Are we better than the Chofetz Chaim? – Saving Money

Why is it that the Chofetz Chaim and thousands of jews in Lita and Poland were able to wear a simple hat that costs around $15 max, while we all 1000’s of people must buy expensive hats that cost a couple of hundred? And what about families with many boys? We can save our community millions if we’d all agree together to wear simple caps, at least for the weekdays. Dont even ask about those who wear biber hats! They go for like $400 or so! Why must everyone copy everyone else? And if we must, then let’s all stand up together and say: enough! We are going to save much money and much headache!