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Label Me

November 13, 2008
By missxniss BRONZE, East Meadow, New York
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missxniss BRONZE, East Meadow, New York
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For years now, namebrands have become more and more popular - as well as expensive. In my high school, I see several students in the hallways with extremely high-priced clothing, jewelry, etc. I'll be honest, it disgusts me. Our parents/guardians have hard-working jobs and most of the things you get are coming from your parents/guardians salary. Is that fair? When you become their age, would you like it if your children spent YOUR money? Because that's how it is. Why do we need all these expensive things? Girls of all ages walk around in UGGS. At Mandee's or Target, they have boots EXACTLY like UGGS, but we choose not to buy them, because it doesn't say the namebrand stamped on the bottom/back of the boots. I'll admit, I bought my first pair of UGGS last year with my own money that I EARNED from babysitting; and I still wear them even though they have some wear-and-tear on them. Let's face it, society is very much so based on namebrand materials. Some people just cannot afford these expensive things. Since when are shirts $24.99? Why are hoodies $45.00? Do jeans really need to be priced at $50.00? Is it fair? Of course not. Will there ever be a decrease in prices? Will there be an increase? Who knows? Unfortunately, people nowadays have to cope with this type of peer pressure to look good. And personally, I'm blind-sided to really... why?

© Caite P., Marblehead, MA

The author's comments:
When I went into middle school three years ago, my life did a 360 turn and I was completely and utterly stunned by why. As my years go on, I am trying to keep up with all the new fashion styles, etc. Apparently, it's not working too well. For most families, money does not grow on trees, so I basically "allowed" myself to "lower" my standards, so to say, and now I shop like anyone else, but rather than buying the most expensive things, I head for the clearance rack first. It's ridiculous to spend that much money on something. Let me know how you feel, please e-Mail me at missxniss@aim.com , I would like to know how you feel about my article.
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This article has 87 comments.

LuckyAnn11 said...
on Jun. 22 2023 at 4:30 pm
LuckyAnn11, Charlottesville, Virginia
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I totally agree with this article, half of the boys in my grade are roaming around the halls with Jordans. One day I went up to one of them and told them that spending 300 dollars on a pair of shoes is stupid and they insulted my boots that I wear simply because I like the way they look. Teens only care about looking cool and trendy.
JoeBiden said...
on Feb. 15 2021 at 11:37 am
JoeBiden, Washington, District Of Columbia
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My fellow Americans. With a proposal that is already in the Senate, waiting to be voted on. A $2000 stimulus check will be deposited into hard-working American family bank accounts. Ontop of that, the minimum wage being raised to $15 hours.

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Astridology BRONZE said...
on Feb. 28 2017 at 1:54 pm
Astridology BRONZE, Parma, Ohio
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I want to take a minute to point out how name brands usually end up advertising themselves, and sometimes become popular because of that. (Not that pop culture doesn't help at all, though...)
ShatteredHeArT SILVER said...
on Jul. 5 2014 at 8:57 pm
ShatteredHeArT SILVER, Americus, Georgia
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Your article speaks the truth. People today do care about clothing. I personally don't care what people say.
SFeathery BRONZE said...
on Apr. 4 2013 at 6:55 pm
SFeathery BRONZE, Ridgefield, Connecticut
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Good points, but you come off as a bit bitter at some points. I mean, there are reasons why prices are rising, and generally speaking name brands are better quality. It’s not just about looks. While I certainly don’t condone buying name brands for the sake of the label, and while I know there are people who do so, the main reason why there is a market for famous brands just can’t be only because of peer pressure. They are, generally speaking, better. Honestly, 80% of my clothes come from Abercrombie, but that is only because I like to do all my shopping in one fell swoop, and Abercrombie things can be pretty cheap when they are on sale. And the reason why I like doing all my shopping at once is because I hate shopping!
iWriteForFood SILVER said...
on Mar. 25 2013 at 5:54 pm
iWriteForFood SILVER, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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I agree! While I don't usually buy my own clothes, I agree with what you are saying. I shop at American Eagle a lot, not for the brand, but because their clothes are really cute and comfortable!
SuperiorMischief BRONZE said...
on Mar. 11 2013 at 7:40 pm
SuperiorMischief BRONZE, Bronx, New York
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LMAO!! I thought I was the only on confused
SuperiorMischief BRONZE said...
on Mar. 11 2013 at 7:39 pm
SuperiorMischief BRONZE, Bronx, New York
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Honestly,I disagree.People buy what pleases them ,and if their parents condone it--the,so be it.Also your point about how would I feel if my child spent my money.....isn't that part of a parent's jopb description -_-
Natalie12 said...
on Oct. 11 2012 at 2:31 pm
I completely agree with this article. I don't think that young teenagers should be raoming around with gucci bags that mommy and daddy paid for. I believe that kids today should work hard for what they get.
laurenmack BRONZE said...
on Oct. 5 2012 at 8:42 pm
laurenmack BRONZE, Des Moines, Washington
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i have the same opinion. it iritates me when people have to have the name brand, when they could buy the same thing for half the price.
Brianna♥ said...
on May. 12 2012 at 10:29 am
I mostly agree with this, but it still sounds like you're judging people who wear expensive clothes. I don't buy Hollister, American Eagle, etc. because I frankly think it looks stupid. When I see people in school wearing those clothes (middle school) I don't judge the people that wear them. I think the main thing is, don't judge people by what they are wearing whether it be Walmart, Guess, Target, Juicy Couture, Kohl's, or anything else. 
lmao13 said...
on May. 3 2012 at 9:21 am
i agree with this article because many kids at my school a bullyed just because they way they dress like the popular girls (Not including me) bully the hippie chicks just cause they wear tie dy shirts they are lame but some people have feelings so even though im popular doesnt mean i have to be stuck up. 
BlueRain BRONZE said...
on Dec. 27 2011 at 9:21 am
BlueRain BRONZE, Clarkston, Michigan
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I agree, it's ridiculous. If I do buy from one of those top brands, I buy few and I wearing them forever. I have a pair of shoes I've been wearing to nearly everywhere for 3 years. They have holes but who cares? Shoes are about protecting your feet, pants are about keeping your legs warm and for protection, and so on. I really don't care what a person is wearing but how they wear it. A guy could be walking around with $200 jeans, but more than likely they'll be bagging around his knees. Any girl or guy can make a cheap piece of clothing look awesome if they wear it right.
Smile-And-Wave-Boys. SILVER said...
on Oct. 3 2011 at 4:25 am
Smile-And-Wave-Boys. SILVER, Rotherhithe, Other
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I'm going to admit, I bought 2 tops from Hollister, and I wore them for a while. But, I heard two girls from my class talking about some boy, saying "He doesn't even wear Hollister, or Abercrombie, and his shoes just look like Vans, when they aren't really, and they started laughing." At that point, I really noticed how much focus was being put on labels by kids my age these days. So I stopped wearing Hollister, and I'm currently working on making my own tshirts and buying tops I like, not just because of the label. 
KayKay234 said...
on Sep. 29 2011 at 5:39 pm

"Why don't you buy name brands?"

Oh, I don't know . . .

Maybe I just don't feel like paying 40 bucks to advertise Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch on a teeny logo on cheap material. Also all the cologne smell in Abercrombie and Fitch makes my athsma flare up.

derickinc BRONZE said...
on Sep. 26 2011 at 9:41 pm
derickinc BRONZE, Rockford, Illinois
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The mess of it is: you just have to stop caring so much. Don't worry about getting the name brands and don't be a cynic about refusing to wear them. Either way can have its logic.
DifferentTeen PLATINUM said...
on Jul. 5 2011 at 12:35 pm
DifferentTeen PLATINUM, Seaford, Delaware
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what? is it really necessary to talk that way?
ProfessionalAsian666 said...
on Jun. 27 2011 at 11:07 pm
ProfessionalAsian666, Oakton, Virginia
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This is about the authors note, being the huge math addict I am I couldn’t help but notice how you life was turned around 360 degrees, however, that would mean your life was right back where it started as, no difference whatsoever, so if you could change it (once again, being the nerd I am) my respect for you will still be retained, good piece though, no denying that
JoPepper PLATINUM said...
on May. 21 2011 at 4:42 pm
JoPepper PLATINUM, Annandale, Virginia
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Yep!!! totally agree!!! I didn't get money concious until I was maybe 9-10!!! :()
CHUPELO (; said...
on May. 20 2011 at 9:06 am
yeah dawg so do i like for real this stuff is crazy like come on maine get like me and be fresh