Fashion Versus Function

[CBnCO]

It's occurred to me that our society places an incredible emphasis on fashion. Everywhere you look products are being promoted, not on the merits of their intrinsic functional value; but, solely on fashion. In fact, "fashion" models adorn the pages of our news and cars, clothes, personal care, food, houses, decoration, electronics, etc., virtually everything is marketed based on fashion appeal. In fact, I'd suggest that half or more of our GDP is based not on utility; but, on fulfilling perceived desires based on what's fashionable. Of course, with our society's insatiable desire for GDP growth, I don't think many economists or political leaders are seriously discussing vanity as a societal or environmental ill.

It seems to me that the MMM philosophy would be at odds with the world of fashion..or, is it just about procuring fashionable things at a discount? As I rationalize my possessions and spending habits; I realize that I'm not immune from the life long indoctrination of consumerism; but, I also realize that in a world where people are bombing each other and where we are extincting other species, it's somewhat ludicrous that we are so concerned with fashion at all.

I'm curious if others here have, in the course of rationalizing their spending or budgeting, considered how to balance vanity with fiscal responsibility??? Thoughts?

[partgypsy]

There's a lot of stuff in your post that you would need to unpack. You talk about fashion, and then vanity, as contrasting with strict utilitarian value. There are a lot of products that are not strictly one or another, such as apple products, and many designers try to design items that are not only perform their function, but have an esthetic or well design aspect to them. I think there is value in creating something that is not only utilitarian, but also gives additional value. Most people driving cars, don't drive stripped down jalopies with no ac, even thought that fulfills function of going to point a to point b.
In the same way, there are restaurants of many different levels. One could eat sustenance levels, but when people go out to a restaurant, there is some kind of added value people are willing to pay more for. In the same way, there are a lot of foods including coffee and chocolate that are not needed for sustenance but obviously people find value for those things.

As far as fashion, I would rather be like a "French" person than American, that I would prefer to have fewer well made clothes, of natural fibers, than lot of cheap fashionable outfits. I do buy most of my stuff new (so it fits well) but I have managed to buy used or through swaps get many really nice items of clothes.

[GuitarStv]

It's a tricky subject.

On the one hand . . . an awful lot of fashion is chasing popularity and popular styles.  That's rampant consumerism out of control and is dumb.

On the other hand . . . clothes change the way that people treat you.  I'm treated better when going out wearing stuff that somewhat matches and matches whatever gender or fashion specific rules culture has decided upon.  This makes my life easier, which makes me generally happier.

[ptobest]

I think that fashion is very specific to the group that it exists within. Small houses, thrifting, and buying used all seem very fashionable within the MMM community!

In terms of clothing, 99+% of us are concerned with fashion on some level, else we’d all be wearing sweatpants all day long. Beyond the social aspects of clothing, dressing to match your personal fashion taste can be a form of creative expression, as well as a mood enhancer.

I don’t have much of a use for season-changing mainstream fashion, except to keep an eye on it for items that interest me (still waiting for “women’s clothing that is covered in pockets” to become a big thing) and even less so now that fast fashion’s seasons are 10 days long or something and the clothing falls apart after 2 wears.

My preferred fashion is vintage 1950s dresses, Japanese fashions, and “t-shirts with things I like on them + jeans/tights”. I own more clothing than I need, but do regularly wear the majority of it. I enjoy the second-hand hunt for things, and think long and hard on purchasing something new if it’s pricy, considering if I’ll wear it enough to justify the price and if it’s versatile & functional enough that I’ll want to continue wearing it until worn out.

[CBnCO]

The more I've thought about my post, I think it's important to clarify that I wasn't just referring to clothing. Whether it's clothing, or your house, or your vehicle, it seems we are perpetually decorating ourselves and allocate an immense amount of resources to do so. Just turn on the TV for a few minutes, which is exactly what I did that spawned this thought, and you'll be bombarded by shows and commercials either showing you how to decorate yourself or selling you something to accomplish it.

I think it's really a case of excess, which is what enables the MMM philosophy to exist. I mean, if everybody lived at a subsistence level where resources were conserved and only spent on what is necessary, then minimalism would be the norm and nothing to celebrate. Considering the history of our species, or pretty much every other species that's ever existed, and it's struggle for survival; we certainly live in a unique time of excess where we've graduated beyond survival and on to shabby chic and skinny jeans!