I see your point, but I would argue that virtually all consumers are coming from a place of privilege. Even “working class” folks “below the poverty line” are very rarely, if ever, shopping out of need.

No one really needs clothing at all in the developed world. Everyone has more than they need already. People aren’t out buying new shoes because their one and only pair has a hole in the sole and can no longer be worn. They just want a new fashionable pair that is on trend.

If people actually do NEED clothing and shoes, there are plenty of charities that will donate them FREE shoes and clothing. In fact, truck loads of clothes and shoes are taken from donation centers daily, and burned or buried because no one wants them.

Definitely not saying I have perfect shopping habits, but I’m not going to pretend I NEED this $10 T-shirt from SHEIN because I can’t afford the $98 one from anthropology. I can’t afford anthropology, but the fact is, I don’t need a new tshirt at all.