vanity items

Vanity items are cosmetic purchases in video games that change a character's appearance without affecting gameplay or statistics.

These include alternate skins, outfits, emotes, weapon designs, and other decorative elements that let players personalize their avatars.

I spent way too much on vanity items during the summer sale.

The term emphasizes that such items serve no practical purpose beyond looking good—they're pure self-expression, often criticized as frivolous but embraced by players who value aesthetic customization.