I have often wonder what is it about branded products that make people part with hundreds and thousands of dollars when you can get a similar no frill brand at a fraction of the price.

And its not just the women, mind you ! Men share our passion for branded goods as well... from accessories to foot wear. Even one's hair-stylist should be someone famous (read: must have at least done styling for 1 or 2 famous person) or at least charge a minimum of $100 to be considered a good hair-stylist for decent bragging rights amongs friends.

So seriously, why do people then spluge on branded wares ? Here are my top 5 reasons why people choose to buy branded :-

1. Design
Whats the one thing that most women dread ? Its to be seen standing side-by-side with another female with identical shoe, bag, or horrors of horrors, same dress !! For some, this is the motivational factor to go with Gucci verses Giordano. But in reality, to me, as long as the design is nice and reflects my kind of fashion taste, then it really should not matter if my clothings are not a one in a million. Besides, even Vera Wang would have more than 1 copy of her signature dress right ? Therefore, for me, on a scale of brand motivation, this one would rank a 1/5, one of the weakest reason.

2. To look like your favourite movie star or model in the magazine
If an advertisement or model in the magazine has enticed you to visit the shop to check out the item that he/she was modeling in, then I would say that the photographer and advertiser has hit Jackpot with you !! To be able to catch and hold someone's attention like that is like every advertiser's dream goal, and I am sure all of us have falled to that trap many times. But a word of caution here, many a times, advertisements are hardly WYSIWYG (ie. What-you-see-is-what-you-get in computing terms). Hands up those of you who were attracted to something in the magazine, rushed to the shop to see it in person, only to realise that the real product is actually smaller in size or not as vivid in colour as portrayed in the magazine. *one hand raised here*. So for me,  this one would rank a 2/5 as a brand motivation

3. Genuine support for their favourite designer.
Some people buy branded because they like the design concept behind the designer's thought process when designing the items. For this group of people, it is not uncommon for them to own several pieces of the same designer. This is because they feel that the designer's thinking is akin to their own fashion sense and its that particular style that appeals to them. Hence to them, its not about the label...but the overall design of the item. Since this seems like one of the more genuine reason to buy something designer or otherwise, hence in the scale of brand motivation , I would rank it as a 3/5.

4. Bragging Rights
Sometimes, you just want to own a piece of branded wear for sheer bragging rights ! ie. you just want to be able to tell your friends.. oh, this is a Valentino piece or an Armani piece and have your friends go oooo... ahhh !! There is a flaw with this motivational factor though... once you have showed-off your 1st designer piece, it is very hard to be seen in no-frills brands subsequently!! If you do go out in your peasant wear some days, your friends might go:"oh, going back to peasant class now, are we ?" which then negates all your "brownie" points earned by the earlier branded piece. But half the fun in owning a branded piece is to have someone come up to you and go "Oooo is that Armani you are wearing ?" The last thing you want is to be wearing a Gucci, and then having someone say "Oh, I saw the similar piece at Giordano the other day !! Hence in the scale of brand motivation, this one rank a 4/5 to me.

FINALLY.... The Number 1 reason to buy branded.....

5. Quality
People believe that you pay for what you get. You pay peanuts, you generally end up with monkeys, or so the saying goes. Its just like I once brought a pair of $18 shoe, which at that time when I got it, I was so proud of myself, cause it was like a really good deal and seriously, it does not look $18. But the 2nd time after I wore it, when I was crossing the road nevertheless.. the shoe broke.. right in the middle of the road !! Oh Pfft.... you say, it is just a one time thing. Another time I got another pair of shoe that was on offer. Around the 3rd or 4th time after I wore it, the material started to disintegrate, leaving me with a flaky (pardon the pun) looking shoe !! All these incidents have just served to strengthen my resolve to avoid cheap shoes and just start saving for a proper pair of Jimmy Choos !! Hence in the scale of brand motivation, this to me and many I believe, would be the No. 1 reason to buy branded, thereby deserving a 5/5 brand motivation ranking.

In summary, branded or made in china, the most important thing here, is that you are comfortable with whatever it is you are seen in, because at the end of the day, its the confidence, that gives you the extra Oomph, and not that $100,000 Hermes bag you are carrying.

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