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Original poster

What are your “aspirational” items?

162 replies

Mrcpy · 28/04/2022 17:00

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.)

OP posts:
supadupapupascupa · 30/04/2022 11:05

I have a mulberry Bayswater. I remember looking through an online store and screen shorting all the bags I liked the look of. I didn't look at the brand or the price and there were a lot of bags!
I sent my favourites to my DH for his opinion and we both agreed. I LOVE my bag! I was shocked at the price but he insisted on a treat, I had no idea when looking at the cost at all.

It was only after that I read all about the live hate thing MN has about this bag.

So it wasn't purchased as an "I made it purchase" but I certainly felt like I had when it was bought for me by my wonderful DH.

Rapunzel91 · 30/04/2022 11:06

RJnomore1 · 29/04/2022 23:36

Are you sure you want to be a walking cliche?

Did your parents not teach you manners? Theres no need to be rude just because you're writing anonymously.

OP, I think it's a lovely list. I used to be very into fashion but have definitely fallen out over the years and especially after having a child.
My focus at the moment is selling up and buying a larger house as well as continue to invest in stocks. I find stock buying exciting and love having a bit of financial security.

When the kids are older and DH and I have more disposable and I can see myself buying more expensive, better quality clothing and accessories. I do have a beautiful Saint Laurent bag that I adore and some beautiful jewellery l, including the most stunning engagement ring. My DH has a Patek watch that is very elegant.

beguilingeyes · 30/04/2022 11:07

desiringonlychild2022 · 30/04/2022 10:10

My aspiration is a 3 bed flat in Hampstead/Primrose Hill :)

I don't think that any consumer goods that you can buy online and with a credit card is a status symbol in today's world. Cos anyone and everyone can have a credit card these days and the limits are fairly generous so a young 20 year old with a part time job could be toting around a LV bag. The exception are Hermes and Chanel quota bags ( cos Chanel is kinda aping Hermes now) where you need to get the bag through a SA and you probably need previous purchase history. That is less easy to attain despite stories of people 'scoring their first Hermes bag on their first try'. that whole system is faintly ridiculous anyway but that is the only consumer good I can think off the top of my head which is not available to anyone with a few thousand quid (on credit or otherwise). I am not familiar with watches (can you buy them in credit?). It's different with property, you have to have inheritance, savings or income to pay the mortgage etc. Even for a rental, you need to pass affordability check. It's why my sadly manic friend has managed to buy herself thousand pound jackets in Harrods and would have bought a £4000 teapot (we told Harrods she was mentally ill and please do not sell it to her but they said there was nothing they could do; it's her money) if we didn't persuade her otherwise but she has not managed to rent a flat in Primrose Hill which she was talking about for a while (she has divorce money but no income). Looking at her shopping at Harrods kinda de-glammed the whole concept of luxury shopping for me; it's hard to explain; it made me think a lot of the influencers who shop incessantly could be hiding their own mental health problems very well.

I guess that's why I don't aspires to any luxury consumer goods. I can already afford luxury makeup but that is about the experience/efficacy rather than the label (as it is usually hidden in makeup bag).
.

I have long debates with myself about where I would love if money was no object. Primrose Hill is definitely up there...if only for the proximity to Odette's.
I'd quite like to have one of those houses in Richmond on the river where the garden leads down to a private boat dock.

StridTheKiller · 30/04/2022 12:58

I have my aspirational item, my 3 bed detached house with a big drive all bought and paid for. I dress like a tramp and couldn't give two hoots about "stuff" but my house makes me very very happy.

FeelTheRush · 30/04/2022 14:41

I have a few of the items on your list - Cartier Tank, Chanel Classic Flap, Cartier Love Bracelet and the Mulberry Bayswater. I bought each of them for ‘meaningful occasions’ in my life, e.g. I got the Classic Flap for a significant birthday, the Cartier Tank for getting my dream job etc. They do represent “making it” for me and I’m very happy that I own them - if that makes me déclassé, well so be it!

I would add to your list -

  1. Tiffany “diamonds by the yard” necklace
  2. Van Cleef Alhambra necklace
  3. Rolex watch (for me a datejust)
  4. Diamond studs
  5. LV shawl
RitaFaircloughsWig · 30/04/2022 16:32

BackToWhereItAllBegan · 29/04/2022 21:00

I got married when I was 21 and on my honeymoon in The Bahamas there was a lady who was probably around 50 who wore a Gucci watch to laze around the pool everyday l. I was beyond shocked that anyone could afford to wear a Gucci watch and risk ruining it to float around a pool and walk in the sand etc.
Fast forward 20 odd years and I'm wearing an old Gucci watch when lying around the pool, to my 21 year old self I've totally 'made it' and I've nothing left to aspire too😂

I don't understand this as Gucci watches aren't expensive.

crochetmonkey74 · 30/04/2022 16:37

I'm in mourning for the old S&B board where we were all supportive and nice. It was a little haven of MN

I found i wanted all these things when I was young with no money, now I could buy all of them, they don't seem worth it. I do have a chanel 2:55 though and I love it when I use it but loads of times I use my john lewis backpack which holds more. This thread has made me want to get it out again.
I would like an alhambra necklace despite all the sneering on here, I think they are lovely

KimikosNightmare · 30/04/2022 19:54

RitaFaircloughsWig · 30/04/2022 16:32

I don't understand this as Gucci watches aren't expensive.

Show quote history

Do you feel good getting that jibe in?

I googled Gucci watches. They range from £750 to around £6,000.

I don't know what your income is- I'm not going to boast what mine is but even on the planet I live on I think £750 is a lot of money for something which is basically superfluous to requirements these days and is just someone's special personal treat. And a special , personal treat many will never be able to afford

There's been a lot of snobbishness on this thread with posters pouring cold water on other posters' aspirational treats. Personally I think the grim snobbishness and utter lack of empathy is far more "déclassé" than aspiring to own a Gucci watch.

Vodkaandgingerale · 30/04/2022 20:38

For a very special birthday my DH took me for a weekend to Claridges. When we got there we were upgraded to a suite and we were most surprised to have the use of Burberry Raincoats and umbrellas that were in the wardrobe. If you wanted different sizes you could ask at reception and if you 'accidentally' went home with them you got charged £1295!!
This is the nearest I've gotten to anything on your list 🤣

What are your “aspirational” items?
CatHerderGeneral · 30/04/2022 20:40

*Do you feel good getting that jibe in?"

I googled Gucci watches. They range from £750 to around £6,000.

I don't know what your income is- I'm not going to boast what mine is but even on the planet I live on I think £750 is a lot of money for something which is basically superfluous to requirements these days and is just someone's special personal treat. And a special , personal treat many will never be able to afford

There's been a lot of snobbishness on this thread with posters pouring cold water on other posters' aspirational treats. Personally I think the grim snobbishness and utter lack of empathy is far more "déclassé" than aspiring to own a Gucci watch.

Absolutely this ^. Money can't buy class, or manners it seems. I also miss the olden times of Style and Beauty.

CatHerderGeneral · 30/04/2022 20:41

Argh, bold fail!

crochetmonkey74 · 30/04/2022 21:10

Vodkaandgingerale · 30/04/2022 20:38

For a very special birthday my DH took me for a weekend to Claridges. When we got there we were upgraded to a suite and we were most surprised to have the use of Burberry Raincoats and umbrellas that were in the wardrobe. If you wanted different sizes you could ask at reception and if you 'accidentally' went home with them you got charged £1295!!
This is the nearest I've gotten to anything on your list 🤣

Oh wow was it nice there? Claridges is on my bucket list and so is the Balmoral in Edinburgh

speakout · 30/04/2022 21:13

I don't aspire to labels, clothes or "stuff".
In fact the idea of measuring life success through owning expensive things with labels is pretty sad.

crochetmonkey74 · 30/04/2022 21:17

speakout · 30/04/2022 21:13

I don't aspire to labels, clothes or "stuff".
In fact the idea of measuring life success through owning expensive things with labels is pretty sad.

Don't join the thread on , on a board called style and beauty where there are lots of threads about material items.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 30/04/2022 21:25

I would love to stay at Claridges. Or the Savoy. I love all those behind the scenes TV shows they do at those old school 5 star hotels. I know there are more expensive and more fashionable hotels but the old world glamour looks so appealing.

BackToWhereItAllBegan · 30/04/2022 21:42

@RitaFaircloughsWig I'm sorry you don't understand, perhaps if you were able to read and comprehend a little better then you would understand.
I said I was 21 at the time, I did not come from a world where Gucci watches were disposable so for me, at the time, that was aspirational.
This is a lighthearted thread on what used to be a fun board, I suggest you stick to AiIBU with your mean spirited jabs.

Innocenta · 30/04/2022 21:45

speakout · 30/04/2022 21:13

I don't aspire to labels, clothes or "stuff".
In fact the idea of measuring life success through owning expensive things with labels is pretty sad.

Well, that added a lot to the conversation. Biscuit

ChicCroissant · 30/04/2022 22:05

Pietr · 29/04/2022 15:21

The Aspinal London bag 😍

I saw somebody with a lovely briefcase/laptop bag recently and that was an Aspinal. I spotted it as soon as they walked in and managed to catch the name discreetly stamped on the metal parts of the handle.

beguilingeyes · 01/05/2022 07:04

I've had afternoon tea at Claridges. I envy your stay. It's a beautiful place. I want the Chihuly chandelier in the lobby.
I do love a watch. I know a lot of people don't wear them any more, but I don't feel dressed without one. I usually buy Fossils..which look expensive but aren't, but for my retirement present I bought myself a Rado, which I've long loved for their sleekness and which isn't so expensive I'm afraid to wear it.
I'd quite like Villanelle's wardrobe from Killing Eve. Endless beautiful clothes and the figure/boldness to wear them.

Tillsforthrills · 01/05/2022 07:34

Can’t understand why people come on specifically to call others sad etc. Now that is sad.

Pickabearanybear · 01/05/2022 07:45

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

DreamloverTealover · 01/05/2022 08:04

I didn't realise I needed a Chanel Classic flap bag until a few weeks ago because of S&B 😂❤️ so that's definitely on my list.

For me it's a brand new car that's too much money for me at the moment!

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 01/05/2022 11:36

Jees, there are some pompous twonks on MN.
I am very fortunate to have many things people aspire to in comments and on the list, with the exception of Cartier love bracelet, not for me. Mulberry, not my thing and Hermes Birkin/Kelly, I much prefer my jypsiere. And I prefer my Daytona and pearlmaster to any Cartier watch. All personal choice.
Surely rather than berating the choices of others, with supercilious narrative, each of us should merely choose to have things based on whether we actually take pleasure from these things, and not because we care a jot about what others think they represent?

roadyt · 01/05/2022 11:42

@beguilingeyes gorgeous

weirdly I have a thing about lights.