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.)

My aspirational items:

Bespoke jewellery - I know the broad styles, metals, stones etc I like and used to work with designer makers and the stuff they can create is beautiful, but usually they need to make simpler/easier to sell items to actually make a living. So lots of potential out there that doesn’t always get seen.

Made to measure clothing. Doesn’t have to be entirely bespoke, but again I know the kinds of things I like, but finding nice styles in nice fabrics that actually fit me properly is a rarity.

Basically I want stuff made for me 😁 and have the money for all the dry cleaning and such! So not exactly an item or specific brand, but the kind of thing I would like to work towards if I can afford it over the years. Things that are broadly timeless, for me, things I could enjoy for many years. Jewellery especially, clothes are trickier as the body changes.

I have a couple of those items - one was a present - and I genuinely don't think they say 'made it'. I suppose the question is whether it's a personal reward to demonstrate in your own mind you've somehow "made it" or whether it's a status symbol, to try to show other people you're successful / wealthy etc.

I enjoy them rarely now - back in the day I'd have thought people would note my bag / jewellery/ scarf or whatever and think "she's made it" - now I think unless you have the whole package (e.g. expensive shoes aswell as the expensive bag etc) you look like you're trying too hard - and that's not indicative of having made it.

I have a few of the items listed. A few wouldn't make my list as aspirational (bayswater, despite having one) and a few though expensive are not my style, so I wouldn't be interested in purchasing. I completely agree though that a measure of 'making it ' would be, as discussed earlier being comfortable and sure of who you are. Money wise paying off my hefty mortgage would be my I have truly made it moment.

🍪

I am a snob about some things, I don’t think there is anything wrong with this. But honestly, if someone thinks that a Cartier love bracelet is aspirational/the definition of making it, then wow, it is very much proof that money does not buy taste or a sense of style. Personally I felt déclassé was a more suitable descriptor rather than calling them basic, because that’s what they now are thanks in part to people like the Kardashians who very much bought them to the mainstream.

However, if the OP or anyone else for that matter wants a whole armful of love bracelets, good for her/them - I wish her/them well in wearing them, along with anything else on that list.

Mulberry Bayswater
defintely not

Cartier Ballon Bleu / Tank
much prefer a mens rolex

Hermes Birkin / Kelly
no interest

Hermes silk scarves
no interest

Chanel classic flap
yes!

Burberry trench coat
never

Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet
Had to look this up!

Cartier love bracelet
i do think they’re rather lovely and have one

I am more of a diamond girl if I had the choice. Decent sized diamond studs about 1ct each. Big enough to show off but small enough to not be too flashy. A gorgeous eternity ring which can’t be worn with another ring and to be fair a big f*ck off diamond engagement ring, simple but 2-3ct.

Had to search for the Cartier Love Bracelet. I don't like it. Sorry.
I did raise an eyebrow at the pricetag. It's just a bangle

I grew up absolutely dirt poor and I agree with wonderspread, made to measure clothes and commissioned jewellery is the way to go.
There is something so special about one of a kind pieces, made just for you. Its so lovely to have beautiful quality pieces made which will last years. I don't wear anything with a visible during normal wear logo, no matter how small or discreet the logo may be.

I'd like to be able to go into a high end shop and buy a new wardrobe a la Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but my aspirational items are usually something like a beauty advent calendar. I never get one because I'm going through what I have already.

The Chanel classic flap bag is the only thing there that I would put on my list. I have little interest in jewellery and am not really into handbags either but I do love the Chanel.

I wouldn’t want any of those things as my style is not classic and never has been. I wouldn’t wear any of them if they were gifted to me.

I feel I’ve made it because my mortgage is paid off, I own my car and I’ll have enough for a modest retirement.

I value my platinum wedding rings, my Docs and my coats (North Face, Sea Salt and a wool one whose brand I can’t remember… for my budget, those were all good buys and an upgrade from my younger days).

I love classic style, but I don’t care about labels. I think finding unlabelled versions of things, well-made and in natural materials, is evidence of better taste and style than just buying whatever is massively hyped anyway. Having said that, I’d love to be able to afford Vampire’s Wife dresses.

It's all a bit insta checklist or Love Islander who makes it big if that makes sense (sorry if that's rude) although I have a chanel woc & 2 pairs of ballet pumps.

I want a gob stopper emerald cocktail ring. I do spend money on good shoes, I've wanted a pair of Marnj sandals for years. I'm going to buy a wool coat this year from Toteme. I want a Loewe basket bag but not sure which one yet.

@wonderspread there is a town in the centre of Vietnam called Hoi An with wall to wall tailor shops.I've visited a few times and have always had lovely things made.
For me a Max Mara camel coat.I am waiting until DD is a bit older as she likes to rub her fingers on the nearest fabric.
Cartier love bracelets are sold in most gold shops in Turkey.They are real gold but still fake.I'm not a fan.Bespoke jewellery is much nicer.

I also wouldn't put the Mulberry bayswater on that list, it seems to stand out as being lower price bracket, although I know they've gone up a lot in price in recent years. (I have one from nearly a decade ago, its back to being my work bag now im working in a place I have to drive to and carry lots of stuff, I view it more as a briefcase than a handbag and it feels weird carrying it out and about outside of work, but maybe that's me being odd!)

Things like a Hermes scarf, I do see as "posh", even though looking at the standard size scarf, they are around £400 which is not unattainable for me as a special treat.

I must be an utter pleb because I had to Google everything on the OP's list! Most of them just wouldn't fit in with my lifestyle, I'd look a bit daft in a Hermes scarf to be honest.

Totally agree though with a couple of PPs about bespoke jewellery. I have a local jewellery designer who is internationally known and I've had several pieces of either fully bespoke pieces or their pieces tweaked for me. I absolutely adore each piece and have had them admired often. Some people also recognise the style and that's quite nice too. I definitely think they were worth the money and the wait!

I don't know why but I don't covet anything on that list. I want to love luxury bags but I find that they are not suited to my lifestyle at all! I want a large convertible backpack with a zipper that can carry my laptop and my ginormous makeup bag plus a shopping bag and all my bits and bobs; and can also be worn crossbody (when I go to a city like Rome with pickpockets) or on the shoulder. I need a backpack for the sake of my bag because I tend to carry everything but the kitchen sink around and I live in London and don't drive. Luxury brands don't do bags like that, they do tiny bags or tote bags without zippers or leather shoulder bags that barely fit a 15 inch laptop and not much else (and would be so heavy on your shoulder). My DH says it's because richer women have cars /take taxis if they live in the city/carry multiple fancy bags. I have the Senreve maestra which I wouldn't count as luxury but I think I would still carry something like that if I was rich because I would still take the tube (and need a backpack as a result). It's a shame!

I also can't wear jewellery/watches as I don't like stuff on my skin (can barely wear my wedding ring). Trench coats are often light coloured, I think they would become soot black from the tube so not very practical.

What I do love is makeup! I do have a Chanel cream highlighter and it is so lovely! I might buy more expensive makeup if I was richer. The Hermes powder blush looks nice (though it is insanely priced). I would prefer that to a birkin!

I aspire to a decent pension pot and a paid off mortgage. Where I live you don't really see anyone with designer gear so I don't really covet it. I've always liked Lancome pliage bags - they hint at luxury but without the designer price tag.

That sounds lovely actually! And I’m sure the money goes a lot further (ie you can get better quality stuff) when it’s not paying for a big name like Tiffany/Cartier. A diamond’s a diamond after all!

Don’t worry, I haven’t taken that the wrong way! I may have been overly influenced by… erm, influencers 😊

Despite compiling this list, I don’t personally aspire to most of it. I just wanted to find out the consensus.

The Loewe basket bag caught my eye too. I went into Loewe the other day and stroked it. It’s lovely.

I think you (and PP) make a good point, in that none of these items are unaffordable for average people. Having them speaks more about your spending choices than it does about your income.

The way it works in my head, is that if I can pay the bills/mortgage, send the kids to school, fill up my ISA each financial year, and still have £400 left over for a scarf… that’s pretty aspirational 😂

That sounds lovely actually! And I’m sure the money goes a lot further (ie you can get better quality stuff) when it’s not paying for a big name like Tiffany/Cartier. A diamond’s a diamond after all!

Yes it certainly does go a lot further, and I really like supporting true craftspeople. I am also extremely particular about my clothes and jewellery, and this was I can have things exactly as I like them, in natural fabrics, full lined etc.

Really interesting thread, I think a lot of it depends on where you live too. I live out in the sticks with little call for handbags and smart coats, but would quite like to have Dubarry boots and a Barbour jacket!

I would like to be in a position to comfortably afford the following but would not view this as having 'made it'. For me 'made it' would be having mortgage paid off on a 2000 sq ft 4 bed house, at least £50k in savings, healthy retirement pot, private healthcare, at least one long haul holiday a year.

Coat from MaxMara
One pair of occasion shoes from Jimmy Choo
YSL handbag
Work wardrobe from Reiss, ME+EM, Jigsaw, Whistles
Diamond stud earrings
Owning more than one watch

It really must depend a lot on the circles you mix in as well.

My aspirational items have always been around a look that I suppose is more bohemian, almost country-style. Beautiful knitwear and wool fabrics from brands like Brora, or more often rather obscure smaller brands, in natural fabrics, well tailored, long-lasting. No designer labels in sight but still a very expensive look in its own way. Every item looks like it was chosen very intentionally. I know someone who dresses like this and she always looks exquisite but I couldn't imagine her with a Mulberry bag or Cartier bracelets.