The struggle with name brands

The scene was infrequent: two materialistic ladies exchange compliments in front of the mirror reflection of a Gucci store.

“Your necklace is simply stunning! I have seen it somewhere in the magazines, ” one said as she adjusted her diamond pendant and an avalanche of gold bangles tumbled toward her thin wrists.

“Wow, your engagement ring looks fabulous. Is it from Tiffany & Co?” The other lowered her oversize sunglasses, peering over the tops of the purple lenses. She places her freshly manicured hand embellished by an egg-size ring next to the hand of the other interlocutor.

As soon as they walk away, inevitably I ask myself, “Are name brands really important as everyone claims?”

Throughout high school, the question, “Where did you get that?” permeates the realm of materialism; the question, however, needs to be approached more humanistically and wisely.

I am not rich, nor do I own a walk-in closet full of designer clothes, but I find this incident resonates in my own life. A friend of mine often points to my wardrobe and follows up with the question, “Where did you get it?” Sometimes it was simply an honest question, but the majority of the time it is an examination of whether or not she truly deems it “cute,” depending upon the brand. Sure, the little luxuries in life are certainly valuable, but when a name brand is attached, the value itself multiplies.

I hesitate, recalling the time when name brand royalty commenced when I splurged my $200 summer savings for a Juicy Couture purse. It was an outfit staple until the silk ribbon bow came off, and it took too much effort to efface the surfacing dust. Afraid that it would be an understatement, I was back to using my backpack.

The hefty price tags belies the fact that the quality doesn’t live up to the hype. Undoubtedly quality items may cost more, but dismissing low-end brands and ignorantly supporting the names advertised in rap songs is presumptuous. Perhaps customers choose to purchase expensive name brand products because of its implication that great quality comes with the brand. High-end brands, however, have their share of poor products and a high price that doesn’t guarantee much.