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Things you SHOULD or shouldn't spend extra money on

ProfessorShak

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I grew up in a family where spending money isn't a good thing, regardless of the quality. If you can get a white dress shirt for $10, why bother paying more "no one will know the difference"
Polyester, Payless, and Marshalls were considered more than enough and Macy's was only reserved for the "wealthiest"

Up until I got my first corporate office job, I didn't know better. After interacting with people who actually live in the modern world, I finally got full cotton, wool, and and swiss automatics. While I can say now that I better understand how quality makes a difference in what you wear, there are some instances where paying too much is just senseless(is a Zegna necktie REALLY worth $200? )

What I usually hear is that you should never hold back on suits, watches, and shoes.
What items do you think a man should or shouldn't spend extra $$ on due to diminishing returns?

EDIT:
I want to better clarify what I mean by "extra money"
It all comes down to best "Bang for the buck" The way I understand it, if you think of a standard distribution (bell) curve, there is a point where the cost:value ratio diminishes and you're only paying more for something of comparable quality that could be obtained for less.

Just as an analofy, Sure you can spend money on a Patek Philip, but an Omega, Cartier, Breitling provides just as much return as a Patek and will cost much less. For a good watch, you don't want to go cheap, and you do want quality but you don't need to get the most expensive either.

I hope this helps clarify my thinking.
 

Spilotro

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Cheap shoes are very costly.
 

whiteslashasian

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Originally Posted by Spilotro
Cheap shoes are very costly.

+1 After learning that my $80 rubber soled clunkers have a 6 month lifespan (alternated with another pair of rubber soles) getting quality shoes with welted leather soles is the only way to go.

The things I've been spending a bit less than "normal" I suppose would be ties. I was able to tap into my father's tie collection as he no longer wears ties every day and found some gems in there that I absolutely love: Gucci, YSL, Christian Dior, along with some no names that look pretty damn good.

I was also given a pretty decent watch as a gift; a Raymond Weil Automatic, allowing me to save in the department as well.
 

jetfight

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SF is probably not the right place for "low end" advice
 

Tarmac

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I mix it up. Spend a lot on stuff you really love, cheap out on stuff you don't care about. Be happy.

I have some Paul Smith socks which are great (mercerized cotton, wool, hand-linked toe), I also have some from Target which work fine and look cool.
 

globetrotter

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I think that it is easy to go from "don't spend money on anything" to overspending. finding the happy medium is important. I try to keep a small wardrobe of good stuff, made from artisans in the 3rd world and eastern europe. I wouldn't buy a suit from a "name" itallian tailor or english shoemaker, but that is just me.
 

likeitaloud

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Ok I'll say it CUFFLINKS. Like people REALLY are going to notice that you are wearing 750$ cufflinks with a random design that does not even reflect that it's from a prestige brand.
 

porcelain monkey

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When I moved into my own apartment many years ago, my grandmother told me "if you dust, no one will know you didn't vacuum." If your clothes fit well and you wash your face and stand up straight and tuck in your shirt and do all those things your grandmother told you to do, no one will notice if you didn't spend a lot of money on your outfit. Having said that, I do think people notice the leathers on a man - get nice shoes, belt, watch, wallet and briefcase.
 

penguin vic

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Originally Posted by likeitaloud
Ok I'll say it CUFFLINKS. Like people REALLY are going to notice that you are wearing 750$ cufflinks with a random design that does not even reflect that it's from a prestige brand.
Do you wear a lot of 'labels' so people really notice that you are wearing prestige brands ..? I don't spend a lot on pocket squares and tend only to buy ties on sale ...
 

Doc4

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Originally Posted by ProfessorShak
What I usually hear is that you should never hold back on suits, watches, and shoes.
What items do you think a man should or shouldn't spend extra $$ on due to diminishing returns?


I'd hold back on watches. You can get a pretty decent-looking watch for a few hundred bucks ... spending more can seem like brand-name-braggery. ("What time is it you ask? Just let me check my Rolex ... ")
 

DocHolliday

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Originally Posted by globetrotter
I think that it is easy to go from "don't spend money on anything" to overspending.

+1. There's a sweet spot, but you have to find it. It's foolish to believe that the most expensive is always the best, though I sometimes see that advice, phrased differently, dispensed on the forums. It's the same logic that convinces people they're getting something special when they buy Prada shoes.

For me, I want a certain level of quality. Once that level has been met, I buy based on aesthetics. I don't need $200 ties, because I can find ones I like much less expensively.

Stuff I have been happy to buy on the cheap:
Socks (My Gold Toes hold up as well as my Pantherellas, which have been, at best, inconsistent in quality.)
T-shirts (Hanes, cheap and disposable)
Buttondown shirts (Brooks from eBay or the outlet, $20 or less)
Casual summer linen shirts (J. Crew, even Old Navy a couple summeres ago)
Cords (J. Crew 5-pocket cords, a pair from Lands' End)
Ties (Mentioned above. My Lands' End knits are as nice as my Charvets)

Stuff worth a premium:
Good umbrella
Nice leather bag
Decent sunglasses
 

likeitaloud

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Originally Posted by penguin vic
Do you wear a lot of 'labels' so people really notice that you are wearing prestige brands ..?

I don't spend a lot on pocket squares and tend only to buy ties on sale ...


No I don't but with exceptions. Suits and dress shirts don't need labels you can tell by the fit and the quolity, but for example if I'm going to a bar and wearing a polo I would probably take one that has a prada or lacoste logo on it.
 

fuji

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In my opinion it is worth while to spend money on anything that is leather or metal. with everything else if it fits you well and is not horrible quality you can get away with. Thats not to say you shouldn't spend money on stuff like that, but it is not as necessary as leather and metal goods.
 

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