Paying for the label

Photo: Getty Images

Published in this week's DNR is the "Gen Y Wish List," a nation wide survey of 100 men, age 18 to 24, that tallies the top 12 labels gen-y males are most likely to gladly pay full price for. Listed by the percentage of respondents who ranked each brand in their top five, these are the 12 labels that young men somewhat surprisingly aspire -- and will shell out top dollar -- to own:

1. Polo Ralph Lauren - 17%

2. Giorgio Armani - 17%

3. American Eagle - 17%

4. Nike - 16%

5. Gucci - 16%

6. Abercrombie & Fitch - 15%

7. Banana Republic - 12%

8. Puma - 11%

9. Hollister - 11%

10. Tommy Hilfiger - 10%

11. Calvin Klein/ck Calvin Klein - 10%

12. Adidas - 10%

Sort of reads like a checklist for the local mall, right? We'll dispense a bit of leniency given the age group polled -- some youngsters just need a little time before they reach fashion maturity -- but we also wonder what the list would look like if 100 gays were surveyed. We can think a couple from the list above that would be scratched off immediately, and we'd add a few obvious gay faves -- Diesel, D&G, H&M, American Apparel (for basics in all colors of the rainbow) -- but how about the rest of you 'mos out there? If you're going to plunk down the cash and pay full price, what are the top 12 labels you'd break the bank for? Let us know and we'll post the results along with our own, albeit not-so-scientific list for gen-gay.

-- SETH PLATTNER