30 Comments
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Carole Radziwill's avatar

Luxury is the ability to say, No. No to a $4,350 cotton shirt. No to a job you'd hate. No to an overpriced rental. No to a guy you're just not that into....the ability to walk away content & happy is true luxury. I'm so excited to get my custom monogrammed Chava shirt!! 💃💃💃

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Jess Graves's avatar

Fuck ya

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Patricia Aiken's avatar

I’m a doctor, taking care of very sick people (of all kinds) in one of the largest academic medical centers in the US. My husband is a successful corporate lawyer. We are very fortunately in the 1% and I am not “luxury shy”. That said, I would have to see over 60 patients in the hospital to make enough money after tax to buy this shirt. 60 sick people -> one shirt. Complete madness.

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Jess Graves's avatar

amazing context, thank you!

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Stacey Farrar-Hermes's avatar

Thank you for this. I do think there is a point at which it just becomes tacky and gross. I too spend at a higher price point but there is an 80% price difference between a button down from the row and this Chanel “basic” - which is really saying something. We do not always need the next, the best, the item with its name in lights. If we are always chasing, we never stop to appreciate and breathe. And then truly - what’s the point. Great thinky piece - thank you ❤️

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Jess Graves's avatar

Really makes you think!

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Caroline's avatar

Fabulous piece. I got it into my head earlier this year that for my big birthday I would treat myself to a pique bib front shirt from Charvet. I thought they only make custom shirts - and I went to my appointment with a bit of trepidation wondering how much it would cost. Turns out they will measure you for a semi custom fit for one of their ready-to-wear shirts and the price for this last spring came to less than $800. Plus the priceless experience of being in the beautiful Charvet building which oozes heritage. My shirt looks pretty much identical to the Charvet + Chanel. Jaw-dropping that Chanel is charging thousands to sew on a label.

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Jess Graves's avatar

I know, the experience is half the fun! Glad you got one

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Duy Nguyen's avatar

For Chanel’s price one can book a round trip flight to Paris and have a custom shirt made at Charvet. And still have money leftover depending on your taste in travel and accommodations.

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Jess Graves's avatar

so true

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FatiSonwa's avatar

Golly!! $4K for a shirt is insane. By the way the Hermes Lipstick link goes to a login page - it might be just me though!

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Melissa Gibbs Fitzpatrick's avatar

Yes, the Hermes💄link isn’t correct! please and thank you!

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Sogole Kane's avatar

Jess I truly could not agree more with this sentiment. What even is luxury anymore?! I was so inspired by your idea to work with Olivia on a custom monogram, that I did my own! Granted not with Chava (I love and own her shirts) but in this case….with Land’s End! I was like you know what, why not? I know it’s not “expensive” or “luxe” but if I end up wearing the heck out of it— won’t that be the real proof of luxury…that I chose something to work for me and my life- not the other way around? So many great points here…Will think on them for a while!

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Jess Graves's avatar

Always happy to stir up conversation with you!

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LESLIE T's avatar

Wow $4350 for a beautiful (I’m sure) blouse is just staggering to me. It really is a whole new world. This falls into the just because you can, doesn’t mean you should category! I am a fashion lover from way back but these prices have got me spinning!

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Jess Graves's avatar

I sprialed a little, too

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Becky's avatar

Love, love, love this piece.

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Jess Graves's avatar

🤗

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Zara Wong's avatar

Liked this a lot, especially your thoughts about *that* shirt.

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Jess Graves's avatar

The shirt heard round the world

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Style Snacks's avatar

I think I'm now the only person in the world who hasn't gotten a Lola blanket!

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Jess Graves's avatar

As the second to last person, I’m here to tell you DO IT

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Marilea's avatar

Same. Jess, what size do you love?

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Jess Graves's avatar

Ohh blanket size! I have the biggest one haha I share it with two dogs

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Jess Graves's avatar

Size of what?

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Courtney's avatar

Cheers to this 🥂

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Jess Graves's avatar

And to you buddy

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Deanna's avatar

If you are a brunette and the theme is American Psycho the best costume would be the goth rich starving artist in soho that Patrick and his girlfriend meet for dinner at the sushi restaurant

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Jess Graves's avatar

Omg i love you for this

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Elizaveta's avatar

Price to quality logic is premium level. I don't think any utility based arguments apply to luxury, rational economics goes out of the window. It's like modern art, or NFTs or crypto, there's no underlying value other than attention. Chanel/Dior/YSL are luxury because of the legacy names and brand preservation that commands attention and ego, not because they're inherently better. My grandmother who has no interest in fashion knows what Chanel is, but she doesn't know what any of the other brands mentioned in this article are.

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