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I wonder if you can find similar cycles in, e.g., home furnishings? The elite get their fancy furs and rugs from $foreign for $$$, eventually the trade improve
by zimpenfish 6y ago
I wonder if you can find similar cycles in, e.g., home furnishings? The elite get their fancy furs and rugs from $foreign for $$$, eventually the trade improves, prices drop, the poors start furnishing with fancy furs and rugs, the elite move towards shiny minimalism, rinse and repeat.
(cf just about anything technology-wise, I suppose)
- Sharlin 6y agoYes, you can absolutely see that same cycle everywhere, especially with anything fashion-related. And there are several layers, where every social class tries to imitate the one above them and distinguish themselves from the one below.
- 4ggr0 6y agoSo what does the person wear who's on top of the pyramid? Probably Birkenstocks and a hoodie...
- Sharlin 6y agoIndeed, I meant to add that the super-elite doesn't really care. They don't need to signal anything.
- vram22 6y agoSome of them do, actually. Like with a tiny crocodile image on a Crocodile-brand t-shirt, or I guess even subtler signs, at the higher end, like no brand name or logo at all - but some way of signalling the (expensive) brand, to those in the know. Maybe by the shade of color of the garment, or the cut, or some other sign. But they do :) I don't know all the ways, I don't move in those circles, but have read about it. Human nature (like to show off, among other things) runs deep. Edit: of course, some others really don't feel the need, being very secure in their eliteness, so they don't, as you say. And some others go to the opposite extreme of dressing down-market (so to speak), again as a signal that they can afford to do so.
- rcxdude 6y agoAbsolutely has happened with anything expensive that has gotten cheaper. Sumptuary laws are another reaction which can occur.