What should a husband do with his wife who asks him for sums exceeding his financial capacity to buy clothes and gold similar to what other women she sees at parties have?

The first thing that destroyed the Children of Israel was the poor man's wife burdening her husband with what the rich man is burdened with. Therefore, the wife should be reminded of the importance of contentment and asceticism in this world, and promised expansion if Allah expands for the husband. She should also be reminded of the verse: "Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah will not burden a soul beyond what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease."