At the moment (because this could change) I know I would not buy the following:
1) Hermes. Yes, I know that they are painstakingly crafted by hand. But I think 75% appeal of Hermes is due to the inordinately expensive price tag. When you are in a position to 1) spend that much money on a bag without blinking an eye or 2) spend your life saving money to buy a Birkin then you know your dedication to handbags is fierce. This is why there is such a loyal Hermes following. Hermes promotes an elitist mentality (the catalyst being the price tag and lack of availability)...heck, there's even a "waiting" list you have to be on. It is this mentality that drives 75% of their sales. Can any of us seriously say, after setting the sociology and emotional aspects aside, that a handbag is worth 3k? No, I imagine not. But then again, is my Chloe paddington - the actual piece of leather bag, not the stigma - worth $1600? No, it isn't. But buying a handbag has to do so much more than the actual piece of leather/canvas/lambskin sitting on our desk. It encompasses how it makes us feel (special, elitist, lucky, etc) and the "high" we have of owning it and how others perceive us. You can never place an amount of money on emotions and sentimentality and that is what designers capitalize on --- glamour, snobbiness and our subconscious susceptibility to it. So....can I convince myself at this moment that they are 3K beautiful? Not really.
That aside, the boxy shape of the bag does not appeal to me. It is very formal. It is somewhat matriarchal for my 25 years. When I see young women with Birkins I always think it dates them. Maybe when I am older I will come to appreciate them. But right now nothing about Hermes really appeals to me.
2) Coach, D&B. When I see these bags I think..."high school". Some of the designs are really beautiful (such as the suede fall 2005 satchels) but otherwise the overall brand of Coach and D&B is diluted by their price tag. Personally to be considered "premier" by industry status the price tag has to reflect that. I bet if they had raised their prices to a ridiculous level and made it publicly known they were $$$ more people would 1) own them and 2) covet them. Why? Because people will recognize the value of the bag and appreciate the fact that it's expensive over the fact that the design might be unattractive. Louis Vuitton monogram and Gucci logo bags are a perfect example of brands that capitalize on brand recognition equaling buying status. I think it is interesting that people can love LV monogram but hate Coach monogram. The shapes of some of the models are not that different....but it has a lot to do with branding and imaging. Many may not be a fan of LV monogram bags, but when you see an authentic one it does register in your head how $$$ the bag is....the you attach that subconscious recognition to the bag carrier. It's human nature. Some bags are purely status symbols. There is nothing wrong with this. Rolex and Hermes capitalizes on it. By the way, why would you name a brand to the 2nd rate seating in an airplane? Coach? Not that there is anything wrong with flying coach - I do it all the time....but to sell handbags with that name? Ack.
ush:
1) Hermes. Yes, I know that they are painstakingly crafted by hand. But I think 75% appeal of Hermes is due to the inordinately expensive price tag. When you are in a position to 1) spend that much money on a bag without blinking an eye or 2) spend your life saving money to buy a Birkin then you know your dedication to handbags is fierce. This is why there is such a loyal Hermes following. Hermes promotes an elitist mentality (the catalyst being the price tag and lack of availability)...heck, there's even a "waiting" list you have to be on. It is this mentality that drives 75% of their sales. Can any of us seriously say, after setting the sociology and emotional aspects aside, that a handbag is worth 3k? No, I imagine not. But then again, is my Chloe paddington - the actual piece of leather bag, not the stigma - worth $1600? No, it isn't. But buying a handbag has to do so much more than the actual piece of leather/canvas/lambskin sitting on our desk. It encompasses how it makes us feel (special, elitist, lucky, etc) and the "high" we have of owning it and how others perceive us. You can never place an amount of money on emotions and sentimentality and that is what designers capitalize on --- glamour, snobbiness and our subconscious susceptibility to it. So....can I convince myself at this moment that they are 3K beautiful? Not really.
That aside, the boxy shape of the bag does not appeal to me. It is very formal. It is somewhat matriarchal for my 25 years. When I see young women with Birkins I always think it dates them. Maybe when I am older I will come to appreciate them. But right now nothing about Hermes really appeals to me. 2) Coach, D&B. When I see these bags I think..."high school". Some of the designs are really beautiful (such as the suede fall 2005 satchels) but otherwise the overall brand of Coach and D&B is diluted by their price tag. Personally to be considered "premier" by industry status the price tag has to reflect that. I bet if they had raised their prices to a ridiculous level and made it publicly known they were $$$ more people would 1) own them and 2) covet them. Why? Because people will recognize the value of the bag and appreciate the fact that it's expensive over the fact that the design might be unattractive. Louis Vuitton monogram and Gucci logo bags are a perfect example of brands that capitalize on brand recognition equaling buying status. I think it is interesting that people can love LV monogram but hate Coach monogram. The shapes of some of the models are not that different....but it has a lot to do with branding and imaging. Many may not be a fan of LV monogram bags, but when you see an authentic one it does register in your head how $$$ the bag is....the you attach that subconscious recognition to the bag carrier. It's human nature. Some bags are purely status symbols. There is nothing wrong with this. Rolex and Hermes capitalizes on it. By the way, why would you name a brand to the 2nd rate seating in an airplane? Coach? Not that there is anything wrong with flying coach - I do it all the time....but to sell handbags with that name? Ack.
ush:
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Awesome post regarding Hermes...I agree...I really dont see why the Heremes bag costs so much yet has an old fashion, plain, and stiff look. I dont own one so I cant say much about quality but by what Ive seen, its not made tremendeously well compared to the LV (Damier collection is my Luv luv!) or others. It looks uncomfortable to carry..as I see so many ladies take their wallets out, some leave the closing parts open for comfort and it looks so messy...its very boxy and not very attractive on the hand. I just dont get it. 
