The Veblen Effect in Outdoor Clothing: A Phenomenological Study from the Perspective of Outdoor Athletes

Abstract

This study aims to explore how outdoor sports participants perceive and evaluate the use of outdoor apparel as a status symbol by individuals not engaged in outdoor activities. It also examines the Veblen effect, which involves conspicuous and status-driven consumption, from the perspective of these athletes, focusing on how prestige and perception shape their preferences for outdoor clothing. The research follows a phenomenological design within the qualitative research approach. Participants were required to be 18 years or older, have a high school education or higher, and be actively involved in outdoor sports for at least the past five years. The sample consisted of nine individuals, five men and four women, who met these criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a content analysis approach. Four main themes emerged: functionality and quality awareness, conspicuousness and consumer culture, user profiles and differentiation, and product perception within market development. The findings suggest that outdoor clothing has evolved into a socio-cultural symbol beyond its technical function. While the Veblen effect does not directly influence athletes’ clothing choices, its role in shaping perceptions of urban status reveals the growing impact of fashion-driven preferences.

Keywords

• Outdoor Clothing
• Veblen Effect
• Outdoor Sports

Açık Alan Giyiminde Veblen Etkisi: Doğa Sporcularının Bakış Açısıyla Fenomenolojik Bir İnceleme

Öz

Bu araştırmanın amacı, doğa sporcularının, açık alan giysilerinin doğa sporlarıyla ilgilenmeyen bireyler tarafından statü sembolü olarak kullanımına ilişkin algılarını ve değerlendirmelerini ortaya koymaktır. Ayrıca doğa sporcularının gözünden Veblen etkisini (gösteriş/statü amaçlı pahalı tüketim) inceleyerek açık alan giyimindeki prestij ve algıların nasıl şekillendiğini belirlemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımlarından fenomenoloji deseni çerçevesinde tasarlanmıştır. Araştırmanın katılım kriterleri; 18 yaş ve üzeri, en az lise mezunu ve en az son 5 yıldır doğa sporlarıyla aktif olarak ilgilenen bireylerden oluşmuştur. Bu kriterleri karşılayan 5 erkek ve 4 kadın olmak üzere toplam 9 doğa sporcusu, çalışmanın örneklem grubunu oluşturmuştur. Çalışmadaki veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmış ve içerik analizi yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Analizler sonucunda, dört ana tema (açık alan giyiminde işlevsellik ve kalite bilinci, gösteriş ve tüketim kültürü, kullanıcı profili ve ayrışma pazar gelişimi ve ürün algısı) ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu bağlamda, açık alan giyiminin teknik bir gereksinim değil, aynı zamanda sosyo-kültürel bir sembol hâline geldiğini göstermektedir. Veblen etkisi, doğa sporcularının giyim tercihlerinde doğrudan belirleyici olmamakla birlikte, bu ürünlerin şehir hayatında bir statü sembolü olarak kullanılması, moda temelli giyim tercihlerinin yaygınlaştığını ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Açık Alan Giyimi
• Veblen Etkisi
• Doğa Sporları

Kaynakça

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