How do you define luxury, and what would you be willing to splurge on? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you define luxury, and what would you be willing to splurge on?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

After reading all the interesting posts in Inge's thread Deluxe - How Luxury Lost Its Luster - Kick-off Thread, I began thinking about what I think is "true" luxury. It means a variety of things to me, but handmade quality is always something that appeals to me. I value everything that has an interesting tradition behind it - it can be handmade soap from France, a pair of leather boots from Italy, a handknit sweater (well made).

Luxury to me would be my new leather booties. They have leather soles, sewn down, not glued, and the leather is perfect. They were pricey, but I wear them almost every other day and am so happy about them. They will last me for many years. Another kind of luxury is a fresh piece of lavender soap from Provence, or a good cheese.

I eyed this wonderful bouclé skirt while shopping, but the price tag told me to let it go. I don't think it was worth that kind of money. I bought a similar fabric for a fraction of the price, and sewed it myself instead. Not entirely the same, but it still felt good, and a self-made skirt is something to cherish in its own way. When is a piece of clothing too expensive in your opinion, and what are the items you don't mind paying for? What does luxury mean?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think I have the same mindset as you; very high quality materials and craftsmanship, something that is beautifully designed, but also beautifully made with the finest materials. And, tradition also plays a part, I think...you know, like fine, handmade lace from a place that has been making it the same way for generations! There's also something to be said for luxury service, as well. Same rules apply, I think, to that.

So far most of my splurges have been mostly on food, a couple of kitchen pans (three demeyere pans, and hoping to add at least one more!) and a couple of handbags. These items give me pleasure using them because the quality and function just cannot be beat, plus they are beautiful to look at.

Irene

Veteran

Perfume, and shoes Oh, and coats (but if I can get them cheaper, I don't mind as long as they are good enough quality).

MsMary

Veteran

I just booked private guides for the Japan leg of our upcoming trip. To me, the ability to move around the cities freely with my husband and son, without having to stress over the language barrier or worry about getting lost, is going to be very luxurious indeed. Honestly, there are very few actual objects that give me a similar feeling -- I'm more of an "experience" girl, I think.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Jenava, I think we are a bit old school:) The values you mention are equally important to me. I prefer few, but well made kitchen utensils. I think I would be willing to pay more for a bag than for a number of other clothes items, like you.

Irene, shoes and coats are on my list of priorities. I've finally learned that cheap shoes never pay off, and a good coat is a must-have. Perfume is something I rarely buy, but it must be of high quality.

MaryK, this is a kind of luxury that many people probably can relate to. I truly understand how this guide will make everything easier for you in Japan.

How are your thoughts in regard of luxury goods versus mass consumption, ladies? Would you prefer to have a lot of cheaper versions of something to fewer, but better items, or vice versa? Or - both (huh, I know it's possible).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't *ever* skimp on tea, loo paper, parking, my haircut, our health and the welfare of our fur babies. Not in that order, though.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I pay top dollar for doctors, lawyers, and haircuts. It's been my experience (either first or second hand) that skimping in these areas is a very big mistake.

I pay for organic meat and other produce, where it's possible. I believe in nice sheets and towels and good soaps and creams.

For me, true luxury would be business class. That's when I know I've made it, when I can fly business class without blinking.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Funny, I would be much more likely to spend on a wonderful meal and fine wine than on an item. I suppose that is more experience oriented as well. Actually, the BF and I will spend several hundred on such a meal a few times a year, but I can count on one hand the items in my closet that cost me over $100.

Atlantia

Veteran

Musts: good sunscreen, fresh spices, a doted-on dog, and fun electronic toys.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Adding onto my first comment:

As far as my wardrobe, travel and food goes (which includes eating out): it's all high-low. We have no problem spending huge amounts of money, or very little money in these areas of our lives. The item and experience must render extreme value in order to get our hard earned latkes. Of course - the value is perceived and relative. And in some cases it has a diminishing set of returns.

Spending a lot of money on a mediocre meal makes me VERY angry. It makes me see red. But spending lots of money on a spectacular meal is a pleasure.

Atlantia

Veteran

Angie, I'd love to know what kind of tea you splurge on.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I looked up the definitions of quality & luxury as I wasn't sure of the difference. They are not necessarily the same thing.

Luxury is defined as:
The state of great comfort and extravagant living.

Quality is defined as:
The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.

I would like quality in all areas of my life from organic food to good health to well made clothing that lasts for as long as I want or need it.

I would never spend the money for an Hermes bag, I'd much rather have a holiday somewhere exotic, so I don't think my idea of quality slips into the luxury category but I never say never.

Gaylene

Veteran

"True" luxury, to me, are things that give me a sensory, as well as functional, pleasure. The item, or experience, goes beyond the requirements of its kind to provide a jolt of pleasure.

For example, I love using my French-blue, cast-iron Staub pot because I adore its fusion of color, balance, and functionality. A recipe could be prepared just as well in another pot, but it feels like such a luxury to be able to own and use such a beautiful item.

Some things in my "true luxury" category are fairly predictable: my high-quality cashmere sweater which I bought in Paris a year ago, my splurge on fabulous linens for our bed, and my well-designed Longchamps overnight bag that I take everywhere. But others are more personal: using my grandmother's biscuit cutters which I remember using as a child when I "helped" her in her kitchen, reading the first pages of a new book while sitting in my leather chair beside the fireplace with a cup of tea on a snowy afternoon, and walking, with my sister, through the village in eastern Europe where my mother was born almost a century ago. Some of these "splurges" on luxury cost money, but the "luxury" aspect of others was in taking the time to fully let myself feel and enjoy that jolt of pleasure.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Considering Caro's definitions I prefer quality all the way!
Luxury would come with a measure of guilt- how do we feel hearing of multi-million salaried politicians and company directors when so many are starving?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Caro, that is a very important distinction, indeed! I realize that I'm more into quality than luxury, then. But on the other hand, I could be willing to buy one or two luxury items if they were of the right kind: A beautiful bag perhaps (not Hermes, but I love the designs). My husband would certainly splurge on a new bike, but I can't see what for.

But if the choice is between experiences, good meals or traveling, I'd pick that any time before a luxury bag - or bike!

deb

Veteran

Quality, I have always looked for quality no matter my income bracket. Luxury is where I am able to afford the things I held dear but could not afford. My fur babies, for example. I have always wanted standard poodles but my human children came first. I tried to make sure they had all they needed to succeed in today's world, even through the tough times. Once they left home for good, I was able to get the fur babies I wanted. The luxury of a good breeder made a very big difference in quality of my life for the 15 or so years I will have these babies. It was money well spent. Luxurious 'things' just do not mean much to me. I do insist on good leather shoes and bags, but we are able to get these at a relatively low price. Oh, that word 'relative', means so much. Someone with a lower wage will have a different deffinition of luxury than I do and I never want them to feel bad because they do. How do we overcome this? I see it happening so often and it makes me sad.

Nicole D

Veteran

I think that paying for domestic and caregiving services that can enhance your efficiency and ability to spend quality time with your family is the most important luxury for me, and I am constantly surprised that others do not see that.

deb

Veteran

Caro, I agree with you. Having a housekeeper increased my quality/luxury time with my children when they were little. I did not even think of that which I should be ashamed of. I still have a housekeeper and it is money well spent! No arguing over who is going to do what chore and hurt feelings. A much happier family, me included!

Isabel

Veteran

Though I live in MA, I recently went to the Shoptoberfest in the OC, CA. I had my own room and rented a car for 2 days. I have some great food and company and bought some fun things. That was a COMPLETE luxury to me. For the first time in my life, I did something just because.....just for fun.

I also LOVE sweatercoats and would spend a bit more a on a big beautiful, big cashmere sweater. I could certainly live without it and find many other alternatives...but it is a splurge as would be a big cashmere scarf. There are lots of other things that would do just as well, but there is just something about the softness that just screams luxury.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I now have a much higher appreciation for a lack of physical discomfort as a luxury - to that end, I'm committed to splurging on comfortable shoes, fabrics that breathe, technology that eases the burden on my shoulders (a la my spy trench coat with the many pockets), things like that. Had enough of arch pain, toe pain, and rashes to last me. Will also splurge on something that absolutely sings to me, clothing-wise - but only if it meets the comfort criteria as well.

I do NOT splurge on my vehicle, meals, makeup, travel... in those areas, I want the best value rather than the most luxury.

cciele

Veteran

To me, luxury is a splurge -- spending a lot on something, hopefully high quality, that I would typically spend less for for. So, an expensive meal. 5-star hotel room. High-end handbag. Great boots. Etc.

And to that end, I just spent a crazy amount of money on some Chrome Hearts prescription sunnies. But this is my first pair of prescription sunglasses, I think they will last a long time, the design is awesome, and I can afford the splurge

Anonymous

What cciele said.

But I do consistently spend on my haircuts