People who take what others regard as a ridiculous position should not bother to say, I mean every word
For either their position truly is ridiculous, in which case insisting that they are serious about it only exposes them to deeper embarrassment, or else their position has merit, in which case they should meet disbelief with rational argument rather than with assurances of their sincerity
People whose taste in clothes is being criticized should not reply, Every penny I spent on these clothes I earned honestly.  For the issue raised by the critics is not how the money was come by but rather whether it was spent wisely.