"Embarrassing to be seen w/ a show-offy bag?"

[clk55girl]

Originally Posted by Compass Rose

I don't care what other people think about what I do. Pure and simple. As much as I'd like to save the world, too, I can't live under a rock and deny myself what I need and want.

Well said!! Life is WAY too short to worry about making everyone and their mothers happy. I don't live to please other people. If I like something, I'm going to wear it.

[Izznit]

Originally Posted by notblushing

OMG, I was about to type my reply when the HUGE ROCK on my finger knocked over my coffee cup.

Bahh


that article was an amusing read. how biased can you get?

[GyrlLayney]

Originally Posted by LeeMiller

Does this mean that its not out of touch when less people are suffering, like when the economy was better? Or when the economy is really only bad somewhere else are we supposed to be ok wearing designer bags because then we're in-touch with local conditions. I find her statement ridiculous.

Excellent point, Lee!

[chloehandbags]

Well, much as I don't like the tone of some of the article, I think there's some truth in it, TBH.

I think the era of the very recognisable 'it' bag is more-or-less over (thank God!) and over-logoed bags also seem a little out-of-touch, to me, as they are such an obvious show of wealth (or faux wealth); which can, of course, seem pretty insensitive in troubled times.

Also, more than insensitive, if things get bad enough, obvious designer bags will become targets for thieves and muggers, even more than they already are. So, even if someone didn't care about how they looked to others, they might still care that they looked like an easy target to the growing number of people who felt forced into crime by their dire financial circumstances...

But all that doesn't mean that one cannot make a statement with one's bag and must carry around an ugly bag, all the time; or no bag at all.

I think the trend is towards losing recognisable decoration; not, by any means, all decoration. In fact, I think many bags (particularly the smaller ones) are becoming more characterful-looking, if anything, not less and similarly, jewellery is becoming more characterful-looking, on the whole.

I think it's all about individual fashion statements, now - smaller bags that look like fanciful works of art and that are harder to peg as a designer's work and larger ones that lack lots of unnecessary HW (which cuts down on weight, recognisability and unnecessary cost) and so, are easier to manage, both physically and financially.

According to UK Vogue, fanciful-looking baby bags and courier satchels are the major bag styles for Autumn '08.

Instead of blindly following what celebs wear, I think the skill is now in finding unusual and beautiful pieces (whether current season, or older/vintage), ideally pieces that were made in small numbers and that most people wouldn't recognise as being designer, at all.

I also think that becoming more selective about what one buys is on the increase, as people worry about their finances and/or other people's finances and/or the environment and wonder whether they really need lots of overpriced new bags, or not.

I definitely think, after years of enormous, heavy, mainly handheld bags, it was fairly inevitable that bags would get smaller and/or lighter and/or more user-friendly, anyway; recession, or no recession. But I definitely think the economic situation is having its impact, too.

[GyrlLayney]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

Well, much as I don't like the tone of some of the article, I think there's some truth in it, TBH. I think the era of the very recognisable 'it' bag is more-or-less over (thank God!) and over-logoed bags also seem a little out-of-touch, to me, as they are such an obvious show of wealth (or faux wealth); which can, of course, seem pretty insensitive in troubled times. Also, more than insensitive, if things get bad enough, obvious designer bags will become targets for thieves and muggers, even more than they already are. So, even if someone didn't care about how they looked to others, they might still care that they looked like an easy target to the growing number of people who felt forced into crime by their dire financial circumstances... But all that doesn't mean that one cannot make a statement with one's bag and must carry around an ugly bag, all the time; or no bag at all. I think the trend is towards losing recognisable decoration; not, by any means, all decoration. In fact, I think many bags (particularly the smaller ones) are becoming more characterful-looking, if anything, not less and similarly, jewellery is becoming more characterful-looking, on the whole. I think it's all about individual fashion statements, now - smaller bags that look like fanciful works of art and that are harder to peg as a designer's work and larger ones that lack lots of unnecessary HW (which cuts down on weight, recognisability and unnecessary cost) and so, are easier to manage, both physically and financially. According to UK Vogue, fanciful-looking baby bags and courier satchels are the major bag styles for Autumn '08. Instead of blindly following what celebs wear, I think the skill is now in finding unusual and beautiful pieces (whether current season, or older/vintage), ideally pieces that were made in small numbers and that most people wouldn't recognise as being designer, at all. I also think that becoming more selective about what one buys is on the increase, as people worry about their finances and/or other people's finances and/or the environment and wonder whether they really need lots of overpriced new bags, or not. I definitely think, after years of enormous, heavy, mainly handheld bags, it was fairly inevitable that bags would get smaller and/or lighter and/or more user-friendly, anyway; recession, or no recession. But I definitely think the economic situation is having its impact, too.

Almost one and half years later... what else do y'all think?

[Chanticleer]

My husband and I both work hard for what we have. I realize that we're blessed to have what we do, but, as I said, we've worked for it and continue to do so. When we were raising children, they came first. Now they're grown and it's our turn. I feel for the people who have been severely affected by today's economy, but how would my not buying a certain handbag help them or the world in general? I've waited a long time to have the freedom to buy what I want, sacrificed where needed for my children when they lived at home, and now my husband and I help stimulate the economy by purchasing what we love.

[exotikittenx]

Geez louise, it's a handbag! So she's saying we can't wear a flashy bag because it might offend someone who is less wealthy? Come on! That's the way life is, and there will always be someone with more. Besides, you can't judge someone on a bag. Why doesn't she tell everyone who lives in a huge home to move into a shack so everyone can feel good about themselves and feel equal? Why pick on handbags? Besides, anyone can afford a handbag by saving over time, but not everyone can afford a mansion or a Mercedes. But anyway, people need to live for themselves, and as long as they are good people, that is what matters. Who is to say those people are not active and help out charities? It's silly to judge someone on that.


I'm pretty speechless right now, and honestly... WHO CARES? I think we should all go by this woman's home flashing our logo statement bags and just make her grit her teeth LOL.

Anyway, shopping boosts the economy, so if you can afford it, go for it!

[Chanticleer]

Originally Posted by exotikittenx

Geez louise, it's a handbag! So she's saying we can't wear a flashy bag because it might offend someone who is less wealthy? Come on! That's the way life is, and there will always be someone with more. Besides, you can't judge someone on a bag. Why doesn't she tell everyone who lives in a huge home to move into a shack so everyone can feel good about themselves and feel equal? Why pick on handbags? Besides, anyone can afford a handbag by saving over time, but not everyone can afford a mansion or a Mercedes. But anyway, people need to live for themselves, and as long as they are good people, that is what matters. Who is to say those people are not active and help out charities? It's silly to judge someone on that. I'm pretty speechless right now, and honestly... WHO CARES? I think we should all go by this woman's home flashing our logo statement bags and just make her grit her teeth LOL. Anyway, shopping boosts the economy, so if you can afford it, go for it!

ITA!!!!

[Vintage Leather]

The woman interviewed is in the fashion industry - so I doubt that she is criticizing expensive handbags. To me, it sounds like she is criticizing logo bags. And I will admit, I haven't seen as many people sporting logo bags recently.

[nelicquele]

^ Unfortunately where I live, tons of women are still carrying logo bags, specifically LV and Coach. In this tough time, does that mean we all should throw our show offy bags in the closet (or even worse, SELL them?) and just carry boring, plasticky cheap bags from Target or Walmart? Will that make her feel better?

[flashy.stems]

i'm NEVER embarrassed to be seen with a show-offy bag. :) i love them..

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

bag? Nah
But I am keenly aware of my jewelry when I'm at certain places

[Bitten]

I think it's more important to be sensitive in my conversations rather than in my clothes/bags/accessories. I have a colleague who at our staff christmas lunch last year was talking at the top of her voice about her twice-yearly overseas holidays, her new house on the river, her first-class airfares. To other staff who make $50,000 pa tops and struggle with their mortgages. I thought that was the most boorish behaviour, so classless and insensitive. When you want to contrast that behaviour to "What brand of underpants/bra/top/skirt/shoes/bag did you put on this morning?"...

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

ITA

[BgaHolic]

I had a glass of wine tonight so I hope I make sense.

I understand what Chloehandbags is saying and what the writer is saying but I think the danger in this article is the country is taking what appears to me as a "socialistic" tone because since when did anyone ever care what anyone else was wearing? (Unless they walk out of the house mismatched and unkempt). We are and have always been a democractic society with ALL different classes. Ie. rich, comfortable, struggling, poor, etc.

I for one, get enjoyment when I recognize someone wearing a high end priced bag. At the same time I get amused when I see a designer bag I recognize. I think it gives everyone uniqueness. If we all had to carry around moderate priced bags and jewelry without any diamond ornamation, I think this country would be b - o - r - i - n - g!!!!

I say to all those who can afford it, to all those who fake it, to all those who just want to have it and are saving up for it, ENJOY! - Freedom to be yourself! It's much nicer not to be envious of someone wearing an expensive bag and instead take pleasure in seeing them wear a stunning bag!