In-the-field testing from members of fashion forums show that people on the street are generally unable to identify quality from sight alone, hence the propensity of some labels to provide very large and garish branding. Appropriately, those who I quoted attempt to find articles of better quality without a visible brand name, since symbols like that ruin much of the effect. It also provides a higher barrier to entry, though conforming too closely to community norms can get you labeled “dressed by the internet”.
Many of the $1000 items are purchased at much lower prices due to losing “currency” yet still meeting the other attributes. Access to deep discounts like this is only available in-store in major cities (NYC, LA). Ebay is also frequented, along with foreign shops, though with heavy analysis for fakes and by using trust networks and proxy buyers.
Also note that the currency effect happens even for the most common brands—they’re following the luxury designers, perhaps behind by a season or two. Why did they have that really nice shirt at J.C Penny last month, but now you can’t find it? They don’t make it any more, because it was St. John’s Bay S/S 10. Check the clearance racks and stick to the classics.
Please consider writing up a (discussion) post on your experiences. It sounds fascinating. I personally would be particularly interested in changes in how the less fashion conscious reacted to you.
To quickly answer that, people definitely noticed when I started dressing better, and I received many positive remarks and a few negative.
Some of the more telling comments:
A friend: “Nice shirt… you know, I try not to judge, and that’s why I hung out with you, but you’re really looking better after your fashion project.” To me, this hints that I was being judged (for years?) by this person, even though they’re my friend.
A family member: “Those are really nice boots, where can I get those? They’re almost work boots… though far too nice to be wearing out here in the woods! And those jeans.. be careful, that shade of denim can bleed onto white shirts like that, trust me, I know all about fabric.” This is from my Aunt, who creates many bespoke shirts for her family, and has worked in craft stores for decades. Tellingly, it was just Levi’s and Doc Martens (both classics), with the proper colors and fit.
My boss: “You know, when I first I saw you, I thought to myself, ‘I hired that?!’ But you really cleaned up well.” I had a phone interview for the position. This says to me it’s very likely I would not have been hired due to looks alone, but that I had improved to hireability, allowing them to justify the action.
My brother asked me for advice, though he realized my ‘transferred wisdom’ method of learning, and asked ‘How would your fashion forum people judge this look?’ instead of asking for my personal judgment.
A negative remark I received was that I seemed to be dressing more like a person in a TV show, with the suggestion that I was exceeding my current reference class and conforming too much with the popular view.
Yes, fit is paramount, details are secondary.
In-the-field testing from members of fashion forums show that people on the street are generally unable to identify quality from sight alone, hence the propensity of some labels to provide very large and garish branding. Appropriately, those who I quoted attempt to find articles of better quality without a visible brand name, since symbols like that ruin much of the effect. It also provides a higher barrier to entry, though conforming too closely to community norms can get you labeled “dressed by the internet”.
Many of the $1000 items are purchased at much lower prices due to losing “currency” yet still meeting the other attributes. Access to deep discounts like this is only available in-store in major cities (NYC, LA). Ebay is also frequented, along with foreign shops, though with heavy analysis for fakes and by using trust networks and proxy buyers.
Also note that the currency effect happens even for the most common brands—they’re following the luxury designers, perhaps behind by a season or two. Why did they have that really nice shirt at J.C Penny last month, but now you can’t find it? They don’t make it any more, because it was St. John’s Bay S/S 10. Check the clearance racks and stick to the classics.
Please consider writing up a (discussion) post on your experiences. It sounds fascinating. I personally would be particularly interested in changes in how the less fashion conscious reacted to you.
To quickly answer that, people definitely noticed when I started dressing better, and I received many positive remarks and a few negative.
Some of the more telling comments:
A friend: “Nice shirt… you know, I try not to judge, and that’s why I hung out with you, but you’re really looking better after your fashion project.” To me, this hints that I was being judged (for years?) by this person, even though they’re my friend.
A family member: “Those are really nice boots, where can I get those? They’re almost work boots… though far too nice to be wearing out here in the woods! And those jeans.. be careful, that shade of denim can bleed onto white shirts like that, trust me, I know all about fabric.” This is from my Aunt, who creates many bespoke shirts for her family, and has worked in craft stores for decades. Tellingly, it was just Levi’s and Doc Martens (both classics), with the proper colors and fit.
My boss: “You know, when I first I saw you, I thought to myself, ‘I hired that?!’ But you really cleaned up well.” I had a phone interview for the position. This says to me it’s very likely I would not have been hired due to looks alone, but that I had improved to hireability, allowing them to justify the action.
My brother asked me for advice, though he realized my ‘transferred wisdom’ method of learning, and asked ‘How would your fashion forum people judge this look?’ instead of asking for my personal judgment.
A negative remark I received was that I seemed to be dressing more like a person in a TV show, with the suggestion that I was exceeding my current reference class and conforming too much with the popular view.
What fashion forums have you used?
styleforum.net primarily (male focus), and many sites linked from there.
Thanks :)
I would really really like to see a discussion/top level post about your experience and advice on this topic.
Agree.