The difference between actually wanting something and wanting something because of its brand is suddenly becoming a blurred topic. Just like the fine line between want and need, the difference between want and name brand needs a little bit more establishing as it is completely become a confusing topic. First, let me clarify what it is to want something. That means (as you should already know) you are attracted to something and would like to have it - would love to have it - but do not necessarily need it. It is along the thought of, "yeah, I can live without it, but it'd be nice to have it." Now, wanting something because of the brand is completely different. While it still may have part of "being nice to have it", you still have to keep in mind that you might not necessarily want it, but because of the brand it is labeled with, you figure it is something that you need to want. Does that make sense? For example, if you are so called "popular" (okay, I am totally making this cliched), people might expect for you to be mean. You may not want to be mean, but to be "popular", you may feel like you need to want to be mean. Get it now? No, oh well. :)
The more into fashion and shopping that I get, I have realized that I have one too many times thought, "oh, that is [insert name brand] and really cute! I should get it." Problem was that I didn't really think that it was cute. I just thought it was "cute" because of the label slapped on it. (Yeah, I know, horrifying.) Luckily, I caught myself after awhile. I already know that plenty of people go through this, and yes, it is quite "novice" moment once you realize what you have been doing and grow up from it. Instead of doing that now, I focus on what I can see myself in, what I can picture myself wearing, what I actually like and want. There is nothing worse than buying something for the name, then realizing you never wear it after you have had it for a year. Um, no. I won't let that happen to myself, and neither should you.
I listed the top two things that I do to keep from buying things based on my lust of label than my want for something durable, cute, and affordable (or not, depends on my splurge-level of the moment). Note that I am no professional and these are based solely on how I figured it out. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave it in the comments.
1. The simplest of all of the tips is to simply look at the photo ONLY and determine if you'd like the item if it were not [insert name brand]. This may prove to be quite challenging if you have already saw the label, but bear with me. Try this out and see if you cannot differentiate between your want for it, or your label want.
2. Can you see yourself with a simpler, cheaper product? I admit, if you really want that exact product, then go for it. But if you can see yourself with something cheaper, then you are being blinded by the label. For example, "I realllly like this, but I'm not paying this much for it." If you can say that without any consideration, then EHHHH, you don't really want it - you want the label, not the look. Especially if you saw something similar for cheaper, claimed that you did not like it, and got a similar labeled item.
Still don't believe that you can be in lust with the label and not the product itself? Let me provide a self-example: a few days ago, I saw a really cute pair of...er, I don't know, Isabel Marant studded heels on eBay. They were a little bit more than $100, and I did not really want to spend that much. But (of course), I saw the name as was like "oh...hmm", and really started to consider it. Well, let me tell you something, the shoes were not that cute (now that I look back on it) to really consider blowing $100 on. Have you ever heard of the saying "blinded by love"? I was blinded by label. #whatashame {TEAM HASHTAG! - haha, no.}
Song Choice: 'Party Hard/Cadillac' by Chris Brown. Have I ever mentioned that I had a bad obsession with Chris Brown for the longest a year or something ago. I was one of "those" girls. Even though I am not as "obsessed" now, I am not afraid to admit to being apart of the fandom TeamBreezy. Therefore, this leads (although just because I am apart of the fandom, I do not necessarily love all of his music) to this song choice. I heart this song so darn much! It is catchy and fun tune. From his 2012 album, Fortune, this song is #12 out of 14. I highly recommend this album (and song!) if you have not given it a listen. You will highly enjoy it - I promise. :)
Student, aspiring graphic designer, and traveler, Krishaun Burns is a 17-year old blogger. She enjoys writing, photography, reading, and speaking her mind. You'll find her on various social media and Five98s.
0 comments