Community: Real Life

Fuggly fashion


Maryam Bhatti

Maryam, 17, is currently studying for her A-levels. She's looking forward to a career in journalism and absolutely loves shopping.

Maryam will never stoop to buying cheap knock-offs again - nor will she fork out for the real deal.

I was delighted to be able to purchase some fuggs (fake 'Uggs') for the mere price of £6. I was understandably not so thrilled when they burst along the seams, no less than ten days later. Taking this to be a fault of my own, I grudgingly bought another pair and was equally appalled when they split after three weeks.

I think it should be illegal for shops to sell fashion items that are so crudely made that they can't withstand the wear-and-tear of everyday life. If they're going to market pieces of rubbish to the masses, they should price them at their true value to the customer. Taking into account the hassle of replacing them and the pure humiliation experienced if your clothes fall apart in the middle of a packed bus, I estimate this to be about two pence.

We resort to buying these items because of the ridiculously high cost of purchasing authentic designer goods. Why is it acceptable for designers to charge over £100 for a pair of boots made from fluff? (Alright, they're made from sheepskin, but you get the point). Sadly, some shops use slave labour to produce their goods, and this is often why we see cheaper prices. But surely the production costs for a pair of shoes can't be so eye-wateringly high? There should be a fair balance.

"They've restricted their consumer market and have left us who can't afford to pay five hundred pounds for a vest top fumbling around in the humid, sweaty nightmare sales."

Sometimes, even designer gear isn't worth it either. A pair of jeans designed by Victoria Beckham can set you back over $200. What is so jaw-droppingly stunning about these designer bits of denim? Absolutely nothing, that's what. You can walk into a high street store and get a similar pair for about £15. I highly doubt Ms Beckham's jeans outclass those from a high street brand; it's hardly as if they're encrusted with diamonds and rubies.

Of course, slashing prices is an outrageous option because it would reduce the pay cheque of those wonderful angels at the head of the company. They've restricted their consumer market and have left us who can't afford to pay five hundred pounds for a vest top fumbling around in the humid, sweaty nightmare sales. We might feel as if we've snapped up a bargain, but chances are the clothes will fall to pieces a few weeks later.

Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel with high street names; they appear to be selling quality, on-trend clothes for prices that it won't pain you to pay. So why can't those classy designers do the same? Sadly, it would reduce the snob appeal that so many people enjoy. Being able to wave around a pair of Gucci sunglasses in someone's face is not the same as posing in the ones you got for 50p from Wembley Market. So perhaps the people who agree to pay ridiculous prices for these items are just as much at fault as the brands themselves.

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