• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Truly Experiences Blog

For People Who Collect Memories, Not Things

  • Food & Drink
  • Gifts
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Things To Do
Blog » Gift Occasions » A Brief History of Luxury

A Brief History of Luxury

Luxury goods have been constantly on the rise, seemingly unstoppably. However, the very notion of possessing something expensive or more superior than the person next door took some time to gravitate as an attractive thing. Current behaviour would also suggest it’s a tradition that’s due to run its course.

Back as far as Roman times, people were concerned over the disruptive power of gratuitousness and excess. In fact, they drew up a legislation specifically to limit people’s spending on luxury, and lavishness was out of the question entirely. Slowly however, and as the Roman Empire grew, people adopted conquered nations’ perceptions towards luxury, and became far more tolerant of simple indulgences.

It was the same in many other parts of the world. Even the populous of ancient Greece, despite its cultivated status, frowned upon the consumption of meat. Fish for example was an expensive commodity, and those that ate it were shunned in society for being able to afford such an expensive foodstuff. If you wanted any friends, it was best to avoid meat entirely.

ARE THESE THE BEST GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EVERYTHING? >>

versailles

In Britain during the Middle Ages, having something expensive or not easily attainable was considered bad form. In fact at the time the word had derived from the French ‘luxurie’ which meant ‘lust’ and ‘debauchery’. Clothing in particular received the most attention, as rules were introduced stipulating which classes were permitted to wear what. Most indulgent goods included spices or wine – foreign foods that were expensive to import ¬– and very few but the privileged or noble aristocracy could even dream of.

  Five Minutes with Suze the Luxury Columnist

It wasn’t until the 17th century when the word ‘luxury’ began to lose its negative connotations. Establishing trade routes, the emergence of the bourgeois psyche and the world’s increasing penchant for opulence contributed to a more accepting stance on the term. Versailles, for example, was a picture of wonder that inspired lavishness among visiting noblemen and women. Looking at many hotels that have survived since then, one can see the influences they gained from palaces of the time.

Then along came the industrial revolution in the 19th century where exotic indulgences were more easily shipped across countries and from continent to continent. Luxury goods percolated through the classes, and luxuriousness as we know it today emerged from the austerity of the 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, when the industry benefitted from technologies like assembly lines and mass production. Automobiles, which before the war were widely unaffordable, became much cheaper to produce on a bigger scale.

louis vuitton

The democratisation and demand for luxury items increased throughout the 20th century. World War II however changed things, as people weren’t able to afford, or simply didn’t have access to, their desires. In response, brands started focusing their efforts more on smaller items such as shoes, handbags, perfumes and scarves. Louis Vuitton, now the name of one of the world’s biggest luxury brands, observed railway passengers on station platforms to design luggage that best suited the needs of his clients.

The luxury we observe today is very much a climax in the timeline of events. Perishing is the era belonging to the possession or ‘thing’. Lucia Van Der Post, former editor of How to Spend It magazine, suggests that ‘old luxury’ is a thing of the past, and that people now want to be ‘emotionally touched by their experiences’ along with maintaining strong ideals of ‘sustainability and ethics’. According to experts, ten years from now the market will be fuelled exclusively by people’s ‘emotional connections.’

  History of Spas: Roman Baths Then and Now

Rae Oliver January 27, 2020

Footer

  • Truly Experiences
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Affiliate Disclosure

We believe in being as transparent as possible when it comes to this site. With this in mind, please be aware that we may receive remuneration for some of the products we review on this site.

Truly Experiences is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk (and other Amazon programs).

We will also list ads from time to time. You should be able to see these as text links or blocks of ads which have a small notation indicating “Ads by Google” or “AdChoices”.

Our mission is to help our visitors, but this is also very clearly a for-profit site and you should realize as much. We include only those products that we believe could benefit you, some of which we may get a commission if you purchase them. However, we also provide links on the site to information resources for which we receive no compensation.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact us using the "contact" option on the site menu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Trademark Dislosure

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In addition, any other trademarks and logos we mention on this site are also the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2023 Truly Experiences

Please be aware that we may receive remuneration if you follow some of the links on this site and purchase products.OkRead More