Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I like the look of some of the Rapha stuff. But it's pretty pricey, I think.

Actually, I got the winter jersey [about a year ago and before the crunch].
For me, it's been worth it. Firstly, I love the aesthetics. And secondly, although I suppose I'd happily toddle around around in something that "does the job" [some army surplus mac or whatever], I freelance at various places where I'd be loathe to turn up to work looking really shabby and my Rapha top over shirt and tie kind of works. I know, I know, I should ideally ditch any workplace that has an issue with such facile, superficial things. And I could wear a better-priced top that I dump in a bag before entering the office. But that way I just look weird for being cumpled/having road detritus spattered on me etc. Rapha makes me look like I'm professional [stroke: rich-ish] while at the same time explaining why I'm a tad red-faced and sweaty.
It's all very well saying that image counts for nothing, but if wearing something with a nice pink trim etc rather than looking like I'm a tramp who's been shoplifting in Millet's mean that my employers give me more credibility, it may be a worthwhile investment.
Sure, it's expensive, but if shelling out on, say, the softshell jacket means that you can cycle to some place looking really good rather than instead deciding to bus it so that you can wear a nice overcoat or some such, you're kind of saving money [and time] that way. To reiterate, though, I'm coming from the angle that looks are important to others rather than me [although, yes, I acknowledge that by reacting to that means that looks do count in my priorities]. A slightly sad fact about life. [Although, f**k it, I do straightforwardly like the asymmetrical cut of the softshell jacket and would pay a premium for it -- it's just unfortunate that Primark et al haven't ripped the design off].

Am I out of the nursery yet?

But back to Rapha. I'd like it more if it was less costly...