I’m not big into designer brands, personally. I can get a crappy pair of sunglasses doe $ 1.29, a more quality pair (polarized, etc) for $ 100 or so. I can also spend $1000 or $2000 on a pair, but it becomes diminishing returns.
I think a quality $ 100 pair of sunglasses is worth it, and it’s many times the value of $ 1.29 pair. Is a $1000 pair worth 10x a $100 pair? For me, no.
I can buy a cheap quartz watch foe $10 right now on the street, it’s a knockoff on a $ 8,000 Rolex. I can buy a $ 200 Orient that’s also a knockoff of the $ 8,000 Rolex, automatic movement but less accurate than the quartz (and less accurate than the Rolex).
The quartz movement on the $10 watch can actually keep better time than the automatic movement of the Orient or the Rolex. The Orient costs 20x more, the Rolex costs 800x more. But the Orient is much nicer, as is the Rolex, no question about it.
None compare to a $ 20,000 Patek, though the quartz is probably more accurate than the Patek.
If you can afford it, go for it. If you have to put it on a credit card, then you can’t afford it. Sunglasses are functional, but also jewelry in the broadest sense. An orient is a watch, not so much jewelry. A Rolex is primarily a watch that is jewelry also. Same with a Patek. A Cartier is primarily jewelry that’s also a watch.
If a person has the cash, just buy it. Going into debt for a luxury item is silly. For me, that’s the distinction.
I like designer stuff but I usually buy it on clearance at the outlet stores. I’m a huge Saks off Fifth and Nordstroms Rack shopper. Don’t pay any more for my stuff than if I shopped at Target except for sunglasses, shoes, and handbags. Even then they’re priced reasonably at the outlets. And I don’t do credit for anything. Even pay cash for our cars.
I agree there are some things I just wouldn’t pay the price for.