What are your “aspirational” items?

[Mrcpy]

This question is a little tongue in cheek, but I’m genuinely interested in what you think.

I’m a professional in my mid-30’s. Obviously I’ve been aware that some people like luxury things, but somehow felt myself to be “above” fashion, and very happy with my £30 M&S crossbody etc.

Recently I’ve started upgrading my wardrobe and reading about fashion. I’m getting the impression that there are certain items which show that you’ve MADE IT IN LIFE.

So these are the ones that keep coming up:

• Mulberry Bayswater


• Cartier Ballon Bleu / Tank


• Hermes Birkin / Kelly


• Hermes silk scarves


• Chanel classic flap


• Burberry trench coat


• Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet


• Cartier love bracelet

Do you agree/disagree? Have I missed anything?

Just to clarify, this is just a list (for fun) of things that tend to be described as “classic”, “investment pieces” and “everyone should have a…”. My own wishlist is a lot shorter. The bracelets are not to my taste and I’ve gone off Mulberry. One day I hope to buy a Chanel classic flap and maybe a silk scarf or two.

(Namechanged as I may have outed myself on another thread. Been a member for years.)

I've heard Tiffany tennis bracelets mentioned. I have no idea what they are.

A tennis bracelet is a thin diamond bracelet that's slinky - not solid like a bangle.

I think these are kinda classic but a bit passé. Wouldn't matter how rich I was I wouldn't have any of them as simply not my style. And isn't Tiffany considered a bit naff now?

If I saw someone with several or all of these I'm not sure Id think they'd made it so much as had a checklist of things to buy to appear that they'd made it...

I feel like I agree with this. A bit stereotypical. I might need to read more recent stuff!

What would you say are the new aspirational items? / is there no such thing anymore?

To say “made it” is a strange thing with relation to material goods - with the possible exception* of a Hermes bag, anyone could save for long enough and buy everything on that list. Or put it on a credit card, take out a loan etc. They’re just things you know? To me the kind of “made it” you’re talking about what far more likely apply to property, other investments.

*and even this is possible if you buy on trusted second-hand/have a bit of luck at FSH

Not to be horribly braggy (haha) but I own all of those items except the Hermes bags and the Cartier watch (which I really don’t actually like the style of!) Most of which were pre-kids when disposable income was considerably higher but also my spending was more reckless. I wouldn’t say buying any of those items made me feel like I’d “made it” - but paying off my mortgage definitely did!

unwanted bold there, meant to be an asterisk!

A Mulberry Bayswater isn't aspirational for me. Seen plenty of them. It's a nice looking bag, and probably good quality but not very unusual

That’s a really interesting perspective. I’ve done things the other way round to you - graduated late, had kids early, and been really frugal until now. I’ve always prioritised the mortgage/kids/ISA, so if I can afford a Chanel bag on top of that then I’d really feel like I’ve made it! :)

For me the ‘made it’ feeling it that I’ve switched from buying costume jewellery to real jewellery. Most of the stuff on your list I wouldn’t get because it’s not my style/I am not middle aged so I think maybe there are different indicators for different stages of life.

None of those except Hermes scarves, of which I own about a dozen.

I would like a couture dress from Eponine. I have a couple of ready to wear which are spectacular but the couture dresses are even more so.

eponinelondon.com/

Those are gorgeous!

I bought a Burberry Mac secondhand on eBay and it is lush and worth the 200 ish I paid. Def def def not worth £2k.

someone bought me a mulberry Bayswater bag and I have used it constantly for a decade. It’s useful because it holds a laptop and assorted other crap.

the rest… you have to decide what is worth it to you. I’m reading a really interesting book on marketing and how brands persuade us to pay more for expensive things in the hope that ‘you get what you pay for’. It’s definitely illuminated why Bernard arnhault, CEO of LVMH, is the world’s third richest man.

Those are lovely @KimikosNightmare! And also reminded me that when I was a teenager I thought that having an Eli Saab [wedding] dress was a sign you’d really made it.

I’m reading a really interesting book on marketing and how brands persuade us to pay more for expensive things in the hope that ‘you get what you pay for’.

I got my first Hermes scarf about 25 years ago. I think it still looks as good as it did when I got it. None of the rolled edges on any of them have unraveled.

I like them because the colours are always so beautiful and other than perhaps a tiny "Hermes" name at the edge (which can be hidden in a fold) or words worked into and hidden by an abstract pattern, there are no logos.

My only other aspirational item is a Max Mara 101801 Icon coat. I have 2 classic Max Mara "Weekend" coats which I adore but the 101801 might be a Christmas present to myself this year.

So far as being worth it, the combination of Hermes scarf and Max Mara coat is worth every penny. They look expensive and they are expensive, without being bling or showy. No matter what else I'm wearing/ state of make up/ hair etc. they instantly smarten me up.

My preference - stack Love and clou (perfect everyday pairing with just the right amount of diamonds), switch out the Alhambra for a Perlée and the Ballon Bleu for a Panthere.

Hermes - needs to be an SO.

Mulberry - just no.

Audi R8

I'm watching with interest here, I own none of these things, not in a non aspirational way but in a "grew up poor and was told it was a sin to spend that much money on yourself".

I've committed to spending my hard earned money with thought and intent so look forward to seeing what is considered a classic!

I own most of the items listed and I can honestly say owning them hasn’t made me any happier, they don’t get much use anymore as my perspective on material items has changed massively in recent years.

the moment I felt I had made it was when I felt completely secure in who I was, and who I was with (husband) and where I know I am going in life.

The ubiquity of Carrier Love bracelets has made them totally déclassé, ditto Van Cleef & Arpel’s Alhambra bracelets, sadly. However a tennis bracelet is timeless - I am lucky enough to have one my mother had made in Amsterdam in the 80s.

Mulberry in any shape or form wouldn’t be on my list either. I think Burberry lost their cachet some time ago too, I find their trenches over-priced at best, and never right proportionally - even the long ones are never long enough and the quality isn’t what is used to be. Personally I would prefer a trench from The Row, Gabriela Hearst or to wait until Phoebe Philo unveils her new brand which I am sure will have the most perfect trench.

But yes to the other items although would prefer a Cartier leather-strap Tank to a Ballon Bleu, an Hermès Constance bag to a Birkin and/or Kelly, and a seasonal Chanel bag over a classic (as the former are made in far smaller numbers).

However all this said, will any of this make one happy, probably not. And as I have got older, am least interested in buying into things like this and why I haven’t replaced my Cartier Tank which was stolen some time ago. I am waiting on the perfect trench to appear though, so very much have a vested interest in Phoebe Philo hurrying up and launching her new label!

How marvellous that of all things you sneer at you happen to have the one that you don't consider declasse. Brava I say. Brava 👏🏻

To be fair to the poster, some of us have owned these items for thirty years or more and while we still love and enjoy them, they may not be our first choice today. I was gifted my first Hermes scarf when I was a teenager and have worn my Love bracelet for 26 years. I'm amazed these items are still so sought after today.

Everyone’s tastes differ. Some people don’t think Mulberry is a big deal, but many of my colleagues aren’t used to luxury goods and get a Bayswater as their reward for reaching the final step of their career - I work in a well respected but not particularly highly paid profession. I do like Mulberry bags but would rather put that money towards a Chanel eventually. I’m using a gorgeous Strathberry tote as my work bag and very pleased with it.

Similarly, a Hermes scarf feels like a big indulgence for those of us who’ve prioritised kids and mortgage for our whole lives. While others might have owned these luxuries for 30 years or more.

I also agree wholeheartedly with PP who said that they measure success through other means - savings, career, home ownership. I’m lucky in that I have those things already, and fashion is just the icing on the cake.

It’s really nice to read different perspectives on this!

Exactly.

I’m not sneering at all (and to be honest, would far rather my mother was still alive and still in possession of these items rather than the fact I only have them because she is dead…)

I just think that some of these things aren’t aspirational anymore. Maybe the OP has been massively influenced by what she has seen in the press and on social media, and if this is the case, it very much backs up my comment about them being ubiquitous. Additionally, both bracelets have massively increased in price in recent years too, and I do not think either are worth money - they have increased in value because they are so popular and cash cows for each brand. Both these items are popular with counterfeiters too, which again would put me off them. A tennis bracelet will hold its value, ditto anything from Hermès. While I am lucky to possess the former, I would prefer a Tiffany diamonds by the yard bracelet or Elsa Peretti silver bone cuff.

Just because something is popular, it does not mean it is the best of its kind or even the best one’s money can buy. Obviously if the OP truly loves all these items, then of course she should buy the. However, she is garnering opinions on a public message board and I am just adding mine.

Thankfully most people have replied in the spirit of your opening post.

I've never heard of Gabriela Hearst (how terribly déclassé of me) I've googled the brand, and there are indeed some beautiful trench coats. However I'm actually a bit put off the brand by the snobbery in CoraPearl's post.