Thorstein Veblen is the master of coining catchy terms used by sociologists, economists, marketers, and fashion students alike- conspicuous consumption and pecuniary culture are just two of his token slogans. Basically, Thorstein Veblen writes, in his book The Theory of the Leisure Class about American's desire to buy, buy, buy.
Veblen Theory is basically supply and demand; we want what there is less of because that in turn makes it more valuable. The Theory of the Leisure Class is pretty bleak. It argues that we're fooled by the trickery of value and that we want to look, above anything else, like we don't work- hence the title. The leisure class are those who don't have to dress in a utilitarian uniform of work, who can choose what they want to look like. In short, it's what all fashion bloggers want to look like- they have it all and it's all they do.
Above are shots of Opening Ceremony, a kind of lifestyle retail mecca, that sells- well, they sell the leisure class.
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| ABOVE: White box clutch and rope heels by Alexander Wang $795 and $650. |
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| ABOVE: Jeremy Scott brief bag $415 |
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| ABOVE: Christopher Kane lace jacket $1,705 |
Can you take a good luck at some of this crap? The worst part? I actually want it.
