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What things do you only use pricey versions of? And why?

165 replies

Limth · 15/07/2024 10:23

For me its:
Gym wear: I find it fits better, lasts longer and doesn't get that weird spring onion smell that I can never seem to get out of cheaper stuff.

Shoes: After many years of many thousands of fast fashion pumps and ballet flats, I've started buying expensive shoes. They last, they don't generally leak, and they're comfortable.

Socks: Wider choice of pretty patterns, wash well and don't wear through as quickly as cheaper versions.

Knickers: I've spent too many years in generic, badly fitting, off the shelf under crackers. Now I invest a little bit more in no cross seam boxers. They're not enormously more expensive but my minge and my arse crack are thankful.

Cheese: Cheap cheese these days just tastes like a whole load of nothing so I invest in good, strong cheese that actually tastes of cheese.

Pies: We eat a lot of pie in my house 😬I find supermarket pies bland and not very 'filled'. We spent about £75/month on pricey pies nowadays.

Some alcohol: Some alcohol is definitely better when you throw some cash at it. Wine, mostly. Not all though - I can't tell the difference between Value vodka and expensive stuff. And Tesco Cognac is my absolute favourite even when stacked against very very expensive versions.

Squash: Once you've had Vimto squash (20p per 100ml), there's just no going back to supermarket own (6p per 100ml).

Foundation: Lasts and can actually be blended properly so I don't end up looking like a paint-by-numbers face mask.

What about you?

OP posts:
faffadoodledo · 15/07/2024 16:26

Rewq · 15/07/2024 10:27

wellies, I buy some ridiculously priced French wellies, I forget the brand but they’re so comfy, last ages and don’t hurt my feet compared to various cheaper ones I’ve tried.

Le Chameau. That's the brand. They're ace, if spenny.
I gave up on Hunters and other 'British' brands years ago.

NeedWineNow · 15/07/2024 16:42

Meat from the butchers 30 seconds from our front door. We had their mince in a Bolognese last night and you can really tell the difference.

Handbags. Good leather. That's not to say I haven't got cheap (I've got loads possibly too many) but my Aspinal bag for instance was a real workhorse when I was working and still looks good.

Bold washing capsules - nothing else cuts the mustard

Hair - good cut, colour and Philip Kingsley hair products.

Clinique skincare and Benefit mascaras

Crikeyalmighty · 15/07/2024 16:58

@Mrsredlipstick my 84 year old FIL swears by that ice cream too - he has a very small bowl every evening!

CutthroatDruTheViolent · 15/07/2024 17:43

Limth · 15/07/2024 14:18

We get a six pie variety box costing £25, roughly three times a month.
Ergo, £75 a month.

I'm boycotting M&S because of their mixed sex changing rooms policy and their ridiculous inability to see how alienating it is for their very specific customer base. I'm stubborn so once I start boycotting somewhere I never ever go back.

Edited

I don't think you understand.

STOP GATEKEEPING THE BLOODY PIE COMPANY!

Please and thank you Grin

Motnight · 15/07/2024 18:12

Perfume. (My husband buys it for me e, always Jo Malone, I have more bottles on the go than I care to admit)

Bobbi Brown mascara.

Fairy non bio washing powder.

GameOfJones · 15/07/2024 18:20

@xxSideshowAuntSallyxx I agree with honey. I am extremely lucky that my friend keeps bees so I get my honey from her but even before then I'd buy local, it's so much nicer than cheap blends.

I disagree with the PP that gin is gin. I used to think that until I tried Mermaid Zest gin and it is so lovely and refreshing.

letsgoooo · 15/07/2024 18:24

@faffadoodledo

Le Chameau. That's the brand. They're ace, if spenny.
I gave up on Hunters and other 'British' brands years ago.
Or Aigle. The French do good wellies for some reason

Twattergy · 15/07/2024 18:28

Defo real leather shoes and bags , fake leather (ie plastic) just looks horrible and cracks/degrades very quickly. Posh brands bought second hand are not expensive and last for years.
Sunglasses - again, well made ones last a lot longer.

SinisterBumFacedCat · 15/07/2024 18:31

Helmans mayonnaise- no one else gets the thicker texture right

Sketchers - only trainers my feet fit nicely into

Illy - coffee

however Iceland frozen paella is the best

twilightcafe · 15/07/2024 18:38

Fairy Platinum washing-up liquid

Doc Marten school shoes now that the kids' feet have stopped growing.

First-class upgrades on train journeys of 2+ hours.

Gold/silver jewellery

Heinz tomato ketchup

Who Gives A Crap loo roll

Bone china mugs. Tea tastes better in them. I don't know why.

Bin bags

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 15/07/2024 18:43

Le Chameau. That's the brand. They're ace, if spenny.

Spenny?! Is that an actual word? Confused

Anyway... tea. Proper, loose-leaf tea from a proper tea shop, or a good online supplier.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 15/07/2024 18:48

Can anyone recommend a good loose leaf tea, as mentioned before?

I live near two good, independent tea/coffee sellers - Farrer's and Atkinsons. I think they both have an online shop. If you want a nice, loose-leaf equivalent to a strongish tea bag, go for Assam or their house English Breakfast or Afternoon blend.

NeedWineNow · 15/07/2024 18:57

Oh yes, forgot decent bin bags!

TheYoungestSibling · 15/07/2024 19:01

Fever tree tonic gets a hard pass from me. Britvic is the best but hard to come by. But it needs decent gin, Bombay Sapphire or Hendricks. Never Gordon's.

If it protects you from the ground or the elements it's worth investment. Shoes, mattress, coat, car tyres.

boredsoscrollingonMNagain · 15/07/2024 19:05

Coffee - I never scrimp on coffee !

Butter for sandwiches - I will buy the shop version of lurpak ( asdas or aldis ) but I won’t buy a cheap margarine .

Foundation and concealer - I only wear NARS. About £40 per bottle. I wear foundation daily and I have tried cheaper ones in the past ( maybelline , L’Oréal etc ) and it has never lasted anywhere near as long as this does and it also goes cakey.

Bread - I’ll never buy a cheap own brand - I think there’s not much difference in price and it always seems to just not feel fresh .

Washing tablets - I always have Fairy or Bold - I find the shop bought ones just don’t have that nice smell .

mitogoshi · 15/07/2024 19:08

Own brands here all the way, the only difference is the price. £75 on pies??? Make your own?

spikeandbuffy · 15/07/2024 19:10

Bras, only Elomi fit me
Candles. I don't mind bath and body works but my fave are £40-60 a candle Blush

Apart from that I'm not really picky

LoobyDoop2 · 15/07/2024 19:21

Orange juice. The best Aldi can do is watery and bitter, it has to be Tropicana.
Bedding that is less than 100% cotton feels horrible and bobbles.

MissingMoominMamma · 15/07/2024 19:25

Trainers- my two brands are ASICS for trail, and Allbirds for everyday.

T-shirts, both long and short sleeved- merino. See also, jumpers. Icebreaker and Findra are my favourites.

Knickers and socks from BAM.

Not at all bothered about dressy gear, but my everyday stuff has to be as ethically made and as natural as possible.

sentfrmmyiphone · 15/07/2024 19:29

I wouldn't say pricey versions... but I prefer branded over non branded

Needhelp101 · 15/07/2024 19:48

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 15/07/2024 18:48

Can anyone recommend a good loose leaf tea, as mentioned before?

I live near two good, independent tea/coffee sellers - Farrer's and Atkinsons. I think they both have an online shop. If you want a nice, loose-leaf equivalent to a strongish tea bag, go for Assam or their house English Breakfast or Afternoon blend.

Thank you, I'll look them up 🙂

prescribingmum · 15/07/2024 22:34

Quite a few are same as many other PP

Gymwear - I workout daily so my gymwear is the most washed from pretty much everything in the house. Sweaty Betty has stood the test of time better than any other brand. The initial fit of M&S was comparable but 3 years on and the M&S are worse for wear whereas SB going strong. Same applies for decent sports bras

Footwear - from daily trainers to work shoes and sandals. I’ve stopped compromising on quality as being comfortable makes all the difference

Coats - staying warm and dry is worth it

Bedding - wool mattresses, duvets and wool or latex pillows. DH has allergies so everything is natural materials and it has made such a difference

Certain food items like fresh fruit and veg, olive oil, tinned tomatoes

This was more a one off expense but our kitchen. Cost us so much at the time, invested in multiple appliances I had my heart set on but it truly is a delight to cook in and we just love it. I am never tempted to order take away over cooking as I can make most things as good as I want them myself and enjoy making it from scratch. Enough space for children to work or play while I’m cooking when they want to be around and for them to get involved and help me. It’s just been life changing

CheeseSandwichRiskAssessment · 15/07/2024 22:39

Shoes, meat, fish, some dairy, face cream, sports bras and running shoes (and sole inserts).

Ok tell us about the pies?? I'm so curious how this is possible.

Garlickest · 15/07/2024 22:46

Shoes and bags. I have plastic/silicone/canvas/etc ones and wish I'd just skipped those to buy fewer, in good quality leather. Even my trainers are leather; I'll fight anyone who says it isn't better!

Bin bags, definitely. I scour the internet for mega-packs that work out a reasonable price per bag.

I used to be a food purist. Now I can't afford to be, I'm extremely grateful to the hens & pigs who suffered for my dinner. No question that organic, free-range food is better in every way except price, though!

Same for wine and wine derivatives (brandy). There is a qualitative difference with other spirits & liqueurs, but I don't think the cheaper ones are proportionately worse.

Garlickest · 15/07/2024 22:47

@Limth, I have pie envy 😂