Regret is usually reserved for bad haircuts, drunk texts, and eating right before bed (hello, indigestion). But there’s a more subtle, persistent regret that crops up with age and disposable income: the things you didn’t buy when you could and should have.
Research shows that regret tends to be lowest when luxury purchases are made to serve real life — a finding borne out across a study of almost 400 consumers.
Luxury is rarely about excess, not really. It’s about making life easier and more efficient — for as the adage goes, cheap is far more expensive in the long run. Making tactical investments means fewer replacements, fewer workarounds, and less irritation that accumulate into the mild but chronic displeasure of daily life.
I’ve learned this lesson slowly and expensively, through the incremental realisation that certain categories of spending repay you with interest. I’m talking about good kitchen knives paired with even better sharpeners to ensure your kit lasts a lifetime. Or small, regular little indulgences: that slightly more expensive table salt, those premium Italian tinned tomatoes (Mutti or bust in my house), that make home cooking all the richer.
There is also the matter of timing. The sharper regret is rarely abstention, but delay: the realisation that a purchase made years earlier would already have paid for itself in daily use by now. The best example of this? Getting a De’Longhi Rivelia, which has stopped me from purchasing countless overpriced flat whites. See also my luxury steamer, which helps avoid constant dry cleaning bills.
What’s fascinating is how consistent these regrets, the polar opposite of buyer’s remorse, are. Speak to anyone past the point of aspirational budgeting, and they will point to the same things, unprompted. The bag they waited a decade to justify. The sofa they should have bought before their back began filing formal complaints. The skincare they dismissed as vanity until they realised their bathroom cabinet was a revolving door of mediocrity. These are not status purchases; they are infrastructural ones.
This article is not a shopping list, nor a sermon on discernment. It’s a survey of hindsight: the luxury products people wish they had taken seriously earlier, not because they would have impressed anyone else, but because they would have made life marginally better, every day, in ways that compound significantly.
Consider it less an encouragement to spend, and more an argument for spending right.
See below for my curated selection of the luxury indulgences I wish I had invested in sooner.
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Medik8 C-Tetra Serum
A gentle yet effective vitamin C pick that’s often recommended as a first step into antioxidant serums. Medik8 uses a stabilised form of vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) to brighten uneven tone, support natural collagen production and help protect against environmental oxidative stress — all while staying surprisingly kind to sensitive skin.
Fortified with vitamin E for extra defence and delivered in a lightweight, jojoba-based formula, it’s non-greasy and layers beautifully under moisturiser and SPF.
Buy now £45.00, Cult Beauty
De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Bean to Cup Machine
Best for: brilliant features in a compact shell
From the moment you switch on the Rivelia, you’re guided through an incredibly simple set-up process, which is pleasantly surprising for such a hi-tech machine. With the help of the fantastically responsive touch-screen interface, the product will help you run a first test of the system to make sure everything is running smoothly – a process which includes testing your water hardness with the included test strip to ensure the perfect extraction – before helping you to set-up personal profiles for all the machine’s users.
Though it may seem frivolous to some, the colour-coded and wonderfully customisable profiles help to bring this state-of-the-art machine back down to earth. While many coffee lovers who invest in high-end machines often become scared of using their wonderful devices for fear of breaking or damaging them, the Rivelia has been designed to form an immediate personal bond with its users – it will greet you in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on which profile you’re using and when. Once it’s made your coffee, it’ll deliver a cheery message with your brew.
With all smooth, curved surfaces and polished finishes, the Rivelia has so clearly been designed with everyday use in mind. Unlike most automatic bean-to-cup machines, it’s also available in four different colourways: white, black, pebble grey and even beige (which so happens to be my personal favourite).
While you may not get a choice when it comes to extraction pressure, as this is all figured out by the brilliant computer hidden within the compact frame of the Rivelia, I’m yet to have a coffee that doesn’t taste as good – if not better – than shop-bought brews.
The first affordable, compact and beautifully crafted fully automatic bean-to-cup machine of its kind, the Rivelia has been designed with coffee lovers looking to take the next step when it comes to their morning brew in mind. This next step is not an overcomplicated one, but rather one that allows users to explore a variety of beans and coffee types at the tap of a button. The Rivelia is a revelation.
Buy now £716.65, Amazon
Niwaki Tetsuhiro Knife Range Kitchen Knife
For the budding home chef, only Japanese knives will do - and Niwaki’s are some of the best of the best. Buy now and it will last a lifetime, the DSR-1KR stainless steel construction is rustproof yet the ideal practice is handwashing. For proper maintenance, sharpen with a Shapton Stone every few weeks and steer clear of bones or frozen foods. Avoid soaking the handle in cleaning.
The knives are triple-layered with a central hagane core, and a softer protective layer on the exterior for supreme cutting power. You won’t know how you ever lived without one.
Buy now £49.00, Niwaki
Asahi Cookin Cut Rubber Cutting Board
Sizes: 38 x 21cm, 42 x 25 cm
One of the most popular Japanese rubber cutting boards preferred by sushi chefs across the globe, this extra-durable and minimalistic option by Asahi is beloved for its tactility and ability to mimic the feeling of cutting on a traditional wooden board. Gentle to knives, quick drying and scratch-resistant, this board can be sanded down between uses with a special block to maintain its ultra-smooth and blemish-free appearance.
Sanding block or not, the unique self-restorative nature of rubber prevents deep scratches from forming – which means better hygiene, and little to no chance of synthetic materials leeching into your food.
Buy now £73.99, Amazon
SURI Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
The global burden of plastic waste and cost of using a manual (the average manual toothbrush costs approximately £1.50 and should be replaced every three to four months as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which equals £4.50 per year as opposed to SURI’s 94p annual equivalent based on the average life-span), means that switching to SURI really is a no brainer.
I’m a SURI convert. This brush delivers dentist-approved results while causing zero harm to the planet. The brush is low-maintenance yet high-functioning and doesn't feature any unnecessary bells and whistles that would ramp up the price tag. The incredible 40-day battery life is also a big draw, especially if you’re a regular traveller.
Brush time has never been so scintillating. My teeth feel cleaner than ever. And ultimately, if it’s good enough for Gwynnie - it’s good enough for me.
Was: £95
Buy now £59.98, Amazon
Monos Hybrid Carry-On
The zenith of durability and style, this uber-sleek suitcase by Monos is crafted with a polycarbonate shell which features a refined, metallic finish, zipperless aluminium frame and anodized aluminium corner guards. Say goodbye to heavily dented metal luggage without completely giving up the aesthetic.
Buy now £350.00, Monos
Maldon Sea Salt
A box of Maldon salt sitting in your cupboard or on the counter has become a low-key status symbol. Beloved by the best chefs, the British brand conveys a sense of luxury and passion for gourmet cooking, starting with the simplest of base ingredients.
Sea salt is hand-harvested in the same methods the company has been using since 1882, with pyramid-shaped crystals imparting an intense burst of clean flavour. The seasoning is offered in everything from catering tubs for professional kitchens to small packets that make cost-effective housewarming or dinner party offerings for hosts who appreciate practical gifts.
What’s more, standard sea salt is just the beginning. The brand offers a gourmet range including smoked salt, garlic sea salt and chilli sea salt, meaning you can expect immense flavour in every pinch.
Buy now £2.85, Amazon
Apple Air Tag
Many people have been singing the praises of Apple’s AirTags for keeping track of lost luggage after the airport chaos, but others have cottoned on to the fact they make great pet trackers too.
While it doesn’t offer the fitness and sleep tracking aspect of some of the other makes, if you’re an iPhone user and want to keep everything Apple then this would work well. Using the ‘Find My’ function on your phone or computer, you can keep track of the location of your furry friend.
One downside is for the AirTag to work to notify you, there needs to be other iOS users nearby, as the tag sends out a Bluetooth signal that other devices will pick up and ping to you, so if you’re taking your dog on remote walks to the middle of nowhere it might not be the best option.
At the moment, Apple doesn’t sell collars or accessories for pet use, however independent sellers and makers are creating collars and tag holders for you to use an AirTag in this way.
Buy now £26.00, Amazon
Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Round Casserole, Volcanic, 22cm
Le Creuset cast iron casserole dishes aren’t just lovely to look at. Fantastically functional and known to last a lifetime, they’ll look good atop your Aga for decades before you hand them over to your kids. The best part? Cleaning it up is a breeze thanks to the glorious ceramic surface.
Buy now £185.99, Amazon
Bitossi Set of 6 Wine Glasses
There’s something inherently charming about perfectly matched, mismatched tableware. This unique selection of wine glasses by Bitossi is made with mouth-blown glass, imbuing each vessel with unbeatable character.
Buy now £105.00, MyTheresa
Gabar 04 (NOLITA) Rise Eau De Parfum 50ml
I’ve yet to try a Gabar fragrance I don’t like – and one of the brand’s most recent launches, 04 (Nolita), is no exception to the rule.
One of the most refreshing woody scents going, the gentle opening of juniper is balanced with vibrant cypress before being rounded off with mellow undertones of amber and cashmere wood. A lively spritz which will keep you coming back for more.
Buy now £108.00, Liberty
Owala FreeSip
Best for: the aesthetically pleasing water bottle of dreams
One of the winners of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, Owala was praised for its mantra of ‘hydration made fun’. The brand was founded with the intention to – as they put it – create magic out of the ordinary, transforming the mundanity of daily hydration into a fun experience for all.
The Owala FreeSip is the brand’s hero product, though they have an array of other options fit for kids and avid hikers. The FreeSip is available in five different sizes ranging from 710ml to 1 litre and is offered in an array of lovely colourways. It’s got triple-layer insulation, a handy carry handle, a built-in straw, and a large opening for chugging. We’re big fans of the push-button spring opening for easy hydration on the move.
Buy now £31.99, Amazon
Alo Accolade Crew Neck Pullover
There’s nothing quite like a high-quality matching tracksuit set. This one from Alo is my go-to – whether I’m travelling long-haul or popping to the shops on the weekend, it always makes me feel put together yet comfortable. I love that it’s available in countless colours, but the most en vogue right now has got to be the deep espresso hue. The pullover and tracksuit bottoms are sold separately. So long as you machine wash the set on a cold, gentle cycle, it’ll last an age.
Buy now £128.00, Alo
Tatcha The Water Cream
Each application of this lightweight moisturiser from Tatcha feels like a luxury treatment. From the aroma to the texture, it’s a step you will relish each morning and night and that’s all before I even get to the formula.
The product is backed with hydrating botanicals with a unique water-burst composition that is released upon contact with your skin. It harnesses Japanese plant-based ingredients like wild rose, leopard lily and superfoods like the brand’s signature and trademarked Hadasei-3 (a proprietary complex of twice-fermented rice, green tea and algae) to leave skin healthy, refine pores and combat excess oil production. You will notice your face feels moisture-enriched, balanced and softer.
Buy now £67.00, Space NK
Citizens of Soil Extra Virgin Olive Oil Subscription
Once you buy luxury EVOO, there’s truly no going back. Ensure you’re never dry with this brilliant Citizens of Soil subscription, which mixes things up by delivering a different 500ml olive oil pouch selected by a sommelier each month. Every order includes a pourer and a stopper, too. The best bit? Each olive oil delivery includes ingredients to pair and a seasonal recipe created by influential chefs or cooks.
Buy now £15.00, Citizens of Soil
Barbour Wren Waxed Jacket
I wish I had invested in this Barbour years ago – it’s effortlessly timeless and somehow both rugged and refined. Perfect for drizzly London days or countryside escapes, it breaks in beautifully, gaining a unique patina with wear. I’ve come to realise there’s nothing quite like a jacket that genuinely improves with age. I’ve had mine for almost five years, and it’s only just about in need of a re-wax (though Barbour recommends doing them yearly to ensure showerproof protection).
Buy now £299.00, Barbour
Le Creuset Wine Accessories Corkscrew
Of all the luxury indulgences I’ve made, buying this Le Creuset corkscrew has earned me the most scrutiny, yet had been perhaps my most rewarding purchase. I bought it when I really couldn’t afford to spend £40 on a bottle opener - but alas, I’ve never corked a bottle of wine since.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Dinny Hall 9ct White Gold Mini Lab Grown Diamond Huggie Hoop Earrings
These delicate huggie hoops feel like a small luxury I didn’t know I was missing. The subtle sparkle of the lab-grown diamonds means they go from day to evening with ease, and the white gold ensures they never date. I wish I had bought them sooner – they’ve quickly become my everyday jewellery staple, and I love that I never have to take them off.
Buy now £250.00, Liberty
Blundstone 067 Unisex Chisel Toe Chelsea Boot Stout Brown
I bought my Blundstones for my first Canadian winter, almost seven years ago – and I still wear them to this day, for they are in brilliant nick. Just be sure to treat them before stepping out into snow, sleet and mud for the first time.
Buy now £148.50, Griggs
