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Sunday, September 25, 2011

Precious things/9 Luxury is expensive?

People have alternatively called me a snob, a poseur even elitist because of my penchant for luxury items. Probably because I have discovered at quite a young age the enticing world of high end products and started building my wardrobe based on classic, durable designer items.
It has been interesting to watch how these loud proclamations of my purportedly extravagant behaviour turned into a whisper as years went by. And I'm still wearing the same pair of shoes.
I've worn my old clutch into rags. It was my constant companion for 4 years.


And my coat, oh my darling coat! Purchased with money given to me by my mum has caused such a furore I was on the brink of tears on more than one occasion.
Nowadays when I wear it, though still good as new it's old news to the people that once scorned me. But it remains the most precious thing in my wardrobe. Call me a sentimental fool, but I consider it a dear friend.

Some people talk to their plants. I talk to my clothes. Certifiable? Probably.

I'd really like to hear what was the first expensive item you ever purchased. It needn't be clothes. Something that  maybe marked a  transition in your life. A new beginning?

10 comments:

  1. I spent $500 on a framed print in 1993/4. It's been moved to many houses and now hangs in my foyer. Magically it has never been damaged throughout the years and still makes me smile. I totally believe in investing in the nest you can afford in last forever, never go out of styles stuff - good for you!

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  2. I think it's always good to buy the best you can afford, especially for items that you want to last a long time.

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  3. Elisabeth: Thanks so much for sharing :-) I imagine this amount represented a small fortune back in the early 90's.

    bead addict: It's hard not to be tempted by cheap knock off fashion for peanuts. But in my opinion acrylic and polyester should be permanently blacklisted.

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  4. That coat is beautiful!

    We tend to spend on luxury for our home, not so much clothes, but my style quest seems to have unleashed desire, so we'll see...

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  5. 'acrylic and polyester should be permanently blacklisted'
    ha ha ha! That made me chuckle.
    I am stepping away from the post comment button now.
    I think 3 in one day is quite enough! I am not a crazy blog stalker - honest!!

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  6. Susan: When we moved into our very own apartment a year and a half ago after renting for 7 years we really let loose on certain interior pieces.

    bead addict: Receiving comments in my mailbox is one of my favourite parts of the day :-D

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  7. My most expensive purchases have been my musical instruments. They are "fancy", but I wouldn't consider them luxury items; they are tools.

    My first luxury purchase was perfume that I bought in Paris, when I was a teenager. It didn't mark a big transition, but it definitely changed my perception of what makes a good fragrance and it forever ended my use of cheap perfumes. :)

    Something that did mark a transition for me was the purchase of some expensive china plates that I bought after I moved to the city where I currently live, about 20 years ago. My move here was totally independent; although I'd been away from my parents' home for years, it was my first real grown-up living experience. Buying the fancy plates was an acknowledgement that I knew I probably wouldn't be getting married anytime soon (i.e., no wedding china), but that I still deserved to have a real home with nice things. I still have those plates and still love them.

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  8. Ms. M: I couldn't agree more with you on the perfume. I have a keen sense of smell and all the cheap floral perfumes make me nauseous.
    I just loved your china plates story. In Slovenia the whole mentality of I'll move out of my parents' home when I have a partner is still alarmingly prevalent.

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  9. The coat has the simple classic design of a luxury item that will always look good,colour is divine.
    You have great taste.ida

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  10. ida: Thanks :-) The colour was another big issue. I received a lot of criticism for choosing a white coat, saying it was impractical.

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