponytailed potentate was tailed by a staffer from catering company Olivier Cheng, whose sole task was holding a silver tray with one full glass of Pepsi Max in case The Kaiser found himself dehydrated.

    The soda serf stood dutifully nearby a revolving ring of photographers and admirers around Lagerfeld, including Lily Collins, in case the design divo wanted a sip -- but he never touched the stuff. (When Collins got her picture with the white-haired icon, she exclaimed to a pal, "Oh my God, I think I'm going to faint!")
    Lagerfeld apparently always has a Pepsi plebe by his side: Rapper Theophilus London, who appears in the exhibition, told us, "During the shoot [Karl] had a personal guy that holds his drink. He takes a sip, the guy walks away and comes back."

    Lagerfeld's 9-month-old cat also made headlines this week when the designer revealed his fancy furball uses an iPad, eats at the dinner table with him and has two maids keeping a diary of the kitty's activities when he's not around.

    "Every time we're on jobs, he gets pictures from his maids that send him updates about his cat," model Joan Smalls told us at the Chanel shindig. "He's like a proud parent where he wants everybody to see every picture, and I think it's so sweet and shows a sensitive side."

    Also at the SoHo exhibition were Anna Wintour, Linda Evangelista, Karolina Kurkova, Penn Badgley and Zoe Kravitz, and Carine Roitfeld, who had director Fabien Constant trailing her for a new "mini-documentary."
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Have you guys ever seen the old "I love lucy" episode that talked about this??? She and ethyl DEMAND a designer dress! Ricky, feeling that this is ludicrous, comes up with an idea worthy of lucy.

    The HATS are, as recall, a horses feedbag and a wash bucket. The dresses are made out of old potato sacks. To seal the deal, the designer label is sewn into the dress. The women fall for it and, seeing the designer, basically model it in front of him. He is clearly interested.

    The girls find out about the deception, and demand that the guys buy REAL designer dresses. Just then, they all see the designer walk by, with two models in tow wearing getups that look JUST LIKE THEIRS!!!!!!

    Ricky and fred feel they are off the hook. The women have *****ORIGINALS******! But WAIT!!!!!! Lucy needs a punch line. so she says "eeeeeeeu ****WE BURNED THEM**** 8-(!" Of course the guys laugh and say "OOOOH NOOOO! 8-)".

    It seems the wierder the idea, the more expensive, etc....

    Watch I Love Lucy - Lucy Gets A Paris Gown: I Love Lucy Season 5 Episode 20 | Free Full TV Shows Online | XFINITY TV

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    The ability to wear the finest cloths and threads has been a symbol of status and wealth for centuries. The only new thing is the revolving credit line allowing people to pretend to be wealthy.

    There's nothing wrong with being well dressed if you can afford it and a well cut suit can make any gremlin of a man look better.

    Personally, I like nice clothes. I like to see my husband in nice clothes.
    Do they make us better people? Of course not.
    Are we treated better, when dressed? Sure are.
    Maybe it's wrong, Maybe it's shallow but people respond better to well dressed people. Maybe that's just us city folk.

    My father used to say,"Dress how you want to be perceived".
    At the time he was trying to discourage my Cyndi Lauper phase, but it still applies.

    No I don't think people should go into hock only to own the latest whatever but let's not vilify the desire to dress nicely.
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  • Profile picture of the author A.Green
    You watch entirely too much TV.
    Heh. I litererally can't remember the last time I watched TV. I think it was sometime in April. Must be too much Yahoo news.

    I had someone in particular in mind.
    Then you need to get out more. (Just teasing.)
    The difference there is, suits genrally make men look better, while a lot of "fashion" makes women look like ...
    Oh, come on now, no normal woman dresses like that. We can't afford to! Many men, however, just dream of going around looking like the snappily dressed fellow below. They just can't afford to because they've spent all their money dressing their significant other up as Big Bird. (French maids are so last century.) And while we're at it, women use make-up to look better, not... well...

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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    All the proof I need is right here:
    Luxury Handbags, Luxury Bags, Luxury Purses and Clutches from Coach

    Women gladly spend these prices for these bags.

    I have a hard time spending more than $20 for a good wallet that will last me 5-10 years.
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  • Profile picture of the author theoptionsprofessor
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by theoptionsprofessor View Post

      More money than sense.
      Not fashion sense. Not business sense either for that matter.

      Think about it, the industry couldn't be making the money it does if fashion wasn't such big business.

      They have an excellent business sense in creating fashion that others covet and fashion sense in creating a desirable brand that elicits top dollar.

      I think it makes a lot of sense and cents as well.

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author lcombs
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        Not fashion sense. Not business sense either for that matter.

        Think about it, the industry couldn't be making the money it does if fashion wasn't such big business.

        They have an excellent business sense in creating fashion that others covet and fashion sense in creating a desirable brand that elicits top dollar.

        I think it makes a lot of sense and cents as well.

        Terra
        You just made my point.
        "They couldn't be making money if fashion wasn't such a big business."

        Do you REALLY believe that people want the 'latest fashion' because of the it looks?
        People want the latest fashion because they're vain and shallow.

        There is absolutely no reason to spend hundreds, (if not thousands) of dollars on a dress, shoes, purses, etc.

        Particularly considering that buying the latest fashion is like buying
        baby clothes.
        In six months to a year you'll be out of fashion and that expensive sh*t
        will be collecting dust in the closet while at the mall buying the next
        "latest and greatest".
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

          You just made my point.
          "They couldn't be making money if fashion wasn't such a big business."

          Do you REALLY believe that people want the 'latest fashion' because of the it looks?
          People want the latest fashion because they're vain and shallow.

          There is absolutely no reason to spend hundreds, (if not thousands) of dollars on a dress, shoes, purses, etc.
          Whatever made you presume that I spend thousands of dollars on a dress, shoes, purses, etc.?

          I pride myself on being a smart shopper as well as looking fashionable. It's part of the fun of shopping.

          As for being vain and shallow for wearing nice looking clothing, I guess you're describing yourself because I do see you're wearing a rather sharp looking shirt in your avatar, and aren't bare skinned. :rolleyes:

          Terra
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      I have to disagree with that one.

      People wear clothing to cover it up, not show it off.

      Perhaps highlight or accentuate would be a better word.

      Women and men tend to purchase clothing that highlights or accentuates their assets, not show them off. Some even hide their problem areas with certain cuts or fashion designs.

      It is so easy to see why fashion is big money.

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        I have to disagree with that one.

        People wear clothing to cover it up, not show it off.

        Perhaps highlight or accentuate would be a better word.

        Women and men tend to purchase clothing that highlights or accentuates their assets, not show them off. Some even hide their problem areas with certain cuts or fashion designs.

        It is so easy to see why fashion is big money.

        Terra
        That explains the tiara given to the winner of the Miss Nude Universe pageant...

        As a man, I dress for comfort much more than fashion. However, when I used to drive a cab in Las Vegas I noticed that if I wore a new shirt it seemed that I'd get tipped more. I tested this many times and it seemed like I'd get tipped extra to the point that it would at the least cover the cost of the new shirt.

        It's hard to test something like this accurately as you can't tell how much I would have been tipped otherwise, but every time I wore a brand new shirt I got tipped more than average. I had a lot of shirts back then. LOL

        I didn't buy "high fashion" shirts...Just the kind you can get at Target/Wal Mart, etc. And I tried to "mirror" what Las Vegas tourists would wear.
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          That explains the tiara given to the winner of the Miss Nude Universe pageant...
          Haha! That's an entirely different "show off" arena with a set of rules barely fitting into the fashion industry.

          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          As a man, I dress for comfort much more than fashion. However, when I used to drive a cab in Las Vegas I noticed that if I wore a new shirt it seemed that I'd get tipped more. I tested this many times and it seemed like I'd get tipped extra to the point that it would at the least cover the cost of the new shirt.

          It's hard to test something like this accurately as you can't tell how much I would have been tipped otherwise, but every time I wore a brand new shirt I got tipped more than average. I had a lot of shirts back then. LOL

          I didn't buy "high fashion" shirts...Just the kind you can get at Target/Wal Mart, etc. And I tried to "mirror" what Las Vegas tourists would wear.
          I always knew you were a smart man.

          But it indeed does show that fashion isn't over-rated or over valued. You made more money with your fashion sense in your situation. It counts even though it is on the opposite end of the price spectrum.

          Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Dreamer99
        I guess that fashion industry is about expressing yourself in one or another way. If I feel great and comfortable in Calvin Klein clothes, I will look for this particular designer. It is the same as to drive a new BMW compare with tired Opel car.
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    I find this thread rather strange in a group comprised of marketers. :confused: Don't we sell things to people? I know I do.

    The importance of owning a Hermes bag is like the importance of owning a Shelby Cobra or a John Deere or a Weber grill or an iPhone.

    You feel good owning it. It makes you feel good to be seen with it. Friends envy you. You're proud because you own something so valuable...etc

    Come on now...are we really trying to say that we don't understand those feelings? Even if you don't understand the product...WE ALL understand those feelings.

    and if we don't understand those feelings, the sales process gets kinda hard.
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    I don't actually have a problem understanding why fashion is so big. You see, I have a wife. I'll leave it at that.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    3M,

    Good points, but men usually want something that fits them ok. Women, at least thinner ones, often get things that, at least APPEAR to, fit them SO well you wuld think they are PAINTED on! HECK, some guys actually DO paint clothing onto women, and t is hatd to tell it isn't the old fashioned kind.

    And HEY, most men, myself included, LIKE that! It IS attractive. But HOW do you size that? Even the old bustline, waist, hips measurement doesn't seem to cover it.

    Maybe THAT is how the dress size started. Do they do the same thing OUTSIDE of the US?

    But YEAH, mens measurements make more sense. AGAIN though, they are cruder.

    BTW my attempt at getting the video didn't work for me. Black and white stills have been too small. A color show changed the dresses slightly. SO, to show you what I was talking about:

    "Lucy Gets A Paris Gown

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author A.Green
    Money, it's really not hard. I just pick up something that looks like it would fit and go try it on. If it's too big or small, I go back for a size smaller or bigger. Bras are the only clothes I buy by size and even then it's not always reliable. Of course, one can obsess about sizing, but I don't thing the average woman does. Also, plenty of women's clothing is labeled with nothing more than S, M, or L.

    That said, it's always amused me how they've tried to standardize just about everything across the EU, but clothing sizes still vary so much. Tags often have sizes for the UK, France, Germany and Italy at least. Silliness.

    Also odd when something is labeled, say, M for one country, but S for another.
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    Sad to say but women's sizes are determined by designer and can vary greatly. That's why it generally takes women longer to shop for clothes - we have to try them on. A Walmart size 9 fits very differently than a Saks size 9.

    50 years ago the sizing was more standardized but vanity played a big part. For example Monroe's 1953 Size 12 would be considered a size 8 in 2012.

    It may seem confusing to that Y chromosome, but we're indoctrinated early and we manage
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Halcyon View Post

      Sad to say but women's sizes are determined by designer and can vary greatly. That's why it generally takes women longer to shop for clothes - we have to try them on. A Walmart size 9 fits very differently than a Saks size 9.

      50 years ago the sizing was more standardized but vanity played a big part. For example Monroe's 1953 Size 12 would be considered a size 8 in 2012.

      It may seem confusing to that Y chromosome, but we're indoctrinated early and we manage
      YEAH, WE manage ALSO, even if we don't have to worry so much about clothing sizes. MEN ALSO should try things on. You never know. legs vary, etc... Sometimes even the same brand might. Still, there is often a bigger tolerance for error.

      I can imagine that some things, like one piece bathing suits may be harder to get on, but you know as well as I do that some women agonize over things that DON'T deal with size. I STILL remember when I was a little kid and my mother often went for shoes. YIKES! On a BAD year, I mght buy two pairs of shoes. One for work(dress), and one for the gym(tennis) or whatever. I've had my current shoes for YEARS.

      Oh well. Men and women ARE different, and this is just another way. We CAN say a lot against the crazy "fashion" industry, but nobody is saying anything against women in general.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Ericparke
    Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

    Why does the fashion industry mean so much to so many?

    I just don't get how clothing can be taken so seriously
    and why people are willing to pay so much for it.

    I guess most people are more "sheep" than I had
    imagined.
    And I had imagined that the majority of people are sheep.

    Any answers or explanations?


    How can it be the most over-rated, over valued industry? Most of us wear clothes everyday lol. It's a very important part of everyday life. I personally like to dress with a little bit of style so for myself it's important.
    At the very least we have to be presentable at work, Unfortunately if you dress like a bum say at an interview, you most likely will be treated like one.
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    Legendary door-to-door salesman Horace Bartholomew Schmidt -- The Man In The Plaid Suit himself -- swears by his snazzy plaid suit with matching hat, shoes, umbrella, and galoshes.
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    I suspect that fashion is hardwired into the human psyche. It has been a vital part of human culture since the dawn of humanity, Neanderthals, Denisovans and other hominids, including the ones listed here:Hominid Species. Get used to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ace21
    I think the fashion industry feeds off our basic desire to fit in with society. The whole effect can be explained by a combination of peer pressure, as well as psychology. For those of us who don't care about fitting in, the fashion industry presents very little importance
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by ace21 View Post

      I think the fashion industry feeds off our basic desire to fit in with society. The whole effect can be explained by a combination of peer pressure, as well as psychology. For those of us who don't care about fitting in, the fashion industry presents very little importance
      I beg to differ with you ace.

      I feel no need to fit in with anyone. I am who I am, approval not needed.

      If people don't like me, that's their choice and it doesn't bother me.

      I'm comfortable in my own skin, however I'd be arrested for indecent exposure if I walked around in it so I have no choice but to buy clothing. While I'm shopping, why not choose things that I think are pretty? I don't know of anyone who actually purchases clothing that they feel is unattractive or down right ugly, or makes them feel that way.

      Clothing is an expression of our tastes as well as a necessity as law abiding citizens.

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        I'm comfortable in my own skin, however I'd be arrested for indecent exposure if I walked around in it so I have no choice but to buy clothing.
        Have you checked Craigslist for a good deal on a used tiara?
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Splorf!

          Haha Kurt!

          Actually, I already have one from winning the Jr. Miss Pageant my Senior year in High School.

          It may be a tad bit old, but it still sparkles quite brilliantly.

          Terra
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          • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
            I'm overcome with not surprise. :rolleyes:

            Joe Mobley


            Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

            Actually, I already have one from winning the Jr. Miss Pageant my Senior year in High School.
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            • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
              Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

              I'm overcome with not surprise. :rolleyes:

              Joe Mobley
              Well, Gee Joe,

              What is that supposed to mean? :confused:

              Terra
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            • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
              Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

              I'm overcome with not surprise. :rolleyes:

              Joe Mobley
              I'll take that as a compliment!

              Terra
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              • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
                As well you should. It was meant that way.

                Joe Mobley

                Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

                I'll take that as a compliment!

                Terra
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          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

            It may be a tad bit old, but it still sparkles quite brilliantly.
            What a coincidence! That's exactly how I feel about myself, especially when I wear a little stripper glitter...
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            • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
              Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

              What a coincidence! That's exactly how I feel about myself, especially when I wear a little stripper glitter...

              Oh my goodness me!

              The things you learn about people when you hang out in the OT lounge.

              Terra
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            • Profile picture of the author John Durham
              Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

              What a coincidence! That's exactly how I feel about myself, especially when I wear a little stripper glitter...
              I tried on the old stillettos going through some stuff the other day, but I just cant get them to strap up around my cankles anymore.

              Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

              And, I disagree with statement about quality.
              I think it's all about thye name on the lable.
              Have you ever walked in an Armani or Christian Dior to know the difference or to be able to make that distinction?
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            • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
              Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

              What a coincidence! That's exactly how I feel about myself, especially when I wear a little stripper glitter...

              No offense, Kurt, but I just threw up in my mouth.
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    OK. I think my point is, for the most part, being missed.

    I have no problem whatsoever with dressing nicely.
    I enjoy putting on a shirt and tie or even a suit to go to nice,
    linen-table-cloth, top-of-the-line restaurant.

    My problem is with 'designer' fashions that are priced WAY over their value simply because the says "Gucci", or "Prada", or "Armani".

    Top name designers are akin to people who are famous for being famous.
    Paris Hilton for example.
    People feel compeled to buy designer clothing because someone told them
    this is what is "in" this year.
    And, they pay through the nose to be 'in'.
    They can't think for themselves, or even determine what they like.
    They need to be told what to wear.

    I love my niece to death. She's smart, kind-hearted, and a pleasure to be around.
    But, she once made the remark that she would never shop at K-Mart.
    Why?
    Because she would be ashamed if her friends ever found out that the Wranglers
    she is came from there.

    Speaking of Wrangler...
    I gues the best example to make my point is 'designer' jeans.
    Wranglers cost me about $20 at Walmart.
    Go somewhere and find 'designer' jeans for $100 or more
    simply because of the name on lable.
    They don't fit better.
    They don't look better.
    The quality is not better.
    But, people will pay outrageous prices for the name on the lable.
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      If I ever get time to make my own clothes again, I hope to buy some labels with my own name on it I can plaster on the outside. It will probably get me in trouble with whatever pattern maker used...

      High-priced fashion designers usually don't interest me. I used to make the bulk of my own clothing and use good materials with some solid workmanship. They can keep their high prices and often horribly silly and uncomfortable outfits.

      Kmart and Walmart clothing seem rather poorly made to me. It's much more exciting to go to a great sale at a better store to get quality clothing that lasts. If you have their credit card, you can often get extra discounts.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

      OK. I think my point is, for the most part, being missed.

      I have no problem whatsoever with dressing nicely.
      I enjoy putting on a shirt and tie or even a suit to go to nice,
      linen-table-cloth, top-of-the-line restaurant.

      My problem is with 'designer' fashions that are priced WAY over their value simply because the says "Gucci", or "Prada", or "Armani"...

      I love my niece to death. She's smart, kind-hearted, and a pleasure to be around.
      But, she once made the remark that she would never shop at K-Mart.
      Why?
      Because she would be ashamed if her friends ever found out that the Wranglers
      she is came from there.

      Speaking of Wrangler...
      I gues the best example to make my point is 'designer' jeans.
      Wranglers cost me about $20 at Walmart.
      Go somewhere and find 'designer' jeans for $100 or more
      simply because of the name on lable.
      They don't fit better.
      They don't look better.
      The quality is not better.
      But, people will pay outrageous prices for the name on the lable.
      I get your point and understand where you are coming from in that aspect of it.

      Now, as for your niece, I agree with her about not wearing clothes from K-mart. Not due to embarrassment, but rather that K-mart didn't get the nickname Came-apart for nothing, ya know.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    i will be back in china very soon, taking orders for copies.
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  • Profile picture of the author 22SunnySideUp
    Fashion industry at its core is no more ridiculous than the music industry, banking industry, automobile industry, PR industry, event planning industry(??), electronics/tech industry, sports industry, food industry, film industry... but all these "industries" are reaching newfound heights of ridiculousness, of recent.

    Mix a capitalist culture, like ours, with opportunistic marketers (peddlers) and clone sheep upon sheep upon sheep. "My friend has a Maserati, so I want a bentley... for my over-the-top 16th b'day party!" The world is a changing my friends and not for the better.

    Its not just the fashion industry and its definitely not JUST the women. All the men look around at your "gadgets" how many of them do you really need? and I'm possibly the only person on earth who still thinks this but, what pray tell do we need an IPAD for? What?

    Its not a battle of the sexes but of the x and y gen.
    imho,
    Sam
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by 22SunnySideUp View Post

      I'm possibly the only person on earth who still thinks this but, what pray tell do we need an IPAD for? What?
      Our 6 year olds.
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      • Profile picture of the author 22SunnySideUp
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Our 6 year olds.
        Haha. My 3 yr old niece uses my brother in law's ipad more than he does.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Originally Posted by MaisieOwens View Post

    Well... if you see fashion like a shallow form of art, than I can see your point of view; but if you look at it and consider the complexity of a piece of clothing you will discover elements of architecture, design, graphic etc. Of course, when I talk about fashion, I am thinking at haute couture pieces and not so much at prete a porte, even though you can not possibly ignore the beauty of it all. Just thing of a women dressed in a little and simple black dress and you will probably understand that fashion sometimes matters.

    Fashion moves you, but you have to be in it to know that.
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    • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Fashion moves you, but you have to be in it to know that.
      wild thing, but do you know for sure?
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      • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
        Originally Posted by lcombs View Post




        Speaking of Wrangler...
        I gues the best example to make my point is 'designer' jeans.
        Wranglers cost me about $20 at Walmart.
        Go somewhere and find 'designer' jeans for $100 or more
        simply because of the name on lable.
        They don't fit better.
        They don't look better.
        The quality is not better.
        But, people will pay outrageous prices for the name on the lable.
        Smart shoppers dont pay that much. i.e. TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshals.
        Wranglers,Levis,Lees dont fit me as well, and do seem to last a bit longer, prolly cause I dont wear them as often.

        Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

        Trouble is, in the southern hemisphere it's the middle of winter, so the impression wouldn't be that big.
        Reminded of the classic Seinfeld episode, " there was SHRINKAGE!!!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    Huh, I thought this was going to be about porn.

    Psh, who am I kidding .
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  • Profile picture of the author weboasis
    Because clothing is important to create an initial opinion about the person.
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    • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
      Originally Posted by weboasis View Post

      Because clothing is important to create an initial opinion about the person.
      You could make a bigger impression by not wearing clothes though.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

        You could make a bigger impression by not wearing clothes though.
        This post was brought to you by Viagra.
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          This post was brought to you by Viagra.

          Kurt, wouldnt viagra want to discourage natural cures though? Jes sayin.... I think they outlawed thongs on TV, but then my mom thinks the president changed us all to HD so they could watch us in our living rooms, so dont listen to me. I dont have the understanding of the great philosophers Page and Plant. Listen to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    Trouble is, in the southern hemisphere it's the middle of winter, so the impression wouldn't be that big.
    Signature
    Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?
    So that blind people can hate them as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    My two-year-old son is already very picky about clothes. It didn't come from me, Mr. Discount Ware.
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      I was wondering where my old $2 t-shirt disappeared to.
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  • Profile picture of the author ace0195
    Because there's so much criticism in today's society about the way people look. I can't stand it when girls say "Oh I look so fat in this" "I'm so fat, I can't loose weight OMG!". Ergh.. I'll stop ranting now
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by ace0195 View Post

      Because there's so much criticism in today's society about the way people look. I can't stand it when girls say "Oh I look so fat in this" "I'm so fat, I can't loose weight OMG!". Ergh.. I'll stop ranting now
      Yeah, I HATE it when women that may even be considered TOO thin, and look nice, talk about how they have to lose weight. BESIDES, women are not MADE to have as little fat as some men do. They will actually look worse, and their endocrine system would get messed up. Of course, it would be nice if they didn't have the male population brainwashed! If they ask how they look, or if they are too fat, they KNOW a man will likely say they look fine, even if they are FAT!

      Weight charts might be a good fallback. If you weigh a lot less than the normal range, you are probably too thin!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    [QUOTE=MaisieOwens;6595078]Well... if you see fashion like a shallow form of art, than I can see your point of view; but if you look at it and consider the complexity of a piece of clothing you will discover elements of architecture, design, graphic etc.

    ah, now i know why they have fashion 'houses.'
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  • Profile picture of the author TrumpiaTim
    Always thought I'd go into the fashion industry if this doesn't work out haha
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    Anybody who thinks $15 wal mart jeans are in any way comparable to Sevens or other high end jeans is out of their mind. Cheap Jeans fade quick and do not fit your form well at all. If you can't see this you need to get your eyes checked.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Andy, you're on to something here. However, there are large groups that can not (or will not) hear this.

      Many believe that the Hanes at Walmart are the same as the Hanes at Macy's. They're not.

      or

      "Cotton is cotton!" It's ain't.


      Joe Mobley

      Originally Posted by Andy Button View Post

      Anybody who thinks $15 wal mart jeans are in any way comparable to Sevens or other high end jeans is out of their mind. Cheap Jeans fade quick and do not fit your form well at all. If you can't see this you need to get your eyes checked.
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post


        "Cotton is cotton!" It's ain't.


        Joe Mobley
        True, Joe.

        Think thread count for instance and that's not even touching on the weave.

        Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Youngster
    It's all just crap. I don't understand either.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Everyone has his or her "hot button."

      Clothes are not my thing. I don't even own a dress. I wear jeans and pants. I have a fair assortment of tops. I own two pairs of shoes. I have a couple of outfit for biz meetings (pants and tops), but that's about it - the rest is casual.

      I have two purses. One for business, and one denim purse for every day.

      I am decidedly "low maintenance" - and my kids are not brand-conscious by any means. I think that the whole thing of only buying certain brands/fashions/etc. is ridiculous.

      However....

      There are things I'll spend money on. A good bit of it. Most people have things that "register" with them - and other things where they can't fathom how someone would "waste" money on it.

      Fashion is one of those things.

      Ask someone living in a third world country how stupid it is to waste clean water by having it in your toilet.

      We all have some form of consumerism - simply depends on what it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kragsig
    Clothes make people...

    Like your hairstyle your choice of clothes says a lot about you. No need to follow the latest fashion, just be yourself!

    I have my own personal daily style with jeans, jacket and t-shirt
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinmartinjr
    Hey u know what's funny? Half the time you're just paying for the name brand. Like with sneakers. u can get some non name brand shoes that look just like nike kicks and pay at least 50 dollars less.
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