- Rhome Balmeo
- Metro Manila
- Philippines
This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
What's the role of fashion to one's happiness?
Gucci, Prada, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Mont Blanc, Hermes, Versace, etc.. Some people are just obssessed with brand names. The billion-dollar fashion industry is largely dictated by these giant fashion houses. Is there any clear cut relation between fashion and a person's happiness?
Owen Murphy
Debra Smith 200+
To reach this stage and stay there permanently seems stunted, unless their focus is to help others find that peace of mind.
Jeff Cable
Fashion is transient and it would be somewhat shallow to base your personal happiness on something as insubstantial as fashion. Fashions come and fashions go and you are neither more or less of a person if you choose to adopt the latest fashions.
It is a sadness to me that people might feel that their clothing improves them just because it carries a fashionable label. It is equally sad that people might judge you because of the clothes labels in your wardrobe.
If a person's self-esteem is tied to designer labels, I would suggest that it is a false self-esteem that is dependent purely on external factors which are beyond the control of the person tied to them. Self-esteem derives from feeling your own personal worth as being intrinsic to you as a person.
Do I care that some people are in the position to spend vast sums of money on branded goods? Not at all. I do care that I have sufficient resources to care for my own family so designer label chasing is not even on the bottom of the pile of things which I have to do.
Niels Boerkamp
There's an interesting talk about this by one of the most famous success gurus of all time, Napoleon Hill, titled: The Psychology of clothing.
He actually said, that he when he was almost broke he spend his last $ 400 bucks on a nice suit, because he thought it was the best investment he could make in himself. Call it old-'fashioned' but I think there's real truth in it. Perhaps it would be interesting to do an experiment on this.
Rhome Balmeo
Abel Conlget
Don Wesley 50+
The equation is, more fashion, less happiness.
Don
Don Wesley 50+
“In Christian teachings vanity is considered an example of pride, one of the seven deadly sins.”
In my former home with my former wife, we ran out of closet and dresser space.
Every item was at one time fashionable; an utter waste of time and money.
Malignant narcissism poisons everything in reach.
I say avoid relationships with anyone, if any of the seven deadly sins, particularly vanity is present.
She landed up having no space for me; it cost me the price of my wealth.
Rhome Balmeo
As for malignant narcissism, I am quite sure that it has got to do more with the psyche of the individual (and may very well already be a mental disorder) rather than with fashion.
Don Wesley 50+
Your answer reveals to me the belief system you are employing. Your answer seems crafted.
Your logic says "fashion" but the question is about "fleeting-happiness."
Your answer mentions "empathy" but argues relationships.
Your story is about dancing [Rome was burning]
The story, you dismiss, is about evil that destroys "true-happiness."
My story, short as it is, is a lesson about truth.
My passion is about fighting evil and celebrating goodness.
Blessings,
Don Wesley [From the Silent Generation]
Aida Sevilla
Rhome Balmeo
Imagine a boy who is raised in a suppressive environment, where an aberration from the norm is heavily frowned upon coupled with disgust. He saw in a magazine a beautiful woman dressed in the most fascinating and creative ensemble. He thought that a simple fabric has been transformed into the most fascinating way. Something magnificent stirred in him. He wanted from then on to create beautiful dresses to clothe men and women across the globe. He strived hard in his studies because he wants to succeed. He eventually succeeded and fulfilled his dream. He showed everybody from that sad repressive environment he grew in that he can spread his wings and fly. Fashion has been his rock all the way. He would not be where he is now if not for fashion.
This, I think Aida is more than superficial.
Peter Harrington
Fashionable clothing and accessories are typically high quality and have a price to boast. But they are as much an insecurity blanket, literally masking our inner fears. Big brands know this but would never admit to the truth. They also know fashion moves and insecure people (all of us) never want to be seen dressed 'inappropriately'.
So, yes, I think fashion brings happiness. But it's short-lived, way over-rated and there are much cheaper ways to find a deeper long-term sense of well-being.
Rhome Balmeo
I think that 5 seconds of happiness is as valuable as the feeling of happiness that lingered on for more than a week. The thing is something has changed within you, and you won't be the same after that 5 seconds of happiness.
Peter Harrington
To be so besotted with what we wear when 4 billion people live on less than 2 dollars a day seems wrong. As the TED film says, giving to others makes us much happier; giving continually to ourselves ultimately traps us in a downward cycle of greed.
But if we consider the happiness of others, so more comes back - and the quality of our life spirals upwards.
Rhome Balmeo
Anything in excess or going to extremes is bad, don't you think? I subscribe to "everything in moderation" - keeping things in balance, although at most times very difficult.
Don Wesley 50+
Don
Gabo Moreno 100+
Mary M. 50+
Hmmm...
Rhome Balmeo
Mary M. 50+
But you are right.......clothing comes in all kinds of styles.....are you young/old enough to remember purses made out of gum wrappers, and outfits make out of soda tops?
Rhome Balmeo
Now, new materials like those that were considered "troublesome" such as those "wild water hyacinths" abundantly growing in swamps, stagnant waterways, and slow rivers that are notoriously clogging drainages in Metro Manila are being utilized and made into durable and beautiful fabric. It's really awesome. Top Filipino designers are using the fabric in their haute couture.
Chetan Somani
Rhome Balmeo
Chetan Somani
fashion has become a pivotal part of 'most' people!!
Mary M. 50+
Perhaps you can find a way to get a video of it online. It is worth the watch, to understand why women feel happy buying designer clothing and why it makes them happy. I find it quite interesting:
http://www.gpb.org/secret-world-haute-couture
Rhome Balmeo
Mary M. 50+
When I was younger you could go to an Atellier and have any outfit made to your specifications, your color, your perfect body contoure. I even went to University with someone who made all her clothes. She always dressed liked she had stepped out of a fashion magazine. I was happy seeing that someone had that kind of talent.
Brand names are a big deal, because women do not sew any more.
But, if they had connections to a seamstress, they would find that the blouse being sold at Nordstrom's for $650 could just as easily be made by a neighbor for $30 (if the neighbor is a seamstress).
Afterall, who sews all those designer outfits..........surely not the designer, or the owner of the actual fashion house ay?
As quality gets lower and lower, you will probably find that people will 1, learn to sew or 2, find ways to invest in good quality clothing or 3, ______________________ (haven't any idea).
Your question is a great one, and there are many layers to it.
Let's see what others have to say.
[hopefully someone will address the psychological effect of buying expensive outfits, and/or materialism]
Rhome Balmeo
It must be the feeling of wearing something unique. You feel special. This raises your confidence level. People praise you and then you feel proud and probably happy!
Brand names provide you the same feeling I guess. You feel special by wearing clothes designed by famous designers. Because the clothes of these designers are not cheap, only a select few who can afford them gets to wear them. It then becomes a status symbol. I guess this feeds the ego. Perhaps happiness is derived from such. But is that wrong? Is that being materialistic?
Mary M. 50+
Rhome Balmeo
Nobody from our family learned the tailoring trade. I think I acquired however, my nana's creative prowess. I design and create artisan jewelry on the side whenever time permits. I also design in my real job. Although designing online transaction processing systems and mission critical applications do not require much creativity...
Don Wesley 50+
Greetings once again Mary; I hope all is well.
I trust you won't mind if I intrude with an observation about self esteem.
I say, that if it is high, then one will be more confident about life and might want a new apparel; fashionable or not.
It is a very important difference to see, in a good lesson about life.
Blessings
Don
Mary M. 50+
As for fashion jewelry.....artisan jewelry........we have art festivals and fairs here in S. Florida that attract alot of hobbyist who make things in their spare time. Do you have this in the Phillipines?
And, just yesterday in the news, they did a bit on Yves St Laurent. This woman who purchased designer YSL pieces back in the 1960's STILL has them!!! And, still used them.....because they are classics.......never go out of style. She lent part of her collection to Nordstrom department stores and they have it on display.
That is another positive side to buying designer clothing that is made using classical lines. When I was younger, these were the kinds of pieces I invested in. I still have some of them....
Let me see if I can find the link to the news bit to copy paste here.
Rhome Balmeo
Art festivals and fairs are a great way to showcase works of hobbyists and small-time entrepreneurs. We have those here in Manila but not as often and well-attended as yours there in S. Florida, I think. If you have some time to spare, you can check out some of my designs in this website: bijouxartisanaux.tumblr.com. Let me know what you think. LOL.
Enrico Petrucco 20+
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/martin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology.html
Rhome Balmeo