Agree on the Core shorts for being very good. Mine are looking a bit tatty now but are 4-5? Years old now and seen plenty of wear.
I do think we should be championing Rapha a bit more for their style, quality, warranty and being from these shores.
I couldn’t see an Italian slagging off Castelli kit for being too elitist.
Maybe we culturally (a big generalism) don’t really like to see others showing off their wealth.
But I do empathise with the OP about the price increases we are seeing.
But It’s maybe a sign of our sport/pass time (or could be just this forum) that inflation is being highlighted by top end cycling kit and not by necessities like food, mortgages/rent and energy.