Do you need high-end, designer brands to be ‘trendy’?

Clothes are a part of a person’s life, especially high school students. They use it to find their place in school. For most kids, they buy high-end brands from famous brands to be considered as the “cool kid.” However, is it necessary for high school students to be spending $200+ on sneakers or $90 for a hoodie?

Although it may be nice to have high-end branded items, it isn’t necessary for people to have them. According to author Kara Lane’s book, Why Smart People Don’t Wear Fast Fashion or High-End Designer Clothes, there are other alternatives besides the popular name brands, places like H&M, or Forever 21 are great examples of stores that offer trendy, yet cheap alternatives.

A recent Instagram poll, posted by the reporter, was conducted asking what type of clothing high school students usually buy at the mall, high-end fashion brands or their cheaper alternative otherwise known as “fast fashion” brands.  The poll found that 59% voted cheaper alternative while 41% voted that they preferred the high brand. 

Fashion Club member Katie Short stated, “I do not think it is necessary at all to wear high-end clothing.  Brands don’t equal fashion or style, it just means money.”

Streetwear and designer brands like Supreme, Bape, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, are known for their notorious pricing on items for their clothing. Compare it to cheaper, companies such as, Forever 21, and H&M they make clothing designs that are very similar to these brands for a fraction of the cost.

However, students who purchase items from high-end brand names may spend more money than the ones who don’t, research suggests that one of the reasons they do it is because buying an expensive item boosts self-esteem. In the article, “The Psychology Behind Why People Buy Luxury Goods,” Vanessa Page, reporter for Investopedia, found that a person’s self-esteem can increase when buying an expensive item because it creates a sense of pride.  Page goes on to say, “A sense of accomplishment is yet another reason why some people buy luxury goods. They want to reward themselves for their hard work by treating themselves to something they typically can’t afford.”

All in all, high-end clothing isn’t necessary.  High school students who buy it, dress to impress, but it doesn’t mean that they  know or understand fashion trends.  You can find great clothing in many cheaper alternative stores and still look great.