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    1. Style

    These are most expensive fashion items we ever bought and why

    Penny Goldstone's avatar
    By Penny Goldstone
    Published 13 September 2019 In Features

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    (Image credit: 2019 Christian Vierig)
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    Whether people like to admit it or not, they love talking about money, which is why I had so many replies to my article on how much money women spend on clothes. So the next logical step was to ask them what the most expensive item they ever bought was (some names have been changed)...

    Nicky, political consultant, London

    What: A Hermes scarf, £600

    Why: I bought my mum a Mother's Day present of a cashmere Hermes scarf. To be honest it was a bit of a panic buy from Selfridges, I was looking for something special and ran out of time. Mum likes scarves so thought it would be ok, but years later she admitted she didn't like the colour, so now it's mine!

    Sarah-Rose, celebrity stylist and writer, London

    What: The Chloe Tess bag, £1,250 Why: I wanted to celebrate being my own boss and completely on my own for a year. It was £1,250 but I got a discount through a friend. It was still more than my mortgage though!

    Trishna, digital content creator, London

    What: A Celine bag, £1,500

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    Why: I'd been wanting it for a long time, and bought it right after Phoebe Philo left the brand, because I wanted a piece of her legacy in my wardrobe! It was one of the last few models with the accent on the E (according to staff) and I'm so happy I love it.

    Verity, operations manager, London

    What: A Studio Nicholson virgin wool coat, £250

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    Why: I wanted to treat myself as I'd worked so hard, but also wanted something classic so it wouldn't feel like wasted money a few years down the line. I bought it new with tags from Vestiaire Collective, it was down from £800, so I think it was thrifty, especially when you factor in cost per wear.

    Lisa, account manager, London

    What: Mansur Gavriel pleated bucket bag, £525

    Why: I'm one for being thrifty and try to buy things second hand but I bought the Mansur Gavriel pleated bucket bag as I was given a small Liberty voucher and also wanted to celebrate how far I'd come in my career (I'd been offered a new job with a promotion).

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    Amanda, translator, Greece

    What: A Moschino bag, £180 in the sale

    Why: It was the end of summer and I'd worked so hard throughout that season that I decided I deserved it.

    Clare, social media manager, Somerset

    What: A Celine handbag, £930

    Why: I purchased my first (and only) designer handbag when I got my first work bonus. It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought and probably ever will. It was second hand as I still couldn't afford brand new. I'd worked really hard for my bonus and got more than I expected. I knew I was never going to get that amount again and decided that buying the bag was my way of reminding myself that hard work does pay off. I still wear it most days nearly four years later and love it as much as I did then.

    Rachel, stay at home mum, Essex

    What: Christian Louboutin suede ankle boots, £750

    Why: They're definitely the most expensive thing I've ever bought. I got them because they're classic, go with everything from jeans to leather trousers, skirts or even floaty dresses. They'll never go out of fashion, and the heels aren't too high either, so actually quite comfy.

    Penny Goldstone
    Penny Goldstone
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Fashion Editor

    Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

    She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.

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