You can tell a lot about a person by their shoes.
This is one of Forrest Gump’s famous lines from the movie that many have probably heard but few have actually contemplated.
In actuality, you really can, and not just by their shoes.
Throughout your classes, and even everyday life, you can pick out certain people that conform to a certain archetype based on the clothing they wear and the brands they have adorned themselves with.
For some, they feel like someone else if they are caught not wearing a pair of Jordans or they don’t have their Coach bag on their arm.
I understand that some of these companies produce some excellent products.
Adidas comes out with some very comfortable and durable running shoes and JanSport has become very popular with students for the quality backpacks that they create.
Levi and True Religion have become well known for the comfort their jeans bring, and skaters purchase shoes from Vans and DC for the grip the shoes give when skateboarding. Brands like these have become mainstream in society for the applicability of their products for certain activities.
Yet there are some products that are only bought for the logo rather than for their application. The only thing that is separating these products from the more inexpensive options are the famous signatures embroidered on them or the golden insignia sewn on.
Well, what’s the point? What’s the point of spending $200 for a new pair of Jordans you aren’t likely going to use to play basketball or hardly even wear?
What’s the point of buying a Gucci bag and bringing it to school if you don’t even have a backpack to carry your books and the rest of your school necessities?

In a sad way, it makes sense, though. When you think of a big name brand, you probably figure that their products must be dependable because of the company’s popularity.

A well-known brand is only well-known because their customers have made the assumption that every product they put out is made with care and quality based on previous purchases.
Shoe heads and fashionistas aren’t the only ones who have become slaves to materialism, though.
People that are all about shoes wait in line hours before the new 11’s or Oreos come out to be the first people to get them, and video gamers camp outside GameStops and Best Buys to be the first people to get their hands on the new product.
Others spend significant amounts of money to restore a piece of clothing to their once great glory as well as computer techs that do the same by spending hundreds of dollars to make sure their PC runs at full capacity.
In all of recorded history, humanity has wanted wealth and quality materials.
It’s a part of who we are.
It’s embedded in our code. This is especially true during the holiday season.
I think people lose sight of the true meaning of the holidays when they spend hours in checkout lines with carts full of goodies for loved ones.
Society needs to wake up from the spell of materialism that has been cast over us and focus more on creating long lasting memories that will survive long after material purchases have decayed.