Absurd or not, Prince Charles wears Turnbull suit_
 

The aristocracy has traditionally grumbled about the price of things. It's part of their schtick. That's why they spend so much up front. Then they don't have to buy anything for years. As Terry Pratchett says lace corset tutu dress basques lingerie , the rich survive in a kind of strange poverty. Because they buy good things in the beginning they only buy them once and so actually spend less money than we among the hoi polloi.