For most Americans, Tokyo is expensive. Consider this: a tall Starbucks soy chai with flavoring (I get french vanilla) is about ¥650 which is about $8.50 using a generous conversion of ¥75. To get into a taxi, the starting fare is ¥710 which is about $9 before you even start moving….!
With that said, walking the streets of Tokyo (which is just about all I can afford to do…..LOL) you will find Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci on just about everyone from the smallest to the oldest. The natural question is, “How can they afford it in such an expensive city….where the average entry-level salary is between ¥2million – ¥3 million?” The answer may surprise you: they save! It is not atypical for the average person to save almost 50% of their salary and they then purchase the best of the best. Forget 12 suits that were on sale at Marshall’s or discounted at Bloomingdale’s — they will buy one purse per year and one suit. By the time they are four or five years into their career, they’ve accumulated several fabulous pieces that fit them perfectly and will last for a lifetime.
My lesson learned (and that I want to pass on to you): consider investing in items that will last a lifetime. You are worth the best that your money can buy because, after all, it’s about quality not quantity.
3 Responses
I totally agree! Business wear or casual wear- quality workmanship and design last. Cheap styles and fabrics don’t. I think there is a real argument to be made for investment grade pieces. Try a Patagonia (lifetime guarantee!) for a fleece instead of a discount Nike from Marshalls, consider investing in a MaxMara turtleneck dress made of italian virgin merino instead of some cheap blend from the Banana Republic sales rack. There are smart swaps- those pieces are built to last. Ditch the junk grade pieces and go for the tripple A’s!
I agree! I am now in the process of changing my mindset and getting investment items that will last!