selfish materialism

freeforall · Post by **freeforall** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:26 am

does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:14 am

freeforall;480312 wrote: does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

can you expand on that?

I've not heard of unselfish materialism, though I can see how it might work.

I've heard of spiritual materialism (Chogyam Trungpa)

In a fashion sense, you must be referring to people who do things such as marry someone based on the wardrobe they can give her (actually know someone who confessed to that)

I'd hate to take the thread "off topic" though, so maybe you could define it a little.

JacksDad · Post by **JacksDad** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:47 pm

Just a conversation?

"so, did you see those new shoes at Macys?"

or drooling over Fluevog shoes?

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:11 pm

freeforall;480312 wrote: does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

My life has very little to do with fashion or make-up. I must be a woman who gives a flying "f" about looks on a day-to-day basis.

When we go out on the town..I clean up nice.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:21 am

freeforall;480312 wrote: does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

Not sure I full understand the question

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:57 am

A guy I worked with on a film set had the same pair of pants as me. The best pair of fleece track pants from Mountain Equipment Co-op. We had this intense conversation about how great these pants were until it struck me how silly the whole convo was so I challenged him to a "pants off". See who could wear them for the most number of days in a row.

He won.

Suresh Gupta · Post by **Suresh Gupta** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:57 pm

freeforall;480312 wrote: does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

Materialism need not be selfish always.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:31 am

I am a fashion failure, and a minimalsit ( I made that up years ago to describe myself) No desire to accumulate " things". The fashion part has always made me feel somewhat inferior as a female. However, try as I may, Ive never been able to muster up too much enthusiam for caring about fashion. Thus, I cant say I ever have any conversations about fashion.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 5:15 am

Who defines the word fashion? The clothes manufacturers, who wants you to buy their styles? The models on the runways? Who wants to look like them anyway-be honest, they do not look like normal women who eat healthy, but are anorexic in body form. I dress to look nice to fit my style of living, as eccentric as others may view it.

To look nice is viewed differently by every culture. Selfish materialism can be enlarged to include much more than clothes, but the latest car, electronic gadget, etc. The owning of such objects does not have to be selfish, unless it is the main goal in a person's life. Buying a new car when the old one is broken is not selfish-disposable wealth is at the discretion of the owner.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 8:45 am

I have a subscription to Esquire and the pages are filled with ads for mens fashion. Ill look at the clothes and think I could pull that off or thats not me. Then I see the prices.

$110.00 for the tie

$680.00 for the shoes

$1400.00 for the jacket (tailored in New York of course)

Fashion is too consuming.

Just give me a nice sweater and a decent pair of shoes and Im good to go.

laneybug · Post by **laneybug** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:32 pm

freeforall;480312 wrote: does it seem like talking about fashion is just a conversation about selfish materialism?

I, for one, love clothes. It's like an art form, really. I love to design and sew. The construction of a garment is fascinating to me. I love shopping for different types of fabric, textures, patterns, colors, oh my!! Clothes are fun, and can be used to express individuality and taste.

As for selfish materialism... yes, it can be. Like buying a bunch of expensive brand name clothes just to appear well off or rich or keep up with the industry, that seems silly to me. But I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying clothes, and I love to make them, so it's a win-win for me. :p