On Brands

So, I don't know why but it seems I've been thinking a lot about brand names. The world we live in can be full of brand names: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, BCBG, Roxy, and MANY others. At times it is very materialistic. I understand this to a point, and I do care about brand names to an extent. I buy Kraft Parmesan Cheese, I get into certain brand names of pants- Arizona Jeans were a favorite of mine for awhile (though those were a lot cheaper than some brand names). What's in a brand name? Or even what's in a name?

It seems that reputations are attached to brand names and names in general. Let's think of an analogy. Let's say you are in high school and Brandy is the popular girl in school. She's at the very top. So because she's at the top, you decide that she must be something special and so you decide to tell her your most embarrassing secrets. Well unfortunately Brandy doesn't know you- you are not in her circle of friends. What does she do? She thinks the secrets are hilarious and starts telling them, maybe not with the intention of hurting you even, but simply because she thinks they're funny. And now your name is known for the embarrassing secrets instead of the intelligence or talents you were known for before. And all because you trusted in a name.

Let's take a slightly different analogy. Let's say your best friend Angelique, has proven herself time and time again as loyal- she understands you, she compliments you and when you're around her you're a better person. If you tell her your secrets she respects them. But Angelique isn't known for being loyal, or understanding, but you have gotten to know her and you know her to be just that. Let's take it a step further and say that Angelique is just as pretty and stylish as Brandy, she just isn't known because she's not outgoing and showy about it.

That is the way I see brand names. Big labels are known for their adherence to fashion. But other lesser known brands also mimick the fashions of the designer brands. Some do a good job and others don't. I understand if you buy designer jeans, cause #1 you have the money, and #2 you have found that they flatter your body and #3 you have found they are a good investment or some such reasons of logic. But if you are buying some brand simply for the brand name, I feel it is a waste of time. I think finding pants that fit are one of the hardest things to do. When I find a pair that works and fits well I stick with that brand. Cause they have proven to me that they understand my body shape and are designed to last long enough to make it worth however much they cost.

It is the same with food. I stick with Kraft Parmesan cheese, because they have proven to me that the taste they create is what I want. That is the purpose of brand names to me. To carry with it a reputation. But sometimes just because a brand is well known isn't because of their loyalty to their customers or their value as far as how long they last. Sometimes it is only because of the fashion and to create an air of "I'm better than you because I have such and such a brand." That's not a brand worth buying to me. I would much rather have a knock-off brand- get the same style and save my money for something more useful than trying to prove through meaningless ways that I am someone because I lucked out in the money department. That proves nothing about my character, and I am way more than a brand name.

Once again, I don't care if you like certain brand names, and I don't care how much they cost- all I'm saying is I hope you are using it because the brand has proved its value to you and not simply because of it's popularity due to a passing fad.