I'm 50 an I totally agree with you, I save on some to spend on others that are worth it, my weak spot is a nice swiss watch, A $2.00 watch can tell time like a Rolex but the Rolex or the Omega is a timepiece and it is for me not for anyone else and it's like patting myself on the back and saying your 50 and you've earned it, my two cents
Same here. Buying a submariner at msrp, and walking to your car instantly gaining 40% profit, is a once in a lifetime experience. I've had fun and truly enjoyed pissing money away on a 66 vette, 67 mustang, camper, new cars. That sub was the wisest purchase in my 44 years of existence.
Full agreement with you my friend. I've been hooked on watches since my college days and have managed to assemble a collection 15 Rolex's, 3 Patek's, and a half dozen other assorted pieces. My collection is worth more than 2X what I paid and on the Patek's, they are nearing 3X, so in ever case they've all increased in value.
A watch is the only piece of jewellery I wear. While I agree with all the other items on your list (and I do consider myself a petrolhead and own a nice Audi), a good watch marks a man out and does get noticed in a positive way. Almost without fail, I wear a Cartier Tank Anglaise every day and often get complimented on the watch. Despite that fact that it was nearly $6,000 new (I put down a 10% deposit and paid the rest off with a 4 year interest free loan), it is a luxury item I have never regretted purchasing.
I apply the '10 year' test to everything I buy.... Will this be something I'll still be stoked to own in 10 years? If the answer is yes...then buy it. If not, leave it on the shelf 👍🏻
Listen, I am as cheap as they come, but fake leather is no good. You can get a beautiful leather jacket with a wonderful Aroma that the ladies love for $300.
One point I wish you had brought up... A lot of us have personal quirks that make "buying it for cheaper" out of the question, for one kind of life necessity or other. Myself, for example, I have very narrow feet. With sneakers, I get by wearing two pairs of thick socks, but for dress shoes, that's just not an option. For me, $300 for a pair of Allen Edmonds isn't a luxury - it's the base price for finding shoes that fit. But by not spending top dollar on a car, or on watches, or fancy luggage or whatever, I can *afford* to spend extra for things like dress shoes, where what I need is a lot more expensive than what most people need. It's all about getting the most utility out of your hard-earned dollar.
Same, but different. I have REALLY WIDEEEEEE feet. Something like Allen Edmonds are close...but still need time on a shoe stretcher. Even so, that is just the entry level to get close enough to be stretched out. There is nothing quite like taking a $300 shoe out of the box, soaking it in a rubbing alcohol solution, and they putting it on shoe stretchers for a couple days before your foot will even stand a chance of sliding into the shoe.
@@lesstraveledpath I have the same issue. My feet are wide-ish, but not super wide yet I struggle to find nice shoes that fit comfortably lately!?! I rarely had this issue 20 years ago. What gives? Are shoes becoming narrower or my feet are getting wider? Quality going down? Even with the expensive brands, I cannot justify the cost for a shoe that isn’t comfortable!!!
@@josephj6521 Your feet do get wider with age (getting older is not for the faint of heart). I have added about 2 more "E's" to my shoe size over the last 30-ish years. There are standards for shoe sizes. But.... I tend to find that British shoes are a bit wider than the standard (woohoo!!!!), Spanish & Italian shoes are a bit narrower than the standard (booo!!!). US sized shoes are all over the map -- as VERY few are made in the US anymore...and you never know what you're going to get. Quality dress shoes are HARD to find. Sketchers has some good options for wide shoes, but they are all on the "athletic" or "casual" end of the spectrum. I don't wear 'em because they look good, I wear 'em because they fit! "Hitchcock shoes" (e.g. www wideshoes com) has some options in wide to REALLY wide sizes. They OEM shoes and carry a few brands that specialize in wide shoes. They have some English dress shoes in the $300 range that are legit -- assuming that you like the style. Hitchcock has some "store brand" dress shoes that work well for me. I have a pair of Goodyear welted bluchers that fit REALLY WELL. The leather is top gain corrected. For $120 these are a steal! They are not as comfortable as AE.
I'm into watches and your examples are spot on. I must disagree with the fake leather though, pretend suede maybe but you can't get away with pleather.
My three previous vehicles were Lexus RX350s. Hated the new style and price, so I bought a Subaru Outback Touring model. Can’t notice a significant difference except for the extra $ 20,000 I saved.
I completely agree with everything you said, although I'd rather spend a bit on a good leather jacket just because I feel real leather will be more durable than pleather or synthetics. Great video as always 👍
I can truly resonate with your thoughts. My favorite denim is American Eagle. I will use the same even if I am Multi Billionare. Your message is clear. Makes a lot sense & Appeciate that ! Liked your content John ! Regards,
I can only think about mexicans people buying American Eagle at home and feeling multimillionaire already :) Raza: Furor es marca mexicana barata y no desmerece.
Hi. As long as you find your fit..then that's what matters...have bought from Japanese denim to made to measure jeans...went back to the good old Lee regular fit and hemmed them to the right length. They're my go-to-jeans..
Always enjoy your insight. Another reason NOT to purchase expensive luggage is,to me, it says steal me first! If the owner can afford to purchase expensive luggage, can you image what might be inside?
I had a 2019 Range Rover autobiography but it was very expensive given it had transmission and computer problems. So I gave it back to the dealer and got a 2018 Lexus RX 350 and it was best switch that I ever did.
Wise counsel. We all have our things although it's healthy to keep them in perspective. No matter our treasures collected everyone's final home is 6 ft deep?
John, as always, you are an education. I was born in the states but spent my childhood growing up in Puerto Rico so... we have a saying in Spanish. "Lo barato sale caro." Cheap things can turn out to be expensive. It is something I truly believe in. The most I have ever spent was on shoes; a little over $200 but I could afford them thanks to your review. From this video I learned not to spend an inordinate amount of money on suits (even though I love them) because I don't wear them on a regular basis. ¡Muchas gracias!
I agree with you all of the items except watches. If you can afford a stainless steel Rolex it will likely retain its value and probably increase in value over time. The Rolex Explorer II with the white dial that you showed in your video is actually an example of a watch that would be worth a few thousand more today than when you bought it new years ago.
Rolex is pretty much the exception as its market is artificially inflated by speculation, but high-end watches depreciate hard and fast. The best way to not getting robbed blind by your friendly AD is to go pre-owned.
I agree for many things: expensive designer clothing does not mean better quality. However sometimes you have to pay for a decent quality, for a jacket or a suit. Also leather jackets cannot be cheap quality. I don't like designer luggage with logos, it is just bad taste in my opinion. I am buying Travelpro luggage, excellent quality for a very decent price.
I do agree with what you're saying especially watches. Looking back, I could have bought a very nice (different) watch at say, half the price I spent on this heuer 01 calibre, and I would suddenly have enough money to buy a bespoke suit (which is now on my to-buy list instead of checked off my bucket list) Sure I wouldn't have my dream watch, but so what? nobody except watch snobs or maybe people who recognize *nice* things will care. But on the topic of suits - now I'm going to have to go through your suit videos, because I've always had a problem finding off the rack suits where the shoulder pads don't stick out past my shoulders. I have one suit that mostly fits but I look at photos of other people in suits and wonder "why doesn't my suit fit like that?" - thinking at this point that the only solution is bespoke or made-to-measure, and I'm wondering if maybe I don't need to go that route
I wouldn't buy a luxury car, but my friend just bought a used Lexus. At first I was like "wait why?" but then I realized he drives a lot. Like over 200,000 km in under 10 years. So if he's in a car that much, isn't it worth it to be inside a luxury car? Not sure if there's any other reason to buy one. Also I don't think expensive sports cars are ever worth the month. Went to a wedding of my dad's friend's son - my dad's friend is a wealthy business man and he just bought this beautiful sports car. I don't drive manual so I wasn't able to take it for a spin (ps: learn to drive manual; you'll never know when you might get a chance to drive a sports car owned by your dad's friend!) A few years later my mother tells me that the sports car just stays inside the garage. Dad's friend was afraid to drive it in public or some other reason, and the only time it gets any time on the road is when his daughter is showing off to her friends. Had he just leased a sports car, he would've saved so much money.
The list is spot on... I do prefer REAL leather but oh well. Another one is cologne... not paying $400, $500 / a bottle! There are several options with nice scents and lasting power for a lot less!
@@antwanthorogood4921 true. The funny thing is a long time ago, some ingredients really were incredibly expensive. But no one is putting actual whale barf in their perfumes anymore!
I'll never buy another brand new car. I bought an Audi A5 convertible last year and it was worth every penny, but it was 3 years old. When I was young, you could only expect to get 4 years out of a new car, but my last two have held up well for 15 years. So why spend an additional 20 thousand for a car you're going to be tired of within 10 years hat still runs well. I've also found that with fashion, if you're good about buying classic styles that won't be out of fashion in a year you can spend more because they'll last. I got REALY heavy and in the last two years lost over 200 pounds. When I lost the weight, I didn't have to buy new clothes because what I had bought 20 years ago now fit again, had held up well, and was still stylish.
Yep. My old Boxster runs like a Swiss watch despite 20 years and 200,000kms. Yet it still looks pretty fresh and stylish, and has way more personality than most new cars. Timeless styling is key with both cars and clothes.
Watches... I get it. Thousands of dollars is ridiculous, but some of them are incredible watches. My wife got me a Shinola last year for Father's Day. $600 and REALLY nice. American made in Detroit and it's an amazing brand. I know I sound like a commercial, but when you read the history of that company and what they did to set up manufacturing, there's a lot to admire in that company.
I paid £35 ,10 years ago for a fake leather from BHS in uk, a budget clothes store that doesn't exist now . Last year I paid £1200 for a Paul & shark real leather. The faux leather in my opinion looks more expensive.
My wife and I bought used for the first time earlier this year. Saved ourselves a good chunk of money and the car only had 30K miles which wasn’t a lot.
The problem I have with used cars is you don't know how they've been treated. I agree with the high price cars...I've always had success with mid level, not the cheapest but not the most expensive....good option if your self esteem isn't tied to your ride.
I kind of pretty much agree with everything but the leather and suede jacket point...If you're going to buy a leather or suede jacket...it has to be leather or suede, otherwise don't bother. I think it's because part of it is the quality and how it makes you feel, but also because you're buying it *because* it's a leather or suede jacket. The fake stuff would just come across as cheap. I wanted to buy my wife some suede boots recently, I found a really nice looking pair that were reduced to a hundred quid, but they were 'suedette', which is fake suede, it's basically fabric, and I didn't see the point. In the end I bought her a pair of leather boots that had been reduced down to half that and she loved them.
Some I agree with, but expensive items are normally expensive for a reason. A classic leather jacket will get better looking with age and last for years. A faux leather jacket can be spotted a mile away and usually looks like plastic. Cars, expensive cars cost more for a reason, they are better quality, will age better and retain more of their value, the same applies if you buy the right luxury watch.
Well said! Kinda sounded like my Dad. He owned a Fine Jewelry store for 30 yrs and could afford any car he wanted but drove a early 80"s Black Mercury Capri.. yes he did... to our country club on Long Island where we were members for over 30 years. I took me a while but NOW I get it!
My dad drove terrible used cars that were in and out of the shop all of the time and stranded my mother, my siblings, and myself a bunch of times. He could've spent more money up front on decent used cars and then spent much less on repairs and had less aggravation. Then he got a Lexus and then a Benz after we all graduated from high school. 😂 But I learned from his mistakes and from affluent German Americans on the West side of Cincinnati. They had money, but they didn't waste it on vehicles. They just drove Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, etc., And they just lived in modest houses, as opposed to all of the people in metro Atlanta who are on the verge of being broke because so much of their money is tied up in luxury vehicle leases, a McMansion, luxury clothes, and all of the other things they do to try to keep up with the Joneses.
@@loki2240 True, am into real estate i still drive my 2005 suv while my tenants drive 2014,2015,2018 sometimes they cannot even afford the rent. One day i will drive a better car but i promised it will be paid in full the same day
My prescription glasses from the local optician already cost me £350. (And I tried contacts. They are not for me.) The frame was probably £100 more expensive than the cheapest one. But everything else was just the lenses. All those special glasses are not for me as they can't fit my prescription lenses in for an affordable price. Being handicapped has its price just for the basics. And don't get me started on clothes. For 36" inseam you only get jeans or shorts or bespoke tailor (my suits). And never anything on sale.
I'm a professional musician, and you can get nearly every gig you want with a 400 dollar guitar, instead of dropping four figures. Most musicians aren't pro, but don't go into debt for hobbies.
Totally. I always half-jokingly say, "The more expensive the guitar, the less the guy plays." You can make nice music on a $400 guitar. If you can't play well, a more expensive guitar won't fix that.
Great topic John thanks for always sharing an alternative perspective! Funny recently I thought that decades ago the real rich bought xyz but in todays world branding has gone on steroids. Most all luxury brands have their logo everywhere. For a second I thought does that mean that every person wants to flash their status? And that is when I stopped myself because as someone over 50 I have to understand that its all geared towards the younger generation who want to flaunt as its part of the social media world. That said unfortunately many of us get older but inside we are still an insecure teenager and we need to have items define our worth or validate us. Thanks for all the great videos on your channel Sir!
Sunglasses are the biggest scam of all time. I have two pair of Warby Parkers that I spent around $100 on that I think are more comfortable, more durable, better quality and just as stylish as any name brand I've had. Most name brand sunglasses are made by the same company, who also own many of the stores that sell them. Huge racket, suckers beware. Great video.
I'd also add don't buy expensive grooming products. I've washed my face with Aesop and with Nivea from the grocery store. Honestly, I can't tell a difference in the way my skin looks and feels.
There was a time when luxury cars really were much better made. I have a BMW E34 purchased new in 1995. I've looked to upgrade several times to something newer but nothing captures my fancy like the old school BMW. It was stupidly expensive new, but maintenance and upkeep has been cheaper than my daily driver Hondas. Definitely a keeper that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
I’m a car guy too. Audi having lots of reliability issues now and even “downsizing” I’m not sure is your best move. I’m sure I’ll get flamed but for smaller suvs you can’t beat Hyundai and Kia right now. More features, more power and waaaaaay more reliable. But as you said about others things if you really like Audi’s then I guess that makes it the best value. Enjoy😉
Ill stick with my Lexus RX450, it might not have the brand recognition of a Merc or an Audi but its better finished, far more reliable and here in Australia customer service is light years better than the other two. For a good informative and very informative motor vehicle reviews check out AutoExpert on you tube. It’s brilliant.
Maggie Mae if you let ignorance and fragile ego make your choices that’s up to you. Good example though of exactly what this video is about. Your choice to put style over substance.🙂
I'm inclined to agree Seymour. I tested BMW, Audi, and Volvo, vehicles when i was in the market to update my ride. I ended up with the Volvo. On paper, it had similar specs/performance to the others i was looking at, but for a much better price - the difference was obviously the badge that was on the front. Now i know Volvo has about as much street cred as pooping your pants in public, but i'm not 17 years old, i don't give a shit about street cred. I have a Polestar tuned Volvo, which is as sedate or as seat-of-the-pants crazy as you want it to be, that attracts zero attention from the Police!!! For $10K - $15K less than the other European equivalents.
Your advice on watches is compelling with the exception of Rolex steel sports models. I've bought two brand new Rolex steel sports models at retail price and both have nearly doubled in value in just a few short years (Rolex "Hulk" Submariner and Rolex GMT Master II "Batman"). I may or may not sell one (or both) someday but it's nice to know I can always get my money back and make a substantial profit if I ever need the money. The same is not true for my Seiko, Timex, etc.
Never buy cheap drugstore sunglasses, they could be bad for your eyes. Some cheap sunglasses don't properly block UVA / UVB. The dark shade of the glasses causes your eyes to dilate which could let in more damaging UV if the glasses don't properly block it. You are actually worse off wearing glasses like this than nothing at all while outside. You don't have to buy $500 glasses but be very sure the glasses you are buying are of high quality and block 100% of UV light or you could be damaging your eyes. Regarding watches: brands such as Seiko, Oris, G-Shock, Hamilton are all respectable brands with some "street cred" with watch collectors and there is no shame in wearing those. I would stay away from micro brands or other weird stuff and whatever you do don't buy fake Rolex or other luxury brand fakes. Like it or not a watch is a status symbol and there are many watch collectors who will notice what you are wearing. Maybe the guy interviewing you for your next job is a watch enthusiast and is noticing what you are wearing. Of course this could backfire if you are wearing a more expensive watch than the interviewer hahahaha so be careful. Maybe an interview isn't the place to wear the Omega. The watch you wear can and does send a message and it does make a statement about you. My advice: if you aren't willing to put in some research and find out what the respectable (and affordable if you choose) brands are then just don't wear a watch at all. I don't know any true watch enthusiast who would fault a person for wearing a Seiko or similar but if you are wearing a fake or some designer brand such as Gucci you are going to get dinged for that. Regarding cars let's just say that power and tech is nice but tech is outdated the moment you drive the car off the lot and power is basically useless for street driving. Also keep in mind German cars have poor reliability and resale value compared with Japanese cars. There is a reason Lexus has been #1 ranked in all of the consumer satisfaction studies for a very long time. I know so many people who have problems with their BMW. My Lexus is a couple years old now and I haven't had a single problem with it. Only been in the shop for routine maintenance. The thing that struck me the most when shopping for cars a couple years ago is the German cars are designed to last about 4 years before having maintenance problems (which is probably why most people lease them). Lexus makes no such compromise (which is probably why most people buy them). Food for thought!
40 Over Fashion never had a problem with any of my BMWs. You can’t beat German engineering. I own Japanese cars too and yes they are very reliable. Agree Lexus are reliable however they are soulless and boring. Just an overrated Toyota.
@@dtnjnq Hahahaha OK bud. Like I said everyone I know says BMW sucks eggs from a reliability standpoint. And yes you can beat German Engineering; it's called Japanese Engineering and there is a reason they are constantly rated #1. Since I don't define my life by what car I drive I prefer to drive the luxury vehicle brand that isn't going to cause me problems. I've tried the rest; I go to the best. At first I was a bit hesitant to believe the stories I hear about Lexus customer satisfaction. I can put those concerns to rest. Lexus has gone way way way above and beyond any other car brand to make sure I'm taken care of. I never had a single problem with the car other than routine maintenance but I'm pretty much treated like royalty every time I visit the dealer. Never experienced that with any other car brand, ever. Boring? Please don't tell me you are one of these little street racers (eyeroll). My IS350 has more than enough power to get into trouble and you shouldn't be driving like that on the street unless you are irresponsible and looking for trouble. If you are looking for a thrill then why don't you try martial arts or go to a gun range sometime instead of pretending to be a race car driver on the public roadways putting others in danger? Good luck to you.
John Doe does everyone you know that say BMW are unrealisable actually own a BMW. I don’t disagree with Lexus reliability or customer satisfaction and agree they are a great car. I just think that in my opinion their styling is boring and they are boring to drive. There’s a good reason why there is a saying “Lexus, sexless”. I think that German engineering is also constantly rated number 1. BMW engines have been rated number 1 engines many times. I’ve also never had any issues with any of my BMW’s or Mercedes and also very satisfied with their customer service. I’m in Australia so maybe BMW where you live are different. I agree some of the BMW models manufactured in the USA may not be reliable. It’s a well known fact that most cars made in the USA are unrelieable . I also drive a Japanese Subaru which is very reliable and I think can’t be beaten for value for money for what it offers in features. You shouldn’t’ comment on the reliability of a car you have never owned. By the way I don’t speed on the streets. When I need to speed I take my car to the race track.
German (made in germany not in us) cars are awesome, but stupid and lazy us mechanics can not service them properly. got bmw f33 and have literally 1 (one) technical problem for 140kkm of driving.
You're saying something that so many people NEED to hear. People will do so much better if they learn to INVEST their money instead of merely "spending" money to impress those who don't really care, honestly. However, I do like a nice leather jacket - but mine are old with timeless, classic styles. Since I no longer care for buying animal skins or furs for clothing, I won't be replacing them. Shoes? Well, cheap shoes kill my feet, so I go bargain hunting for quality shoes at a sensible price.
I agree. Never ever buy from “fashionable” watch brands. They’re junk. Stick with reputable brands that build quality that don’t break the bank too much. You’re also supporting businesses who genuinely are innovative.
Exactly. There’s a lot of great affordable brands. I’d buy a timer way before mvmt. Seiko and Hamilton come to my mind. I started my love for watches with a seiko
I totally agree. There is a big difference between "Luxury" and "Quality", and quite often luxury is not very good quality. I think that people will pay a lot of money for certain things because that is their preference. I do like watches, and I have quite a few, but I only buy the best that I can afford and I always buy them on sale. I will say that the same goes for everything I buy, I buy the best that I can afford and I always look for a good sale. I don't mind buying last seasons clothing if I can get it at 50% or more off.
T shirts. A £10 ($ 10) T shirt. Someone somewhere has suffered to ensure it retails at £10. T shirts £30 from brands like Asket and Arket ( traceability) should be considered. Also the cut of cheap T shirts is obvious and a few washes in twisted and faded. Remember cheap, someone paid! Ethical and traceability is the future. Buy less and considered.
Faux leather makes you sweat and be uncomfortable, and on top of that when its cold, they aren't even that warm. A good leather jacket is a pretty good investment. Watches are a fashion statement and can be worn for decades. Another good investment that makes your style go to another level
I pretty much agree with your list, I own 1 expensive suit that I wear occasionally but feel like a million dollars in it. So, I’d say get a quality suit in a classic design. One thing you missed off your list is the top of the line phone. There’s no need to spend more than $500-600 on a phone; unless you really need it for your business.
I agree. IMO, if one can afford it, a man should have a high quality suit. If he wants more than that suit, yeah, don't a bunch of bespoke suits, but one high quality suit is worth it.
I think the main point missed on designer luggage wasnt about affordability, we buy LV because of the brand not the useability however if its going in luggage hold and being thrown about by the airlines it will get destroyed. LV - Hand luggage + domestic car travel. Briggs & Riley Flights and non domestic travel, Job done
Some thing I think are getting more and more overpriced are cellphones. Why pay thousands of dollars for the latest iPhone when all you pay for are 3 more cameras that's let's face it no one really uses. Unless you're into photography I dont see why the other 4 cameras are on there. Just my opinion
And are not really exceptionally well crafted despite being beautiful design-wise (i would have accepted them as concepts). Why can't they make a more durable phone with a gorgeous stainless steel side and back instead of an all-glass back and with a proper glass screen repair deal? I feel cheated and finessed every time I buy a new phone.
Another thing I don't get are expensive socks. I wear the 3 for $20 outlet malls dress socks. My friend wears $25 socks. I can't tell the difference. I would put most accessories in that list from gloves, hats, wallets and scarves as well, as well as cosmetic jewelry. It seems that you are deconstructing your own space (fashion goods). I wish more people would take a hard look at the industry in an objective manner as you do. Too many people just accept what luxury makers tell them is the norm or desirable. I tend to mix and match luxury with cheaper items. A nice $600 cashmere/camel hair overcoat with a $25 H&M turtleneck and a $100 used Armani suit jacket (that I got from EBay) for example. The one thing that goes beyond the material and the brand is how it fits. A nice fitting item worth $20 will look much better on you than the same item worth $200 that is ill-fitting .
Rolex Watches- By the time I turned 18, I had gone through three watches (Timex +Timex + Bulova). After a summer washing dishes, in a resort in New Hampshire when I was 19, I used the money to buy a Stainless Steel Rolex chronometer/date for US$220. A fortune at the time - when a Timex was going for US$12.95. Forty-eight years later, I am in my 60's and it is still on my wrist. It has been my only watch, although I have changed the face and gone from a stainless steel band - to leather - back to stainless steel, as my career and geographic locations have changed. Since buying the Rolex, I only had one watch. I will probably die in my 80's with it still on my wrist. - As a wise man once said 'Choose once - but - choose wisely.'
Most famous brands and companies are manufacture their products in China 🇨🇳 for cheap labor and then sell it for the rest of the world 🌎 at an expensive prices 💵 If I want to buy a high-quality or an expensive product I won't pay that amount of money unless if the product was manufactured by the same company in their origin country.
@@mohitchoprraa1687 USA is a different world my friend.i guess you can get a custom made leather jacket from a local shop affordably in india.however in USA price of labour is simply too much.if an indian made jacket get into the USA it will be subject to tariffs.
you can, but faux leather has come a very long way. at christmas i bought a $1200 schott jacket and a faux jacket from Kohl's for 35 bucks. my friend who is a major leather manufacturer, has tanneries around the world and supplies leather to prada, gucci, etc, said you can't tell it's faux leather by looking and most people not even by touching it. he said the quality was extremely good. he also said it will last about 4 years, eventually it will start peeling. he said the faux leather now is much better than the poor quality cheap leather you get in india, china, etc.
Jeans, glasses, watches, shoes that are expensive you can find for cheap online. Granted they maybe on clearance or discontinued but who cares? Nobody is going to know if that style made in 2020 or 2018.
In my opinion rather than over spending on a suit. You can get a tailor to fit your suit and shirt to fit correctly. You can have a very expensive suit that looks poorly fitted. Which in turn makes you looks thrown together. Where a proper fitted $400 dollar suit can make you look dressed to the 9’s. Status is nice. But nothing can beat a custom fit. Plus you now have room to add your own touch to your style.
well .§...there are some periorities in life such as....u have to be in shape before u think of niche clothes...u have to shower every day and wear clean clothes before u apply expensive fragrences and so on...
I want to make a clarification on the shoes. Women and men judge you on the shoes you wear. If you are in a sales type profession then a high quality shoe suited to your field is necessary. You can get away with cheaper options on the rest of your outfit.
True, but quality shoes and designer shoes are often two different things. And even short of that, there's going to be a markup on quality designer shoes because of the designer brand.
Started loving this well-mannered man. Much appreciated of what you shared. I used to buy luxury items included motorcycle by cash not but no more after 40 years old. I am now only buy what I really needed and deep down research that item before throw money out.
John, there is a lot to unpack in your comments. I will however politely and humbly say that you possibly need to do a bit more research into Luxury. The old saying "The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" Oscar Wilde.
I’m partial to a Belstaff wax cotton jacket. I have around 6 of them at the moment. They’re pricey but they’ll last a lifetime. If you take care of them you can also sell them on and get quite a bit of money back.
Thankfully someone with sense on here lol. Spend the money on high quality items and they'll last. Buy cheap and you'll be renewing your clothes constantly. Bad advice on this video
Great topic, excellently and persuasively presented. I probably agree with about nine and a half of the ten points. I've a slight reservation on luxury watches. Some men are watch collectors, owning eight or ten watches, including a couple of particularly valuable watches. If they rotate wearing them, and they blend them well with what they are wearing, it can add to their interest as a person (or make them a complete bore if they don't gauge their audience well, when they wax lyrical on the subject). Additionally, at a slightly higher price point, watches can be resold and passed on as heirlooms. So, I agree in principle with your take on watches, but reckon that there could be a small exception, even for those who aren't mega-rich.
I’m a newcomer to this channel and find it interesting. Not always in keeping with my thinking but it makes me question, in a respectful way, my thinking. Luxury is a subjective term. What is luxury to a sub continent shipbreaker (best I could come up with) is not luxury to me. What is luxury to me may not be luxury to Musk. For me, I’m still trying to buy consistently. By which I mean, with the head as much as I can and not too often by the heart. I would not go into debt to buy anything (okay, I exclude a house and a car where I don’t pay all the price in cash upfront). If I haven’t got the money, then I don’t buy it. But, where I do have the money, I like to buy the best quality (as far as I can work that out) for the money I have for the task that I want that item for. By which I mean, I do not spend a lot of money on the jeans that I wear out in the fields or walking the dogs. To me, there is no point. I do spend more money on the jeans that I know I will wear going out. Even then, I find that I can buy quality jeans such as Wrangler much much cheaper as “slight seconds”. Okay, the label has been removed but the Wrangler fit, which suits my body shape, is still there. I buy most of my coats (may be suit or sports “jackets”) second hand because I can get great quality in tweed for example where I cannot afford to buy that quality brand new. Now retired, but when working, I had very nice cars because I spent so much time on them. I had Range Rover Sport, BMW 6 series, M Benz etc. I spent more than I had to (I could have gone A to B in a Ford every time) because I wanted to feel good for the hours I spent in the car. Now, I don’t drive very far and so that Ford is fine. Videos like this are helpful in provoking thought. We don’t need anything that I see on any of these videos - there are always cheaper choices available - but we tend to buy what satisfies us; what makes us feel good; what gives us confidence. My view is to buy quality but not label - but quality might be in a label. Buy only what you can afford - debt will end up making you feel bad. Buy what genuinely makes you feel good - but not guilty. Never buy to impress or feel superior.
This is advice for all ages, though had I received it in my 20s it would have saved me a lot of money! There are two points where I beg to differ though. A well made watch ( and there are great ones for under a thousand) is a worthwhile purchase as it has longevity and can be a daily wear in some cases. Also, as a keen motorcyclist a good quality leather jacket is essential. True that for casual wear, a faux leather one would suffice, but the quality and feel of good leather is hard to beat. Nice reminder not to buy expensive items on credit. I'd like to commend you on an informative common sense approach and look forward to viewing your future videos.
I agree with almost everything on your list except the leather and suede jackets. The faux leather and suedes don’t age anywhere near as well as the real thing. Now you can shop around for a really nice classic leather jacket that would t go out of style and with wear it will age beautifully. The suppleness and aging of a good leather jacket cannot be beat. Have a great week John!
My go-to leather jacket for fall weather is going on 20 years old and looks great. Good luck getting that from faux leather. And the problem with getting 4-5 jackets is that they take up 4-5 times the space and weigh down on your hanger rod with 4-5 times the force. That's not good for folks who live in apartments where space is at a premium and your closet organization was designed and installed by the low bidder. Depending on the climate where you live, you only need two leather jackets. A thinner one for when it gets a little chilly at night, and a thick one with lining for when you're about to break out your down-filled winter coat.
Im a simple man I wear old navy or H&M I drive my 95 Acura Legend since High school and wear only citizen watches most of my money now and days goes into my Roth IRA and the stock market
Good video John. Definitely agree with the content here. There are influencers promoting bespoke suits, coats and jackets £4,000 plus talking about the amazing shoulder line down the sleeve to their butt crack. Do you have a video on things you should buy expensive?
That is a great suggestion. For example I think it’s worth it to pay a bit more for shoes. If well made they can last Yiu decades. And now with direct-to-consumer alternatives like Taft, Jack Erwin, Meerman, etc. you can get excellent shoes for $200 or so.
I bought a leather jacket in 1984. Still wear it, don't care if it may be out of fashion. Paid around $100 for it. Made in Korea. It's still in good shape. Probably wouldn't buy another because I couldn't afford one today and it would probably be made in China. A few years ago I wa chosen Employee of the Month and received a $100 gift certificate to an upscale clothing store. That $100 got me two shirts that were on sale and they didn't last as long as shirts bought at Penneys or Sears. You are right about expensive items. It usually is about the name, not quality.
Imagine a guy you just portrayed - wearing a fake leather jacket on a 12 dollar t-shirt, a cheap CVS pair of sunglasses, a timex on his wrist, sporting pailess sneakers and a sub one hundred dollar jeans. Add to that a cheap cologne and a some fake jewellery and you got the most desirable man out there lol
I love my Seikos as much as I love my Swiss watches. No matter of price - just a matter of love :-) My respect for your - partly - controversial video!
I once read “ quality remains..long after the price is forgotten.” So true. But not everyone can afford the high priced things at their particular point in life. So I say, buy the absolute best you can afford. You won’t regret it.
Yes, but that only works with classic items that never really go in and put of fashion. You may have bought a top quality pair of flared jeans in the 1970's, but would you wear them now?
A good topic and fair (even handed) content. Something that may admittedly be a wee bit off the subject. But it's the first thing that came to my mine. Yes, you get what you for, and a man pays his way in this life. That means, you tip the bartender, the barber the dog groomer and folks providing service. You don't show up to someone's house (yes, even Mom's) without bringing something. You remember peoples birthdays. Even a small thing like a card shows you care. Always be surveying your surrounding details to see what needs to be removed or replaced because of wear and tear ( or to propel yourself into the new decade of style). What needs an upgrade? A man gets in front of these things.
After seeing Gentleman's Gazette with terrible use of "ugly", "peasant" and such synonyms as "used cars salesman", this video is much refreshing and head over shoulder, very practical yet in all means not obligatory. The content is simple and meaningful. Not asking for "Hey! Look at me, I am the only one stylish on this earth" unlike the one I mentioned.
You can never compare the Quality of a Carmina, Gucci, Santoni to an Aldo. In some things the value for money is there. Even with your eyes closed you can detect some quality & craftsmanship. There's a reason those famous brand were famous, they make better stuff. Anything that can make U happy is worth spending your money on. People can have varied reasons on what not to but expensive & some aren't worth the price but in many the craftsmanship is there
Great points! My general rules are 1) don’t break the bank for something, 2) pay for quality and not name and 3) buy timeless pieces that will either not go out of style or retain their value. Having said that, if you really want something, splurge but only if you can afford it. Lastly, I agree with a previous post about the durability of leather jackets.
I'm 50 an I totally agree with you, I save on some to spend on others that are worth it, my weak spot is a nice swiss watch, A $2.00 watch can tell time like a Rolex but the Rolex or the Omega is a timepiece and it is for me not for anyone else and it's like patting myself on the back and saying your 50 and you've earned it, my two cents
Me too, I SPLURGE on my Swiss watch collection....But I buy cheap Uniqlo to Walmart t-shirts haha....
Same here.
Buying a submariner at msrp, and walking to your car instantly gaining 40% profit, is a once in a lifetime experience. I've had fun and truly enjoyed pissing money away on a 66 vette, 67 mustang, camper, new cars. That sub was the wisest purchase in my 44 years of existence.
Full agreement with you my friend. I've been hooked on watches since my college days and have managed to assemble a collection 15 Rolex's, 3 Patek's, and a half dozen other assorted pieces. My collection is worth more than 2X what I paid and on the Patek's, they are nearing 3X, so in ever case they've all increased in value.
A watch is the only piece of jewellery I wear. While I agree with all the other items on your list (and I do consider myself a petrolhead and own a nice Audi), a good watch marks a man out and does get noticed in a positive way. Almost without fail, I wear a Cartier Tank Anglaise every day and often get complimented on the watch. Despite that fact that it was nearly $6,000 new (I put down a 10% deposit and paid the rest off with a 4 year interest free loan), it is a luxury item I have never regretted purchasing.
I apply the '10 year' test to everything I buy.... Will this be something I'll still be stoked to own in 10 years? If the answer is yes...then buy it. If not, leave it on the shelf 👍🏻
Get fit and in shape and ANYTHING will look good on you.
This is the truest comment on here.
Yes. But in my case: easier to buy the damn clothes 💪🏻😂
Yes. A kmart henley will look as good as a Gucci henley depends on who wears it.
1000% :)
Thanks for your honest sharing. Lov n hugs...
Listen, I am as cheap as they come, but fake leather is no good. You can get a beautiful leather jacket with a wonderful Aroma that the ladies love for $300.
I agree with you. I bought a Casio A700 watch for £33 . It is super slim and keeps excellent time.
One point I wish you had brought up...
A lot of us have personal quirks that make "buying it for cheaper" out of the question, for one kind of life necessity or other. Myself, for example, I have very narrow feet. With sneakers, I get by wearing two pairs of thick socks, but for dress shoes, that's just not an option. For me, $300 for a pair of Allen Edmonds isn't a luxury - it's the base price for finding shoes that fit.
But by not spending top dollar on a car, or on watches, or fancy luggage or whatever, I can *afford* to spend extra for things like dress shoes, where what I need is a lot more expensive than what most people need. It's all about getting the most utility out of your hard-earned dollar.
Same, but different. I have REALLY WIDEEEEEE feet. Something like Allen Edmonds are close...but still need time on a shoe stretcher. Even so, that is just the entry level to get close enough to be stretched out.
There is nothing quite like taking a $300 shoe out of the box, soaking it in a rubbing alcohol solution, and they putting it on shoe stretchers for a couple days before your foot will even stand a chance of sliding into the shoe.
@@lesstraveledpath I have the same issue. My feet are wide-ish, but not super wide yet I struggle to find nice shoes that fit comfortably lately!?! I rarely had this issue 20 years ago. What gives? Are shoes becoming narrower or my feet are getting wider? Quality going down? Even with the expensive brands, I cannot justify the cost for a shoe that isn’t comfortable!!!
@@josephj6521 Your feet do get wider with age (getting older is not for the faint of heart). I have added about 2 more "E's" to my shoe size over the last 30-ish years.
There are standards for shoe sizes. But....
I tend to find that British shoes are a bit wider than the standard (woohoo!!!!), Spanish & Italian shoes are a bit narrower than the standard (booo!!!). US sized shoes are all over the map -- as VERY few are made in the US anymore...and you never know what you're going to get. Quality dress shoes are HARD to find.
Sketchers has some good options for wide shoes, but they are all on the "athletic" or "casual" end of the spectrum. I don't wear 'em because they look good, I wear 'em because they fit!
"Hitchcock shoes" (e.g. www wideshoes com) has some options in wide to REALLY wide sizes. They OEM shoes and carry a few brands that specialize in wide shoes. They have some English dress shoes in the $300 range that are legit -- assuming that you like the style.
Hitchcock has some "store brand" dress shoes that work well for me. I have a pair of Goodyear welted bluchers that fit REALLY WELL. The leather is top gain corrected. For $120 these are a steal! They are not as comfortable as AE.
I'm into watches and your examples are spot on. I must disagree with the fake leather though, pretend suede maybe but you can't get away with pleather.
My three previous vehicles were Lexus RX350s. Hated the new style and price, so I bought a Subaru Outback Touring model. Can’t notice a significant difference except for the extra $ 20,000 I saved.
Well done!
I completely agree with everything you said, although I'd rather spend a bit on a good leather jacket just because I feel real leather will be more durable than pleather or synthetics. Great video as always 👍
Fair enough! Thanks Chris!
Me, too!!
This is good
They age a lot better and are a lot warmer.
I can truly resonate with your thoughts. My favorite denim is American Eagle. I will use the same even if I am Multi Billionare.
Your message is clear. Makes a lot sense & Appeciate that !
Liked your content John !
Regards,
Thanks for commenting!
I can only think about mexicans people buying American Eagle at home and feeling multimillionaire already :)
Raza: Furor es marca mexicana barata y no desmerece.
Hi. As long as you find your fit..then that's what matters...have bought from Japanese denim to made to measure jeans...went back to the good old Lee regular fit and hemmed them to the right length. They're my go-to-jeans..
All these “designer clothing” are like the diamond cartel. Control the quantity and you get something you can “invest” in
Couldn’t agree more, John. Regarding sunglasses, I own 4 pair from Warby Parker. Stylish and great value.
Thanks Will!
Vintage watches are nice. An old seiko 5 can be had for under a $100. Very classic.
Thanks very much John. I am 50 years old and your coach is helping me a lot to keep me at pace with my age.
Everything you mentioned made me feel bad. Thanks a lot!! 😭😭😭
Always enjoy your insight. Another reason NOT to purchase expensive luggage is,to me, it says steal me first! If the owner can afford to purchase expensive luggage, can you image what might be inside?
That is a 🔑
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!👍
ESPECIALLY when it comes to WATCHES!⌚
Its about balance. Great point.
I had a 2019 Range Rover autobiography but it was very expensive given it had transmission and computer problems. So I gave it back to the dealer and got a 2018 Lexus RX 350 and it was best switch that I ever did.
Thanks for commenting!
Wise counsel. We all have our things although it's healthy to keep them in perspective. No matter our treasures collected everyone's final home is 6 ft deep?
I prefer fast women over fast cars even though in the long run, the car is cheaper.
Haha!
That’s a good one... 😂🤣🤪
Definitely 🤣🤣🤣
😂😂
👌🏼🤣🤣
John, as always, you are an education. I was born in the states but spent my childhood growing up in Puerto Rico so... we have a saying in Spanish. "Lo barato sale caro." Cheap things can turn out to be expensive. It is something I truly believe in. The most I have ever spent was on shoes; a little over $200 but I could afford them thanks to your review. From this video I learned not to spend an inordinate amount of money on suits (even though I love them) because I don't wear them on a regular basis. ¡Muchas gracias!
I agree with you all of the items except watches. If you can afford a stainless steel Rolex it will likely retain its value and probably increase in value over time. The Rolex Explorer II with the white dial that you showed in your video is actually an example of a watch that would be worth a few thousand more today than when you bought it new years ago.
Rolex is pretty much the exception as its market is artificially inflated by speculation, but high-end watches depreciate hard and fast. The best way to not getting robbed blind by your friendly AD is to go pre-owned.
I agree for many things: expensive designer clothing does not mean better quality.
However sometimes you have to pay for a decent quality, for a jacket or a suit. Also leather jackets cannot be cheap quality.
I don't like designer luggage with logos, it is just bad taste in my opinion. I am buying Travelpro luggage, excellent quality for a very decent price.
Agreed! Thank you!
I do agree with what you're saying especially watches. Looking back, I could have bought a very nice (different) watch at say, half the price I spent on this heuer 01 calibre, and I would suddenly have enough money to buy a bespoke suit (which is now on my to-buy list instead of checked off my bucket list)
Sure I wouldn't have my dream watch, but so what? nobody except watch snobs or maybe people who recognize *nice* things will care.
But on the topic of suits - now I'm going to have to go through your suit videos, because I've always had a problem finding off the rack suits where the shoulder pads don't stick out past my shoulders. I have one suit that mostly fits but I look at photos of other people in suits and wonder "why doesn't my suit fit like that?" - thinking at this point that the only solution is bespoke or made-to-measure, and I'm wondering if maybe I don't need to go that route
I wouldn't buy a luxury car, but my friend just bought a used Lexus. At first I was like "wait why?" but then I realized he drives a lot. Like over 200,000 km in under 10 years. So if he's in a car that much, isn't it worth it to be inside a luxury car?
Not sure if there's any other reason to buy one.
Also I don't think expensive sports cars are ever worth the month. Went to a wedding of my dad's friend's son - my dad's friend is a wealthy business man and he just bought this beautiful sports car. I don't drive manual so I wasn't able to take it for a spin (ps: learn to drive manual; you'll never know when you might get a chance to drive a sports car owned by your dad's friend!)
A few years later my mother tells me that the sports car just stays inside the garage. Dad's friend was afraid to drive it in public or some other reason, and the only time it gets any time on the road is when his daughter is showing off to her friends. Had he just leased a sports car, he would've saved so much money.
Tag is overpriced you can have a longines for 1000 to 1600 conquest or hydro conquest respectively and have a good luxury watch
nice Mako XL.the white on black always looks nice.
The list is spot on... I do prefer REAL leather but oh well. Another one is cologne... not paying $400, $500 / a bottle! There are several options with nice scents and lasting power for a lot less!
There are cheap dupes of anything expensive and even a little popular.
@@toomanymarys7355 and not even a knock off, just a great fragrance that isn’t $350
@@antwanthorogood4921 true. The funny thing is a long time ago, some ingredients really were incredibly expensive. But no one is putting actual whale barf in their perfumes anymore!
I'll never buy another brand new car. I bought an Audi A5 convertible last year and it was worth every penny, but it was 3 years old. When I was young, you could only expect to get 4 years out of a new car, but my last two have held up well for 15 years. So why spend an additional 20 thousand for a car you're going to be tired of within 10 years hat still runs well. I've also found that with fashion, if you're good about buying classic styles that won't be out of fashion in a year you can spend more because they'll last. I got REALY heavy and in the last two years lost over 200 pounds. When I lost the weight, I didn't have to buy new clothes because what I had bought 20 years ago now fit again, had held up well, and was still stylish.
Yep. My old Boxster runs like a Swiss watch despite 20 years and 200,000kms. Yet it still looks pretty fresh and stylish, and has way more personality than most new cars. Timeless styling is key with both cars and clothes.
Nice to hear that practicality can also be fashionable.
Absolutely!
Watches... I get it. Thousands of dollars is ridiculous, but some of them are incredible watches. My wife got me a Shinola last year for Father's Day. $600 and REALLY nice. American made in Detroit and it's an amazing brand. I know I sound like a commercial, but when you read the history of that company and what they did to set up manufacturing, there's a lot to admire in that company.
I paid £35 ,10 years ago for a fake leather from BHS in uk, a budget clothes store that doesn't exist now . Last year I paid £1200 for a Paul & shark real leather. The faux leather in my opinion looks more expensive.
One should always consider buying a used car. New cars suffer a lot of depreciation. M.
Yes, that's a great option!
I purchased a leased returned with just 13,000 miles. Saved $26,000.
@@jimrowe4177 Well done. M.
My wife and I bought used for the first time earlier this year. Saved ourselves a good chunk of money and the car only had 30K miles which wasn’t a lot.
The problem I have with used cars is you don't know how they've been treated. I agree with the high price cars...I've always had success with mid level, not the cheapest but not the most expensive....good option if your self esteem isn't tied to your ride.
I kind of pretty much agree with everything but the leather and suede jacket point...If you're going to buy a leather or suede jacket...it has to be leather or suede, otherwise don't bother. I think it's because part of it is the quality and how it makes you feel, but also because you're buying it *because* it's a leather or suede jacket. The fake stuff would just come across as cheap.
I wanted to buy my wife some suede boots recently, I found a really nice looking pair that were reduced to a hundred quid, but they were 'suedette', which is fake suede, it's basically fabric, and I didn't see the point. In the end I bought her a pair of leather boots that had been reduced down to half that and she loved them.
Thank you for commenting! Good points!
@@40OverFashion Thanks John!
@Maggie Mae Yeah, people *do* look, so go for the real deal every time.
Some I agree with, but expensive items are normally expensive for a reason. A classic leather jacket will get better looking with age and last for years. A faux leather jacket can be spotted a mile away and usually looks like plastic. Cars, expensive cars cost more for a reason, they are better quality, will age better and retain more of their value, the same applies if you buy the right luxury watch.
Thanks Chris. Good points for sure!
Is that watch a Mako XL Full lume dial or a Mako II?
Maco II full lume.
Well said!
Kinda sounded like my Dad. He owned a Fine Jewelry store for 30 yrs and could afford any car he wanted but drove a early 80"s Black Mercury Capri.. yes he did... to our country club on Long Island where we were members for over 30 years. I took me a while but NOW I get it!
My dad drove terrible used cars that were in and out of the shop all of the time and stranded my mother, my siblings, and myself a bunch of times. He could've spent more money up front on decent used cars and then spent much less on repairs and had less aggravation. Then he got a Lexus and then a Benz after we all graduated from high school. 😂
But I learned from his mistakes and from affluent German Americans on the West side of Cincinnati. They had money, but they didn't waste it on vehicles. They just drove Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, etc., And they just lived in modest houses, as opposed to all of the people in metro Atlanta who are on the verge of being broke because so much of their money is tied up in luxury vehicle leases, a McMansion, luxury clothes, and all of the other things they do to try to keep up with the Joneses.
@@loki2240 True, am into real estate i still drive my 2005 suv while my tenants drive 2014,2015,2018 sometimes they cannot even afford the rent.
One day i will drive a better car but i promised it will be paid in full the same day
My prescription glasses from the local optician already cost me £350. (And I tried contacts. They are not for me.) The frame was probably £100 more expensive than the cheapest one. But everything else was just the lenses. All those special glasses are not for me as they can't fit my prescription lenses in for an affordable price. Being handicapped has its price just for the basics.
And don't get me started on clothes. For 36" inseam you only get jeans or shorts or bespoke tailor (my suits). And never anything on sale.
I'm a professional musician, and you can get nearly every gig you want with a 400 dollar guitar, instead of dropping four figures. Most musicians aren't pro, but don't go into debt for hobbies.
Thank you! Such a great point!
Totally. I always half-jokingly say, "The more expensive the guitar, the less the guy plays." You can make nice music on a $400 guitar. If you can't play well, a more expensive guitar won't fix that.
@@mamutcat Johnny Marr Fender Jag. Why bother? LOL
I like Oakley sun glasses
Great topic John thanks for always sharing an alternative perspective! Funny recently I thought that decades ago the real rich bought xyz but in todays world branding has gone on steroids. Most all luxury brands have their logo everywhere. For a second I thought does that mean that every person wants to flash their status? And that is when I stopped myself because as someone over 50 I have to understand that its all geared towards the younger generation who want to flaunt as its part of the social media world. That said unfortunately many of us get older but inside we are still an insecure teenager and we need to have items define our worth or validate us. Thanks for all the great videos on your channel Sir!
Thank you very much for your comment Al! Great points!
Sunglasses are the biggest scam of all time. I have two pair of Warby Parkers that I spent around $100 on that I think are more comfortable, more durable, better quality and just as stylish as any name brand I've had. Most name brand sunglasses are made by the same company, who also own many of the stores that sell them. Huge racket, suckers beware. Great video.
Thanks for watching John!
I'd also add don't buy expensive grooming products. I've washed my face with Aesop and with Nivea from the grocery store. Honestly, I can't tell a difference in the way my skin looks and feels.
There was a time when luxury cars really were much better made. I have a BMW E34 purchased new in 1995. I've looked to upgrade several times to something newer but nothing captures my fancy like the old school BMW. It was stupidly expensive new, but maintenance and upkeep has been cheaper than my daily driver Hondas. Definitely a keeper that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
I’m a car guy too. Audi having lots of reliability issues now and even “downsizing” I’m not sure is your best move. I’m sure I’ll get flamed but for smaller suvs you can’t beat Hyundai and Kia right now. More features, more power and waaaaaay more reliable. But as you said about others things if you really like Audi’s then I guess that makes it the best value. Enjoy😉
Thanks Seymour! I'm on my third Audi and they've all been trouble free.
Ill stick with my Lexus RX450, it might not have the brand recognition of a Merc or an Audi but its better finished, far more reliable and here in Australia customer service is light years better than the other two. For a good informative and very informative motor vehicle reviews check out AutoExpert on you tube. It’s brilliant.
Life’s an Abyss yep that’s another good choice. Different price range of course
Maggie Mae if you let ignorance and fragile ego make your choices that’s up to you. Good example though of exactly what this video is about. Your choice to put style over substance.🙂
I'm inclined to agree Seymour. I tested BMW, Audi, and Volvo, vehicles when i was in the market to update my ride. I ended up with the Volvo. On paper, it had similar specs/performance to the others i was looking at, but for a much better price - the difference was obviously the badge that was on the front. Now i know Volvo has about as much street cred as pooping your pants in public, but i'm not 17 years old, i don't give a shit about street cred. I have a Polestar tuned Volvo, which is as sedate or as seat-of-the-pants crazy as you want it to be, that attracts zero attention from the Police!!! For $10K - $15K less than the other European equivalents.
Your advice on watches is compelling with the exception of Rolex steel sports models. I've bought two brand new Rolex steel sports models at retail price and both have nearly doubled in value in just a few short years (Rolex "Hulk" Submariner and Rolex GMT Master II "Batman"). I may or may not sell one (or both) someday but it's nice to know I can always get my money back and make a substantial profit if I ever need the money. The same is not true for my Seiko, Timex, etc.
Thanks for commenting Brett!
Never buy cheap drugstore sunglasses, they could be bad for your eyes. Some cheap sunglasses don't properly block UVA / UVB. The dark shade of the glasses causes your eyes to dilate which could let in more damaging UV if the glasses don't properly block it. You are actually worse off wearing glasses like this than nothing at all while outside. You don't have to buy $500 glasses but be very sure the glasses you are buying are of high quality and block 100% of UV light or you could be damaging your eyes. Regarding watches: brands such as Seiko, Oris, G-Shock, Hamilton are all respectable brands with some "street cred" with watch collectors and there is no shame in wearing those. I would stay away from micro brands or other weird stuff and whatever you do don't buy fake Rolex or other luxury brand fakes. Like it or not a watch is a status symbol and there are many watch collectors who will notice what you are wearing. Maybe the guy interviewing you for your next job is a watch enthusiast and is noticing what you are wearing. Of course this could backfire if you are wearing a more expensive watch than the interviewer hahahaha so be careful. Maybe an interview isn't the place to wear the Omega. The watch you wear can and does send a message and it does make a statement about you. My advice: if you aren't willing to put in some research and find out what the respectable (and affordable if you choose) brands are then just don't wear a watch at all. I don't know any true watch enthusiast who would fault a person for wearing a Seiko or similar but if you are wearing a fake or some designer brand such as Gucci you are going to get dinged for that. Regarding cars let's just say that power and tech is nice but tech is outdated the moment you drive the car off the lot and power is basically useless for street driving. Also keep in mind German cars have poor reliability and resale value compared with Japanese cars. There is a reason Lexus has been #1 ranked in all of the consumer satisfaction studies for a very long time. I know so many people who have problems with their BMW. My Lexus is a couple years old now and I haven't had a single problem with it. Only been in the shop for routine maintenance. The thing that struck me the most when shopping for cars a couple years ago is the German cars are designed to last about 4 years before having maintenance problems (which is probably why most people lease them). Lexus makes no such compromise (which is probably why most people buy them). Food for thought!
Thank you John!
40 Over Fashion never had a problem with any of my BMWs. You can’t beat German engineering. I own Japanese cars too and yes they are very reliable. Agree Lexus are reliable however they are soulless and boring. Just an overrated Toyota.
@@dtnjnq Hahahaha OK bud. Like I said everyone I know says BMW sucks eggs from a reliability standpoint. And yes you can beat German Engineering; it's called Japanese Engineering and there is a reason they are constantly rated #1. Since I don't define my life by what car I drive I prefer to drive the luxury vehicle brand that isn't going to cause me problems. I've tried the rest; I go to the best. At first I was a bit hesitant to believe the stories I hear about Lexus customer satisfaction. I can put those concerns to rest. Lexus has gone way way way above and beyond any other car brand to make sure I'm taken care of. I never had a single problem with the car other than routine maintenance but I'm pretty much treated like royalty every time I visit the dealer. Never experienced that with any other car brand, ever. Boring? Please don't tell me you are one of these little street racers (eyeroll). My IS350 has more than enough power to get into trouble and you shouldn't be driving like that on the street unless you are irresponsible and looking for trouble. If you are looking for a thrill then why don't you try martial arts or go to a gun range sometime instead of pretending to be a race car driver on the public roadways putting others in danger? Good luck to you.
John Doe does everyone you know that say BMW are unrealisable actually own a BMW. I don’t disagree with Lexus reliability or customer satisfaction and agree they are a great car. I just think that in my opinion their styling is boring and they are boring to drive. There’s a good reason why there is a saying “Lexus, sexless”. I think that German engineering is also constantly rated number 1. BMW engines have been rated number 1 engines many times. I’ve also never had any issues with any of my BMW’s or Mercedes and also very satisfied with their customer service. I’m in Australia so maybe BMW where you live are different. I agree some of the BMW models manufactured in the USA may not be reliable. It’s a well known fact that most cars made in the USA are unrelieable . I also drive a Japanese Subaru which is very reliable and I think can’t be beaten for value for money for what it offers in features. You shouldn’t’ comment on the reliability of a car you have never owned. By the way I don’t speed on the streets. When I need to speed I take my car to the race track.
German (made in germany not in us) cars are awesome, but stupid and lazy us mechanics can not service them properly. got bmw f33 and have literally 1 (one) technical problem for 140kkm of driving.
7:25, Orient, Seiko, & Timex watches make up about half of the watches I own.
Casio edifices, titan, fossil divers, guess watches
I love Orient watches. Seiko too, wanted a Swiss watch but not sure I need it...or can afford it. GS would be nice.
You're saying something that so many people NEED to hear. People will do so much better if they learn to INVEST their money instead of merely "spending" money to impress those who don't really care, honestly. However, I do like a nice leather jacket - but mine are old with timeless, classic styles. Since I no longer care for buying animal skins or furs for clothing, I won't be replacing them. Shoes? Well, cheap shoes kill my feet, so I go bargain hunting for quality shoes at a sensible price.
Thanks for watching Darryl!
very nice information over 40. from Pakistan
Glad to see that you changed from that MVMT watches to real watches like Orient, Seiko and Timex ;)
I agree. Never ever buy from “fashionable” watch brands. They’re junk. Stick with reputable brands that build quality that don’t break the bank too much. You’re also supporting businesses who genuinely are innovative.
Exactly. There’s a lot of great affordable brands. I’d buy a timer way before mvmt. Seiko and Hamilton come to my mind. I started my love for watches with a seiko
@@a97b18b For me, everything started with a Casio... then it was a Vostok, an Orient, a Seiko.... and I amb pretty happy with them.
I am a fan of Orient! Have 3 Mako USA 2's. And a couple 38mm Seikos for the rare occasion I do the "smarter casual" style.
Agreed
I totally agree. There is a big difference between "Luxury" and "Quality", and quite often luxury is not very good quality. I think that people will pay a lot of money for certain things because that is their preference. I do like watches, and I have quite a few, but I only buy the best that I can afford and I always buy them on sale. I will say that the same goes for everything I buy, I buy the best that I can afford and I always look for a good sale. I don't mind buying last seasons clothing if I can get it at 50% or more off.
Great video. Good tips, especially about furniture.
Thanks for watching!
T shirts. A £10 ($ 10) T shirt. Someone somewhere has suffered to ensure it retails at £10.
T shirts £30 from brands like Asket and Arket ( traceability) should be considered.
Also the cut of cheap T shirts is obvious and a few washes in twisted and faded.
Remember cheap, someone paid! Ethical and traceability is the future.
Buy less and considered.
Faux leather makes you sweat and be uncomfortable, and on top of that when its cold, they aren't even that warm. A good leather jacket is a pretty good investment. Watches are a fashion statement and can be worn for decades. Another good investment that makes your style go to another level
I pretty much agree with your list, I own 1 expensive suit that I wear occasionally but feel like a million dollars in it. So, I’d say get a quality suit in a classic design.
One thing you missed off your list is the top of the line phone. There’s no need to spend more than $500-600 on a phone; unless you really need it for your business.
I agree. IMO, if one can afford it, a man should have a high quality suit. If he wants more than that suit, yeah, don't a bunch of bespoke suits, but one high quality suit is worth it.
Gotta agree with a majority of this
I think the main point missed on designer luggage wasnt about affordability, we buy LV because of the brand not the useability however if its going in luggage hold and being thrown about by the airlines it will get destroyed. LV - Hand luggage + domestic car travel. Briggs & Riley Flights and non domestic travel, Job done
All good sense!
Hey John thanks for the tip I needed that I do spend lot of money on luxury good.😎💖💯🤔💪
Some thing I think are getting more and more overpriced are cellphones. Why pay thousands of dollars for the latest iPhone when all you pay for are 3 more cameras that's let's face it no one really uses. Unless you're into photography I dont see why the other 4 cameras are on there. Just my opinion
And are not really exceptionally well crafted despite being beautiful design-wise (i would have accepted them as concepts). Why can't they make a more durable phone with a gorgeous stainless steel side and back instead of an all-glass back and with a proper glass screen repair deal? I feel cheated and finessed every time I buy a new phone.
Yes it’s true just buy shirt without logo.
Another thing I don't get are expensive socks. I wear the 3 for $20 outlet malls dress socks. My friend wears $25 socks. I can't tell the difference. I would put most accessories in that list from gloves, hats, wallets and scarves as well, as well as cosmetic jewelry.
It seems that you are deconstructing your own space (fashion goods). I wish more people would take a hard look at the industry in an objective manner as you do. Too many people just accept what luxury makers tell them is the norm or desirable.
I tend to mix and match luxury with cheaper items. A nice $600 cashmere/camel hair overcoat with a $25 H&M turtleneck and a $100 used Armani suit jacket (that I got from EBay) for example. The one thing that goes beyond the material and the brand is how it fits. A nice fitting item worth $20 will look much better on you than the same item worth $200 that is ill-fitting .
Rolex Watches- By the time I turned 18, I had gone through three watches (Timex +Timex + Bulova). After a summer washing dishes, in a resort in New Hampshire when I was 19, I used the money to buy a Stainless Steel Rolex chronometer/date for US$220. A fortune at the time - when a Timex was going for US$12.95. Forty-eight years later, I am in my 60's and it is still on my wrist. It has been my only watch, although I have changed the face and gone from a stainless steel band - to leather - back to stainless steel, as my career and geographic locations have changed. Since buying the Rolex, I only had one watch. I will probably die in my 80's with it still on my wrist. - As a wise man once said 'Choose once - but - choose wisely.'
Thanks for commenting David!
My motto if you can afford it buy it if you can’t afford it , you’re fooling yourself into unnecessary debt !
What was the name brand of the suitcase.
Most famous brands and companies are manufacture their products in China 🇨🇳 for cheap labor and then sell it for the rest of the world 🌎 at an expensive prices 💵
If I want to buy a high-quality or an expensive product I won't pay that amount of money unless if the product was manufactured by the same company in their origin country.
I agree except for faux leather, you can find low cost real leather jackets
In india its available at cheaper cost. All custom made with any brand logos. No faux leather..
Is see the animal protection aspect of faux leather, otherwise it is terrible material wearing terrible and ageing terribly.
I agree, faux leather sucks. You can find lots of leather jackets at the Goodwill for dirt cheap.
@@mohitchoprraa1687 USA is a different world my friend.i guess you can get a custom made leather jacket from a local shop affordably in india.however in USA price of labour is simply too much.if an indian made jacket get into the USA it will be subject to tariffs.
you can, but faux leather has come a very long way. at christmas i bought a $1200 schott jacket and a faux jacket from Kohl's for 35 bucks. my friend who is a major leather manufacturer, has tanneries around the world and supplies leather to prada, gucci, etc, said you can't tell it's faux leather by looking and most people not even by touching it. he said the quality was extremely good. he also said it will last about 4 years, eventually it will start peeling. he said the faux leather now is much better than the poor quality cheap leather you get in india, china, etc.
Jeans, glasses, watches, shoes that are expensive you can find for cheap online. Granted they maybe on clearance or discontinued but who cares? Nobody is going to know if that style made in 2020 or 2018.
In my opinion rather than over spending on a suit. You can get a tailor to fit your suit and shirt to fit correctly. You can have a very expensive suit that looks poorly fitted. Which in turn makes you looks thrown together. Where a proper fitted $400 dollar suit can make you look dressed to the 9’s. Status is nice. But nothing can beat a custom fit. Plus you now have room to add your own touch to your style.
well .§...there are some periorities in life such as....u have to be in shape before u think of niche clothes...u have to shower every day and wear clean clothes before u apply expensive fragrences and so on...
I want to make a clarification on the shoes. Women and men judge you on the shoes you wear. If you are in a sales type profession then a high quality shoe suited to your field is necessary. You can get away with cheaper options on the rest of your outfit.
Very nice advises.Dr.zafar Alauddin
I suppose it depends on what type of sales profession.
True, but quality shoes and designer shoes are often two different things. And even short of that, there's going to be a markup on quality designer shoes because of the designer brand.
Started loving this well-mannered man. Much appreciated of what you shared.
I used to buy luxury items included motorcycle by cash not but no more after 40 years old.
I am now only buy what I really needed and deep down research that item before throw money out.
Good stuff William! Thanks for commenting!
John, there is a lot to unpack in your comments. I will however politely and humbly say that you possibly need to do a bit more research into Luxury. The old saying "The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" Oscar Wilde.
Hmm old Oscar didn’t really dress his age though did he?
I bought a leather jacket on vacation in Florence. It was about $600, best purchase ever and too me it was worth it
Quality is probably just as good as a $4000 jacket
A learher jacket is timeless ,durable, classic, manly and you can buy it for an affordable cost without breaking the bank.
I’m partial to a Belstaff wax cotton jacket. I have around 6 of them at the moment. They’re pricey but they’ll last a lifetime. If you take care of them you can also sell them on and get quite a bit of money back.
Thankfully someone with sense on here lol. Spend the money on high quality items and they'll last. Buy cheap and you'll be renewing your clothes constantly. Bad advice on this video
Hi John
Great Video . I agree with you on most of your examples !! Now I don’t know what to do with my Louis Luggage !! 🤔😂
Haha! Thank you!
Agree with you 100%! I think the same when people try and sell ties or pocket squares for $100's!
Agree also. Perhaps you are referring to another mens’ style RUclips guy who sells ties for $130 and pocket squares for $70?
@@georgelush1998 I think there's more than one, yes!
Thank you Chris!
George Lush Don’t forget the pricey socks 😉
Great topic, excellently and persuasively presented. I probably agree with about nine and a half of the ten points. I've a slight reservation on luxury watches. Some men are watch collectors, owning eight or ten watches, including a couple of particularly valuable watches. If they rotate wearing them, and they blend them well with what they are wearing, it can add to their interest as a person (or make them a complete bore if they don't gauge their audience well, when they wax lyrical on the subject). Additionally, at a slightly higher price point, watches can be resold and passed on as heirlooms. So, I agree in principle with your take on watches, but reckon that there could be a small exception, even for those who aren't mega-rich.
Thanks for commenting!
I’m a newcomer to this channel and find it interesting. Not always in keeping with my thinking but it makes me question, in a respectful way, my thinking.
Luxury is a subjective term. What is luxury to a sub continent shipbreaker (best I could come up with) is not luxury to me. What is luxury to me may not be luxury to Musk.
For me, I’m still trying to buy consistently. By which I mean, with the head as much as I can and not too often by the heart.
I would not go into debt to buy anything (okay, I exclude a house and a car where I don’t pay all the price in cash upfront). If I haven’t got the money, then I don’t buy it. But, where I do have the money, I like to buy the best quality (as far as I can work that out) for the money I have for the task that I want that item for. By which I mean, I do not spend a lot of money on the jeans that I wear out in the fields or walking the dogs. To me, there is no point. I do spend more money on the jeans that I know I will wear going out.
Even then, I find that I can buy quality jeans such as Wrangler much much cheaper as “slight seconds”. Okay, the label has been removed but the Wrangler fit, which suits my body shape, is still there. I buy most of my coats (may be suit or sports “jackets”) second hand because I can get great quality in tweed for example where I cannot afford to buy that quality brand new.
Now retired, but when working, I had very nice cars because I spent so much time on them. I had Range Rover Sport, BMW 6 series, M Benz etc. I spent more than I had to (I could have gone A to B in a Ford every time) because I wanted to feel good for the hours I spent in the car. Now, I don’t drive very far and so that Ford is fine.
Videos like this are helpful in provoking thought. We don’t need anything that I see on any of these videos - there are always cheaper choices available - but we tend to buy what satisfies us; what makes us feel good; what gives us confidence.
My view is to buy quality but not label - but quality might be in a label. Buy only what you can afford - debt will end up making you feel bad. Buy what genuinely makes you feel good - but not guilty. Never buy to impress or feel superior.
Thanks for commenting Martin! Much appreciated!
This is advice for all ages, though had I received it in my 20s it would have saved me a lot of money! There are two points where I beg to differ though. A well made watch ( and there are great ones for under a thousand) is a worthwhile purchase as it has longevity and can be a daily wear in some cases. Also, as a keen motorcyclist a good quality leather jacket is essential. True that for casual wear, a faux leather one would suffice, but the quality and feel of good leather is hard to beat.
Nice reminder not to buy expensive items on credit.
I'd like to commend you on an informative common sense approach and look forward to viewing your future videos.
Thank you very much!
I agree with almost everything on your list except the leather and suede jackets. The faux leather and suedes don’t age anywhere near as well as the real thing. Now you can shop around for a really nice classic leather jacket that would t go out of style and with wear it will age beautifully. The suppleness and aging of a good leather jacket cannot be beat. Have a great week John!
Thank you very much Bob!
Put in the work it will show when ladies start complementing you… actually I do ride a motorcycle John😎🏍✌🏻
My go-to leather jacket for fall weather is going on 20 years old and looks great. Good luck getting that from faux leather.
And the problem with getting 4-5 jackets is that they take up 4-5 times the space and weigh down on your hanger rod with 4-5 times the force. That's not good for folks who live in apartments where space is at a premium and your closet organization was designed and installed by the low bidder.
Depending on the climate where you live, you only need two leather jackets. A thinner one for when it gets a little chilly at night, and a thick one with lining for when you're about to break out your down-filled winter coat.
Excellent video...and the best it is unsponsored..this makes it very trustable
Keep up the great work
I was holding my breathe when I clicked on this video. Good to see this comment.
Thank you!
I'm on board except leather. I'd rather hunt for a bargain on real hides. However, I haven't had the desire to buy one in 20 years.
Im a simple man I wear old navy or H&M I drive my 95 Acura Legend since High school and wear only citizen watches most of my money now and days goes into my Roth IRA and the stock market
95 Legends are beautiful cars...last of that breed!
Wow, 100% agree on every point 👍
Great advice as always.
Thanks for watching!
I agree completely with this video. I believe that you can find quality without the huge price tag. Thank you for the great content!
Thanks for watching!
Good video John. Definitely agree with the content here. There are influencers promoting bespoke suits, coats and jackets £4,000 plus talking about the amazing shoulder line down the sleeve to their butt crack. Do you have a video on things you should buy expensive?
Not yet, but that's a great suggestion!
That is a great suggestion. For example I think it’s worth it to pay a bit more for shoes. If well made they can last Yiu decades. And now with direct-to-consumer alternatives like Taft, Jack Erwin, Meerman, etc. you can get excellent shoes for $200 or so.
I bought a leather jacket in 1984. Still wear it, don't care if it may be out of fashion. Paid around $100 for it. Made in Korea. It's still in good shape. Probably wouldn't buy another because I couldn't afford one today and it would probably be made in China. A few years ago I wa chosen Employee of the Month and received a $100 gift certificate to an upscale clothing store. That $100 got me two shirts that were on sale and they didn't last as long as shirts bought at Penneys or Sears. You are right about expensive items. It usually is about the name, not quality.
Imagine a guy you just portrayed - wearing a fake leather jacket on a 12 dollar t-shirt, a cheap CVS pair of sunglasses, a timex on his wrist, sporting pailess sneakers and a sub one hundred dollar jeans. Add to that a cheap cologne and a some fake jewellery and you got the most desirable man out there lol
As long as you know what you’re doing and nail the fit, it doesn’t matter how much you didn’t spend. :)
You're Right Dude!!!
I love my Seikos as much as I love my Swiss watches. No matter of price - just a matter of love :-)
My respect for your - partly - controversial video!
Thank you! :)
I once read “ quality remains..long after the price is forgotten.” So true. But not everyone can afford the high priced things at their particular point in life. So I say, buy the absolute best you can afford. You won’t regret it.
I follow the same philosophy, but remember that price does not always equal quality.
@@psychalogy - yes. Particularly made in China. 🥷🏼
Yes, but that only works with classic items that never really go in and put of fashion. You may have bought a top quality pair of flared jeans in the 1970's, but would you wear them now?
@@WheelieMacBin - yesssss…. So cool.
A good topic and fair (even handed) content. Something that may admittedly be a wee bit off the subject. But it's the first thing that came to my mine. Yes, you get what you for, and a man pays his way in this life. That means, you tip the bartender, the barber the dog groomer and folks providing service. You don't show up to someone's house (yes, even Mom's) without bringing something. You remember peoples birthdays. Even a small thing like a card shows you care. Always be surveying your surrounding details to see what needs to be removed or replaced because of wear and tear ( or to propel yourself into the new decade of style). What needs an upgrade? A man gets in front of these things.
Well said!
Rolex watches hold their value compared to other watches even like Omega.
After seeing Gentleman's Gazette with terrible use of "ugly", "peasant" and such synonyms as "used cars salesman", this video is much refreshing and head over shoulder, very practical yet in all means not obligatory. The content is simple and meaningful. Not asking for "Hey! Look at me, I am the only one stylish on this earth" unlike the one I mentioned.
Thank you for watching!
You can never compare the Quality of a Carmina, Gucci, Santoni to an Aldo. In some things the value for money is there. Even with your eyes closed you can detect some quality & craftsmanship. There's a reason those famous brand were famous, they make better stuff. Anything that can make U happy is worth spending your money on. People can have varied reasons on what not to but expensive & some aren't worth the price but in many the craftsmanship is there
Great points! My general rules are 1) don’t break the bank for something, 2) pay for quality and not name and 3) buy timeless pieces that will either not go out of style or retain their value. Having said that, if you really want something, splurge but only if you can afford it. Lastly, I agree with a previous post about the durability of leather jackets.
Great points Dan! Thanks for commenting!