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

[Designer_Love]

Personally I love all my bags and really could careless about what everyone else can and can't have...not my problem if other people can not afford things. If all anyone did was worry if everyone in the world could afford what they buy all you'd ever do is worry and feel bad about what everyone else can't have....personally I have better things to worry with....things that actually matter. If someone thinks designer bags are "crass" well good for them, I'm glad they have nothing else better to do in life than spend time worrying about the bags others carry....if they have the time to do that than my guess is they need to get a life. I buy my bags because I love them and no matter if it's "trendy" to buy designer or to carry some cheap "me bag" I'll continue buying my bags as I please...be it in style or not...or crass or not. If someone wants to carry some cheap bag and deprive themselves something they like because there are poor people in the world (and poor people will always be around no matter if you buy designer bags or not) thats fine if thats what they want but it's not what I want.

[timmian]

I've really enjoyed reading the posts in this thread! Interesting topic. I think one could make a distinction between those of us who buy bags because we LOVE them and they make us feel good, and those who buy bags mainly to impress others. How this relates to the economy and Stealth Wealth, I couldn't say

[papertiger]

Originally Posted by ratox

I agree with both of you. There's nothing wrong with buying expensive bags or items if you can afford it but don't rub it in. Like pp mentioned, just because you carry a great bag with lots of class/history and craftmanship, doesn't mean that those qualities automatically transferred over to you by osmosis.

Well put

[Cornflower Blue]

Originally Posted by ratox

I agree with both of you. There's nothing wrong with buying expensive bags or items if you can afford it but don't rub it in. Like pp mentioned, just because you carry a great bag with lots of class/history and craftmanship, doesn't mean that those qualities automatically transferred over to you by osmosis.

But there are many people around who dream that it does.

[Kami lala]

I think that it's only embarrassing when you're only wearing it to feel superior to others. Otherwise, wear what you want. If you can afford it and you enjoy it, why the hell not?? People who can't afford them and are offended by seeing them seem kind of petty... no? I mean, its just fashion.. and money.. and in the grand scheme of things, it isn't at the top of anyone's list of what's really important (like character, values, family, love, etc. etc. etc.).

[Kami lala]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

^ Btw, i think i should reiterate that i really don't agree that anyone should feel ashamed of owning these types of designer bags; quite the reverse, in fact. ...and really, anyone who suggests one should, is being a snob (albeit a reverse one!). However, i do think there's a big difference between feeling ashamed and being sensitive to other people's (and by other people i, primarily, mean those disadvantaged through no fault of their own) feelings. I think, if one already has logoed/monogrammed/very recognisable bags one should, of course, feel free to (and may just as well, quite frankly!) enjoy them. Perhaps just not in a tent city, or a soup kitchen, though?!

werd.

[samhainophobia]

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.

To be fair, I'd say "want." No one *needs* a designer handbag.

The article was over-the-top, though on purpose, I think. But I also think that some of the other posters in this thread have made excellent points in that the old adage "there is a time and a place" holds true, and I think it's well to be sensitive to that .

[BgaHolic]

I change my mind, about freedom of speech, right to wear anything you want. - I believe in today's $ times, and in general, it is important to buy a bag because you love it not to make one feel better about oneself and take on a phoney air when wearing it. I'm seeing this happen lately and it is most distasteful! As I said I don't care if one wears labels all over their clothing (I personally don't like it) but I do care if it makes them feel "better" than anyone else for doing so!

I came to this epiphony this past week when I borrowed my bro-in-law's Mercedes and had a couple of "looks" from people. Many people are feeling saddened in these times and I guess seeing a person driving or wearing articles of "status" in these times can be a bit discerning. I, quite honestly did not feel wonderful driving the car and was eager to return it. It was a great experience for me because, I, too, am feeling the economical crunch and that experience has made me that much more sensitive to others!

[olialm1]

Sometimes. I have one friend who is always up my butt about new things I buy and always makes awkward comments.

[FancyPants]

^You are not alone! I think it's the worst thing ever when people cant mind their own business.

[vesna]

well, people just can not help it, they do make assumptions about you on the basis what you spend....I do sometimes cover up the expensive bag as a present..because dear to me people would judge wrong..I have my own reasons for venting this way, they do their own stuff which I do not judge...but if it is people I know and care about, and I know they live on much less, I try not to poke their eyes too much

So, I try to enjoy my bags personally, genuinely enjoying the craft and amazing leather and colors, not making a big deal out of it

I have a little guilt, though, to admit here...there is a certain "kind" of women, who work in high end stores who behave towards customers like they "are" the store or fashion designer there...I am sick of them looking at me first and deciding with which "tempo" or attitude to get me what I asked for...THERE I use my most visible and recognizable logo IT bags .. ..just a little game I LOVE to play

not at my work, never, I work at the university, and only my students would complement my bags, colleagues could not care less, none of them have an idea what I am having

[Bitten]

Originally Posted by chloehandbags

But don't you think it's possible that some people 'read' designer logos as visual signs of boorishness? So, even if the person is not boorish, or not being boorish at the time, some (many?) people will still think they probably are?

Hmmm, my first post might have been confusing. I think discretion and sensitivity to others is important in all aspects of existence in a social group, the point I was trying to make is that, as the journalist in the article demonstrates, it's easy (and lazy) to criticise someone's appearance as being 'insensitive' or 'vulgar' when other aspects of behaviour are equally important and much harder to take issue with. It seems hypocritical to claim the moral highground because you're wearing not-obviously designer clothing or accessories while bragging about how many trips in first class you're taking this year. Verbal discretion is as important as material discretion.

And I, like others have said, also take into account my surroundings - I would never wear my more extravagant pieces of jewellery to work, it's thoughtless (not to mention unprofessional) and could potentially inspire negative feeling from others. Envy is a corrosive emotion and occurs everywhere in society - while we might wish people could simply enjoy the success (and signs of success) of others while facing our own struggles, the fact is that's not going to happen.