Fashion really is a Statement

“You'll never get on in politics, dear, with that hat,” Nancy Astor once said to young Shirley Williams who was later minister of education. Wearing a shirt of the Lacoste brand impresses an idea on the beholder that the person wearing the shirt is of high social status, whereas a person wearing of one without brand belongs to the lower class of society. Fashion really is a statement.

            Lacoste, Zara, Chanel, Nike, Levis, Bench, Penshoppe, Folded & Hung, etc., make a list of the shops we every so often see in big-time malls when we go shopping. These are the clothes we usually classify as branded. Of course, these clothing shops cost us a lot more compared to those we refer to as not branded, like most clothes sold in Divisoria. The clothes in Divisoria are much of a bargain, giving us the chance to buy clothes at a low cost. But what’s the advantage of buying your clothes in Divisoria? Or in Malls?

            Divisoria is located in a place crowded with people in Claro M. Recto Street in Tondo, Manila. What reason could justify a type of place such as this? As I’ve mentioned before, the clothes in Divisoria are cheaper and with that, you can buy a lot more. A 500-peso shirt sold in malls is worth two in Divisoria – or more, if you get a discount! You may bargain with the shop assistant to get hold of items at lower price than its label. Also, a lot of good and cool things can be found in Divisoria which are not sold in malls. You may even find imitations of those branded clothes found in malls. If you think branded clothes are not much of a matter, Divisoria is the place for you. But then, cheaper items found here attract a lot of people, making the place crowded. It won’t be easy to move from one stall to another. Some shops are not even air-conditioned, making it a little inconvenient. Also, people used to say that kapag mura, may rason. In view of the fact that the clothes sold in Divisoria are cheaper, its quality cannot be entirely relied on. Still, the inconvenience and the quality pays back on the price and variety of choices and styles that Divisoria has to offer.

            Unlike Divisoria, shopping malls can almost be found anywhere. SM shopping mall, Robinson’s place, Gateway mall, etc., are some of the popular malls here in Manila. If Divisoria has cheaper items, malls have overpriced products. Shirts may range from 300 pesos to 700 pesos and some would even cost a thousand. Also, in contrast with Divisoria, you can’t bargain with the saleslady for a lower price. But at least in shopping malls, you can trust the quality of most products. Shopping malls do give gift certificates for price discounts also. Most malls are also required to have the whole place air-conditioned, making it more convenient for its customers. Malls also have their own security unit making the place safe.

            To sum it all up, buying your clothes in Divisoria is still better. With the clothes in Divisoria, you get to choose more. Though we can’t always count on the quality it has, look on the brighter side, you can always wear something new! After all, Divisoria-sold clothes are cheaper than those that are sold in malls. We just have to remember that it’s not the brand that matters, it’s the way you carry yourself.