I’ve never really understood the appeal of paying more for a shirt just because it has a brand like Nike or Adidas or something with another brand that sells a product printed across it when a plain, unbranded one costs less.

​If you think about it, walking around wearing a giant logo is basically acting as a walking billboard for that company. Usually, if a company wants to advertise on a billboard, they have to pay for the space. But with branded clothes, people not only provide the advertising space for free, they actually pay extra for the privilege.

​It feels a bit backwards to me. For those of you who prefer branded clothing, what makes it worth the extra cost for you?

Edit: I’m not speaking of sports equipment. Just clothing you would wear to the movies, the store, etc.

  • banause@feddit.org
    51·
    2 days ago

    You can (and absolutely should) check what brands produce ethical clothing. I pay whatever the fuck it needs to not let people suffer because of my shirt.

    And often times they are branded with that label, yes. But that’s absolutely what I want to spread awareness.

    Another thing is subcultural identification. If I see someone wearing certain brands, I can often roughly determine what they identify with. It’s the same as wearing a jersey from a sports club I guess. You want to “belong”. And fasion is a huge pillar of culture.

    Remeber, a first-hand 3 € shirt can never be ethical. There is no way.

    • Hueristic_Autistic@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 days ago

      Ethical clothing is twice as expensive. Usually for less fabric too because of the material and “less material = ethical” but you pay for that privilege too. You pay for less of everything.

      You’re not just paying for the name, you pay for quality. Hoodies should be heavy, sweatpants shouldn’t have a draw string that will tear untieing it, t-shirts shouldn’t* shrink after the first wash and underwear should last three months before it bunches. Socks shouldn’t show your feet.

        • Hueristic_Autistic@lemmy.world
          1·
          2 days ago

          I’m basically saying ethical can mean how it’s made or how it’s sold. If it’s made well enough people don’t think twice, if it’s made cheap you kinda wonder why. Then you read shit like this:https://atmos.earth/political-landscapes/the-human-cost-of-fast-fashion/

          And you then prefer not to buy anything off of Shein or Temu and buy something worth it like at the very least Gildan Heavyweight 50/50 cotton poly blend shirts.

          Edit: I hate that I chuckle at the modern politically correct term of, “fast fashion,” instead of, “sweatshop worker.”

          • bluesheep@sh.itjust.works
            1·
            2 days ago

            Edit: I hate that I chuckle at the modern politically correct term of, “fast fashion,” instead of, “sweatshop worker.”

            I think “fast fashion” is more in reference to how some people buy complete outfits, which after they’ve worn once, pretty much never wear again; they’ll just buy a new outfit the next time. I knew at least one girl who did this.

            Now, don’t get me wrong. This is only possible because these clothes are stained by the blood of sweatshop workers and thus are dirt cheap. But I’m pretty sure “fast fashion” was not coined as a pc way of saying sweatshop clothes. Or at least not at first