Do note that 60k is household income, not individual salary. I don’t know most of those brands well personally, but I think it’s fair to say that most $60k families might have shopped there for splurge purchases but do not do so regularly or casually. What was the statistic from the other day, 40% if families can’t produce $400 without debt or selling things? To your point (and mine), the purchasing power of money varies by context, nominal figures vary in usefulness

$60k after taxes is what, $48k take home? After rent, gas, groceries, insurance, a car payment, what’s left? You certainly shouldn’t be shopping at any of those stores on that salary.

Midwest prices my friend. When I made $60k I was able to put half my paycheck straight into savings and still have a few hundred bucks leftover for 'whatever' every month.

Depends a lot on where you live. I used to make less than that but lived quite well. If your rent and car payment are low, $4k/month could easily leave you > $1k/month to spend on "whatever".

If you live in Silicon Valley and take home $4k/month, not so much.

Right, but nobody NEEDS a bath bomb. It's like saying Voss water only costs $3 a bottle; anyone can afford that. Yes, literally, the homeless guy on the corner can AFFORD it, but that doesn't mean he's likely to make that choice.

The homeless guy on the corner isn't middle class.

Middle class people commonly buy "unnecessary" things, even clear luxury items like Coach bags.