to begin with it is not necessarily the people who can’t afford it who buy these things. but even if they can afford it is it necessary or advisable? i feel the same way about socks decorated with beads and have even gone so far as to tell the storeowners not to stock them as they are a choking hazard. as far as ostentatiousness, there is a Jewish Middah to be modest and that includes not going over the top in decoration, dress etc. in my house my mother always said “Me turnisht arois nemin mentschen di oygin” which means “don’t take people’s eyes out- dont be a show off, or stand out. i love beautiful things but you have to learn to limit yourself and limit the gashmiyus
one year i needed something and went downtown 2 days before pesach. there was a display with very beautiful velvet embroidered pillow cases for the seder. i thought how nice, what a hiddur. except when i looked at the price i almost fainted and didn’t buy them. it took me a day to get over it and regain my prevoius simcha. lesson learned,” Aizeh hu ashir hasomeach be chelko” “who is wealthy, he who is satisfied with his lot”, and i never go near the stores erev chag again so i won’t be ambushed into wanting things i’ve lived perfectly happily without.