I am not sure what is being cheapened here: women or our rights.
I have seen the advertisements for BITTEN, Sarah Jessica Parker’s new line of fashion, hanging in the mall and they bother me more every time I see them. Visiting BITTEN’s website, I find this increasingly offensive line of fashion has its own manifesto:
It is every woman’s inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to spend.
Get BITTEN
Are women that shallow? Or have our rights become that meaningless? Pamela Kirkland of The Campus Word thinks it even cheapens fashion.
And what exactly is Burlington Coat Factory thinking with its Christmas commercial?
Lady to small child: Do you believe in Santa?
Small child: I believe in cashmere.
Are we to be impressed by the materialism of this small child? If so, then a belief in Santa perhaps would not be so contradictory to her belief in cashmere. The vague reference to Fran Lebowitz’ words, however, can hardly be missed:
I do not believe in God. I believe in cashmere.
Advertising by its nature is meant to be shallow, to strike at our emotions rather than our reason, to entice us to spend and let tomorrow worry about itself. But if it does so successfully by attacking the very foundations of our free society, I do worry that perhaps we have become a frivolous generation.
[tags]Bitten, Sarah Jessica Parker, fashion, culture[/tags]
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This is a sad commentary on our culture. I would rather be free than stylish.
Me too, Renae. I have nothing against fashion. It can contribute to expressing individuality. But this advertisement campaign bothers me.
Do we really think this is what women want? I hope not. I am far from a “feminist” but I know this isn’t what my mother fought for when she was pursuing a career before the laws changed in the 70s.
Dana,
this is a good post. I am increasingly concerned about our consumerism and ad techniques and how they affect children. I wrote an article (not on my homeschool blog) about this very thing.
Thank you, Marye. Consumerism and advertising geared toward children really does bother me. In moderation, it is probably not any more harmful than walking through the store with them.
But when four year olds are watching four hours of television a day, they are exposed to way more than their developing minds should be.
Your article sounds interesting. Is it available online?
all I gotta say is: blech.
I’m so unfashionable it isn’t even funny. I’m practical. Today I wore my jeans that make me look slimmer and my “Life is Good” long sleeve tee. I’m a ponytail and light makeup girl 90% of the time.
It astounds me to see how fast we’re making YOUNG GIRLS into little fashionistas. I was having dinner with some girlfriends recently and a girl was talking about how her 7 year old daughter will only wear clothes from Ltd Too and Gap. ???? WHAT????? My kids wear what I buy for them. Period. No choice. I might let them choose between black pants and blue pants, but that is about it. Most of the time its the mother who is promoting these “brands” with the kids.
Oh, Lindsey, I think you are so right! I do think that a lot of it comes from schools, too, but only when the parents allow it.
I knew what was popular and what I “should” be wearing. But I also knew there was no way so don’t even ask! I hear so many parents talking about what everyone is doing and how it makes it hard for them. I think, “Why?” Just say no.
Kids cannot have everything and it isn’t even good for them.
Advertising is supposed to make a product appeal to us on some level, which is why sex is used to sell everything from cars to toothpaste. I honestly don’t want to be appealed to on such a level, or have my dd think that a woman’s main pursuit in life is shopping and having girlfriends with which to lunch and gossip.
As for fashion, when I find a skirt I like, I buy one in every color. Ditto for shirts and shoes. Shopping is something I want to get over with ASAP, and I don’t want to stand in front of my closet and have to make a decision every morning. The hardest decision I make is which flavored creamer to put in my coffee!
yes it is…I emailed it to you.
Sunnymom, I so agree with you! I don’t like being appealed to on that level, and I don’t like my children seeing it as if that were the highest pursuit.
Thanks marye…I saw it but haven’t had time to read it. : )
Ouch.
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