Are Luxury Brands Overrated? (B, JX)

    


    



    Nowadays, luxury brands are trending worldwide. Especially in the fashion industry, many people seek spiritual and physical validation from luxury brands such as Gucci, Chanel, and Prada, to name a few. Although some people think that luxury brands are a waste of money, there are also some who believe that luxury brands have their own advantages and values. In my opinion, luxury brands are not overrated because they can boost one's self-esteem, guarantee good quality, challenge beauty standards, and encourage global economy. 

    Firstly, luxury brands are not overrated because they can boost one's self-esteem. When we use luxury brands, we feel confident and elegant. It is because luxury brands are currently very expensive, so people who can afford means that they are wealthier and more high-class than other people. This fosters a heightened sense of confidence, which acts as a morale booster and enables one to perform and function better. Additionally, since we live in a world where physical appearances are highly valued, the symbolisation of luxury brands as a high social status opens many doors and provides countless opportunities, which in turn increases one's self-esteem and self-value. Therefore, we can literally understand why people love luxury brands and why they are not overrated. 

    Secondly, luxury brands guarantee good quality. As the saying goes, "You pay for what you get." Cheap products tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to expensive ones, and luxury brands will definitely ensure that the quality is up to the prices they charge. Hence, the durability of luxury brands means that we do not need to spend loads of money on constantly purchasing new products to replace the cheaper, more inferior ones. Moreover, luxury brands need to protect and maintain their reputation, so the risk of you buying a product of inferior quality is lower as they will make sure the products are perfect and of high quality before they start selling. Thus, this is another reason why luxury brands are not overrated. 

    Thirdly, luxury brands also challenge beauty standards. Beauty standards are everchanging in our society, and it refers to the values that people uphold in the society regarding beauty. Luxury brands are often seen by their designers and creators as a form of art, and thus they are often looking for ways to challenge and push a society's beauty standards to the next level. That is why we often see so many weird apparel gracing the runways of major fashion brands. With the availability of said challenges, it would only serve to propel our artistic standards to greater heights. 

    Lastly, luxury brands can encourage our global economy. The appearance of luxury brands create more job opportunities, which in turn activates the economy and lowers poverty. When poverty levels decrease, it raises the buying power of the citizens and entice more foreign investment into the country. On a related note, the establishment of more factories by these luxury brands may further elevate the currency rate and stabilise the country's international standing. 

    In conclusion, luxury brands are not overrated because they can boost self-esteem, guarantee good quality, challenge beauty standards, and encourage global economy. In spite of their advantages, it is imperative to note that the act of owning luxury brands is optional, and it is best if one were to think twice and evaluate one's own financial status before purchasing them. 

(557 words)


 Authors: B, JX

 Vocabulary
1. spiritual : 精神上的
2. validation : 确认,证实
3. overrated : 高估
4. guarantee : 保证
5. durability : 耐用性
6. inferior : 劣
7. propel : 推进
8. entice : 诱惑
9. elevate : 提升
10. imperative : 至关重要的