Conspicuous Consumption Summary and Analysis

As the vicarious leisure class comes into being, so do distinctions among servant classes. Those taking part in vicarious leisure begin to engage in the vicarious consumption of goods. This refers to the costumes they wear and the size of their servant's quarters. This is the stage where there is a differentiation in consumption. Consumption yields utility to the individual and it is a by-product of wealth. In the early predatory culture, it was the work of women to produce the goods that the men consumed. The consumption of women was related to their work. It wasn't directed to giving them pleasure or comfort.

Unproductive consumption became an indication of dignity and was honorable in itself. Jewelry and choice items of food were not available to the lower classes. The luxuries were only supposed to be for the leisure...