What If No One Noticed?

[Autumnovember]

Well I do think some people care or else everyone wouldn't be sporting name branded clothes with big brand signs??? I don't know; I see fb posts saying, hey I got a new LV bag, new Mercedes, etc. . .

I think it is fun to be able to splurge and buy some things that are name brand. I like craftsmanship so I will go for a high quality splurge once in awhile, but I do it more for me.

Oh, there are!

I know one personally.

Funny, because I'm not into status symbols and this individual for whatever reason always seeks my approval for every single status symbol she buys. Its weird....and uncomfortable.

 

[soocool]

My father was my greatest influence. He was a craftsman furniture maker. He took great pride in using the best wood and making one of a kind signature pieces that he said will outlive many generations. So I do not know if he taught me about "status", but rather that quality trumps designer labels. Dad owns a few watches that were owned by his grandfather and still work and has outlasted his cheaper watches. He had jewelry custom made for my mom - his friend was a bench jeweler who worked magic with gold.

 

[zoebartlett]

I just buy things I like without thinking of what people might say or think, and I'm not at all into designer anything, really. I've never owned a designer handbag or designer jeans, shoes, sunglasses, and anything else that one might consider status symbols. It's nice to get compliments on things I wear (clothing or jewelry) but it doesn't bother me if it goes unnoticed by others.

 

[HollyS]

I don't believe I've ever been influenced by luxury brands. They're pretty. And, for the life I lead, pretentious.

Maybe it's my Scotch-Irish thriftiness. I NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR ANYTHING I CAN BUY AT A DISCOUNT. Never.

But, and this isn't meant as snark, so many designer or luxury brands have become their own cliche.

I prefer to be thought of as . . . original. Unique. One of a kind. Can't do that if you're known by your cliches.

In Texas, I would never buy a Coach, D&B, or LV bag. Yes, one brand is a Name and the others are wannabes. But you would see all of them schlepped by a large portion of the population here. Nothing special or 'luxurious" about that.

 

[TC1987]

... actually, there would be less risk having them stolen if nobody noticed.

This is exactly the position I am in. I live in a very small and impoverished town. The economic downturn is killing off what's left of the local industries, and the populace isn't educated enough or skilled enough or (truthfully) bright enough or young enough to find other jobs, and since most people who live here are unwilling to move away, they keep getting poorer and poorer.

So, I deliberately dress down and I drive a 1995 sedan to work and I keep my mouth shut about what I have, just so that I don't make myself a target for anything.

The OP's question about what if nobody saw or noticed: I had to LOL at that, because actually, nobody sees or notices. I only wear my diamonds around my own house, and to bed. I enjoy them quietly, at home, all by myself, and I hold my hand out at arm's length and say "My, what a pretty ring!" If I take my good jewelry out in public, I'll probably either get mugged or cussed at and spit on, LOL! The best I could hope for is scowls of disapproval. It's a sad, sad, old town.

Was there a person who influenced you (some of you mentioned that) to desire these things?

My mother and her sister, and they were educated by their aunt who grew up on a farm, was trained to be a nurse around WW I timeframe, moved to Washington DC, met Flo Ziegfeld there when he was hospitalized, he talked her into becoming a Ziegfield Girl, and then she married a Broadway show producer / movie producer and lived the rest of her life in NYC.

I was brought up "poor" but I made up for lost time when I moved out and went to work. I never shy away from great quality secondhand goods. My huge set of heavyweight old Towle King Richard sterling flatware, I bought from a small antique store back in 1993 for $1100 plus sales tax. It was a very shrewd purchase. Buying antiques and vintage solid wood case goods for furniture was another one (I got that idea from Auntie, too) -- I bought antiques from thrift stores, estate sales, and tag sales that were held at homes. I just kept trading up, and selling off the lower quality or lesser-liked items. I never ever lost any money on furniture, except the sofa and love seat that I bought new and kept for 21 years, and it was still right nice and not at all worn or dirty when I donated it to Habitat for Humanity. Rather than buy what's hawt, I buy good value and always try to get secondhand like-new, or a very bargain price on whatever it is, and I take excellent care of it. Clothes, I sewed my own career-wear. Now I am back in manufacturing, and I wear WalMart tee shirts and $13 jeans, hehe. My everyday status symbol is top-of-the-line Wolverine Durashocks steel toe boots. I refuse to wear cheap work boots because they beat up your knees and feet.

 

[Polished]

Part of the fun of owning something is sharing it with others. Isn't that why people post their bling on forums such as this. It's not done in a "mine is better than yours" kind of way but more from an appreciation of the different styles people choose and to share in the thrill it has given them. It also allows one to drool over pieces that you could never afford or never put a priority into owning, but nonetheless enjoy the fact that someone else has. Actually it would be interesting to know whether anyone has bought a piece of jewelry with half an eye to impressing people on here rather than solely themselves. I hope not!

I've a friend who never buys jewelery that is expensive (although her pieces look gorgeous on her) and she vicariously enjoys my pieces. While I share her joy in her shoe and handbag purchases.