"It is by no means an uncommon spectacle to find a man applying himself to work with the utmost assiduity, in order that his wife may in due form render for him that degree of vicarious leisure which the common sense of the time demands" (Veblen 2).
Veblen defines conspicuous leisure as the idea of having the means to buy material objects that display wealth. Men are often found laboring to achieve the economic means, while the women focus their attention on attaining a high social status. Women are often found conforming to the habits of other women - women most often participate in conspicuous leisure because they do not want to appear less wealthy, and so many other women are doing it as well. In The Great Gatsby, Mrs. Wilson is a a prominent example of a woman who participates in conspicuous leisure. Her husband works to attain their economic means, while she uses the money he makes to buy material objects that she hopes will give her a wealthy appearance.
Katie-You're on the right track here, though I think there's some confusion about the distinction between conspicuous leisure and conspicuous consumption. C.L. has to do with the display of free time, if you will-a person doesn't have to work (because he's so wealthy, or because her husband does), and therefore can be conspicuous in his or her leisure time. C.C. has to do with the buying of excess goods--something that, in Veblen's view, wives will do on behalf of their husbands. You've got the gist of things-it's the details that can be confusing.
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