Brand Names

I’ve recently taken it upon myself to stop buying brand name materialistic items. Particularly clothes. The reason for this is simple, I don’t want to be a combination of what I own. Nor do I want other people to look at me and access my wealth or materialism based upon what I own and wear. It’s shallow, naïve and screams insecurity, the latter of which I also possess in some amount, and is an issue I am trying to address personally.

Another reason for my 180 on this issue is the contempt with which these companies whose products we wear levy upon us. When you wear a NIKE t-shirt, with the predominant symbol plastered across your chest, the actual meaning behind the placement of it is to advertise to other people who made the t-shirt or whichever item it is you maybe wearing. So in vulgar language, you’re really a walking talking prostitute, except you are paying for the privilege instead of the benefactor.

Now, I am not going to throw away all my old clothes, but all future purchases will preferably be absent of glaring in your face, look at me logos. I don’t mind small inconspicuous advertising, so I may also purchase some brand names. I will however, make exceptions that enhance/augment human functionality. An example would be Vibram Five Finger shoes, the advertising on it is small, but I would wear those if it came with a flag to plant above your head. Some things deserve screaming them out, most things don’t.

Another reason also, is the fact that a lot of the big name brands use sweat shops in poorer countries from South East Asia and some Middle Eastern countries. So by buying these clothes, which they make for cheap, and sell for much more than they are worth. You encourage the company to do more of what they do. I don’t want to be part of that.

I realize I am not changing anything, except on some miniscule immeasurable scale, but it’s more about the principle of the matter.