You raise a fair point;
We live in a world where almost everything is cr*p made as cheaply as possible because that's what most customers care about- price.
There is a choice: cheap cr*p or over-priced cr*p that has good marketing and product placement, and it seems that a lot of people with money are happy to buy cheap cr*p at extortionate prices to pay for the branding and marketing.
All that matters is that if you spend a thousand dollars on a bellend jacket, people see it, recognize the brand, and understand you are wealthy and successful.
Used to be that people would see the quality of your clothes (wool, silk, leather), but no, this is an era where people don't even understand quality anymore- clothes have to have a brand logo that tells you.
(old man rant finished)
I hear you and agree with the gist of what you're saying. But I'd add that premium brands sometimes (not always) are higher quality than low-end goods. There's certainly more of a mark-up for luxury goods but that's true in every segment, whether it's clothing, automobiles or house paint.
I'd also agree that clothing quality has gone down over the past 25 years that I've been buying my own clothes. But people choose how to spend their disposable income, and for me it's all about value for money. I remember in the 80's and 90's you could find good no-name leather-soled dress shoes made in Italy or the U.S. for cheap, but most are made in China or India now and fall apart after the first year. I spent 15 years going through $60 dept store dress shoes every year until I got sick of the blisters and crap quality and splurged on a pair of Alden's. They're now almost ready for their second re-sole and if they make it through 4 (which I expect), will last me 20 years.
I'm a walking contradiction at work, as I'm rocking $24 trousers from JCPenny, $25 dress shirt from Jos A Bank, cheap undershirt and socks from Target, and Alden shell cordovan shoes. To me, those items represent optimal value-for-money. In appearance, they look professional but none stand out as exceptionally cheap or expensive. I'd add though, that if buying a jacket makes the difference in paying the bills this month or even this year, one shouldn't even be considering it in the first place.
But if a label makes someone happy, China made fake Belstaff, Burberry or whatever can also be had online on the cheap.