Brands you don't like/don't buy from/find personally to be overrated?

[pearlsnjeans]

For me, it is two ugly shades of brown. I hate the Gucci monogram too, and MK. I don't care for Coach or Fendi monograms, but they don't bother me as much as LV, MK and Gucci. Goyard's is pretty subtle.

I think the reason LV is singled out as the worst is because they are ubiquitous. I don't hang around the LV forum but it is my feeling from the people I know that buy LV, that the majority of purchases are of canvas items, maybe not all the LV monogram. I've looked at LV leather items too, and many have a monogram as well. Then they have that giant LV hardware on some bags.

Gucci and Fendi make bags in leather that I like. Surprisingly, the GG hardware doesn't bother me that much. My MK bag from several years ago came with a hanging MK charm that I removed so now it is logo free except for the lining. The recent leather MK bags I've see all have a giant logo on them so even if I liked the style, I would pass. Coach is doing that a lot now too. My older Coach bags don't have a logo at all, or have a more subtle or smaller one.

Yeah, the two ugly brown colors... which probably remind people a lot of... you know. I just think the dislike for LV is kinda cute and endearing for some weird reason. People hate it but lots of people own it! It's a very curious thing~

I think Goyard pattern reminds me of Tessellations! Almost mathematical and 3D-like.

 

[MyAwesomeFinds]

"Entry Level Luxury." I wonder if there's a psychological analysis to this phrase. It's just fascinating why certain brands fall under this category, but not others. Although, it's really subjective and based on a person's experience. But why does being and entry level luxury deemed negative?

Those are just rhetorical questions. But I get what you mean. They're like the "Coach" of high end designers.

Well I think you can say LV falls under it because they have the lowest entry point for a bag by a premier designer--a NF is about $1k. So someone who wants a premier designer bag but can't afford one from another brand can get an LV NF.

 

[N.M.Nevuhmynd]

I could see that for Chanel b/c it's the most expensive other than Hermes, but LV is entry level luxury.

I think the reason LV is singled out as the worst is because they are ubiquitous.

"Entry Level Luxury." I wonder if there's a psychological analysis to this phrase. It's just fascinating why certain brands fall under this category, but not others. Although, it's really subjective and based on a person's experience. But why does being and entry level luxury deemed negative?

It's considered aspirational. Like you are trying to prove you have "made it" or are wealthy.

I'm getting the same way with CL. The early stuff was terrific .. unusual, groundbreaking in a way. But now, they seem to be everywhere. Anyone who is even a marginal celebrity just has to be pictured with a visible red sole.

The days of the Pinup Clichy, Anemone Pigalle and Vampanodo are long gone in favor of studs and spikes.

 

[pearlsnjeans]

It's considered aspirational. Like you are trying to prove you have "made it" or are wealthy. If you really are wealthy and have been for some time, you might not feel you have prove anything. You buy things because you like them not because of the status they confer on you. Of course, that is what everyone who buys expensive things says. They like them, they aren't buying them for status, but that is what it looks like to some people.

I read a thread in Hermes once where a woman bought her first Hermes and mentioned that she got it partly as a sign that she was successful and had made it to the top of her profession. Posters really trashed her for that.

I remember reading that thread. It was interesting to read posts from both sides... Had the OP's reason for buying the Hermés bag been different, would the reaction from the other posters been more positive?

Perhaps, there's also an unspoken rule about what one's reason for buying a bag: Buy it because it wanted/liked, not because it's a trophy to show off.

Well I think you can say LV falls under it because they have the lowest entry point for a bag by a premier designer--a NF is about $1k. So someone who wants a premier designer bag but can't afford one from another brand can get an LV NF.

Ah, the Neverfull... I notice this bag seems to irritate a lot of people... I have to admit I dislike this particular bag because I see it everywhere where I live (although I note its merits because it seems easy to use).
--------

Just my takeaway from the discussions:

As more people gravitate toward a certain brand, the novelty wears off for some because exclusivity is what makes something/certain brands desirable. Perhaps, the desirability of the brand goes away as it starts to cater to celebrities; when the brand/company's purpose becomes more about selling and making money versus creating something beautiful and exclusive.

 

[pearlsnjeans]

I really don't like Gucci. I personally think a lot of their designs look a bit tacky and overdone. It's also so extremely popular and trendy right now, it kind of looses it's status to me. Not that owning luxury is really a status, I hope you know what I mean. It just gets a bit old right now

There are some Gucci items that I like, but I understand that Gucci's current designs can be too "in-your-face," almost desperate.

 

[OnlyasnobwhenitcomestoLV]

Here’s a different take...as a lifelong bargain shopper who now has a good job and the ability to support my family alone, save for my family’s future, and still have money for travel and occasional luxury items, I think it comes down to brand location. I’ve spent forever shopping in TJMaxx, Marshall’s and outlet stores and I can pick up a Michael Kors or Kate Spade in any one of them and add to my shopping cart along with my dish towels. Once upon a time, that felt like a big splurge and felt special. Now they often feel so plastic and supermarket. I still love those stores, but there’s difference psychologically about a brand that doesn’t come from a store with shopping carts.

 

[Melanie]

The only brands I will not consider are those who have condoned hate. I research all the brands that I purchase (not just clothing) and if a brand does something that completely goes against my values, I will not support that brand. Otherwise, while I may not particularly care for a brand, I have seen amazing looks created and respect personal fashion.

 

[ladysarah]

I think because most of them do have more subtle branding. Dior has a few items with a big Dior logo but it is not most of them by any means. Also several of the designers like dior, givenchy have a nice range of styles so that even if you don't like all of them you will like some of them. For example I love the givenchy antigona and horizon bags. I don't at all care for the design of the pandora bag but because there are enough other options I still love the brand.

That's a good point. Hermes though has subtle logos/stamp, (which btw stamp meant to be worn on the inside originally) yet many people dislike the brand.

 

[MyAwesomeFinds]

That's a good point. Hermes though has subtle logos/stamp, (which btw stamp meant to be worn on the inside originally) yet many people dislike the brand.

Hermes is in its own league for disdain. The pretense and games you have to play to get a birkin or kelly bag, and the fact that employees are trained to lie about product availability (this can be confirmed by reading employee reviews online) makes them worthy of some contempt. For those who simply don't like the designs (i.e. too plain) I don't think there's disdain. For who those who do really hate it, I think it's due to company practices.

 

[WingNut]

You might find that the buyers and the fashion experts completely disagree with you, she is extremely popular and considered super trendy. Yes the clothes are quite expensive, a bit too much for the wear I get out of them, so I usually don't buy them, but the cuts and designs are usually very good. She actually does what fashion should do, flatter the female shape. Far too many designers go totally nuts on ideas that might look great on a 6 foot 2 runway model with 120 lbs, but will look horrendous on anybody over a size 2.

This. I have a number of her dresses and while they are expensive, holy crap they give my very straight and narrow figure a boost! Same with Roland Mouret.

This is (with some caveats) a fun thread. I'd like to add my dislikes:

Anything mid-range (is this what you mean by "fast fashion?"): Ann Taylor, J Crew, etc. I find that the quality of their items has declined significantly in the last decade (or so) and anything I buy will last me one season max.
MK bags....Logos!
LV....too many fakes.
Anything not of natural materials (wool, silk, bamboo)
Stella McCarthy - bought a pair of her pants and they stretched and sagged and never regained shape.
New Gucci (their new designer needs to lay off the opium....makes my eyes hurt with all the fuss!) I'm much more of a Tom Ford-era Gucci girl...

I *used* think Hermes was old-fashioned and not for me, then I made the mistake of actually buying something. It is now the standard by which I measure cost-per-wear because their bags are solid/timeless/practical for me and I am NOT gentle with my things!

 

[raspberrypink]

I'm sorry about that haha .
But you have to agree that there are some similarities here, no [emoji3]?

I swear this was the exact image I had in my mind when I first saw this bag !
But pigs are super cute and highly intelligent....

 

[N.M.Nevuhmynd]

Can I add most celebrity signature brands? Seems like nearly anybody on TV or in movies has a brand of clothing. Of course most are very generic items with their name attached rather than things designed by them, or maybe even seen by them.

One exception which most of you will scoff at is Kathy Ireland. Low end, economy for sure, but generally decent stuff.

 

[mk1997]

Balenciaga: I like the Speed Trainers (super comfy), but those Triple S chunky shoes are horrible!
Chanel: quality is getting worse but prices continue to increase
Valentino: too many studs!
Michael Kors & Coach: not my cup of tea

 

[**Chanel**]

Somebody should send that set of pictures to the company.

These days I am not surprised anymore with crazy bag designs/shoes/fashion, so I wouldn't be surprised if this bag is actually pig nose inspired . So if someone would send that picture to the company, they might take it as a compliment .

I swear this was the exact image I had in my mind when I first saw this bag !
But pigs are super cute and highly intelligent....

Agree pigs can be very cute, but I rather see them in the wild haha .

 

[ladysarah]

Hermes is in its own league for disdain. The pretense and games you have to play to get a birkin or kelly bag, and the fact that employees are trained to lie about product availability (this can be confirmed by reading employee reviews online) makes them worthy of some contempt. For those who simply don't like the designs (i.e. too plain) I don't think there's disdain. For who those who do really hate it, I think it's due to company practices.

Oh I see. For the record though, I never had to pretend anything or play any games to get my Kelly. I think there is a genuine case of far too many people after too few bags. These are handmade and obviously H doesn't want to increase production to the point of market saturation.

It would make good business sense if I had a desirable product in limited quantities, I'd save it for my best clients. No?