Where are we without the top?

This post has potential to be improperly received.

Greed is something that we can do without--- False.

If we are honest with ourselves, greed and vanity have plenty of options. We don't have to go to hell or be in a constantly unpleasant state, we don't have to be perpetually grieving for what we don't have, and we don't have to live in materialistic decadence to be vain at all. You only have to be human, and in my experience, every single person feels these emotions and many look down upon them in themselves or in others at one time or another.

In this context I'd rather refer to these things as positive motivation for good people.

Sure, some are going to hell, but so is our society then. We can't all be bad, and although American culture has certainly been hitting some bad points in our consumptive society lately, we've still had some good ideas worth consideration in one's own personal morale.

Without goals where do we go? Are we even on a path or a loop? Can we be comfortable not holding a steering wheel when it has to do with the person we become? In some aspects to some people, perhaps. But I truly believe that appearing to be one persona to others doesn't always mean that we don't care if we are a bad person or not. We do care. Healthy people care, usually, deep down.

Wanting something terribly, wanting to look like something, wanting to own something, these feelings, although frustrating at times, can be beneficial if we utilize them properly. If we don't want what we maybe can't have, we will probably never come close enough to be satisfied with ourselves. On the other hand, it's a surefire way to speed up the process of getting what you want, having a GOAL.

I find that without greed, or without the feeling of loving what you've got and wanting more of it, we might be without a goal in some aspects of our lives. A lack of a goal may not necessarily ruin a person at all, but having one is certainly a big enough deal for me to talk about it. Greed and vanity go well together in the sense that we don't have a negative confidence involved with ourselves. In order to properly use greed as motivation without possibly venturing down a less-approved path, we must not be afraid to thoroughly enjoy the things we've already worked hard for, for ourselves. We can't forget about the efforts we've already made, we can't stop appreciating those. If we were to do this we might lack the abilities to properly gain all that we greed for. We may find ourselves wanting too badly to the point where we steal from our friends or cut others down in our way without a proper feeling of remorse.

And sure, we may long for a pair of leather Prada skinnies, and that is perfectly okay--- as long as you are willing to work or substitute for that greed. Often at times this can mean hardly any effort, which is why I feel these motivators can really help us. It can be fun, we can interpret, work around other things, we can find substitutues that make us happy enough and proud of our efforts. We can build our own. But without an original inspiration, without that first thing we covet that seems untouchable, we'd have never had the idea in the first place nor have had a reason to go out and work for it, come home, and be proud.

Without wanting something we can't have, an opportunity to be proud of ourselves for working with or around it is lost.
Without the existence of that thing that we long for but cannot have, we lose this process as well.

Which brings me to my original thoughts I had in the sauna this afternoon;

I hear so many constant complaints about high fashion. The only conclusion I ever lead to is that you are either assuming the world poorly manages greed like you do, that the world reacts negatively constantly and therefore those of us who do not should not be allowed to enjoy it for ourselves, or perhaps that you are simply ignorant to an interest you wish to have no part in, but still wish to exclaim your views upon to the world around you.

High fashion is an art, and if you have failed to find this as of yet you are either completely blind, are looking in the wrong places, or simply have no appreciation for the body as a canvas. If you have been watching it for years like I have it becomes plain sight for those who open their eyes.

I'm not going into that so much now as I'd like to continue with my original concepts.

So there are all of these untouchable designers we may or may not be able to name, but most likely have encountered plenty of times in our culture today. Dolce and Gabana, Gucci, Prada, Chanel (sadly...yuck) we've all seen these labels flashed before us among the ridiculously rich, magazines, television, whatever the case, and many people get upset. It seems silly that this ignorant child we sit next to in English gets a $3,000 bag that shes got no use for other than to flaunt her endowments, and furthermore, that such a bag should exist, right? And then, the thought ensues that there is an unfair elitism, and then fashion shows are a waste of a few mil, models get paid too much to do nothing but wallor in vanity, people who actually appreciate this stuff suck...I've heard it all and using this way of thinking seems rather easy if this is all that you see. Thing is, it's not really that way underneath it all.

Clothes and shit we buy at macy's or the mall are not the same clothes you see on the runways, although they MAY be the same brand. These are clothes made for everyday people with disposable income...sometimes a shitload of it. Runway shows are composed of works of art, and are usually not for sale unless by special order (meaning they only make a few, or will craft one especially for you for a hefty price.) Not all shows are works of art. Like Coach.
That girl in class with the expensive bag has probably not got the one that critics stir about and artists appreciate, she has been fooled into thinking anything prestigious is what she wants. She is a travesty.
Designers pump out this bullshit to pay their bills. Importing specially woven silks and other items are not cheap, and working fingers to the bone isn't so satisfying without a paycheck either. It's okay to be upset about these things, but man don't take it out on me.
So why does it cost so much anyway?
Because it is the best, of the best, by the best, and unless you are "taking up a career in fashion," a la Lauren Conrad,
upon careful examination in combination with it's performance, we can usually see why without answering questions, if the designer has any real merit at all anyway.

Without the top, without the amazingly beautiful and unattainable works by artists, we would have no reason to not be constantly wearing the same things for decades, no reason to constantly change what we're digging for, what the ideal of beauty might be for every individual...no reason to change...and no inspiration for those who might need a little sometimes.

In every medium theres bullshit artists who are trying to make a buck. Just because high fashion seems so lavish, doesn't mean it ain't the same ole thing. Be happy that you don't have to look at commoners the same way every year, be happy that somebody else is changing their narrow ideas of what to wear constantly, or trust me, you'd be bored. And sorry.

I'm just thankful my hobby's ideal of the top is still so blatantly and celebratedly creative, otherwise I wouldn't be looking anymore. I'm also thankful it gives me the opportunity to wear some things that make me feel great during a certain season, and have the more ignorant strangers compliment the shit out of me in public (often thinking i blew a bunch of cash on it----WRONG!) Here the benefits of having a goal ensue; when a stranger tells you you've reached it, you can't HELP but feel good.

Case in point