From The Sartorialist:
Some people have commented that they don’t relate to the runways shots that I have posted on the blog during fashion week. They say they can’t afford the clothes or the looks don’t relate to their everyday lives.
I understand these comments but I challenge you to try and look at these runway shots in a new way.
Fendi, for example, was really about fantastic color combinations. Even if you didn’t like the clothes you can focus on the color schemes. These suggestions of color can be used whether shopping Fendi, or Zara, or vintage.
Maybe another collection – like Yohji – would be all about proportion and texture. Wearing all black is difficult but new ideas in mixing shape and fabric textures can be invaluable in keeping a monotone wardrobe fresh.
Dries and Gaultier’s strength’s have always been their great ability to mix genres and cultural symbols. I love the idea of Tibetan Fireman.
All I’m saying is don’t let the lack of funds keep you from having fun with fashion.
Great advice.
Smart People I Know 
Okay, so here’s the thing….
Personally, I have no objection/problem/issue with people wearing clothes that look good, are appropriate, functional, and even have an appealing aesthetic quality.
The thing about “fashion” that makes me uneasy, is the “artificial value” we tend to associate with certain “labels’, and the false notion of prestige and “elitism”.
(Kind of similar to the “prejudice” you wrote about in a recent post about, “email domains”.)
Should we really be judging and/or evaluating a person’s worth, or standing in society based on WHOSE clothing they are wearing?!
And, of course the other thing that makes me dubious about fashion is, simply the fact that it is dictated by an outside source, SOLEY for the purpose of generating revenue!
That’s all. ; )
You might want to reread the quote. I think you missed the point.
Agree 100% with the advice. That applies no only to fashion but interior design as well. I can’t afford to furnish my home with Ethan Allen and Restoration Hardward furniture, but I do get a LOT of ideas on their design, colour scheme and texture. Some times I can afford an accessory they have on sale which really compliments the decor. I agree that labels are over priced and I have serious doubt I would ever spend $2k in a shirt even if I could afford. But designers in the fashion world do dictate what we will end up wearing a year from now, when all the affordable brands start copying the essence from their runaways, so why not be ahead of the game and start being creative now.
Good point! especially now, when Resto’ Hardware is promoting a style of furniture that looks weathered. You can create that look yourself if you can find a good old piece of furniture and you apply some elbow grease. Check on decor magazines and web sites, too: they will often feature ways good designers transform old pieces of furniture into something appealing.