Is that luxury purchase really worth it? on clarkhoward.com

When can you really justify making an expensive luxury purchase? Phyllis Furman, a business writer for The New York Daily News, recently wrote on an article on this topic and Clark has taken issues with some of her picks. For example, Furman thinks premium men's watches priced at $900 and up are worth it. Clark disagrees. He has an inexpensive Casio that has lasted him very well. He can't believe that The Financial Times -- a very upscale newspaper -- sometimes has ads for watches that cost $100,000. Furman also feels designer handbags priced at $800 and up are worth it -- something Clark just doesn't understand. On the subject of men's wool suits, the two once again have diverging feelings. Furman thinks suits priced at $300 are worth it, yet Clark has both a grey and a blue suit he got at J.C. Penney on sale for $149 each. There are, however, some areas where the two see eye to eye. Clark and Furman both agree that expensive built-in refrigerators, costly mattresses and designer jeans are not worth the price. When it comes to jeans, for example, it's the fit that matters, not the brand name. It's perfectly acceptable to pick up a pair for as little as $15.

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Save by buying Luxury Clothing
Many individuals find it cheaper to purchase Top Line Suits and clothing for work, or in today's market to stand out in an interview, here are 3 suggestions.

1) Make Friends with a salesman in a store that sells what looks good on you.

I particularly like the cut and style of Hugo Boss Suits and wear them for years. I have a salesman in a Hugo Boss Store in Colorado's finest mall. He lets me know when they are taking the final markdown on Winter Suites in early Summer. and Summer Suits in early Fall. With his help I have purchased a very fine well styled $1,600.00 Cashmere Suits for only $400.00 including fitting and custom tailoring, bringing the price very close to a low price, poor fitting, discount suit which still needs fitting. Believe me it is worth it. Sure I purchase Winter weight Suits during the Summer selling season, and Summer weight suits in the Winter, but a fine suit is an investment which lasts many years, and I have a closet full of designer suits to choose from. (Most of my suits are distinctive fine suits, while those I work with get by with some very sloppy ones.)

2) Purchase accessories from Vintage/Used clothing stores. Most people shopping these stores are looking for work clothes (blue jeans and work shirts). I purchased my last London Fog overcoat at such a store for $5.00, with matching dress leather gloves for an additional $5.00 investment.

3) Find a good tailor you like working with. I found a nice YSL suit in a vintage used clothing store that still had it's tags on it. I was able to purchase the unworn suit for $15.00 and then spent $100.00 to have it completely refitted. For a total investment of $115.00 I had a wonderful new suit that fit perfectly for only $115.00. (Note: many high line clothing stores have their own tailors, such as Hugo Boss, Nordstrom's, etc.) be sure to ask the extent of fitting that they will include in the purchase price, if you wear an odd size sometimes you can have it completely recut in the purchase price.)

Believe me, there are many ways to dress top notch, for a very minimal investment.
By Jim Chandler @ 08/25/09 02:24:37 AMreport abuse

Save by buying Luxury Clothing

Many individuals find it cheaper to purchase Top Line Suits and clothing for work, or in today's market to stand out in an interview, here are 3 suggestions.

1) Make Friends with a salesman in a store that sells what looks good on you.

I particularly like the cut and style of Hugo Boss Suits and wear them for years. I have a salesman in a Hugo Boss Store in Colorado's finest mall. He lets me know when they are taking the final markdown on Winter Suites in early Summer. and Summer Suits in early Fall. With his help I have purchased a very fine well styled $1,600.00 Cashmere Suits for only $400.00 including fitting and custom tailoring, bringing the price very close to a low price, poor fitting, discount suit which still needs fitting. Believe me it is worth it. Sure I purchase Winter weight Suits during the Summer selling season, and Summer weight suits in the Winter, but a fine suit is an investment which lasts many years, and I have a closet full of designer suits to choose from. (Most of my suits are distinctive fine suits, while those I work with get by with some very sloppy ones.)

2) Purchase accessories from Vintage/Used clothing stores. Most people shopping these stores are looking for work clothes (blue jeans and work shirts). I purchased my last London Fog overcoat at such a store for $5.00, with matching dress leather gloves for an additional $5.00 investment.

3) Find a good tailor you like working with. I found a nice YSL suit in a vintage used clothing store that still had it's tags on it. I was able to purchase the unworn suit for $15.00 and then spent $100.00 to have it completely refitted. For a total investment of $115.00 I had a wonderful new suit that fit perfectly for only $115.00. (Note: many high line clothing stores have their own tailors, such as Hugo Boss, Nordstrom's, etc.) be sure to ask the extent of fitting that they will include in the purchase price, if you wear an odd size sometimes you can have it completely recut in the purchase price.)

Believe me, there are many ways to dress top notch, for a very minimal investment.

By Jim Chandler @ 08/25/09 02:24:37 AMreport abuse

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Oct 22, 2007 -- Is that luxury purchase really worth it?

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