2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[HopelessBagGirl]

It’s not just you — I was confused as well!

Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks! The 14 year old and 4 year old are sick as well. So half of us are coughing. Blah.

 

[catsinthebag]

I will am sure it would be a lot more fair and honest if the living artists had better and more equal chances to promote and exhibit their works, if they could get better support from the society, because what I can see now is one is lucky to get the whole fame and money while many others, maybe more talented and gifted, are hardly making ends meet and sometimes have no money to buy paints and brushes to leave the masterpieces to the next generations....

it does, absolutely!
i agree to pay extra for a nice bag, for a beautiful painting, for a bottle of fine wine, but i want this to be REASONABLY expensive, not insanely, which draws a line between relatives, friends, and other society members.

Yes, but what does REASONABLY mean? It means different things to different people. Sometimes that is based on income, sometimes not. Sometimes what someone considers reasonable is based in much more complicated emotional things.

Also, people place different priorities on different things based on their lifestyle. You may be able to buy a couple of horses for the price of a Birkin, but I live in a row house in a city. My backyard is the size of a postage stamp! I don’t own a Birkin, but for me, a high-end handbag is more valuable to my lifestyle than a horse. KWIM?

I don’t disagree with you on fairness. And yes, a lot of the crazy pricing is based on a weird combination of popularity and exclusivity. If no one knew what a Birkin was, would the price tag be that high? BV has craftsmanship on a par with Hermes (imo anyway), and the bags are super expensive but not at the level of H. If BV came out with an “it” bag, would that change? I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a business and they are out to make money. It’s just a question of what the business model is — Hermes’s business model is different from Chanel’s (which IMO is based much more on image than quality), which is different from Coach’s.

It may not be fair, but it’s also the way of the capitalist world we live in. Like @HopelessBagGirl, I don’t like it but get more upset over inequalities in income and healthcare access than luxury goods.

 

[westvillage]

Oh of course!
I have a flu and was up all night coughing. Apparently gave me a case of the dumm-dumms as well.

Healing thoughts and wishes heading your way, HBG. May you be able to get lots of sleep. Hugs.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Update on my quest to be crazy in love with each of my bags! #teamnoflip

So, I wore my Celine Python Edge yesterday. Ya know - the bag I love to love and hate? It finally clicked. I love the bag. It took me spending (more than I wanted) time to actually create outfits that look great with the bag. Finally!!! Now I won't be fussing on the thread about not being able to sell the bag. I'm glad it worked out!

So, now 2 "problem" bag issues solved (this and the red Chanel) and 5 bags to re-learn to love or...sell
• Chanel black patent jumbo flap
• Prada red double zip tote
• Prada pink double zip tote
• Proenza Schouler black small courier
• Proenza Schouler silver small courier

I think I'll start loving the red Prada (of the list it's probably the one I am most happy with) and seriously look for a no added money swap out for the patent Chanel.

(Why why why did I buy patent bags???)

 

[ksuromax]

I wish you had taken a photo. Lol!
Yes. two sets of handles. I don't like the look. And one set is always too short with the other too long.

Ah. I understand now. I was thinking one of the brands' reps had said something stupid.

Interesting POV. Maybe more classist than racist??

Just to offer a different perspective. I think the bag brands are "fair" in that anyone (regardless of race or class or gender or shoe size) who has the money and interest can buy a bag.

And, designer bags aren't necessary by any stretch - they're a treat. So, I don't see anything wrong with companies charging whatever they can get away with. Or with them marketing the bags as exclusive or luxury... or even silly, wicked or frumpy or whatever if that branding sells more. It's like Lexus v Toyota. The Lexus isn't really "worth" as much more as the price gap represents. So we could call it unjustifiably overpriced. But, there is value in the brand / badge.

And, really all the premier bags whether they be Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Venetta, Prada, etc. are "overpriced", exclusive, luxury, elitist, special snowflake brands. And the contemporary brands are also that to a slightly lesser extent. None of the bags are positioned as egalitarian / for the common man / for the disenfranchised in their messaging or priced according to materials and labor alone. And veeeeeery few have original or proprietary designs. Flaps, hobos, clutches, satchels...they're all quite similar. things are tweaked or a brand puts their signature twist like Prada's saffy leather on their items. But rarely is anything ground breaking.

We just all buy into the hype for our chosen brand at our psychologically comfy price point. I just sometimes have a moment where my brains says NOPE! This is nutty! I'm there right now so all prices seem insane. But I'm sure this clarity will recede the minute I see the next bag I "must" have.

I have been thinking about this the whole day today...
first of all yes, probably 'racism' was a quick choice of word, not truly representing the thought behind, sorry for that, if it sounded odd, i didn't mean it.
What i have come to is maybe i have first symptoms of middle age crisis?
something is going on in the subconscious and my system of values is getting re-assessed??
or, it's a way of transformation from hungry buyer into content user??

 

[catsinthebag]

I wish you had taken a photo. Lol!
Yes. two sets of handles. I don't like the look. And one set is always too short with the other too long.

Ah. I understand now. I was thinking one of the brands' reps had said something stupid.

Interesting POV. Maybe more classist than racist??

Just to offer a different perspective. I think the bag brands are "fair" in that anyone (regardless of race or class or gender or shoe size) who has the money and interest can buy a bag.

And, designer bags aren't necessary by any stretch - they're a treat. So, I don't see anything wrong with companies charging whatever they can get away with. Or with them marketing the bags as exclusive or luxury... or even silly, wicked or frumpy or whatever if that branding sells more. It's like Lexus v Toyota. The Lexus isn't really "worth" as much more as the price gap represents. So we could call it unjustifiably overpriced. But, there is value in the brand / badge.

And, really all the premier bags whether they be Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Venetta, Prada, etc. are "overpriced", exclusive, luxury, elitist, special snowflake brands. And the contemporary brands are also that to a slightly lesser extent. None of the bags are positioned as egalitarian / for the common man / for the disenfranchised in their messaging or priced according to materials and labor alone. And veeeeeery few have original or proprietary designs. Flaps, hobos, clutches, satchels...they're all quite similar. things are tweaked or a brand puts their signature twist like Prada's saffy leather on their items. But rarely is anything ground breaking.

We just all buy into the hype for our chosen brand at our psychologically comfy price point. I just sometimes have a moment where my brains says NOPE! This is nutty! I'm there right now so all prices seem insane. But I'm sure this clarity will recede the minute I see the next bag I "must" have.

I guess I just wonder at the use of "fair". As long as no one is saying a particular class of people can't buy then it's fair. If I have a tasty donut and clearly communicate that it is only a tasty donut and Fred is willing to pay me €20,000 for it, that is fair. Fred evaluated the item and was willing to freely give me the money.

And, in the transaction neither Fred nor I told anyone who couldn't buy the donut they were "less than".

However, if Fred then lords it over people about his pricey tasty donut, he is an idiot. If people feel jealous or slighted because they can't afford a pricy tasty donut, then they are idiots.

We're taking about luxury goods not medicine. So, any divides that make one person feel like they're better or another like they're less are the functions of those broken people - not the brands who sell their items. Hermes can sell €50 million bags and Guess can sell €50 bags - I won't feel one way or the other about me as a result.
Yep. This is where I am. Since I want to use all my bags, I "can't" buy many more bags. The new bag will cannibalize use. Hence my unplanned almost 5 months no buying. Unless it's one of my few remaining gaps, I'd be duplicating uses.

Sparkle, I couldn’t have said this better myself. And, lol re. Fred’s donuts!

 

[Sparkletastic]

Yes, but what does REASONABLY mean? It means different things to different people. Sometimes that is based on income, sometimes not. Sometimes what someone considers reasonable is based in much more complicated emotional things.

Also, people place different priorities on different things based on their lifestyle. You may be able to buy a couple of horses for the price of a Birkin, but I live in a row house in a city. My backyard is the size of a postage stamp! I don’t own a Birkin, but for me, a high-end handbag is more valuable to my lifestyle than a horse. KWIM?

I don’t disagree with you on fairness. And yes, a lot of the crazy pricing is based on a weird combination of popularity and exclusivity. If no one knew what a Birkin was, would the price tag be that high? BV has craftsmanship on a par with Hermes (imo anyway), and the bags are super expensive but not at the level of H. If BV came out with an “it” bag, would that change? I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a business and they are out to make money. It’s just a question of what the business model is — Hermes’s business model is different from Chanel’s (which IMO is based much more on image than quality), which is different from Coach’s.

It may not be fair, but it’s also the way of the capitalist world we live in. Like @HopelessBagGirl, I don’t like it but get more upset over inequalities in income and healthcare access than luxury goods.

Great points.

I have been thinking about this the whole day today...
first of all yes, probably 'racism' was a quick choice of word, not truly representing the thought behind, sorry for that, if it sounded odd, i didn't mean it.
What i have come to is maybe i have first symptoms of middle age crisis?
something is going on in the subconscious and my system of values is getting re-assessed??
or, it's a way of transformation from hungry buyer into content user??

I think you're just fine. And, your comments helped us have a really meaty conversation. IMHO I think you are expressing what most of us feel.

That no one should think they are better or worse because of a thing dangling on someone's arm.

That we grieve that there are people who don't have the necessities and sometimes (even when we give and volunteer) feel a little guilt that we have the excess to dither over our luxuries.

And that we can't stand the "systems" by which some people are prevented from participating in wealth building simply because of class, caste, race, gender, etc.

Like is said, I think it's good for us to think about these things. It's easy to get insulated.

Thanks! The 14 year old and 4 year old are sick as well. So half of us are coughing. Blah.

I hope you and your fam feel better soon!

 

[Sparkletastic]

Sparkle, I couldn’t have said this better myself. And, lol re. Fred’s donuts!

Can you imagine all the great bags I could buy if I actually had pricey tasty donuts and a bunch of carb crazed Freds for customers?

 

[ksuromax]

Great points.
I think you're just fine. And, your comments helped us have a really meaty conversation. IMHO I think you are expressing what most of us feel.

That no one should think they are better or worse because of a thing dangling on someone's arm.

That we grieve that there are people who don't have the necessities and sometimes (even when we give and volunteer) feel a little guilt that we have the excess to dither over our luxuries.

And that we can't stand the "systems" by which some people are prevented from participating in wealth building simply because of class, caste, race, gender, etc.

Like is said, I think it's good for us to think about these things. It's easy to get insulated.
I hope you and your fam feel better soon!

as long as we bravely face all these questions and find the guts to give brave and honest answers i think we are fine

 

[Sparkletastic]

Ok. I am going to HAVE to spend quality time in Bottega Venetta and find a way to spend time with Hermes bags. I keep hearing on TPF that the quality is superior. And I have no opinion because I've only held one of each of the brands' bags in my hands for maybe 3 minutes total.

Dior & Gucci are my standards for great quality. So, I'll be eyeballing BV & H to see what's up.

 

[ksuromax]

Ok. I am going to HAVE to spend quality time in Bottega Venetta and find a way to spend time with Hermes bags. I keep hearing on TPF that the quality is superior. And I have no opinion because I've only held one of each of the brands' bags in my hands for maybe 3 minutes total.

Dior & Gucci are my standards for great quality. So, I'll be eyeballing BV & H to see what's up.

good luck and make sure you get to touch their cervo, either Loop or Hobo aka Baseball

 

[catsinthebag]

Ok. I am going to HAVE to spend quality time in Bottega Venetta and find a way to spend time with Hermes bags. I keep hearing on TPF that the quality is superior. And I have no opinion because I've only held one of each of the brands' bags in my hands for maybe 3 minutes total.

Dior & Gucci are my standards for great quality. So, I'll be eyeballing BV & H to see what's up.

I have to say, I was not really a BV fan until very recently. Mostly because I associated the brand with slouchy hobos, a style that doesn’t work for me. But they’ve come out with some styles that are really different and fabulous. I know you’re planning on looking at the Chain Tote. Check out the Piazza bag too while you’re at it — it’s like a Kelly, but the details are amazing.

I think you have to actually put your hands on a BV bag to “get” the quality. Funny story: I said to my DH yesterday that I know he doesn’t really like my new Chain Tote — he hadn’t commented on it and I know his preference is for smaller, more structured bags (eg, Chanel flaps and H Kellys). He said, “Well, it’s growing on me. At least it’s not a a shapeless sack!” I told him to go feel the bag up, especially the suede lining. He put his hand inside the bag, smiled, and said, “It feels like a bunny’s nose!” Lol!

 

[bakeacookie]

Something that was said many times over but is really starting to sink in, is when you buy a new bag for an occasion that you already have a similar bag for that use. I through this sale season have not bought quite a few bags because it would mean less usage of the one I already have. How many small black bags with chains do I need for example. One with silver chain and one with gold should be good enough. This thought has been helping me really choose wiser on what I buy and what I keep. What statements are helping keep your bag shopping under control.

Shopping our closet first has been helping, otherwise I would’ve bought so much more bags for specific occasions.

Shop closet first has been keeping me under control. That and nothing much out there tops what I have to work for me.

 

[catsinthebag]

I have been thinking about this the whole day today...
first of all yes, probably 'racism' was a quick choice of word, not truly representing the thought behind, sorry for that, if it sounded odd, i didn't mean it.
What i have come to is maybe i have first symptoms of middle age crisis?
something is going on in the subconscious and my system of values is getting re-assessed??
or, it's a way of transformation from hungry buyer into content user??

I feel like I’m thinking about these issues a lot too, lately. I think it’s exacerbated because of the hoildays — there’s nothing like gift buying and receiving to make you think about what you have,

DH and I are having a much smaller Christmas this year, by choice — we both kind of looked at each other and said, “We have so much, not only is there nothing we need, there’s really nothing we want.” Which is an interesting place to hit upon in your life! We feel very lucky, but it is kind of weird to be heading into Christmas with no wants for me or lists of wants from him.

I hope this is part of, as you put it, a transformation from hungry buyer to content user. Realistically, there will probably always be bags I will want. But I do think the hunger is a lot less than it used to be, and that’s a good feeling.

 

[dcooney4]

I wish you had taken a photo. Lol!
Yes. two sets of handles. I don't like the look. And one set is always too short with the other too long.

Ah. I understand now. I was thinking one of the brands' reps had said something stupid.

Interesting POV. Maybe more classist than racist??

Just to offer a different perspective. I think the bag brands are "fair" in that anyone (regardless of race or class or gender or shoe size) who has the money and interest can buy a bag.

And, designer bags aren't necessary by any stretch - they're a treat. So, I don't see anything wrong with companies charging whatever they can get away with. Or with them marketing the bags as exclusive or luxury... or even silly, wicked or frumpy or whatever if that branding sells more. It's like Lexus v Toyota. The Lexus isn't really "worth" as much more as the price gap represents. So we could call it unjustifiably overpriced. But, there is value in the brand / badge.

And, really all the premier bags whether they be Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Venetta, Prada, etc. are "overpriced", exclusive, luxury, elitist, special snowflake brands. And the contemporary brands are also that to a slightly lesser extent. None of the bags are positioned as egalitarian / for the common man / for the disenfranchised in their messaging or priced according to materials and labor alone. And veeeeeery few have original or proprietary designs. Flaps, hobos, clutches, satchels...they're all quite similar. things are tweaked or a brand puts their signature twist like Prada's saffy leather on their items. But rarely is anything ground breaking.

We just all buy into the hype for our chosen brand at our psychologically comfy price point. I just sometimes have a moment where my brains says NOPE! This is nutty! I'm there right now so all prices seem insane. But I'm sure this clarity will recede the minute I see the next bag I "must" have.