Buy This Instead: Hermès vs. Pia Wallén
You don't have to spend big to add some casual luxury to your space.
Over time, certain household buys become “status” items. Having them in your home is meant to represent a level of economic status your guests will easily recognize. Old-school versions of this trend would have been silver or crystal tableware, a piece of furniture from a well-known designer or a set of fine china.
While those items are still signifiers of disposable income, accessories have taken up the role of signifying wealth—the ability to afford a very expensive version of an ordinary, even mundane item. Look at any polished bathroom on Instagram and you’ll still spot a bottle of hand soap from Aesop while every curated coffee table features both a Tom Ford tome and at least one Diptyque candle.
The message is, “I can buy it.” But do you really need to? No.
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Another item that has become a status symbol is the Hermès Avalon throw blanket. Made in Scotland from 90% jacquard Merino wool and 10% cashmere, its oversize H monogram makes it instantly recognizable. From influencers to royals, this blanket can usually be spotted draped over the side of a sofa or laid diagonally across a chaise lounge, far away from any colored foods or drinks (because it is dry clean only). It’s elegant, no doubt, but my question is: Does anyone actually use this £1,430 blanket to keep warm?
Buy this instead …
This blanket created by Swedish designer Pia Wallén caught my eye during a visit to ARKET in Copenhagen. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since. The bold graphic pattern and blanket stitching around the edges instantly reminded me of the Hermès throw, but it was priced at a far more reasonable £180. While that’s still a splurge, its organic 100% cotton composition makes it much easier to care for (or replace, should the worst happen). This soft blanket is available in multiple colors to complement your decor and is larger than the Avalon, so it can be used as a light bedspread.
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