I may be out of line here, but...

Perhaps it is the level of self confidence that we have that pushes us to "excessorize" to a level bordering on overdone? With all of the available "stuff" that is out there for us to load down with, it seems that the quantity, rather than the quality, is what is what sets us apart in the modern era. Breaking the mold may be difficult-but I feel someone who has no adornment but a brooch 300 years old with a chunk of amber, and a dirk of quality or sgian of worth can pull off the highest of class beside the commoner with more gold plate than the King...