In praise of expensive stuff

Kudos to my daughter, Celeste, for defending $350 sunglasses in a comment to my post about her company, Barton Perreira, being mentioned in a New York Times story as being "a brand coveted by aficionados."

Another commenter gave me grief for talking about such apparent excess so favorably. Heck, I want some Barton Perreiras. What are my chances of getting a free pair from Celeste if I talk them down?

[Note: actually they can cost quite a bit more than $350.]

Anyway, I agree with what my brilliant, insightful, well spoken child (a chip off of the genetic block, for sure) said:

Interesting comment about it being unethical to spend $350 on sunglasses. Being in the luxury market, I actually think we are more ethical than all those cheap stores that sell $10 sunglasses that you have to throw away or don't feel bad about losing.

The whole point to more expensive clothes, accessories etc. is that they are made to last and the buyer will keep the sunglasses for many years instead of our toss-away mentality in the US. I personally buy one nice handbag, one nice pair of sunglasses, one nice pair of shoes maybe every year or two and keep them until I wear them out.

So who is more ethical, the person who buys tons of cheap crap and throws it away or the person who buys one "expensive" item and cherishes it for years?

Right on, Celeste. Once I get my pair of Barton Perreiras I'll cherish them forever. Or at least until I see some sunglasses that I want even more.

But seriously…you're right. I just dug through my closet and found a shirt that I bought at the Neiman-Marcus in Dallas when you worked for them right out of college.

I remember, when I visited you, that I felt I had to buy something in the men's department, even though all of the clothes seemed ridiculously expensive. If I recall correctly, the shirt cost $50 – big bucks in 1993, or whenever it was.

It's a Bugatchi Uomo. Black, with cool hidden buttons. I don't quite look like the guy on their web site when I wear it, but I definitely feel more stylish and…I don't know what to call it…quality – as in the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sense.

Or, maybe not. There's really no need to reach for philosophy to explain why something expensive often feels so good. Like Celeste said, there's a difference between crap and quality. That's about all there is to it.

Lastly, concerning the notion that it's unethical to spend money to sustain a lifestyle above that of the poorest of the Earth's poor: unless you're walking the walk, don't talk the talk.

If you're really doing that, what are you doing on a computer, commenting on my blog post?

Comments

[Harry Vanderpool]

I purchased a set of killer sterio speakers for $1000.00 each back in '75 while attending college.
There were those that gave me much grief for that "wastful expendature".
Of those of them that are still alive, the first thing they want to do is hear the kick-ass sterio when they visit.
It's your money, to hell with the Jonses.
Be your own Jones's.

[Amecameca]

For your information sir, I am trying to walk the walk. I live in a modest 48-year-old 1,800 sq. ft. house close to downtown so I can walk to work (no air conditioning, BTW). My wife and I and 3 kids have 2 old +100K mileage cars that we drive as little as possible (one a four cylinder that gets good mileage). We grow vegetables in our backyard, mow our grass with a push mower, and let the lawn go dormant in the summer. My computer is an older Mac laptop. I hope to do even better in the future to live on less and give more and tread more lightly on the earth. I don't buy the argument that "more expensive" means "better quality." Most of the time, the motivation people have to spend $350 on sunglasses is to attempt to enhance their status. In economics, these are sometimes called "Veblen Goods" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good) named after the author of the classic study, Theory of the Leisure Class, who coined the phrase "conspicuous consumption." Our country has been the world leader in conspicuous consumption for over a century now. It's time we wake up to that and begin to change our ways. Peak oil and global warming may force us to change, but it would be more ethical for us to begin to choose a different way of life.

[Robert Paul Howard]

Dear Brian,

This morning I am using a friend's laptop to be on/at your blog. Usually I have to go to the Library for such access. Unless someone gives me a ride in a vehicle, I walk wherever I go. $350.00 would/could buy quite a lot of food for my sustinance.

But, of course, do as you can, and think as you so please.

Robert Paul Howard