There’s a natural attachment that comes with purchasing something you’ve been pining for. Once acquired, the item passes through a couple of checkpoints. Does finally owning this make me feel the way I thought it would? Do I ultimately regret this? Does this fit with anything else I wear?

Seldom does a piece of clothing or footwear check all the boxes, oft given an early funeral in the back of the closet, or finding chance at redemption as they’re resold to the highest bidder. But when a material item transcends this process and becomes a centerpiece in your wardrobe, you notice. And you find that no matter how much you may have paid for it, those boots, that sweater - wearing it feels actualizing - like you’ve climbed some mountain, or won a Dunkin Donuts gift card for guessing the number of Lifesavers in a jar. It brings a contrarian sense of comfort, knowing you have this piece in your closet even if you don’t regularly wear it.

If you thought you weren’t being psychologically evaluated by the brands whose ads follow you around on Instagram, think again. They believe they know what you want (even if you don’t), and where you stand in your pathway to purchase.

But why do we buy things? Is it just to gain “clout”? Flex on our friends? Find fulfillment through material items?

For some, the psychological connection runs deeper than just acquisition and attainment. Take a look at Jordan collectors. Newsweek documented the Air Jordan community, asking, “what makes wearing Jordans so special? “

“It's aspirational. It makes people feel special, like when they put these on they're a part of history. It's history that they're documenting. It's history that you can wear on your feet... A lot of people didn't have a whole lot when they were kids. Their parents didn't have the money to get these shoes. Now they have jobs, they're financially stable, and they can buy them, and they can relive their childhood.“

In so many words, these collectors and sneaker-heads all coalesce under the umbrella of 33 distinct Jordan silhouettes, each person bringing their unique views and feelings to the pairs they own. Some wear the hell out of their shoes - others wrap them tightly in plastic and lock them in a vault. All derive a deep sense of connection with a material item.

This goes for any medium. To your parents, purchasing your $3,500 Haider Ackermann bomber was an act of sheer folly. But to you, it represented a connection to something greater than yourself - perhaps you wanted to join the community of Haider owners. Maybe you just loved the design and cut of the jacket, or simply wanted to feel closer to the designer by owning one of their garments.

Many people purchase items to belong or feel relevant. Some just want the fleeting dopamine boost that comes with tapping the checkout button. No matter the reason, bonds are built between product and customer in one form or another.

How many of your recent clothing purchases were premeditated? Do you tend to research an item, develop a want for it, and price-watch until the perfect moment? Or do you bumble around with a Paypal balance, making snap purchases after stumbling upon listings that catch your eye?

Which of your purchases mean the most to you?

Let us know in the comments.

Why Did You Buy That?