Gaylene - That's very true about pricing; it adds to the dilemna. Aprons, now, aprons are an interesting subject. I could see perhaps spending on an apron, because they are both gear to me and part of, you know, my 'traditional costume.' Your French apron seems very particular to me.

Betty - I believe you 100% about your mum. The method adjustments to clothing construction - of things in general - for production in quantity... well, for one thing, it slides the measuring stick down somewhat dubiously. Sort of related, my grandma used to bemoan simplified Chinese and call it uneducated. Easier to write, type, etc. - but the simplification eliminated history, connotation, subtlety that were once conveyed by the removed strokes.

Amy - It's interesting. I just got this Marc Jacobs sweatshirt on discount, but originally sold for something like $248. It doesn't have a logo. And the material is simply heavy cotton and straight seams. I think the MSRP was really all about the design, the ombre colour and the specific colours used.

Rabbit - Completely nodding my head. First on the matter of Kinfolk: LOL. I know, I KNOW. Right? If Marie Antoinette just went a little grittier... haha. Second, we really do pay something for the emperor's new clothes, for social fictions. But social fictions aren't worth nothing... Third, I think "How much life energy is it worth?" and "How much life energy did it cost the people who made it?" are good good questions. I think tying money to blood, sweat, and tears might make for a better economic system. It's fascinating how we quote-unquote grow the economy, how more money is printed and put into circulation to 'reflect growth.' Doubly fascinating when 'growth' is connected to 'added value' and 'added value' can mean nothing more than 'putting a bird on it.' Fourth, the sock pocket is brilliant. When I used an insulin pump, my mum ran up a little pocket for me that I pinned to my clothing to hold it - that darn thing would fall out of my pockets. Once I was on the subway and it fell out and the doors closed - so the thing was swinging outside the train for the whole ride !!

Aside from questions of actual quality in terms of materials, workmanship, and cut, which we do expect to be better in more expensive pieces (yet don't always receive!), I have had a similar aversion for a very long time (if I understand you correctly). Even if an item is of high quality, if it's really aesthetically boring and plain, I figure I can spend way less for the same effect should I want it (and I don't). I am continually surprised at prices for things that have less than no visual spark.

Yes, that's really it, amber.

And I don't suppose that I often feel if a thing is generic, it's generic. And it perhaps even misses the point to make a plain generic thing finer...

I feel that way about items that are cut from very basic, simple patterns that anyone could sew and that don't require much fabric. I mean, really! That's why I only buy my NYDJ tops, for example, on sale. They're nice, but not $88 worth of nice. If I still had a sewing machine, I could get one of those sewn together in no time, and I'm sure the fabric doesn't cost much. So what are you paying for? The brand. I must say, however, that the tops don't look cheap, so there's that to consider. Just not worth full price.