How and why do people who aren’t actually well off pay for this stuff?

[Watersunscream]

If I told you our income I would be told we are in the top percent of earners etc but I honestly couldn’t actually justify or financially manage these sorts of purchases.

Has anyone heard of the essentials brand? Literally hundreds for a tracksuit. I think another is Bergen? Expensive t shirts. Then there’s the usual like Fred Perry etc.

Obviously I know lots of wealthy people buy these things too but it’s mostly people from low income backgrounds. How do I know this? Because people I work with who live in deprived areas and not paid much are forever talking about these things! They actually buy the stuff for holidays or as gifts at Christmas etc. Is this a misguided attempt to gain status? An insecurity thing? I find it really bizarre, it wouldn’t ever cross my mind to spend this.

What? I was answering someone else's point! Of course I know that different people like different things.

Im kind of sick of these threads where high earners just cant understand how the poor people live.

It's possible to buy really well made unbranded clothing. Label doesn't guarantee the best quality.

Not all is fake
I know of a person who spends that type of money on their 13 year old son
bundles of gifts for Xmas and birthdays ect all branded always big brands.
her son wants more and more and the requests are getting out of hand tbh, she’s promised him 600 for his birthday
she also has about 10,000 worth of debt (she’s told me) and she’s on universal credit now after loosing her job recently she’s now worried about paying it all back and she still has a child that wants more.

also I do think these brands aim these items at people that have a bit less money that want people to think they have more iykwim

As others have said, people have different priorities. I won’t go on holiday unless it’s 5*. When I used to fly long haul, it was business class. I’m not prepared to be uncomfortable. That said, I don’t drink, smoke, eat out, buy take aways or buy designer clothes.

They have been brainwashed into thinking they have to have this stuff.

You said...
"I don't really know why someone would not go abroad if they can afford it"
So if you know people like different things why would you say "I don't really know" ?

I have to say, using the Spencer girls as an example of going the other way is quite something. Unlike others in the family, they’re (not all) models and it comes with the territory. They’ll have access to stuff that others don’t, even in the fashion world.

My feeling is a lot of those girls end up doing the Bezos thing not Spencer.

This 👆🏻 why are you concerned about why people less well off than you are buying expensive brands or not? I mean Honestly - how is that any business of yours?

i’ll never understand why people feel the need to tell everybody that they’re in the top percent of earners in the country, yet here we are.

Klarna

Then you are very lucky to be in that position, I bet all your basic needs, roof, food, utilities , transport,maybe holidays, are all covered before savings,much poorer folks simply don't have that option and are trying to enjoy life now whilst they can, their way. Poor person here who can't even manage one treat a year lol ( and my idea of a dopamine hit is buying a small piece of steak for my birthday, not even been able to do that past couple years!)

It’s probably a case of priority - they might not spend money on things like extra curricular for kids, putting money into pension fund, having savings.

The converse is true in that very wealthy people often dress in a scruffy manner as they don’t have the need to look rich - they are rich!!

Because I was answering someone else's post with the same kind of phrase!

here an interesting article about why:
www.forbes.com/sites/peterubel/2017/02/28/do-luxury-brands-benefit-from-income-inequality/

This is very true!!

Ok.
I don't quite understand what you meant by your reply but never mind.
🙂

My neighbours think I'm poor but my children know we don't struggle. I wear tackies and trainers most days because I go for comfort as do dc.. I know what brands fit us better. We shop at big brand shops alongside store brands.. We don't give a fig how other people perceive us as long as we are happy ☺️

Everyone has their own priorities. For instance a work colleague of mine is always having take aways, buying new clothes/shoes and nails done all the time, but complains they can not afford to take her kids on holiday. But then comments that I take my kid away and calls me tight as I watch every penny.

I remember years ago you could pick up 'Chanel' handbags and other knock offs from Brick Lane Market.

They have zero money management skills, Martin Lewis is right to say it must be included in secondary schools. It’s largely fakes from places like Turkey. For the record we love Turkey and buy fakes tshirts so nothing against it, but we never buy to sell on. I used to work with a woman in my uni days who goes 5/6 times a year and the sales fund her next holiday, she’s in her fifties now and still doing it. Lots of it will be off the back of a lorry too, especially brands like Canada Goose.

As I say, as soon as money hits their hands, it’s back out again. My cleaner for example is on as much as a graduate would expect to be on an hour, but claims she is penniless. Yet her two kids aged 5 and 2 are in branded clothes and she’s driving around in an SUV. They place the value of it above saving for a house deposit and for their kids futures 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you just stop and opt out of some if the choices that build wealth, you can have a bit more cashflow, short term.

If you live in a cheap social rent property and have never bothered to save for a house deposit or pension etc, dont bother spending on what might termed "trappings of a middle class lifestyle", you can have a surprising amount of disposable income.

Interesting question actually... In terms of children, I think it is about fitting in rather than necessarily particularly liking the clothing. I am guilty of buying my children branded things that tbh they aren't bothered about, but I don't want them to be different. With adults, ironically often the opposite applies and they get branded statement pieces to stand out.
In terms of the cost, I think sometimes people have a (often misguided) impression that branded is superior quality. I believe there is also an element of "keeping up with the Jones's" about it, which I would say has been far worse with the rise in social media and the constant access to cameras.
I am at the complete opposite end of the income spectrum to you, being slightly above minimum wage and personally I have no interest in branded clothes for me any more and any branded items I do own will either have been given to me or have been an absolute bargain! I confess to having always wanted a Polo jumper as I like the look and they look so comfy and warm, but equally I could never bring myself to pay that much for one item, even when looking in the outlet store!
People do have different priorities though. I see people I know taking out loans for £10,000+ for a fortnight at Disney World and I just could never justify spending that much money, particularly if I didn't have it to start with. I love Disney and I love rides, but I think even if I won the euromillions I'd still find it hard to part with that much money for a holiday!

So the grand result of putting £1,000 a year in a pension fund while your children get bullied for their supermarket sportswear? A final pot of about £40k.

Life-changing it is not. Your kids' lives might be long-term affected by the sense of social exclusion, though.

My SIL is always dressed in designer gear however she buys all off some shady app that ships from China.