Great topic. Luxury by definition should be expensive IMO. Affordable luxury to me means getting something secondhand at a low price in good condition.
The word "luxury" may mean expensive by definition, but there are "luxurious" things that are affordable, at least as I think of luxurious. I bought two cashmere sweaters that are super soft but cost about $100 on sale, half price. I was really impressed. I also bought real shearling slippers that are like wearing clouds on my feet. $35 on sale. That's luxurious imo.
Affordable Luxury always makes me think something is being hidden from me. I am now remembering those watch startup brands that say it all the time in their marketing. The stuff people like Ben’s watch club looks at sometimes.
With the example of cashmere: it still may be cashmere, but probably sourced unethically in places with no concern for animal welfeare and manufactured in a sweatshop. For me, luxury incudes the assurace that its ethically sourced and made (hint hint, most luxury houses still dont pass this test)
The official title of "I drive a Chrysler" in the 90's but in all seriousness tho, just as the case of automobiles, I think it's isn't too shameful to have a well-made (for what it is) mass product presented in premium form but at a humble price. Just don't market more than what it actually is. Especially in the day and age when class and classiness is dying, it helps when people have a more approachable option to be classy without the kind of money that associate with it.
One thing to keep in mind with our modern, globalised world is that some items are 'affordable' because they are made in countries that have labour laws we would consider immoral here in the west. Ive found myself more and more drawn the brands that manufacture their goods in either Europe or the States for this reason even if they are a bit more pricey
With many “luxury” products you are paying far more for the marketing than the cost of production, in other words you are paying for prestige rather than luxury. Affordable luxury does exist but you have to seek it out because it doesn’t advertise and it won’t impress your friends and neighbors because they won’t have heard of it.
This is one of the best videos, you have posted. Shows you how manipulative marketing can really be. This is the benefit of having minimal or zero sponsors. You can tell the truth without fear of reprimand. Keep it up.
I consider "affordable luxury" something that is well made, that others think has high value & gives me that feeling that I am wealthy. Example: I wear driving gloves. They are not anything special. Simple calf leather unlined gloves at $35 a pair. I have gotten numerous compliments on them, along with approving looks, nods ETC. from various people when they see me wearing them. If that does not make a person feel like they are luxurious I don't know what to else to say.
Hi Preston, interesting that you focused on fountain pens for a while in this video; I'm an avid fountain pen collector myself. With fountain pens there is a also the matter of functionality. The more you pay, the better the writing experience......up to a point. That point is around £150-£200. Anything spent above that isn't going to provide you with a better writing experience, it is just going to be about the materials used in the pen. A £150 pen is usually going to write better than a £30 pen, but a £900 pen won't necessarily write any better than a £200 pen.
I have missed a few presentations beause after spending 12 weeks in COVID 19 Intensive Care, where I first discovered Genlemans Gazette during my Recovery period, I have now slipped back into a COVID infection period. due to COVID infection of blood cells in brain damage that was originally tied to Concussion caused by a Criminal Assault. While the treatment has put me back into bed for the last two years, the currenr treatment appears to finally having a result. So I don't care about the cost. Having been prevented from entering any Retail Store, until I recover, I just want to get out of the "Closed Room" Recovery Ward, where I spent the last 30 months I just want to go and buy a new wardrobe. But "Affordable Luxury" will only apply to a couple of items. but thanks for the inspiration for that future Shopping Spree. Phil.
The old economics student in me would say that a luxury good by definition will have an inverted or Veblen curve. Therefore the "affordable" version will always be less "luxurious" and less in demand in that market. Realistically, there's a whole other market for items with very high real or perceived quality that probably won't be cheap, but are great value compared to the luxury version at comparable quality. Examples that immediately spring to mind are Tiffany Cut Crystal glasswarer vs what you can just buy in Czechia, and all kinds of handmade Vacheta wallets vs. Hermes.
Congrats! You are so d... right! A few days ago, í´ve bought a pre owned - lightly outdated - sports jacket from Cerruti. The trigger for me was the material: 50% cashmere and 50% silk. I´ve spent 40€ and another 30€ for the alteration tailor (adorable grandma in the tailor store); added a white dress shirt and good leather shoes and was immediatly the smartest looking guy in town. No kidding. It is so cozy, fluffy, cool, with no dents anytime - perfekt for journey, town and country. I have a lot of made to measure garments, but... please - give vintage or pre owned a try!
Preston needs to do a wardrobe video again i saw a few new pieces, also love the jacket i have one that is very similar my lapels are a little softer on the edges and wider, and its 1 button but you cant go wrong with camel hair
Hi Preston, I recently saw a really nice shirt, maybe not luxury but affordable. I checked out the company to discover the company may not be a ethical company. No I didn't purchase the shirt. I went to the fabric store, spent $150.00 on fabric and made 4 shirts for less than the original product cost. As I'm old and retired I'm very pleased with my affordable luxury which I may get 10 years wear out of. 😊
I believe one confounding issue here is that for many everyday products, the market has become polarised between cheap and luxury offerings. And this has led to the (sometimes justified) impression that one has to buy luxury items for decent longevity and workmanship. As an example, Crockett & Jones historically made affordable shoes as well. But with the advent of mass-produced "disposable" footwear, they had to focus on the luxury market to stay profitable. Watch brands have a similar story. When Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, Rolex was known for their tough, high quality dive watches and association with the British military, not luxury.
I feel like this happens with of generation of a trend and product. 1. Someone comes out with a decent style (car, phone, clothes, music) 2. It becomes the next cool exclusive thing 😎 3. Someone finds a way to make it accessible (but still dignified) 4. It gets massively exploited 5. We get a very cheap copy of said product that still tries to portray a classy or exclusive premise
Hi, I have to say that I love your videos! So, I have to questions. The first one and most important one. Would it be possible to make a review video about the suits from the garrison? It is a website which makes suits based on the Peaky Blinders series. I would like to see if they are legit, because I don't have the bouget for a expensiv suit. The second question is, if you could make a style review on the fantastic beasts movies like you did with the Kingsman movies. As I said, I love your videos and use them as great inspiration. And for Raphael: Sie siehen unfassbar gut in den Anzügen aus!
I just want to say in certain countries particulary where designer goods are made you can get them dirt cheap. Eg is some parts of Asia you can get designer leather belts at like $30- $40 USD as the locals can make them. I know this for a fact.
There are clothing manufacturers supplying exact the same quality to various high-end brands. The difference in pricing is only related to the brand name. In this context “affordable Luxus” is possible. For example, a Loro Piana cashmere coat can be bought in the Loro Piana boutique or alternatively purchased from a tailor or less known brand made of the identical Loro Piana fabric for a considerable discount.
I often see clips in your videos wear you are shopping vintage items in stores with racks of used suits. Were and how are you finding these types of vintage men's wear stores?
Affordable luxury is pretty much just the secondhand market if we’re being forthcoming. Like finding a holy grail listing on eBay. Like I found a St. George By Duffer floral tie on eBay for less money than even reproductions and homages of the particular design cost. In that case, a luxurious product was certainly affordable. But such things, while being able to occur in any number of fields, is an exception more than a general rule.
great video. But guys could you please review a Portuguese Brand called Giovanni Galli? I quite enjoy their outfits but would love your opinion as experts as they are a company marketed as midle class prices for portuguese people finnances. a suit costs around 210 euros which is a quite good price compared to other companies.
Good video, Preston! I always enjoy your content! For me, affordable luxury has an affordable price tag and is made with high-quality materials. Affordable, yes. Cheap, no. Silk socks, silk boutonnieres, high-quality wallets, key wallets and other such accessories fall into this category for me. If the product's quality is no different than a common product (e.g. Tiffany playing cards,) yet it has the luxury manufacturer's name on it, then you're only paying for the name and not a true affordable luxury product.
I love luxury watches and have a collection. All but one were bought pre-owned. The type of watch I buy will last generations with proper care so someone enjoying it before me is fine, let him take the depreciation hit. Yes depreciation - despite the recent hype most luxury brands do not appreciate! One last thing for the novice, buy from a trusted source it is easy to be taken to the cleaners.
My idea of affordable luxury is buying like new Ferragamo Tramezzas and Isaia suits for 90% off on ebay 😂 I’ve paid more for new Vans than I’ve paid for most of the Allen Edmonds in my collection.
If I had all the money in the world (or a lot at least) I'd still purchase things that cost less with a great quality, over there expensive counterparts that fall a part the moment you at it (Louis Futon PVC travel-ish for example). If I'd spend my money on brand logo's and other status symbols to show how wealthy I am, it signals I'm compensating for something, a lack of confidence. And by showing of, I'm paradoxically seen as weak. Defeating the whole image I'm sending. But by wearing something that actually that looks good and timeless (regardless of the price I paid) I am actually showing to have confidence. No one, except themselves, likes a show off.
Fashion brand watches taught me that there is no such thing as affordable luxury. Most of the times it just ends up being a scam. You pay $200 for something that it's worth $20.
I really enjoyed the video! I think affordable luxury is not the most suitable name for this effect. My understanding is that it means ”luxurious” products that are lower on cost to begin with, for example fragrances. It is easier to buy 100$ to 200$ dollar fragrance that steps you up from ”normal” lifestyle than buy 2000$ Louis Vuitton duffle bag. These products can be bought with lower income if they value them enough.
Only recommendation to make the humour hit harder is to not say anything before the clip plays. Like the Zuckerbot clip, instead of saying “thank you Facebook”, play clip with more little context. Love the attention to humour guys, keep it up!
Interesting. I disagree. For me “Affordable Luxury “, is an item that makes makes me feel it’s luxurious at a price point that is comfortable for me. Sure I can spend a good bit of money on a brand name or long lasting item. That can be worth it. I can also not break the bank and buy an item I like, maybe like a lot ,enjoy it but not have the cache of brand item. Watches, vehicles are a great example. Clothes are about how does it make ME feel wearing it. I think it’s easy to fall into affordable luxury when you are comfortable and confident in yourself. Some need the big brand name to feel good about the item. That’s great for them. For me I want to enjoy my material goods , feel proud of who I am and what I represent. I don’t need a symbol on the product for that experience. No negativity towards those who do. It’s your money to spend.
These videos by gentlemen gazette should get more views. This is quality content but they need to trim the video to 10 minutes tops. Nowadays people don't have enough attention span to sit through a long video without flash.
Polo and purple brand are fairly nice for Ralph Lauren, but their lower end clothing line always gives me issues especially with trouser seams breaking for some reason despite not being tight and the material and sewing is a little questionable.
Honestly I don't get the comparison between the uniqlo cashmere and the ralph lauren cashmere. It happens to own both. Ralph Lauren costs x10 but is not even x2 better.
Of course, the idea of affordable luxury isn't new, it goes back for millennia. Some examples would be Roman plaster that was made to imitate the appearance of marble, or gilding to give the appearance of gold or silver without the cost of solid metal, or false gemstones. A more recent example would be cultured pearls; while there are variations in quality between different varieties of pearl, mass-produced pearls are, by their very nature, less valuable than natural pearls.
@@MrDanielWP Natural pearls, besides being beautiful, are very rare (especially if you want perfectly round pearls) and were dangerous to collect, hence their value; they are basically 100% nacre. Cultured pearls are made by implanting nuclei into pearl mussels, and only the outer shell is made of nacre. To give some perspective, Seneca in 1st century Rome wrote in his work, "On Benefits," of the excesses of his time, including women who wore earrings of three large pearls each, because they did not consider their husbands "sufficiently tormented" unless they carried "the worth of two or three estates in each ear."
Actually affordable luxury is just a relative concept. Affordable luxury for a billionaire is the tippy top. LV, Hermes, Rolex, Mont Blanc, etc. but they have started using the concept of something being luxury and affordable to get people with lower income to shell out money for items they would normally never buy. A person making 30k a year is never going to buy a birkin bag. But they might buy a bag from a lesser manufacturer that is similar while costing less. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, hence being relative. If the product is of good quality, then it’s definitely worth it, but fast fashion and throw away culture has made finding high quality products for a low price very difficult. Honestly we shouldn’t need to consult an online blog before purchasing a cashmere sweater because most of the cashmere sweaters aren’t even full cashmere, or good quality. And then even at the high end, you have places like Prada selling suits made of polyester or nylon for more than the price of a 100% cashmere suit from another designer. You might think it’s high quality because it’s Prada but no. Same with shoes. Saint Laurent sells tons of different models of shoes or boots in the 1000-1500 range and some of them have plastic heels or cheap materials. You think because it’s saint laurent then it’s high quality, but that’s not true. Apple, you think just because it’s Apple that MacBook or Mac Pro is top of the line, but it’s not. You can buy a pc for a fraction of the price and it will be just as fast or faster. You can spend the 60k for a suped up Mac Pro, but 60k on a pc will produce a machine considerably better. Really affordable luxury is just the best you can get for the price. Gimmicks are gimmicks though.
Luxury and affordable is relative to the person. For example an ultra billionaire is going to easily afford an item that made seem like a luxry Mickael Kors item to someone else. However that may not seem like a luxury item to the billionaire because they buy more expensive brands such as Hermes etc. Also a lot of billionaires luxury items are actually very affordable to the ultra rich. It can have many definitions therefore I think affordable luxury means high quality or prestige items at a price one can afford.
in the watch-marked.. the therm "affordable luxury" basicly meens, its a scam. The watches, that are sold as such are in almost all cases in a much lower quality then a simple, basic, but well crafted watch from brands like seiko, citizen or orient, that costs the same or even less then the usual "affordable luxury" brands like mvmt, Daniell Wellington or Vincero
One example. A Longines Spirit is affordable luxury for me in comparison to a Rolex Datejust. It is all about getting the maximum quality etc for the price
I was going to use a similar example! I think of luxury as a scale, and, assuming you stay on that scale as Longines does, “affordable” tells you where on that scale. Product still has to be luxury to classify as affordable luxury. Looking at you, many mass-marketed watch brands!
Affordable and luxury are not antithetical. Example: Having way more bottled waters than you need is a luxury, by definition. But, bottled water is cheap. You lost me when you showed both definitions and concluded they were antithetical.
@@micahbush5397 Cheap - charging or obtainable at a low price. (Webster's) Bottled water at Costco cost less than $4 for 40 x .5 liter bottles. That is cheaper than Soda, Perrier, Monsters, etc. It is cheaper than the Aternative and a very small fraction of the average person's income. Affordability is also relative to location and economic conditions. Someone in Central Africa might be amazed at having $100 of bottled water lying around.
@@MrDanielWP Compared to tap water, though, bottled water is incredibly expensive, and it isn't even necessarily a superior product. It's an everyday item that's been put in a convenient package for an astronomical mark-up.
@@micahbush5397 What does any of that have to do with whether or not an item is affordable? This isn't a question of what is the cheapest alternative. Comparing the relative cost of tap water to bottled water, doesn't make bottled water expensive or unaffordable. The reality is that bottled water is cheap, but it's not the cheapest thing you can buy. Doesn't mean it's not cheap or affordable. Nor does it mean that having more than you need is somehow not a luxury. You are arguing for the sake of arguing at this point.
I get hugo boss, pal zileri, ermenegildo zegna paul and shark etc nearly new, or as new, from huge online traders in eastern europe. Even Savile Row brands....prices are hilariosly low.
@@herbtube7824 very funny....it's all original, and many times items come with price tags on them for 400, 500€ etc etc. Just got today a pair of Pal Zileri trousers with 20 €, or Joop long winter coat in wool with 22€....or Loro Piana fabric Carl Gross jackets since your name is German and you know what i'm talking about with 25€ 😂
I think "affordable luxury" is intended to suggest that the products cost the company a lot to manufacture, but they sell these products cheaply to customers. But you have to ask yourself, who runs a profitable company like that?
Your watch comparison as an alternative is flawed. Although a vintage Omega, Rolex etc MAY have scratches and general wear and tear on it, that ONE "ding" may cause the mechanics of a vintage piece to malfunction therefore making the watch useless as the cost to repair it will be hundreds and potentially thousands to replace it.
Unfortunately I’m going to have to disagree on your interpretation of the definition of luxury. The contradiction discussed doesn’t really hold after that.
Hmmm, normally your videos are excellent and comprehensive - not so much this one. Firstly, the definition of luxury that you put up on the video is not the opposite of the definition of affordable - go look again at your video. Secondly, some direct to consumer brands like Naadam provide excellent quality 15 micron, longer staple, Mongolian sourced cashmere at the very affordable luxury price of $75. And those $75 sweaters have plenty of springy cashmere in them unlike the thin Uniqlo sweaters. Without tackling the direct to consumer model you inappropriately (IMHO) came to the conclusion that affordable luxury was not worth it - I beg to differ in this case. I own plenty of cashmere sweaters from high end brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Peter Scott, purple label Ralph Lauren and plenty of other Scottish & Italian brands. The Naadam is just as good and in some cases better at a far lower price - affordable luxury. Not even tackling the direct to consumer model is just lazy. You guys are better than this.
Great topic. Luxury by definition should be expensive IMO. Affordable luxury to me means getting something secondhand at a low price in good condition.
The word "luxury" may mean expensive by definition, but there are "luxurious" things that are affordable, at least as I think of luxurious. I bought two cashmere sweaters that are super soft but cost about $100 on sale, half price. I was really impressed. I also bought real shearling slippers that are like wearing clouds on my feet. $35 on sale. That's luxurious imo.
Affordable Luxury always makes me think something is being hidden from me. I am now remembering those watch startup brands that say it all the time in their marketing. The stuff people like Ben’s watch club looks at sometimes.
“How would you define a luxury watch?”
With the example of cashmere: it still may be cashmere, but probably sourced unethically in places with no concern for animal welfeare and manufactured in a sweatshop. For me, luxury incudes the assurace that its ethically sourced and made (hint hint, most luxury houses still dont pass this test)
@@watchspotting one that doesn't tell you that your lunch break is almost over
you mean such start ups as Spaghetti Scameti?
@@TheAllin5 Definitely Spaghetti Scameti 😄
My brother has a lot of my late grandfather 's clothing because he was the tallest. The memories of my grandpa's clothing being used is sweet.
The official title of "I drive a Chrysler" in the 90's
but in all seriousness tho, just as the case of automobiles, I think it's isn't too shameful to have a well-made (for what it is) mass product presented in premium form but at a humble price. Just don't market more than what it actually is.
Especially in the day and age when class and classiness is dying, it helps when people have a more approachable option to be classy without the kind of money that associate with it.
4:09 Not gonna lie, the fountain pen series was an absolute favourite of mine!! Waiting for more videos 😉
Stay tuned! 🖋
- Preston
One thing to keep in mind with our modern, globalised world is that some items are 'affordable' because they are made in countries that have labour laws we would consider immoral here in the west. Ive found myself more and more drawn the brands that manufacture their goods in either Europe or the States for this reason even if they are a bit more pricey
With many “luxury” products you are paying far more for the marketing than the cost of production, in other words you are paying for prestige rather than luxury.
Affordable luxury does exist but you have to seek it out because it doesn’t advertise and it won’t impress your friends and neighbors because they won’t have heard of it.
Great thoughts. Totally agree.
To me, at 80+ years, luxury is comfort, conveniency, quality, pleasantry, and security. If it costs “too much” it will fail at least two of these.
I like the tie.
This is one of the best videos, you have posted. Shows you how manipulative marketing can really be. This is the benefit of having minimal or zero sponsors. You can tell the truth without fear of reprimand. Keep it up.
I consider "affordable luxury" something that is well made, that others think has high value & gives me that feeling that I am wealthy. Example: I wear driving gloves. They are not anything special. Simple calf leather unlined gloves at $35 a pair. I have gotten numerous compliments on them, along with approving looks, nods ETC. from various people when they see me wearing them. If that does not make a person feel like they are luxurious I don't know what to else to say.
I always gain great perspectives from this Channel. Thank You!
Hi Preston, interesting that you focused on fountain pens for a while in this video; I'm an avid fountain pen collector myself. With fountain pens there is a also the matter of functionality. The more you pay, the better the writing experience......up to a point. That point is around £150-£200. Anything spent above that isn't going to provide you with a better writing experience, it is just going to be about the materials used in the pen. A £150 pen is usually going to write better than a £30 pen, but a £900 pen won't necessarily write any better than a £200 pen.
Fun fact, when growing up in germany we were ONLY allowed to use fountain pens.
One of the more famously, reliable, and affordable pens was Lamy.
I might be wrong but from personal experience a good entry level cashmere sweater will run you around 150$ to 200$
Yes memes even gentlemen can do memes the proper way
Fedora tip
This is exactly the kind of content that made me subscribe
I recently bought an Aquascutum Trenchcoat from the 90s for £40, confirming your recommendation for vintage shopping :)
I am curious if you could do a video all about walking sticks.
I have missed a few presentations beause after spending 12 weeks in COVID 19 Intensive Care, where I first discovered Genlemans Gazette during my Recovery period, I have now slipped back into a COVID infection period. due to COVID infection of blood cells in brain damage that was originally tied to Concussion caused by a Criminal Assault. While the treatment has put me back into bed for the last two years, the currenr treatment appears to finally having a result.
So I don't care about the cost. Having been prevented from entering any Retail Store, until I recover, I just want to get out of the "Closed Room" Recovery Ward, where I spent the last 30 months I just want to go and buy a new wardrobe. But "Affordable Luxury" will only apply to a couple of items. but thanks for the inspiration for that future Shopping Spree. Phil.
The old economics student in me would say that a luxury good by definition will have an inverted or Veblen curve. Therefore the "affordable" version will always be less "luxurious" and less in demand in that market.
Realistically, there's a whole other market for items with very high real or perceived quality that probably won't be cheap, but are great value compared to the luxury version at comparable quality. Examples that immediately spring to mind are Tiffany Cut Crystal glasswarer vs what you can just buy in Czechia, and all kinds of handmade Vacheta wallets vs. Hermes.
Love the b roll skits lol
Congrats! You are so d... right!
A few days ago, í´ve bought a pre owned - lightly outdated - sports jacket from Cerruti.
The trigger for me was the material: 50% cashmere and 50% silk.
I´ve spent 40€ and another 30€ for the alteration tailor (adorable grandma in the tailor store); added a white dress shirt and good leather shoes and was immediatly the smartest looking guy in town.
No kidding.
It is so cozy, fluffy, cool, with no dents anytime - perfekt for journey, town and country.
I have a lot of made to measure garments, but... please - give vintage or pre owned a try!
I spent 90 dollars on my belt. The belt is designed to carry a full size pistol. It'll out live me likely. So luxury. Am I losing anything.
great presentation here preston!
Preston needs to do a wardrobe video again i saw a few new pieces, also love the jacket i have one that is very similar my lapels are a little softer on the edges and wider, and its 1 button but you cant go wrong with camel hair
Hi Preston, I recently saw a really nice shirt, maybe not luxury but affordable. I checked out the company to discover the company may not be a ethical company. No I didn't purchase the shirt. I went to the fabric store, spent $150.00 on fabric and made 4 shirts for less than the original product cost. As I'm old and retired I'm very pleased with my affordable luxury which I may get 10 years wear out of. 😊
Key word; Want!
I believe one confounding issue here is that for many everyday products, the market has become polarised between cheap and luxury offerings. And this has led to the (sometimes justified) impression that one has to buy luxury items for decent longevity and workmanship. As an example, Crockett & Jones historically made affordable shoes as well. But with the advent of mass-produced "disposable" footwear, they had to focus on the luxury market to stay profitable. Watch brands have a similar story. When Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, Rolex was known for their tough, high quality dive watches and association with the British military, not luxury.
I feel like this happens with of generation of a trend and product.
1. Someone comes out with a decent style (car, phone, clothes, music)
2. It becomes the next cool exclusive thing 😎
3. Someone finds a way to make it accessible (but still dignified)
4. It gets massively exploited
5. We get a very cheap copy of said product that still tries to portray a classy or exclusive premise
I got some ok dress shirts two for one for 50 bucks on sale in the 2000's. They were just nice dress shirts not top end.
Hi, I have to say that I love your videos! So, I have to questions. The first one and most important one. Would it be possible to make a review video about the suits from the garrison? It is a website which makes suits based on the Peaky Blinders series. I would like to see if they are legit, because I don't have the bouget for a expensiv suit. The second question is, if you could make a style review on the fantastic beasts movies like you did with the Kingsman movies. As I said, I love your videos and use them as great inspiration. And for Raphael: Sie siehen unfassbar gut in den Anzügen aus!
That Zuckerberg clip was gold 😉
I really like this new presenter. He's a great speaker and comes across as much more dynamic and entertaining than the founder.
Instead of pre-owned clothing, we should say "Lightly Lived-in."
Or used? One syllable.
I just want to say in certain countries particulary where designer goods are made you can get them dirt cheap. Eg is some parts of Asia you can get designer leather belts at like $30- $40 USD as the locals can make them. I know this for a fact.
There are clothing manufacturers supplying exact the same quality to various high-end brands. The difference in pricing is only related to the brand name. In this context “affordable Luxus” is possible. For example, a Loro Piana cashmere coat can be bought in the Loro Piana boutique or alternatively purchased from a tailor or less known brand made of the identical Loro Piana fabric for a considerable discount.
7:37 I think you've hit the nail on the head there. It's not so much "affordable luxury" as "luxury alternatives".
My favorite pen brand Is parker duofold and watermen
I often see clips in your videos wear you are shopping vintage items in stores with racks of used suits. Were and how are you finding these types of vintage men's wear stores?
Affordable luxury is pretty much just the secondhand market if we’re being forthcoming. Like finding a holy grail listing on eBay. Like I found a St. George By Duffer floral tie on eBay for less money than even reproductions and homages of the particular design cost. In that case, a luxurious product was certainly affordable. But such things, while being able to occur in any number of fields, is an exception more than a general rule.
great video.
But guys could you please review a Portuguese Brand called Giovanni Galli? I quite enjoy their outfits but would love your opinion as experts as they are a company marketed as midle class prices for portuguese people finnances. a suit costs around 210 euros which is a quite good price compared to other companies.
goodday! would you say (charles tyrwhitt) is affordable luxury?
You can find all of our views on Charles Tyrwhitt here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/what-to-buy-from-charles-tyrwhitt/?
If there is a channel on youtube, everyone should watch and profit from - it is Gentleman's Gazette! :) Greetings from Germany
You guys read my mind I was just thinking about this topic
I discovered that cheap stuff is often expensive in time
Good video, Preston! I always enjoy your content! For me, affordable luxury has an affordable price tag and is made with high-quality materials. Affordable, yes. Cheap, no. Silk socks, silk boutonnieres, high-quality wallets, key wallets and other such accessories fall into this category for me. If the product's quality is no different than a common product (e.g. Tiffany playing cards,) yet it has the luxury manufacturer's name on it, then you're only paying for the name and not a true affordable luxury product.
0:42 I’ve been gone for a while but I’m back, The amount of satire in the videos is much appreciated 😎👏🏿
I love luxury watches and have a collection. All but one were bought pre-owned. The type of watch I buy will last generations with proper care so someone enjoying it before me is fine, let him take the depreciation hit. Yes depreciation - despite the recent hype most luxury brands do not appreciate! One last thing for the novice, buy from a trusted source it is easy to be taken to the cleaners.
I believe it was it Coco Chanel who said, "The best things in life are free. But all the second best things are really, really expensive."
4:50 Preston writing a Pangram - Classic
Luxury is in the eye of the beholder..
My idea of affordable luxury is buying like new Ferragamo Tramezzas and Isaia suits for 90% off on ebay 😂
I’ve paid more for new Vans than I’ve paid for most of the Allen Edmonds in my collection.
The cheapest affordable but valuable thing is your videos and e books 🙂
If I had all the money in the world (or a lot at least) I'd still purchase things that cost less with a great quality, over there expensive counterparts that fall a part the moment you at it (Louis Futon PVC travel-ish for example).
If I'd spend my money on brand logo's and other status symbols to show how wealthy I am, it signals I'm compensating for something, a lack of confidence. And by showing of, I'm paradoxically seen as weak. Defeating the whole image I'm sending.
But by wearing something that actually that looks good and timeless (regardless of the price I paid) I am actually showing to have confidence.
No one, except themselves, likes a show off.
Fashion brand watches taught me that there is no such thing as affordable luxury. Most of the times it just ends up being a scam. You pay $200 for something that it's worth $20.
I love Preston’s dry sense of humour. Reminds me of old Top Gear and The Grand Tour humour.
Please make how to wear pocket watch guide……..
I really enjoyed the video! I think affordable luxury is not the most suitable name for this effect. My understanding is that it means ”luxurious” products that are lower on cost to begin with, for example fragrances. It is easier to buy 100$ to 200$ dollar fragrance that steps you up from ”normal” lifestyle than buy 2000$ Louis Vuitton duffle bag. These products can be bought with lower income if they value them enough.
Only recommendation to make the humour hit harder is to not say anything before the clip plays. Like the Zuckerbot clip, instead of saying “thank you Facebook”, play clip with more little context. Love the attention to humour guys, keep it up!
Let's just agree that affordable luxury is a trick created to fool peasants 😁
Can you review thomas farthing?
Interesting. I disagree. For me “Affordable Luxury “, is an item that makes makes me feel it’s luxurious at a price point that is comfortable for me. Sure I can spend a good bit of money on a brand name or long lasting item. That can be worth it. I can also not break the bank and buy an item I like, maybe like a lot ,enjoy it but not have the cache of brand item. Watches, vehicles are a great example. Clothes are about how does it make ME feel wearing it. I think it’s easy to fall into affordable luxury when you are comfortable and confident in yourself. Some need the big brand name to feel good about the item. That’s great for them. For me I want to enjoy my material goods , feel proud of who I am and what I represent. I don’t need a symbol on the product for that experience. No negativity towards those who do. It’s your money to spend.
How about the term superfluous luxury? Might be a more precise term.
But you will bump into "subjectivity" again. Useless to who?
@@dandiehm8414 Correct.
These videos by gentlemen gazette should get more views. This is quality content but they need to trim the video to 10 minutes tops. Nowadays people don't have enough attention span to sit through a long video without flash.
Today i was very lucky to buy some new Ralph Lauren for a cheap price on the official Ralph Lauren site, best affordable luxury this year.
What clothes did you bought if you wouldn't mind? :)
Polo and purple brand are fairly nice for Ralph Lauren, but their lower end clothing line always gives me issues especially with trouser seams breaking for some reason despite not being tight and the material and sewing is a little questionable.
@@obamalastname34 i bought the iconic fishermans sweather 2 zip up sweaters 3 poloshirts 1 longsleeve polo a jacket for sport and a pair of socks.
Luxury products with a good price is the describtion for that
Honestly I don't get the comparison between the uniqlo cashmere and the ralph lauren cashmere. It happens to own both. Ralph Lauren costs x10 but is not even x2 better.
Of course, the idea of affordable luxury isn't new, it goes back for millennia. Some examples would be Roman plaster that was made to imitate the appearance of marble, or gilding to give the appearance of gold or silver without the cost of solid metal, or false gemstones. A more recent example would be cultured pearls; while there are variations in quality between different varieties of pearl, mass-produced pearls are, by their very nature, less valuable than natural pearls.
From what do pearls derive their value? Are cultured pearls chemically different from natural pearls?
That's not affordable luxury. Marble would be the luxury, not imitation plaster, it is only an imitation of luxury.
@@MrDanielWP Natural pearls, besides being beautiful, are very rare (especially if you want perfectly round pearls) and were dangerous to collect, hence their value; they are basically 100% nacre. Cultured pearls are made by implanting nuclei into pearl mussels, and only the outer shell is made of nacre.
To give some perspective, Seneca in 1st century Rome wrote in his work, "On Benefits," of the excesses of his time, including women who wore earrings of three large pearls each, because they did not consider their husbands "sufficiently tormented" unless they carried "the worth of two or three estates in each ear."
@@DemetriosLevi That's my point, it's made to look expensive, but it's actually cheap, like most "affordable luxuries."
He probably hates it, but I think Preston is a bit haltish, quirky and a non-camera professional. And that makes him much more watchable. Thanks.
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Affordable luxury is a contradiction in terms, like airline service.
Anything with a long or highly detailed manual element in the construction will always be expensive, irrespective of material.
Actually affordable luxury is just a relative concept. Affordable luxury for a billionaire is the tippy top. LV, Hermes, Rolex, Mont Blanc, etc. but they have started using the concept of something being luxury and affordable to get people with lower income to shell out money for items they would normally never buy. A person making 30k a year is never going to buy a birkin bag. But they might buy a bag from a lesser manufacturer that is similar while costing less. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, hence being relative. If the product is of good quality, then it’s definitely worth it, but fast fashion and throw away culture has made finding high quality products for a low price very difficult. Honestly we shouldn’t need to consult an online blog before purchasing a cashmere sweater because most of the cashmere sweaters aren’t even full cashmere, or good quality. And then even at the high end, you have places like Prada selling suits made of polyester or nylon for more than the price of a 100% cashmere suit from another designer. You might think it’s high quality because it’s Prada but no. Same with shoes. Saint Laurent sells tons of different models of shoes or boots in the 1000-1500 range and some of them have plastic heels or cheap materials. You think because it’s saint laurent then it’s high quality, but that’s not true. Apple, you think just because it’s Apple that MacBook or Mac Pro is top of the line, but it’s not. You can buy a pc for a fraction of the price and it will be just as fast or faster. You can spend the 60k for a suped up Mac Pro, but 60k on a pc will produce a machine considerably better. Really affordable luxury is just the best you can get for the price. Gimmicks are gimmicks though.
I feel like that Uniqlo sweater is nearly as good as the RL... some brands just mark up a ridiculous amount
I’m here for the jawline
Luxury and affordable is relative to the person. For example an ultra billionaire is going to easily afford an item that made seem like a luxry Mickael Kors item to someone else. However that may not seem like a luxury item to the billionaire because they buy more expensive brands such as Hermes etc. Also a lot of billionaires luxury items are actually very affordable to the ultra rich. It can have many definitions therefore I think affordable luxury means high quality or prestige items at a price one can afford.
in the watch-marked.. the therm "affordable luxury" basicly meens, its a scam. The watches, that are sold as such are in almost all cases in a much lower quality then a simple, basic, but well crafted watch from brands like seiko, citizen or orient, that costs the same or even less then the usual "affordable luxury" brands like mvmt, Daniell Wellington or Vincero
spier and Mackay has joined the chat
Affordable luxury : 2022 Swatch x Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.
One example. A Longines Spirit is affordable luxury for me in comparison to a Rolex Datejust. It is all about getting the maximum quality etc for the price
I was going to use a similar example! I think of luxury as a scale, and, assuming you stay on that scale as Longines does, “affordable” tells you where on that scale.
Product still has to be luxury to classify as affordable luxury. Looking at you, many mass-marketed watch brands!
We afford things today that would have been considered luxury in the past. It is all relative.
Affordable and luxury are not antithetical. Example: Having way more bottled waters than you need is a luxury, by definition. But, bottled water is cheap.
You lost me when you showed both definitions and concluded they were antithetical.
Exactly. I mean it literally means having more of something than you need.
Cheap in what way?
@@micahbush5397 Cheap -
charging or obtainable at a low price. (Webster's)
Bottled water at Costco cost less than $4 for 40 x .5 liter bottles. That is cheaper than Soda, Perrier, Monsters, etc. It is cheaper than the Aternative and a very small fraction of the average person's income.
Affordability is also relative to location and economic conditions. Someone in Central Africa might be amazed at having $100 of bottled water lying around.
@@MrDanielWP Compared to tap water, though, bottled water is incredibly expensive, and it isn't even necessarily a superior product. It's an everyday item that's been put in a convenient package for an astronomical mark-up.
@@micahbush5397 What does any of that have to do with whether or not an item is affordable? This isn't a question of what is the cheapest alternative. Comparing the relative cost of tap water to bottled water, doesn't make bottled water expensive or unaffordable.
The reality is that bottled water is cheap, but it's not the cheapest thing you can buy. Doesn't mean it's not cheap or affordable. Nor does it mean that having more than you need is somehow not a luxury. You are arguing for the sake of arguing at this point.
Luxury items should be expensive BUT worth the price because of quality, not just because they have a famous brand name plastered all over them.
Vintage is also eco-friendly.
I get hugo boss, pal zileri, ermenegildo zegna paul and shark etc nearly new, or as new, from huge online traders in eastern europe. Even Savile Row brands....prices are hilariosly low.
Do they get the brand name on the label right at least or is it misspelled?
@@herbtube7824 very funny....it's all original, and many times items come with price tags on them for 400, 500€ etc etc. Just got today a pair of Pal Zileri trousers with 20 €, or Joop long winter coat in wool with 22€....or Loro Piana fabric Carl Gross jackets since your name is German and you know what i'm talking about with 25€ 😂
@@herbtube7824 best item i missed was a brand new collectors leather document bag by Ferrari for 200€, retail 4,500€.
Why are they so cheap there?
@@obamalastname34 no idea...probably unsold stock
luxury to me is rare and bespoke (top quality goods AND customer service as well)
I don't understand why this channel replace potato face man with cyborg man ? I like vegetables and I never like a Tin man.
I think "affordable luxury" is intended to suggest that the products cost the company a lot to manufacture, but they sell these products cheaply to customers. But you have to ask yourself, who runs a profitable company like that?
Your watch comparison as an alternative is flawed. Although a vintage Omega, Rolex etc MAY have scratches and general wear and tear on it, that ONE "ding" may cause the mechanics of a vintage piece to malfunction therefore making the watch useless as the cost to repair it will be hundreds and potentially thousands to replace it.
Unfortunately I’m going to have to disagree on your interpretation of the definition of luxury. The contradiction discussed doesn’t really hold after that.
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If it's affordable it ain't luxury
What they really mean is "affordable quality that used to be at luxury prices."
How could you not take the chance to use the word Oxymoron?!?
Well, luxury can be affordable if you are rich ;)
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Hmmm, normally your videos are excellent and comprehensive - not so much this one. Firstly, the definition of luxury that you put up on the video is not the opposite of the definition of affordable - go look again at your video. Secondly, some direct to consumer brands like Naadam provide excellent quality 15 micron, longer staple, Mongolian sourced cashmere at the very affordable luxury price of $75. And those $75 sweaters have plenty of springy cashmere in them unlike the thin Uniqlo sweaters. Without tackling the direct to consumer model you inappropriately (IMHO) came to the conclusion that affordable luxury was not worth it - I beg to differ in this case. I own plenty of cashmere sweaters from high end brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Peter Scott, purple label Ralph Lauren and plenty of other Scottish & Italian brands. The Naadam is just as good and in some cases better at a far lower price - affordable luxury. Not even tackling the direct to consumer model is just lazy. You guys are better than this.
Preston tug life