Since then, more examples of conspicuous consumption among humans have been given than could possibly fit on this page, and Veblen's theory remains as applicable today as the day it was formed .
Conspicuous consumption is clearly costly.
Miller explains that since much of the utility derived from these goods is a consequence of their price rather than their substance, high taxes on such goods serve to extract large revenue for the government while imposing a small burden on the consumer. He then considers several models of status goods markets under taxation. It seems beyond question to me that many recent fashion trends are indeed examples of costly signalling. Designer jeans, hundred-dollar tennis shoes, powerful cars, and designer watches are all status goods which signal the wealth of the wearer. Out of this costly signalling through fashion comes a very nice example of signal evolution .