Mo raised an interesting question on the Burberry scarf thread about what makes Burberry plaid so desirable as opposed to other plaids. Angie gave her answer, which I understand. But what also resonates with me is the idea of distinguishing between clothing as functional and clothing as evocative of some time, place or other meaning and value with which it has been imbued.

Why do people pay so much for DIAMONDS? It's a rock. Something I couldn't care less about myself. [ETA: I'm using this as an example of my own random and perhaps hypocritical thought process, not to criticize any diamond lovers - I own them myself!] Burberry, on the other hand, evokes a whole sensibility in my mind, including the classic tan Burberry plaid which I can't even wear because of the color. Just as diamonds evoke meaning for some women, or red lipstick for others.

Remember the J. Peterman catalog itself, or the one in Seinfeld? The catalogue was frustrating because it didn't actually tell you anything about the item itself - the items were SKETCHED, for Pete's sake! - but it gave you a backstory. I loved reading the descriptions which I remember being like this:

Paris, the Left Bank. You were sitting at a little known café, awaiting your café au lait. A light city breeze stirred your hair. He stopped mid-stride, staring as if no other but you existed in the world. You saw him out of the corner of your eye, but you didn't even bother to look up from reading Sartre. Because you were wearing that dress, and mais oui, you were perfectly happy alone.