Loud luxury is boring

 

Image credit: Viktor Ritsvall on Unsplash

Some people buy luxury products because they're well-made and offer a high-quality experience. But others buy them because they want to signal their wealth and status.

Louis Vuitton / Supreme's $6,000 hoodie doesn't keep you warmer or fit better than one you could find in Macy's. It's expensive because the brands are expensive. It's meant to show to the people around you that you can afford to wear your money. The same goes for most supercars, private jets and yachts. 

To be clear, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with owning luxury products. Buying a nicer house or car or phone isn't an inherently bad thing. If designer jeans are in your price range and you like the look and feel of them, you should get them. 

High-quality items serve the purpose of offering a high-quality experience. If you've ever dined at a steakhouse in front of a $75 steak, you know how good that feels. That feeling goes beyond the taste of your porterhouse. Forget about yesterday's hustle and problems to come — today, you're on top of things. 

The problem is when the intention behind owning something is status for status's sake. When it's about external validation, that's when a toy turns vapid.

The eyeroll at obnoxious status and wealth is also why "Quiet Luxury" is so popular today.