This is it exactly. If it makes you happy buying lots of gucci kit go for it but it wont make you a better player. In my experience the better airsoft players have got past all that and just go for functional as thats the most important thing.
I have bought expensive gear and cheap gear but always played the same. Favourite bit of kit is a cheap viper tac vest, it has plenty of room for anything I need and if I damage it I dont care I just buy a new one.