10 ways to luxe it up

That sentiment plays a huge part in encouraging spending in India became obvious in the “inauspicious” fortnight ahead of the festive season, when RBI governor Raghuram Rajan’s prescriptions and a buoyant Sensex brought in a rare sense of joy to the markets. Though the Nifty might yo-yo, the streak of optimism is creating positive vibes. The result? With crowds of shoppers thronging Palladium in Mumbai and DLF Emporio in New Delhi, Diwali this year seems set for a Cavalli makeover. So, if you’ve been holding on to your purse strings, here are 10 reasons for you to blow that stash instead of hoarding it:

It’s good for the economy 

Everyone knows this, right? The more money there is in the market, the more it remains in circulation, the better things are for everyone. Stop sulking and go spend that moolah you’ve been stashing away. It’ll make you feel good, your kids will love you, and a diamond really is your wife’s best friend. 

Time to book that luxury home 

Think back to the last few years, when all real estate ads were about “affordable” housing. That phase seems to be petering out, with high-end, designer homes coming back to command the market. This is especially true in Mumbai, where the Lodha Group is creating iconic living complexes with Giorgio Armani, Jade Jagger and others, and Aishwarya Rai is batting for villas by the sea. Why now? Because everyone and their aunt will tell you that the prices are low. And if the savings on a 6,000 sq ft designer apartment add up to a few crores, it’s worth it for the monies you will want to spend on your Porthault linen and Limoges porcelain.  

When times are lean, fashion is fun

Fortunately, all the leading designers seem to have had the same idea, so whether it’s Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana or Roberto Cavalli, men’s jackets are seriously wacky, with prints in jacquard and satin. It might take a bit of daring to wear them the first time around — but then, didn’t you think that before you debuted your first pair of mustard, orange or green denims?

Move on to your next car

There’s no better sense of spending power than when you move on to your next pair of wheels. The power cars are still Mercedes and BMW, but have you noticed how you get a once-over when emerging from an Audi, which is rapidly turning into everyone’s favourite? For my money, the new Audi A8 is on my wishlist. Can’t afford it? Then you shouldn’t be reading this page — but, if you don’t mind a “slightly used” one-year-old, you’ll get it for almost half the price. If that’s good enough for a couple of CEOs I know, it ought to be just as good for you. 

Get with the wines 

Read up on your wine, do your tastings, learn the difference between a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. There’s something seductive about a man who knows his wines, so invest in a wine cooler, join the Wine Society of India for their quarterly selections, learn to “air” your reds and chill your whites to the last correct decimal and do a SWOT analysis on how South African, Australian, Californian and Chilean wines compare with the French, Italian and Spanish natives. 

Invest in art

If you like it, so much the better; if you understand modern and contemporary, kudos to you; either way, make sure you’re buying art — because the prices can only rise from now. And you’ll feel like a fool when you realise, in future, how much cheaper the best-known names of Indian art were in 2013 than, say, in 2015.

Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade

If you want to be on top of your game, don’t be technology-averse. Whether it is phones, laptops, tablets, TVs or music speakers, be as sharp and clued in as the youngest kid in your team — or you’ll be replaced. By him.

Excess is cool

Shoes, watches, shades — beat the women at their game. 

Do your good deed

Sponsor a girl child. Take charge of a kid’s education. Support NGOs that do good work. Spread the word. Enjoy your hedonism but exercise your social choice to make a difference to someone’s life. You will earn good karma and enjoy your Ardmore on the rocks more.

Do one seriously mad thing…

…even if it’s completely out of character. Buy a Harley Davidson. Fill a jacuzzi with champagne and ask your friends over for a dip. Hire a cruise ship for a desi wedding. Commission Madame Tussaud’s to do wax statues of your clan. You only live once — remember? 

—The author is a Delhi-based writer and curator