I cringe when I see poor souls drenched in ostentatious labels from head to toe. What are they thinking? Surely these students know how tacky they look. But perhaps they don’t. Label whoring yourself is not only distasteful, but costly.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against labels. There are a couple of designers to whom I have somewhat of a brand loyalty. However, it is unnecessary to have every logo of every designer label you’re wearing completely visible. It doesn’t make you look rich. No one is impressed. You don’t look cool. Labels belong on the clothing tag. There are ways to stop this ongoing epidemic.
Label whores commit two cardinal sins. The first is wearing a hideous piece only because it’s a designer label. I’ve seen girls wearing Lilly Pulitzer dresses that look like my grandmother’s curtains. Just because it’s Lilly doesn’t mean it’s cute.
The second cardinal sin is buying from a designer who consistently churns out low quality garments. This is quite reminiscent of high school days when Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister were all the rage, regardless of the fact that the clothes would literally fall apart after wearing them.
The purpose of labels is an assurance of quality. However, there are some luxury designer brands that are not of high quality and lack longevity. You do not have to shell out tons of money to buy high quality garments and accessories that are chic and on trend. The ability to recognize quality will serve you well in life. It’s a matter of paying attention to the fabric construction, stitching and hardware of the garment or accessory.
Fabric construction is important because it determines how the clothing will lay on the body. All fabrics are not created as equal. Heavier fabrics such as brocade, cashmere and leather hold their shape well and are made to last a lifetime. These fabrics are better for cooler climates because they don’t allow for much air flow. For our humid Louisiana weather, seek out airy chiffons, jersey knits and cotton. These fabrics are somewhat shapeless, but they’re sturdy yet breathable. All of the information about the fabric can be found on the clothing tag just below the neckline or on the inside seam.
Stitching has to be the single most crucial factor in determining the quality in a garment. Stitching is the equivalent of the central nervous system in the human body, it holds the garment together. A good stitching foundation ensures longevity. Closely examine the seams for loose stitches, puckering or any other flaws. All of these things could lead to the garment falling apart. If possible, seek out hand-stitched pieces as opposed to machine-stitched, because hand-stitching is likely to have less imperfections.
Finally, consider the hardware of the piece. More often than not, hardware will be more important in accessories like handbags.
The hardware refers to anything made of metal on the garment or accessory. That includes zippers, closures and feet on the bottom of a handbag. The actual metal used in the hardware is not as important as the construction of the hardware. Check for any warping, rusting or discoloration. Additionally, make sure the hardware is firmly affixed to the piece to make sure it will not come loose with extended use.
The next time you’re out shopping, I challenge you to look beyond the label. Seek quality over the name brands. You won’t be disappointed.
Shamiyah Kelley is a 19-year-old mass communication junior from Irmo, South Carolina.