Question:
A comment in the thread about single most expensive purchases makes me think about how much we pay for luxury dress, grooming, fragrance, accessories and the such. I only see that as my access to progressively more expensive, refined, luxurious and exotic products grows, so does my taste and consequently, my spending. If my mother knew that spending $100 on a bottle of cologne was a regular thing with me, she'd freak. I find myself at saks fifth avenue looking at ties that cost $165, that for some reason, seem almost neccessary to own. I am a middle-class American with not much more money than the next guy, and I wonder if I am crazy to be paying such extravagant prices for things I could otherwise do without. I suppose it is a matter of controlling my spending and being financially responsible, but I don't buy anything that seriously sets me back.
I suppose that these stores and products exist for people who make quite a bit more than I do, some of which are surely reading this post from a completely different perspective.
Where will I draw the line? When I am (hopefully) making a quarter-million a year, will there be ten-thousand dollar ties that I cannot live without? I get half of my ties from TJ Maxx for $7-10, and they look damn good on me. Am I overanalyzing this?

Answer:
You're not alone. We live in a society (not just in America) that worships the luxury, so even the traditionally "middle class" feels the desire to dress, smell, appear, and play like they're wealthy.

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Quote: Originally Posted by perfectfeet If my mother knew that spending $100 on a bottle of cologne was a regular thing with me, she'd freak. I find myself at saks fifth avenue looking at ties that cost $165, that for some reason, seem almost neccessary to own. I am a middle-class American with not much more money than the next guy, and I wonder if I am crazy to be paying such extravagant prices for things I could otherwise do without. perfectfeet - I know that I'm in the same boat - and I suspect that many of us [men] are. I bet you got through the same passive-aggressive thing that I do - you can't justify spending $125 on a tie, and keep putting off the "expense" - but then turn around and spend as much or more on some bottles of cologne, a camera, a wristwatch, etc. It's crazy. Chalk it up to modern existence? Or frugal upbringing? Entitlement? Guilt?
Then again, what's "extravagant?" It's no mystery (to me, anyway, and probably you) that a $100 bottle of niche cologne is exponentially better than something you can buy in Target; and I know that my $125 tie is much, much more nicely constructed than a TJ Maxx special (which has its own charm, to be fair). Then there's the whole ambiance/experience question - it is a different (nicer?) experience to shop in Saks/Bloomingdales, etc. than in Filene's Basement.

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Something to be mentioned...The stuff I get at "the MAXX" is all good stuff too. Dkny, geofrey beene, nautica... These only cost around $20-40 when they are new and at retail stores, (I figure they must be out of season or something when they end up at tj or marshalls..) but it's the burberry, the hermes etc that cost $165 new, retail. I suppose $30 is a day's wage for (some) people in our country near the poverty line, and $7 is a day's wage for some people in other countries, and $165 is a day's wage for some people as well. Personally, purchasing a $165 tie would put me on a guilt trip and mean not paying a utility bill or two. lol! Wait, what am I saying?! I've got a shelf next to me with well over a grand's worth of fragrances on it! lol

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I see nothing wrong with appreciating the finer things in life. I think in the long run, spending 185 USD for a hand made silk Brioni tie will outlast a 35 USD Calvin Klein tie made in China. There is a difference in feel and quality and knowing that you have a good eye and taste in details. On a personal note, I enjoy treating myself to fine luxury items. I splurge on Berluti shoes each time I visit Paris but I don't feel guilty because it's not available here in L.A. and I know these shoes will last me a lifetime. As long as you can differentiate that they are just 'material' things and does not really identify you as a human being.

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The only time I'd ever buy expensive designer stuff would be if I was in a situation where money is no longer an object.
I could never justify it to myself. The quality might be slightly better, but regardless of how nice the stuff is, with designer stuff 90% of the rediculous extra price is you paying for the name.
It's all just how you look upon it. If you're the type of person who obsesses about fashion, then it'll dominate your thoughts. But I think it's kind of a shallow pursuit, there are much more rewarding and important things in life. Extremely expensive designer stuff is high quality, but to argue that when I buy a pair of D&G jeans for $350, or a Burberry leather jacket for $1300 that I'm paying for the higher quality is rediculous. You pay for a name.
I'm not saying don't spoil yourself once in a while or grab one of these articles that really intrigues you. But letting it dominate your thoughts is something no good can come of.

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You only live once. You can't take any of your hard-earned, well-managed money with you when you die.
Buy the best things you can afford. Drink expensive wine, 30-year-old scotch... Buy expensive cheese. Lotion. Perfume.
A professor used to tell us that if we scored anything over 90% (to get an A), then we were wasting our time. I have the same philosophy when it comes to money.
Or if you feel guilty being so self-indulgent, then I'm sure your loved ones would appreciate some of the finer things in life in the form of gifts
-ben

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To me life is first and foremost about pleasure - for myself as well as others. That means I will try (it's not always easy within the framework of my income) not buy products I know bear the mark of other's exploitation, as well as the highest available quality. This takes time and effort. So many luxury products are just empty shells with a name, not quality, justifying the hefty price tag. This applies to clothes, foods, wine, cosmetics and even perfume. Most designer ties at $50 are not that much higher quality than your discounter offer. My D&G tie is crap, in fact, while my Hermes tie is of so fine a silk it virtually ties itself. That's quality. And, no sir, I do not regret paying 3 Euros for it at the thrift store . That's where I buy all my ties (2nd hand, Oxfam etc.).
I'm a well educated academic, which means I've been given the privilege of acquiring a sense of taste criminally disproportionate to my income . So I've made an art of bargain hunting which permits a lifestyle usually not possible at this level, plus the psychological gratification, or cheap thrill, of fooling "the system," as well as keeping my middle class morality somewhat intact ("$200 for a tie is immoral while people are starving etc. pp.)." That all these beautiful things don't really enrich your life is elite propaganda . Of course they do. That doesn't mean that, ultimately, holding my baby in my arms isn't worth infinitely more than my perfume collection, wine cellar, tie rack, designer shirt closet and Single Malt bar combined and multiplied by 1,000. Happiness does not lie in luxury alone. And it won't fill the hole in your life if there's one there. It just makes life so much more comfortable and pleasurable.

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Quote: Originally Posted by the_good_life It won't fill the hole in your life if there's one there. It just makes life so much more comfortable and pleasurable. As Oscar Wilde wrote: "Give me the luxuries in life and I can dispense with the necessities."
(hence the strange thrill I get from wearing Serge Lutens as I cook up some Ramen noodles or microwave burritos)

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Quote: Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo (hence the strange thrill I get from wearing Serge Lutens as I cook up some Ramen noodles or microwave burritos) I'll bet many of us here have our own version of this.