Five Things Actually Worth Spending Money On

Not the obvious answers. And certainly not the ones algorithms keep trying to sell you.

1. A tailor

Every time I move (which, regrettably, is fairly often) the first name I look for isn’t a hairdresser or a gym. It’s a tailor.

The magic of ‘90s minimalism, or Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe, was never just about the clothes. It was about the fit. A $100 blazer that’s been expertly altered will almost always look more expensive than a $1,000 designer piece that hangs slightly wrong. Few things elevate a wardrobe more than clothes that appear to have been made for the person wearing them.

2. A cobbler

Equally indispensable: a good cobbler.

We’re strangely happy to replace things that only need maintaining. Resoling loafers, restoring worn heels or giving leather shoes a proper clean and polish once a year can add years to their life. The smartest wardrobe investment is often preserving what you already own, rather than chasing the next purchase.

3. Thank-you cards

One of the quieter casualties of modern life is the handwritten thank-you note.

I always keep a stack of personalised cards at home. Slipped into a bottle of wine after a weekend away or tucked alongside a small gift, they take all of five minutes to write and are remembered far longer than the gesture itself. In a culture built on instant replies, a handwritten note feels almost radical.

4. A signature manicure

There’s something quietly elegant about never having to decide.

Whether it’s impeccably maintained natural nails or the same deep red every appointment, a signature manicure becomes part of your uniform. It’s less about trends than consistency. The women with the best style often aren’t making more decisions; they’re making fewer. Mine’s Rouge Noir by Chanel if I am at the salon or Vanity by Celisse for a quick at home polish.

5. TUMI luggage

The only genuinely material recommendation on this list.

While the fashion crowd has largely settled on Rimowa, I’ve never been tempted to switch from TUMI. My family has travelled with their cases for decades, and pieces bought when I was a teenager are still in circulation. My current carry-on and checked suitcase date back to 2017 and have comfortably clocked more than 350,000 miles. Airports are unforgiving places. If something can survive years of baggage handlers and long-haul flights without complaint, it’s earned its place.