I totally get where the OP is coming from, although if bling also means durable then I do draw a line.
About 5 or 6 years ago I stopped fiddling around with Retro bikes (my dream bikes from the early/mid 90’s) when I realised that modern geometry and forks had come on leaps and bounds – and massively increased the fun factor of a ride (the advances in technology of modern lights for night riding also takes a lot of credit).
I then found myself fitter than ever and riding a Inbred 853 single speed – something I tried years prior and just didn’t get.
Eventually I found myself on a 1×9 Soul with 120mm of super reliable Reba travel and knew I had found more bike than i’d ever need – and promptly stopped lusting over new bikes and bling.
Money has a habit of flying out of my wallet faster than I can ever make it, so I am super happy to have dialled in to a couple of bikes that I love.
Unfortunately I had to sell the Soul last year during a financial crisis but am now rebuilding my SS Inbred and cant wait to get back on the old reliable girl. I even dig the battle scars and shoddy paintwork now, to me the bike not only provides great times but also looks like it been through great times! – its liberating not worrying about scratches to paintwork etc.
So in summary – i’ll buy bling brakes (for example) IF they are known to be super durable, and I know i’ll get years of good riding out of them. Otherwise I stay clear of the super bling reviews.
I do keep half an eye on new tech though. My riding has improved in the last few years mainly on the strength of certain advances in the industry.