Funny about Money

There are two things in life that I'm funny about; cheese and money.  With the former, it's actually English cheeses I have a real thing against.  It just turns my stomach.  'Nuff said.  With the latter, it seems to be a subject that people like to probe me about here on the blog and as I'm not an uber intellectual fashion blogger who  muses about the art of fashion and make things stop at Hussein Chalayan's mechanical dresses, the subject of 'buying shit' be it shop reviews, new purchases, value for money, the act of assessing whether something is 'worth it', and ergo money, does make a regularl appearance here.  I don't make any bones about that. 

When I say I'm funny about it, it's really just the usual politeness that comes with the touchy subject of how much money one has.  You just don't talk about it.  It's a necessity that we need but not something we need to blah on about.  It seems though in fashion blogging, (or perhaps in other areas of blogging) invariably questions arise.  The one I get the most via comments and emails is...'How do you afford all this stuff?!?' 

The very brutal truth is though, I've never really been lacking in the funds.  I'm not a bajillionnaire (so much more fun than being a millionnaire...) but I'm not a pauper.  In my student days, I was never scraping the baked bean tin for the last scrap nor was I driving around dropping into Hakkasan for meals.  I started working in digital advertising immediately and it was pretty decent post-graduate-in-London kinda wages.  Now that I've moved jobs and it's still a decent packet and I also take on freelance work on the side.  Facts established.  I'm probably a lot older (24) than some people who read this blog and I'm just at a bit of a go-getter stage in my life (I fully plan on burning out and collapsing mid-work in a high heel clad dramatic way at the age of 30....).

I guess what fundamentally irks me a little about the probing questions is that I've taken for granted being able to blog about personal experiences in fashion and doing so without the need to take into account whether this applies to many people at all.  Blogging about London-y things could be conceived as selfish but to that I retort I can only inform about what I see and experience.  This applies to my fashion experiences.  So yes, admittedly, not everyone is going to be able to afford some £170 sample sale Pierre Hardy shoes or even physically ge there, but it's something that did happened to me yet I have feelings of guilt when someone pipes up and says 'Hello!  Student here!'. 

A lot of blogs I admire fully demonstrate the very obvious and 'Oh-gosh-let's-not-go-there' BLATANT fact that nobody needs money to be into fashion or to be stylish and you can look to the left to see that.  Yes style doesn't cost a thing.  However, I do get the feeling that as a result there is this slight flip reverse situation of the 'Haves' and the 'Have-Nots'.  Suddenly the 'Haves' are made to feel a little guilty about being able to afford a designer splurge and the 'Have Nots' are saintly for being able to thrift an outfit for £5 and shop solely at H&M.  Evil moneyed fashionistas vs. angelic thrifty fashionistas.  See what I mean...money is funny and the more I write about this, the more I'm not making sense, even to myself...      

In a schizophrenic sort of way, whilst I have the means to treat myself and buy nice things, I'm also a stubborn bargain hunter.  It's odd that in the right circumstances, I can drop a wad on something quite extravagant and then in charity shops, car boot sales and markets I'll haggle if I can and scrutinise things very carefully.  Hell, in some weeks of the months, a fiver for an outfit can become a necessity if I've splashed the cash a bit for the a few weeks on the trot.  Even my designer buys have mainly come via the lucky eBay dip or through very good sample sales.  The key thing is though that even if I ever became a bajillionnaire (which isn't a goal by the way...), I still think I'd be cruising the Topshop sales and thrifting and doing all the things that give me bargainous joys purely because I'm very abdamnant that I have that fully varied 'mix' of origins in my wardrobe and my own personal style.  In any case, on the opposite end of the scale, there could be a bajillionnaire reading this blog right now chortling at my poorman's  Balenciaga SS08 vintage dress customisation, so it does work both ways.   

What I guess I'm saying is whilst I thrift by choice and simultaneously buy something at Dover Street Market I don't feel like I have to be apologetic about being able to do that.  However at times the obtuse angles of fashion blogging can reveal, that these things might come out with a negative light being shined on them and so whilst I took this opportunity to get the 'funny money' business all out, I'm still hoping with sparkly eyed optimism that in the broad spectrum of style and fashion and all the lovelies it offers up, that dough/cash/moolah stuff just really isn't an issue at all... because it shouldn't be...

Comments

[meg]

I agree. I don't really think you need to justify the amounts you spend whether it's a fiver or five hundred quid, it's your blog detailing your style loves and shopping finds. End of. I'm similar in a way I suppose....I find it hard to spend money on mid-market items. If something is $350 I'd rather spend more and get something nicer and more special, or spend way less and get something a lot cheaper and perhaps of lesser quality.

[belle]

Amen. I thrift for necessity but I don't gripe on the fact that other bloggers can afford other things--because I'm not even old enough to have a job so I don't pretend that I have the money for it. Of course jealousy will always be there for an amazing shopping trip but I satisfy myself with the fact that under different circumstances, different outcomes can happen and they might be just as jealous or happy for me for my thrift buys as I am of their designer purchases...

[Marion]

At 30, I'm much older than you, work 2 jobs and still feel like I have to justify myself when people/friends snidely comment, "That must've been expensive!" or "Ooh, fancy!". I work hard for my money and I have every right to spend it how I want to. People who make veiled comments are just jealous. Boo to their judgmental ways!

[pretty face]

I HATE funny money business. I always trot out the same 'I wish money didn't exist, it seems so unnecessary' and I always get the same (absolutely true, I know!) reply: but then there would never be anything in good quality.

I am fully aware that it probably as a result of never actually needing anything I couldn't afford, but to me, leftover money does no good sitting around... and I hate it when people look down at you for spending more than they might on the frivulous subject of fashion. On the other end of the scale, overly expensive things purely repulse me... many of the pictures of the sartorialist with clearly identifiable shoes... bags... skirt... top, ooh and sunglasses too literally make me feel queasy, and the same with the skyhigh prices some people tend to spend on fashion (and I'm talking A LOT more than you).

So at the end of the day, yep, I agree with you that money IS an extremely funny business, so let's just make everything free! And yes, I do realise how ridiculously naive that sounds...

[ni]

I wonder why people bring their personal financial situation into your blog. I personally think that if you can afford Pierre Hardy samples and want it then get it. If you like thrift shops then shop there. If you like both, its good too. Its a personal choice. I don't shop at thrift shops because I don't like it but its cool if anyone else does. Your choice has no relation to whether I'm a student (which I was until this month when I finished) or my paycheck.

I am inspired by your shoes, skirts and style. I think you do a great job of taking designer visions and creating them for yourself at your budget. Sometimes that includes using expensive designer goods but sometimes it means using thrift store goods. This is why I read blogs, its interesting to see your view.

On another note, I think most people spend lots of money on specific things and other people can't imagine spending the same amount. For example, I will buy a beautiful Prada bag which causes my boyfriend to have a heart attack when he sees the price tag since he still uses the oldest, ugliest wallet in the world. However, he'll buy a Mac(which in general costs more than a PC with the same hardware specs) because he needs a new gadget and feels like it even though he has a less than one year old top of the line computer. I use an 1.5 years old PC laptop that wasn't that expensive in the first place and I'm happy.

[Rhiannon]

Good for you for being honest. And I love when you post pictures of your designer finds . . . I'm sort of living vicariously through you and your glamorous London life! The only time I was actually maybe a little jealous was when you got that Balenciaga coat cheap on Ebay because the seller couldn't spell the name right. :)

[Yetunde]

Very well written Susie. Your money is just that...yours. You should not feel as if you have to explain yourself to anyone. You blog to share your ideas on style and fashion not to discuss your financial situation. Keep up the inspiration because you sure do inspire me. :)

[Julia]

Loooove your blog and your very personal,creative and playful sense of style! It is a great inspiration and/or distraction to me whether I can afford it or not and I think that's what fashion blogs are about.
You shouldn't even justify, it's your choice and no one has to like or follow it.

[tasha]

Susie, don't listen to anything anyone says. You are clearly NOT being a snob about the things you can afford, and anyone who bitches about it is...well, dumb. You document your own style finds, you're not saying that all of us have to go out and get the same things you do, or that it's impossible to have good fashion if you don't have prada this or chanel that.

In fact, you do quite a fantastic job of mixing expensive designer things with thrifty things, and it's one of the reasons I like your blog so much.

[Stephanie]

You shouldn't have to apologize to anyone. This is YOUR blog and you should post whatever you want on it. I can't believe people are complaining about you posting about sales in London- I mean, come on! I love to hear about it even if I am jealous that I can't go as I am half way around the world! Vicarious shopping for sure! And the money thing is nobody's business but your own. We make our own money (well, at least some of us do!) and can spend it whatever way we like. Sometimes I think people forget or maybe don't know the ages of some of the bloggers- we are grown people who have JOBS. You shouldn't have to temper your posts to consider certain people who are reading your blog (students, thrifters, etc..). They come here (or should be coming here) because of your unique point of view.

[Jasmin]

I am guilty for asking you the question of "how do you afford all of this?" when I started to read your blog. I only wondered because you aren't too much older than me (20) and I highly doubt I will land a job out of university that will let me buy designer items. Despite that sad fact, I read your blog because it is inspires me to think differently about one's personal style, and I have because of your blog and others, become more experimental with my style (despite a student with very little spending money). I have never read this blog and thought "well I can't afford that so forget it." If anything I think that, since reading fashion blogs, you must be the most modest fashion blogger, I have ever read anyways.

[Sarah]

Susie how much you earn is your business, and it's obvious that you work very hard for whatever that amount may be. I love to here about all the places you go and all the things you find whether they be designer or from a thrift store.

[selina]

i think you provide the perfect happy medium, some pricey, some thrify. i think everyone with a passion for fashion (so didn't just type that...) thinks the same way. are these questions coming from readers, or maybe random clickers or outsiders who don't have an interest or appreciation of clothes so don't understand spending £100+ on an item? that said, you aren't defending yourself, just telling how it is, and it seems everyone has a pleasure to spend their earning on, be it gadgets, holidays or gorgeous clothes. i think it's just people reading about you and being nosey!

[Marloes]

Susie, don't listen to any of those people. If they aren't pleased with your posts, then let them read other blogs. You earned that money yourself and therefore, you can spend it on anything you want. Don't change your blog just to satisfy the malcontents. I love it just the way it is!

[WendyB]

I don't think you have to justify anything you do. Who is anyone to judge? Everyone has their own financial reality to deal with and no one should expect the world or the blogosphere to revolve around them and their needs. What are they going to do next, yell at Vogue for daring to use Alexander McQueen and Chanel clothes in the magazine?

[Honey Juniper]

I admit that I have wondered (internally always!) at someone's means but would never imagine thinking less or more of someone's fashion cred depending on the funds at their disposal. Instead, if I admire someone's style and lifestyle like I certainly admire yours, Susie, I sometimes ponder the different elements that make it possible. There are usually myriad weapons in the arsenal - imagination, enthusiasm about up and coming designers, a fantastic eye for bargain hunting - how much one can spare for an occasional splurges also factors into that. While I am guilty about considering one of the things in life that you're funny about it's because I'd love to live your life and sometimes consider what makes it possible on the monetary side. I love your blog and have been reading it for two years, please don't change anything on account of some grumblers!

[Genevieve]

Hear hear.

[Gala]

So interesting -- I have noticed the exact same thing. I recently linked to a girl's blog (seaofshoes.com), she is 16 & has amazing style. I was so impressed! But quite a few of my readers became really negative, with comments like "Oh if I had that much money I'd look great too". Yes, she is well-off, but so are a lot of people who manage to look horrific on a daily basis (Donald Trump, for example, & the list goes on). Money does NOT buy taste! I think a lot of people view cash as the answer to all of life's problems, & anyone who has a bit of cash spare knows that that is just NOT the case.

I've also noticed that people who only ever thrift-shop & would never dream of buying new do seem to be held up as saintly, perfect, amazing idols. Obviously our planet is degrading & mass consumption is part of that, but it's almost like it is more acceptable to be scraping by than to have expendable income...

& anyone like you or me who writes about our lives online is always going to have to field questions like "How did you afford that?" or "How do you make your money?", which makes me feel uncomfortable. It's no one's business... I wouldn't dream of asking anyone something like that!

[lady coveted]

oh yes, i agree, it's very rude to ask someone how much money they make!

maybe they're just envious, which is no fault of your own.

[Make Do & Mend]

Well said. Firstly it's no ones business how or what money you earn. Secondly style and what you buy is up to you.
I'll happily splurge and save depending on avaiable funds. Sometimes the good times roll sometimes they don't.
There is nothing worse than whinny victim moaning. I'd love a Chanel 2.55 and I'm halfway to saving up for one but I'll wait until I can go and buy one - it might be 10 months or 10 years, so what.
You valuable input on secondhand shopping is fab and I can't be ar*ed to do it as you now but I advocate it for those looking to achieve pieces on a small budget. I'm appalled someone has commented on your fun and perfectly acceptable indulgence - work those Pierre Hardy shoes they are dreamboats!

[winnie]

I agree with everyones comments too. It certainly isn't any of our business how much money you make, that's so rude just to ask! I love that you mix both charity shop finds with a few more upmarket things, plus it seems that you have worked incredibly hard to be able to afford the odd designer treat! You're great!

[Everybody Says Don't]

I really know and understand where you are coming from! I tend to buy quite a bit in Zara and HM but then also buy a few designer items - normally in the sale (see how I'm making an excuse already!!) ....I so often feel I have to justify it somehow.

Money (lots or none or anywhere in between!) does make most people act strange! I think that includes blog readers, family, friends et al!

Thanks Susie again for a great piece! :-)

[deexdeexdreamer]

i think i speak for most students when i say we're here to oogle the fancy finds as well as get a heads up on the sales (when will they arrive anyway?).
Blogs are supposed to have an element of voyeurism, they're not style guides dammit.

[Everybody Says Don't]

And BTW I love cheese! Especially English cheese! ;-)

[kristin]

I've always felt the need to justify spending my money on what other's may see as "expensive" purchases as well. We all work hard for what we have and I do not that think that you should feel bad for being able to buy yourself nice things.

We should celebrate our success (as monetary as it may be) NOT apologize for it :)

[Holly Ferguson]

Hey Susie,

I fell in love with some £180 Pierre Hardy shoes at the CDG sample sale and decided not to buy because have my eye on holiday clothes. Usually I would buy these and not think about it so i am glad you did.

The shoes at that sale were to die for x

[Sabrina]

You're right. It shouldn't be about money. Real style and a good eye can't be bought. At the moment I'm perfectly content with rummaging through charity shops and after I graduate and hopefully obtain a job that can support my hobby I won't feel at all guilty about branching off further. I think it's important to explore your options now, rather than dream about a certain unattainable item and feeling rather dead inspiration-wise.

[Michele]

While I loved this post, I have to say that you really dont need to justify how you spend your money. You work hard, and you're entitled to play hard. If that means spending £170 on a pair of shoes, then hell, why not? :-)

[francis girard]

Im blessed on many levels when i comes to fashion and money.
1. Im an only child
2. Im an only child of a very stylish mother
3. Im an only child
People have always had a problem with how fancy or how shiny I look but at the end of the day if you are grateful, kind, appreciative and hard working you can be as shiny as you want. xf

[Drusilla]

If anyone's been making you feel bad about you being able to afford stuff that they can't, they need to shut up because
a) it's none of their business-
b) your money is something that you work hard to earn, whether you're working in fashion or not. The last thing you need is to feel bad about that!

I'd say true style is about being able to make the most of whatever you have- and if you have more than some or most people, that's not a bad thing and you have nothing to feel guilty about. I reckon a lot of us are thrifters by necessity thanks to issues of money/access, but you don't have to change the way you live or shop just to make your audience feel better. You manage to dig out things that work for you wherever you go, that's something I admire tremendously and as for the London-centricity of the blog- you ARE a Londoner after all, be proud of it! (and I love reading about things from your POV too).

[miss sophie]

good for you. i agree with you wholeheartedly on the issue of moeny and style. the qualms and histrionics some people develop are usually fueled by simple envy, i think. and the entire galaxy of fashion inevitably brings together simmering whispers of class, status, etc alongside more purely aesthetic, emotional responses. all in all, though, it's really a cop-out when i hear someone say, "you need to spend XXX to look great" because i personally believe that in spite of all the aspirational dimensions of fashion, at the end of the day one's participation in it ought to be fueled first and foremost by a passion and love of the fantasies, colors, textures and shapes.

[Amy]

I'm never jealous about how much/little you spend... I'm just jealous that you live in London! (I, meanwhile, am trapped in the middle of nowhere...) I hope to move to London in the next couple of years and if I do I will definitely look to your blog for tips/hot spots!
I'm sorry you feel like you have to explain yourself, but I hope you realize your core readers all love you the way you are.

[annah]

i think what i love about your blog is the way you do mix all aspects of fashion. some things that you blog about go straight over my head, if i'm honest, but i think it does fundamentally come down to style, and even if you didn't have the funds then you would still have that amazing style, and you'd show that no matter what.
i admit, there have been times when i've thought "how can she afford that!?" and the 'gossip' side in all of us probably wants to know, but it is none of our businesses! so i have slapped my wrist.
but, i think the point raised about age is really important too.
anyway, less noseyness and more appreciation!

[Natalie]

Money aside, I just love the way you put things together - you have changed the way I look at dressing altogether. I think it's extraordinarily odd that this kind of dichotomy is going on - a fashion 'tall poppy syndrome'. And it doesn't just exist on blogs, though I guess running a blog leaves you more vulnerable to rude and inquisitive people. I am a 21-year-old student and my own friends chastise me for skimping on food and saving on electricity and things like that, so I can buy what I like clothes-wise. And why not??

I guess that's the question - why not? I just admire the way you dress, Susie, whether it's thrifted or sample-saled!

Though I disagree entirely with you about English cheese. Yum.

[flatbrokefab Ashleigh]

Know exactly how you feel...i work really long hours to buy what i want, and i hate it when people question how much things cost. At the end of the day you only live once and my personal mantra is 'as long as you can afford to pay your bills and eat until next pay day then spend spend spend spend!' enjoy!!

if you want any examples of that mantra in motion then visit my blog! haha!

[Loop]

I do feel odd about the idea of splurging on expensive things and haggling with charity/car boot items. I'd do it the other way round. Why beat the poor sellers down?

[Peeping Mode]

You know, usually I frequent fashion blogs for the pics, save for one or two- this is one of the two now. I used to blog a lot more than I do now and it does at times, start to get a little imposing when people say things like, "oh your dad must be loaded"- no joke, a comment from my earlier years as a blogger.

I guess, it's just that blogging let's people into our lives and they tend to feel a sense of "closeness" with us [ie stylebytes, her disappearance and the countless bloggers blogging about it], people just don't realise they're being intrusive-

Having said that, it's never ever ok [in e-life or real life] to ask about anyone's finances. Seriously. Etiquette 101.

[Aja]

You and I must be on the same brain wave. . . I was thinking about writing a blog similar to this one (probably still will). I get so sick of people silently judging me based on the designer purchases I choose to make. I remember being 17 and toting my Kate Spade bag (years ago), which I worked long babysitting hours to pay for. One of my classmates demanded to know the price, so for lack of a better answer, I told her and her friends totally looked down their noses at me, from that point on. I didn't know what else to do. . . but from that point on, I keep all costs to myself.
My wardrobe isn't designer to the extent of yours, but when I want something really badly. . . sometimes I get it. I work very hard and I'm in my twenties and it's probably the only time in my life, I'll have this money to play with. . . so I'm trying to enjoy it? Why does that bother people? I know it's not the most important thing in life. . . but it makes me happy.

[ali]

Although I think it's natural for people to be curious about such things, especially when you've amassed an enviable collection of designer items at a relatively young age, it's still prety rude to ask, and even worse to make you feel guilty for the way you spend your hard-earned money.

Nobody could ever accuse you of buying expensive items for the sake of showing off wealth, it's clear that make calculated purchases based on your love for fashion and full appreciation of the quality of work put into the pieces you acquire.

I think your blog and the lifestyle you seem to lead rests in a particular niche. It's not a fantasy life where you're some ridiculously rich heiress-type ("bajillionare" as you put it :) thoughtlessly spending thousands of pounds. Your London-life is very covetable and comparatively glamourous but as far as I can tell it's something you've earned through your hard work so if anything that's an inspirational story! I think you actually help break down the "untouchable" aura surrounding top designer clothing by demonstrating how regular, hard-working (albeit very talented, driven and focussed) people can wear and participate in high fashion too. Your love of fashion extends over the whole spectrum, high and low, you're a passionate, educated participant in fashion and no one should begrudge you for that!

[Nina]

Even if I had the money I wouldn't have the commitment to go to sample sales and I certainly don't have your charity shop abilities, shopping is more a test of patience than anything else.

I don't understand why people are asking you how you afford things- perhaps they need to pick up a paper and do some sums and work out a budget.

[Charponnaise]

Sometimes I read your blog, or other people's blogs, and feel green-eyed that you can afford certain things. Then I trot out of the house in something I got at a sample sale when I was feeling a bit flush, and a friend asks me how I could afford it. To a certain degree, it goes around and comes around. There will always be those with money who look bad, and those who spend their money with discernment - and for every chic, inspired thrifter, there'll be a number of girls dressed head to toe in identikit Primark. There's not much point drawing lines in the sand - we are what we are, and if we had more money, most of us would spend it on the things we enjoy, be they fashion or other pursuits. You can't take it with you...

[Lady Smaggle]

I totally agree. I actually have a fairly decent job and I work extra hours to get more money but I still never spend it on designer stuff. Because it's not me. I'm a bit of a money collector I just save and save. I would love to be able to spend more money on clothes but I just have heart attacks everytime I try. So I thrift for the sake of health... :-)

[Sister Wolf]

People are idiots. You know that maxim "Dance like no one's watching...blah blah blah"? Try this:

Spend like there's no tomorrow!

xo

[Sheena]

Omg susie, this is your blog not a teen website, you don't have to provide any excuses for doing what you do nor show people 'what to buy for 15 quid'! You are the world's best fashion blogger and this is your outlet for your world. I love stylebubble!

[The Clothes Horse]

Amen, I certainly am glad you never apologize for you wardrobe--you shouldn't and you shouldn't have to! What makes your blog (and my other favorite ones) so good is that it is personal. It's all about choices too. I don't have a lot of funds, but I'd rather buy a new dress than a dinner out...

[kirsty lee]

Great post. Although a shameit was necessary.

I think anyone who reads this blog should be able to tell that you're intellgent and ambitious - why begrudge the fact that you're able to translate this into earning a decent amount of money? This is London after all.

It's all about spending priorities too I think. My workmates will often be genuinely shocked when I come back from lunch having spent £100 on a pair of shoes, but most of them don't think twice about their gym memberships, cars and other items which I couldn't imagine forking out for myself.

ps - even red leicester!??

[Hailey]

Great Post Susie. I have been in the position where I could spend a lot of $ on clothes when I lived in Alberta Canada with their booming economy. Now that I moved to a new and fabulous city (Vancouver, BC) I am still getting on my feet again in regards to *disposable income*. The trade off is far worth it to live with an amazing ocean view and right on the beach. So now I shop in thrift stores, I do dream of the day when I will have this and some new clothes as well.

[Kim]

Just to balance out the discussion - this is really strange. I enjoy reading the posts every day and not once upon reading has the issue of money really entered into my head.

What I get from this blog is inspiration from a diverse range of sources and Susie's interesting take on fashion.

[pork chop girl]

if you have a job, i don't see why anyone should wonder how you afford things. even if you have a measly income, it's all about sacrifices. take me for example: i think i do alright for myself, but some would say i'm poor. i buy nice things for myself every once in a while, and i always pay with my debit card. however--i don't have an ipod, got made fun of by an old guy for my "prehistoric" cell phone, and waited in line at best buy for 8 hours to get my $250 laptop. i also don't like the idea of paying rent, as my money isn't going to yield any tangible return, so i chose to save money by living slightly outside of the city. yep--it's about figuring out what you're really interested in, and then re-organizing the other parts of your life you're not exactly jazzed about.

[August]

I think that your post resonates with a lot of people. I am in a similar situation as yours in regards to what I buy and sometimes do not feature my "upscale" purchases because I don't want to alienate anyone. But then I think why should it? Everyone's blogs feature these grand designer items that they covet or admire, myself included, so if one actually gets to acquire one of these grand designer items why should it be an issue? Isn't it what we've all craved, oohed and ahhed over? When I ponder this I realize that the goal of my blog is to post fashions that I wear acquired by whatever means because I like it, whether it is YSL or Forever21. The goal is not to post fashions because I was able to acquire them all from thrift shops at the cheapest possible cost, even if this may be the case sometimes. This may be the goal of some blogs and I think it is a great challenge to look fashionable while spending as little as you can.
But as I am rambling, look to the goal you have set out for yourself in creating this blog and you can't go wrong. It is about you being you and presenting yourself, and if part of presenting yourself includes nice things, so be it. What do you have to apologize for? Nothing. You have earned a fashionable, enviable life and not just because of what you can afford. And I believe the majority enjoy seeing the "high" with the "low".
My response to "how can you afford that?"
"I have a sugar daddy". - It is a ridiculous answer to a ridiculous question. There is just no need to justify. You keep posting your pretty amazing finds.