Are people really no longer wearing their Chanel bags because others (mostly strangers) stare at them and whisper?

[lani15]

Wearing designer bags isn't appropriate for my workplace, but I work from home half of the week so I do have an opportunity to wear my bags. I'm much more comfortable wearing my mini reissue, WOC or my seasonal Chanel bags than my CF. Lately she's only coming out to weddings or a nice dinner. I feel uneasy wearing a bag that is now far more noticeable due to social media, and is selling for almost $10K. I prefer more under the radar bags, but I do have a few LV monogram pieces that are in my rotation.

I would like to point out that men often purchase expensive items (cars, trucks, tools, guns, collectibles, RVs, camping gear, sneakers, etc) and are rarely openly judged (here in the US anyway). These purchases are deemed to be a sign of success, not excess. An interesting sociological difference.

Don’t forget sneakers! I’ve dated a few men with collections worth thousands

 

[lani15]

I’m another person living in NYC. I have not noticed any staring and feel pretty comfortable wearing designer bags. There is so much Chanel around!

That being said my favorite Chanel is the reissue — so understated and practical. When I first started buying Chanel I worked in a job where everyone had nice bags so I wore Chanel almost everyday day usually a tote, GST or Cerf. Now I made a career change and bags with big logos are not appropriate. I save my classic flaps for evenings or weekends, but sometimes wear a reissue to work. I traded in the Chanel totes for a leather Garden Party and Celine cabas phantom for work.

I recently got a Constance 24 and it seems much more under the radar than the Chanel classic flaps despite the big H logo. I think the leather and metal chain on Chanel classic flaps is noticeable.

I take my son out to the Flushing/Queens area on weekends to play, and I shop in the Manhasset area on weekdays. I see more Hermes than Chanel. It's strange; there has definitely been a shift recently toward Hermes. I don't think anyone bats an eye at Chanel. Even Hermes, unless it is a unique color or style, people don't really care.

Thanks for the opinions in here New Yorkers

 

[Tykhe]

Thanks for the opinions in here New Yorkers

Lol I remember the first time I went to manhasset I was so impressed because I saw a pink Chanel flap. That was before Instagram and I thought back then that Chanel only made black bags. Oh how far things have come since then. Hah hah.

 

[PursePrincess]

In an ideal world, no one should feel the need to adjust what they wear based on the thoughts of others. I don't think we live in such a world, and I'd adjust lol.

In particular, my friends in the city come from all walks of life; that includes some who were laid off recently, and some who were scraping by to begin with. Although they would never want to make me feel uncomfortable for my fashion choices, and they heartily cheer on my career successes, I have no interest in wearing anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, including bags that now look like they cost ten thousand dollars(!)

A Chanel bag is just a bag, a piece of fashion. Being considerate to my friends and having a good time together means a lot more to me.

Unfortunately that is the reality of our increasingly hyper capitalist society and not wearing XYZ is not going to give anyone their job back, it's not going to put food on their table or lower their rent. What will do those things is the orgs we volunteer with, the political policies & politicians we support, the way we push back, which orgs we donate to, etc.. Anything else can just be said to appease our own sense of guilt or be performative and distract from truly impactful action we could take. Also, people who would feel bad or want you to not wear XYZ because they can't probably aren't real friends anyway. All that to say, I think it's a kind sentiment, but that's it. I think we should be concerned with how we can enjoy what we like, but also make the world more equitable for others.

To answer the OP, I never catch anyone staring or whispering. There are so many fakes and Chanel is so ubquitous I don't think folks are watching like that. Tho the other day someone was staring at me and whispering...to their mom about my $90 patent boots lol. My only curtail of what I wear is in relation to work or safety/location.

 

[PursePrincess]

Here‘s a thought: We are living in a handbag/designer/luxury bubble….

Many peolpe are so caught up in their own life, not able or willing to waste time on judging anybody based on the bag or accessories they wear (let alone notice and recognize items as authentic)

And the ones that DO … are also living in the bubble or would judge anybody for anything anyway. Nothing one can do about it.

But I agree with Swanky on the ‘appropriate’ place and time.

Well said! We are the center of our own universe and forget that we are not the center of everyone else's gaze. It's an understanbly easy thing to forget and perspective to slip into.

 

[Quinnatl]

I live in a small city and 95% of the people here don’t have a clue what a Chanel bag is or costs. So, I wear mine happily. But I also wear a 4 carat diamond solitaire while doing CrossFit, so I clearly just don’t care.

 

[Muffin_Top]

I live in a small city and 95% of the people here don’t have a clue what a Chanel bag is or costs. So, I wear mine happily. But I also wear a 4 carat diamond solitaire while doing CrossFit, so I clearly just don’t care.

4 carat.
Honestly, I didn't even know that could be possible !

 

[GraffS]

I’m really confused with these conversations. Why do I need to adjust anything with myself because of some issues in the world? I live in a safe city and wouldn’t live in a safe environment on my own choice. Yes, i have people around me with less income but it’s doesn’t mean I need to feel uncomfortable about it or making them feel uncomfortable about it.

 

[purpledress]

Whether my fears are valid or not, from a safety perspective I would feel really uncomfortable wearing designer bags out alone.

The prevalence of fakes around actually makes me feel more comfortable blending in.
I know I shouldn’t have to worry about safety but I’m wired this way and it’s hard to help it.

 

[audreylita]

This is assuming everyone is paying attention to the designer bag market, which bag looks like what, and the pricing, which most people are not. We are the minority on this blog, most people have no clue. All women use purses and there are look alikes on every level, everywhere. I wear my Chanels and Birkins, which is probably the most recognizable and most expensive, wear my bags everywhere, people do not look twice. I love my bags and use them. I don’t live my life concerned about what someone else may think or judge me on which purse I use, I had my purse stolen out from under my seat at a movie theatre years ago and it had nothing to do with the brand. Purse thieves are really opportunists.

 

[classybags4ever]

So I had a disturbing encounter today. I was walking in our nearby downtown (major metropolitan area in California, very well off) and a young woman sitting on a bench shouted snarkily, "Is your birkin real,"? Loudly with a smile. I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it and yes it was real, from Paris. She got really upset and told me to get away, she then said "get you and your f-ing van clefs necklace away from me." She noticed the necklace and the bag and was clearly very very angry. I walked away, but this encounter makes me think I may stick to my Chanel reissues. It does seem like more people know what these bags are and it may be dangerous given widening income inequality and just general anger in the US.

 

[prissymissy_]

So I had a disturbing encounter today. I was walking in our nearby downtown (major metropolitan area in California, very well off) and a young woman sitting on a bench shouted snarkily, "Is your birkin real,"? Loudly with a smile. I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it and yes it was real, from Paris. She got really upset and told me to get away, she then said "get you and your f-ing van clefs necklace away from me." She noticed the necklace and the bag and was clearly very very angry. I walked away, but this encounter makes me think I may stick to my Chanel reissues. It does seem like more people know what these bags are and it may be dangerous given widening income inequality and just general anger in the US.

Well at least she did her research. Sounds like a jealous troll. Sorry you had to deal with that!

 

[Loriad]

So I had a disturbing encounter today. I was walking in our nearby downtown (major metropolitan area in California, very well off) and a young woman sitting on a bench shouted snarkily, "Is your birkin real,"? Loudly with a smile. I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it and yes it was real, from Paris. She got really upset and told me to get away, she then said "get you and your f-ing van clefs necklace away from me." She noticed the necklace and the bag and was clearly very very angry. I walked away, but this encounter makes me think I may stick to my Chanel reissues. It does seem like more people know what these bags are and it may be dangerous given widening income inequality and just general anger in the US.

So sorry.....

 

[audreylita]

So I had a disturbing encounter today. I was walking in our nearby downtown (major metropolitan area in California, very well off) and a young woman sitting on a bench shouted snarkily, "Is your birkin real,"? Loudly with a smile. I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it and yes it was real, from Paris. She got really upset and told me to get away, she then said "get you and your f-ing van clefs necklace away from me." She noticed the necklace and the bag and was clearly very very angry. I walked away, but this encounter makes me think I may stick to my Chanel reissues. It does seem like more people know what these bags are and it may be dangerous given widening income inequality and just general anger in the US.

I had a similar thing happen years ago. Can’t remember where I was, but some woman asked very loudly, is that Birkin real? I looked her in the eye and said, no. She didn’t say another word and I walked away, real birkin in hand.

 

[Tuned83]

I live in London. I was mugged at the end of last year and had my phone stolen. Have lived in London for over 20 yrs on and off. Crime has definitely become more of an issue and I am definitely more mindful of what I wear and and where I wear it to.