Apply one of the three principles of women’s dress to a single article or item explaining how it displays “conspicuous expensiveness,” “novelty,” or “ineptitude.” It would be great if you could find an image on the internet that you could share with us (by creating a link). For example, I found a bottle of water called “Bling” that costs $40. This would fall under the category of novelty because once the water is gone, you have to buy another one. It only lasts for short period of time. It also shows “expensiveness.” While some “miracle” drink for health might be worth more than the customary $1 or $2 bottle of water, as the name suggests, Bling is meant to cause people to look and pay attention to what you are drinking- period. They are no health benefits (like “Smart Water) or illusions of transporting to a warm island (Fiji) implied by the name Bling. You aren’t paying for anything that is much better, just something that is expensive to be expensive. So, go out and find another “Bling” article of clothing or product and then write about how it relates to one of Veblen’s principles.
19 responses so far ↓
1
Ayana Pena-Espinal
// Mar 23, 2009 at 8:12 am
Veblen’s principle’s of dress represents a person’s status. Many different products that are out there today are represented as “status symbols.” One product that I found is colored toilet paper that cost $20 a role. Yes, you’ve read this correctly, not only is it colored it is $20. This product obviously fits into Veblen’s three principles of dress, Conspicuous expensiveness, Novelty and Ineptitude. Although it can be used for the purpose of wiping your “___” it is unnecessary to spend this amount of money on such an item. The cheaper one can do the same maybe better job. The product is from Renova Colored Paper,,,and the web link is coolmaterial.com,,,There are also 24 more ridiculous items on there.
2
SARAH
// Mar 23, 2009 at 9:24 am
Under apparel I thought this bra would fall under this category. It is a Diamond Bra that is made with pure black diamonds and also contains rubies.
http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/20/2008-victorias-secret-fantasy-bra/
3
marlene516
// Mar 23, 2009 at 12:58 pm
One product that I would consider as a status symbol are pen’s called David Oscarson Pens. They cost about 4,500 each . I mean who needs a Four Thousand dollar pen. You can check these pens out on this website. http://www.penboutique.com/m-52-david-oscarson.aspx?gclid=CKPZ9vfpuZkCFQHHGgodFlSM7A
4
Esther
// Mar 23, 2009 at 2:19 pm
This photo, which can be viewed at this website, http://www.myblingring.com/of Kimberly Stewart with her “Bling Ring” costumed designed cell phone is a typical example of one of Veblen’s principles of dress known as conspicuous expensiveness . Her cell phone is covered in aquamarine crystals with a custom-made pink “K” on the back. The cost is not specified, however the website offers the do it yourself kit for $125. One hundred twenty-five dollars! This is far too expensive to cover a phone when cell phone covers can be purchased for about $10 each. The flashing crystals show that the purchaser may want others to see that they spent alot of money to adore their phone.
5
Janice
// Mar 24, 2009 at 7:51 pm
One of Thorstein Veblen’s principle of dress is “expensiveness”. This represents the look on the item and the price value. It is to show that there is no monetary limit on the purchaser. There are many ridiculously expensive items that wealthy people just waste their money on. How about spending 10,000 on a box of chocolate? These 49 pieces of chocolate come in a leather box. This is ridiculous that someone actually throws out money on chocolate. For 10,000 this chocolate better contain something to prevent aging for that price. Ill settle for a hand wrapped hershey’s kiss. You can view this and other ridiculous articles at
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/popup?id=4531232&contentIndex=1&start=false&page=11
6
gravesangel617
// Mar 24, 2009 at 9:39 pm
One of Veblen’s principles is conspicuous expensiveness. This refers to things that people buy just because of how it will make them appear to others. They want to show off and they think that more is better. A perfect example of this would be the $5,000 hamburger I found on this website:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/popup?id=4531232&contentIndex=1&start=false&page=18
Who pays that much money for a hamburger which will be gone once you eat it, when you can go to McDonalds and get a whole meal which includes the drink and fries for five dollars and change? To spend that much money on something you can’t keep is excessive and completely unnecessary. That money could be better spent on much worthier causes. There are plenty of charities in need of help so people who have that kind of money lying around should invest in those instead of these types of things that they don’t need.
7
noellie
// Mar 25, 2009 at 2:34 pm
There is a stroller is called a “stokke” that cost $1000.00 or more. The more depends on if you want it custom made for your baby. This item falls under “novelty” because it can be customize. There maybe many that look like it [the stroller] but if it is customize there is only one. It also falls under “expensiveness” paying a $1000.00 for an item that carries your child for the first years of their life is crazy. There are other strollers that do the same thing like Graco stroller, Maclaren, and Maxi cosi. It is like a down payment for an apartment or insurance on a car.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nursery.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/2007.06.13.nursery.stokke.explory2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/transportation/stokke-xplory-stroller-024661&h=384&w=368&sz=20&tbnid=mriEhow1wyVQLM::&tbnh=123&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstokke%2Bpicture&hl=en&usg=__hLtbD9eGnY1n8BIMgFaCYPdfXTw=&ei=YFTKSaKFAqPVnAeKmuTwBA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=3&ct=image&cd=1
8
Gabriela Adams
// Mar 29, 2009 at 3:46 pm
In Veblen’s three principles of woman’s dress, I found a product that goes under the categories “expensiveness.” This product is the “Frrrozen Haute Chocolate” dessert from Serendipity here in NYC. This is basically a sundae with 24-carat gold in it. The chocolates are flown in from France and the gold is flown in from Switzerland. The goblet is made out of gold and diamonds and the spoon to eat it is also made out of gold. The price of this dessert is $25,000.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/25000-for-a-hot-chocolate/
9
anacabral
// Mar 29, 2009 at 4:24 pm
The 3 principles of Veblen’s theory of women’s dress are conspicuous expensiveness, novelty, and ineptitude. The theory of conspicuous expensiveness is a quality that shows others the amount of money your family has. This value proves a family’s social status and claims rank over other rich and famous families. In my investigation I have found the worlds most expensive cell phone. Now this is a “Bling Bling”! This phone is estimated at 1 million Euros. This is the equivalent to 1.2 million dollars. A cell phone today needs to perform basic qualities, i.e. call, receive, email, text, GPS, and memory storage. Anything above and beyond these qualities are just a method of showing off Veblen’s theory of conspicuous expensiveness. Below you will find the link so that you may aww at the presence of this phone. This cell phone “…is made of 18-carat white gold, mounted with 120-carats of VVS-1 graded diamonds and equipped with the latest in mobile technology.” There is no proven facts that this phone is anymore effective than a regular cell phone. So the phone may not even be that much better than your Blackberry and iphones. Clearly displaying the uselessness of the phone and the waste of money. This phone was bought by a business man as a luxury for his wife. This phone is a “…limited edition item and is only available on special request.” The limitation of this product increases its value in the market. Being a woman in the world owning this cell phone imposes a direct view of the economic structure of the family, advertising the gross value of income. Now this is a classic example of Veblen’s theory of conspicuous expensiveness.
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2006/09/060921.aspx
10
Hyejin Lim
// Mar 29, 2009 at 7:25 pm
The most expensive doll is Louis Vuitton’s teddy bear. It is about $221,572.75. I think it really shows one of the principles of Veblen’s theory, novelty. Usually, dolls are for kids but this is not for kids. Then, why do adult buy that even if he or she is not going to play with it? He or she wants to show his or her novelty by it. This is a picture of it. http://nbnl.globalwhelming.com/2008/06/25/part-1-the-worlds-most-expensive-teddy-bears/
11
Renee A
// Mar 30, 2009 at 9:29 am
Conspicuous Expensiveness is one of the 3 principles as stated in Veblen’s theory for women’s dress. Elaborate living quarters are one of the many forums the rich use to display their wealth. While watching television this weekend there was a segment on Candy Spelling, widow to the late Aaron Spelling. Their home is the most expensive home for sale in the United States.
It is valued at $150 million. How much home does $150 million buy? The French chateau-style property has more than 100 rooms over 56,500 square feet, on a 4.7-acre spread in the ritzy Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It has a bowling alley, a screening room, a beauty salon and a famed gift-wrapping room.
Candy Spelling lives there alone. This is a classic example of conspicuous expensiveness. There are enough rooms in this mansion to house a small village. geesh!!!
http://www.pbase.com/scubalex/image/69663072
12
Jennae Davidson
// Mar 30, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Veblen’s principle of conspicuous expensiveness is shown by those who wear this brand of handbag. Balenciaga handbags known, mainly, to the wealthy elite. To look at the bag, many would not realize that it is expensive, but those who have the luxury of leisure and wealth would recognize this product and the status of the wearer.
13
Jennae Davidson
// Mar 30, 2009 at 1:09 pm
http://www.balenciaga.com
14
Crystal
// Mar 30, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Veblen’s three principles of women’s dress are “conspicuous expensiveness,” “novelty,” or “ineptitude.” Any one of these theories can be applied to all of the items in the article I came across 24 Ridiculously Expensive Everyday Items. The items listed in this article for the most part are useful but are over the top.
For example I don’t see why someone would have a need for diamonds on a blue tooth headset which costs $50,000 (more than what a lot of people make in a year) or gold and diamond headphones which cost $5175. The plastic ones most people use do the job just fine. This is definitely an example of conspicuous expensiveness. The leather and gold Monopoly set $7570, the Crystal Ergoripado vacuum cleaner$18993, the Nesmuk Diamond Studded Knife $39600 all examples of conspicuous expensiveness. Let’s say a crystal falls off while vacuuming or a diamond comes off the knife and is eaten during dinner. I would die after spending so much money on these items.
The Posh Instant Noodles comes with a for and table linen for only $43. This is absurd. you can get instant noodles at a supermarket for $1, less if they’re on sale! This would be an example of novelty because once you eat the noddles they’re gone. The one positive thing is that proceeds go towards charity.
I don’t understand why people would spend the amounts of money they do on items that are draped in gold, diamonds, crystal to do everyday things when there are so many options that are more practical and do the job just as good if not better. Could you imagine loosing any of these items?
http://coolmaterial.com/cool-list/24-ridiculously-expensive-everyday-items/
15
marlene516
// Mar 30, 2009 at 3:11 pm
In continuation to my last blog those Oscarson Pens would be used just to show that you have money and can afford to by them. It is a waste because if buy one of them you definitely not use them to write because you don’t want to break them or waste the ink in the pen so it would just be on your dresser collecting dust.
16
Norma
// Mar 30, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Vebblen’s priciple of “conspicous expensivenes” is shown by those who spent hundres of dollars on food. This can be also categorize as a social rank. Check this expensive item for the rich, a BURGER that cost $100.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/ap_expensive_burger_070705_ssh.jpg&imgrefurl=http://abcnews.go.com/Business/popup%3Fid%3D4531232%26contentIndex%3D1%26page%3D55%26start%3Dfalse&usg=__r6z4efxIrCf4f5-GoLHQ48HSfYk=&h=411&w=531&sz=66&hl=en&start=13&um=1&tbnid=QcIdnWCQfehAJM:&tbnh=102&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexpensive%2Bitems%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1
17
SARAH
// May 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Under apparel I thought this bra would fall under the “conspicuous expensiveness” category. Be-ing that it is a bra which is worn only once by the Victoria Secret model who’s lucky to be cho-sen to display it. The price range is extremely out of this world, it’s a Diamond Bra made with real pure black diamonds and rubies. And yes all real jewels.
I personally would object to such purchase because I have no need for the item myself. But for someone who feels motivated or compelled to make such purchase they would get a gratifying satisfaction, and may not even have the intentions of wearing the item. Just the simple fact that they obtained a valuable item which will be worn only once and by a supermodel says it all.
One of the important roles this expensive bra plays and what makes it so desirable, is by who it is endorsed by, who it is being made for and created by. This item has a mixture of fashion, money, and impulsivity. Conspicuous expensiveness is displayed by three important factors which are the creation of desire, the illusion of necessity, and a demand.’
Therefore, I agree that this bra would fall under the “conspicuous expensiveness” category. I guess that is why they call it the “fantasy miracle bra”. What the miracle is, who knows and to me its probably an item I would only purchase in my dreams.
http://www.luxist.com/2008/10/20/2008-victorias-secret-fantasy-bra/
18
AnnMarie Richardson
// May 11, 2009 at 2:10 pm
In Veblen’s principle ” conspicuous expensiveness” he desribes how spending money for things that is not needed. It is only done to show that the rich is able to afford something that no regular person can afford. I found a Louis Vuitton Skateboard with a case that costs $8,200. There is no reason why someone would buy a scateboard this expensive. It doesn’t do any tricks that a normal skateboard would do or it doesn’t skate any better. They are basically paying for the name.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/popup?id=4531232&contentIndex=1&start=false&page=11
19
Amelia
// May 18, 2009 at 6:45 pm
This is a picture of the most expensive bra and panty called “Red Hot Fantasy Bra and Pantiies” which were used on a grand opening of a Victoria’s Secret store on Broadway and 67th street. The prize on the underwear was $15 million dollars. It’s ridiculous to spen so much money on a bra and panty. With this items, we can see the principle of “conspicuous expensiveness” by Veblen. Veblen states that “There is the evidence of expenditure afforded by a constant supersession of one wasteful garment or trinket by a new one” (373). With these items we can clearly see that there will be a new and more expensive bra and panty in the market which will replace it. It is also a waste of money to pay for such items and the panty and bra are not necessarily an item that is really necessary to purchase or considered to a life necessity. We can also see Veblen’s principle of “Ineptitude” by the discomfort the person wearing these garments underneath their clothes. Even though they are made of Satin, I’m pretty sure it must feel uncomfortable to have all those jewels including the 300 carats of Thai rubies, around it. Veblen states that it’s more “of convenience” to show off what the person posses, than to really want to wear such garments and feel uncomfortable. Only the rich can afford to waste their money on such items.
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