classism in, affordable out:
an introspection into today’s unaffordable trends
By Sarah Kahn
Everyone wants to fit in in one way or another. Our desire for external validation is ubiquitous. When it comes to fashion, this holds true. However, with social media influencers and celebrities doing brand deals and creating fashion trends, the ability for someone to be fashionable has increasingly become more expensive.
Being fashionable has always been classist. As explained by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Coulture.Org, sumptuary laws in the middle ages created specific dress codes for the various socioeconomic classes. Though we no longer have these laws, one’s unique ‘trendiness’ is often dependent on their clothes, and many fashion trends — including designer labels, of course — are not monetarily accessible to many people.
In recent memory, graphic sweat sets have become a way for someone to look fashionably put together yet comfortable. One of the most popular brands that has emerged from this trend is Madhappy. Their clothing promotes mental health awareness and has been worn by multiple celebrities, including Addison Rae. Despite its admirable mission, unisex qualities, and artistic designs, its prices make it an undeniable show of class in one way or another. Hoodies, one of their staples, start at $165, comparable to the pricing of other designer labels.
For Love and Lemons and Réalisation Par are two brands whose dresses have become iconic staples in many closets. For Love and Lemons, an affiliate of Free People, is known for its beautiful floral dresses that are fashionable in and of themselves. However, their non-wedding gowns are priced between $150 and $500, which are, again, prices that many people cannot afford. Réalisation Par is no different, with its dresses priced at no less than $150 and its t-shirts at $69.
Why would people shop at these brands when there are less expensive alternatives? Because their labels, no matter at what cost, come with social currency. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, both of whom are undeniably wealthy, are often used as fashion inspiration by content creators and by the general public. Recently, articles have been written about the overpriced athleisure they don so classily.
The reality is that trends are classist — they depend upon the wealthy and the expensive to thrive. It is not so easy to simply stop following trends, psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman puts it, “Trend following is as much about observing and understanding human behavior as it is about moving averages, breakouts, and position sizing.” Humans follow trends to be like other humans through observing and mimicking their behavior. It is up to brands, not the consumers, to make their clothing more accessible while retaining sustainability and humanitarian practices.
Being fashionable has always been classist. As explained by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Coulture.Org, sumptuary laws in the middle ages created specific dress codes for the various socioeconomic classes. Though we no longer have these laws, one’s unique ‘trendiness’ is often dependent on their clothes, and many fashion trends — including designer labels, of course — are not monetarily accessible to many people.
In recent memory, graphic sweat sets have become a way for someone to look fashionably put together yet comfortable. One of the most popular brands that has emerged from this trend is Madhappy. Their clothing promotes mental health awareness and has been worn by multiple celebrities, including Addison Rae. Despite its admirable mission, unisex qualities, and artistic designs, its prices make it an undeniable show of class in one way or another. Hoodies, one of their staples, start at $165, comparable to the pricing of other designer labels.
For Love and Lemons and Réalisation Par are two brands whose dresses have become iconic staples in many closets. For Love and Lemons, an affiliate of Free People, is known for its beautiful floral dresses that are fashionable in and of themselves. However, their non-wedding gowns are priced between $150 and $500, which are, again, prices that many people cannot afford. Réalisation Par is no different, with its dresses priced at no less than $150 and its t-shirts at $69.
Why would people shop at these brands when there are less expensive alternatives? Because their labels, no matter at what cost, come with social currency. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, both of whom are undeniably wealthy, are often used as fashion inspiration by content creators and by the general public. Recently, articles have been written about the overpriced athleisure they don so classily.
The reality is that trends are classist — they depend upon the wealthy and the expensive to thrive. It is not so easy to simply stop following trends, psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman puts it, “Trend following is as much about observing and understanding human behavior as it is about moving averages, breakouts, and position sizing.” Humans follow trends to be like other humans through observing and mimicking their behavior. It is up to brands, not the consumers, to make their clothing more accessible while retaining sustainability and humanitarian practices.