designer bags the new symbol of success..??

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#46
This has been an interesting thread to read! I live in Canada and most of the people I know don't really care about handbags. They may know the obvious ones with logos. So when I carry my bags, no one really notices. The only ones who notice are the SAs in Holt Renfrew but when I walk in the mall, no one even glances. So I don't think I buy bags to show I'm successful or better than others, I buy them because I love to buy bags. I guess I like to collect them, I'm happy just looking at them in the closet.:love:

It must be hereditary because my mom has a thing for bags. I guess I just took the obsession a notch higher:laugh:
 
#47
Hmmm...
I don't think carrying a bag makes someone feel "superior" to themselves. And as asl_bebes mentioned, not everyone notices handbags.

If I were to buy a Hermes Kelly, for instance, it'd be maybe... to say I've "made it"? Not to others, but to say "I've worked hard, this is what I want, and I deserve this" to myself. Its all relative - my father is OBSESSED with stereo equipment but can't understand my purse fetish. And vice versa.
 
#48
This is interesting! I wear my bags but don't disuss them or talk about them much. They really are just for me. They personally are another symbol of my success. It is satisfying to me to recall days in law school, where I ate spaghetti for a week to now being able to but five LV pieces at once! But again its a personal satisfaction.
 
#49
stussybaby_88 said:
hey everyone....

im kinda new to this whole purse forum thingy but does everyone here have a handbag fettish?:idea:

im curently carrying out some research on designer brands and whether women work towards owning an authentic, exclusive, beautiful handbag just once in their life. Has the designer bag become the symbol of success? When you finally own one will you feel like your superior to others because you can afford a luxury that only the wealthy, rich and famous have access to everyday.

Any ideas, thoughts or feedback would be awesome!!

toodlez xox:love:
Click to expand...
Have you read about SRI's Values and Lifestyle study on the different kinds of consumers? The achievers, the belongers, the emulators, the socially conscious, etc?

I think people who buy high-end handbags can probably only be classified as achievers or emulators. And reading about the behaviors of those two groups could probably give you a lot of insight into the people who buy designer handbags and why they buy them. Good luck with your project.
 
#52
Kat said:
I am 43 years old and I respectfully disagree with you. For example ... The Fendi Spy bag is supposedly an "IT" bag and costs $2075. I could not find a honey one anywhere near me. I wound up ordering it online from Saks. Well, after seeing in person I've decided it is too large for me. I am returning it tomorrow. Now, if all I cared about was impressing people I'd just keep it and use it no matter what. I buy what I like. It really is that simple. I am fortunate to be able to buy a high-end bag if I like it. The satisfaction I get is purely from my enjoyment, not trying to impress others with what I have. That's just my two cents.;)
Click to expand...

The point is that you did order it to look at it. Why the Spy? Because of its popularity. As I said before, women do not keep something solely because it is popular, but popularity and "status" do "guide our eyes" and lead us to look and appreciate certain things rather than others.

I agree that quality is important. Jones New York is making some great leather bags lately, as is Calvin Klein. Why are we not jazzed about these bags? Crazy about them like nothing else? Why are we talking about the Muse, the Paddigton, the B Bag, the Gaucho? Why not something less expensive? Is it true that nothing below $500 is well made anymore?
 
#53
Eskimo said:
kat- i'm not saying that people will buy something they don't like just because it's an "it" bag. i had a similar experience to yours where i was with my mother at madison and she bought a fendi spy bag and i opted not to get one because i'm not in love with the bag. however, i am saying that if there is an it bag that you like out there, people tend to justify to themselves spending the money (even people who do not necessarily have the money to spend) because it's and it bag, and they want to be able to show it off.

i am basing my conclusion on the way people in la/beverly hills act, and i cannot for sure say it's the same case everywhere. but in a city where people are judged mainly on looks, style, and money, people are willing to shell out a ton of cash just to prove they have it. i on the other hand buy my expensive handbags (err...well, my mother buys them, but i choose them) based on what i like, but i will admit that i like to show them off as well.
Click to expand...


Completely agree. :)
 
#54
pseub said:
BH may be like that (I've never seen as many Hermés bags being carried as when I was in Barney's a couple of weeks ago), but IMO the vast majority of folks who live in LA are neither rich nor celebs, and don't go ga-ga over status bags or clothes or cars or whatever. LA is very much a "do your own thing" kind of town, fashionwise, IMO. Walk around Santa Monica or Venice or on Melrose, and what you see people wearing and carrying really runs the gamut from shlump to thrift store chic to designer and everything in between.
Click to expand...

I lived in L.A. for two years in Westwood near Beverly Hills. I will never ever be the same. Neither will my bank acount. One day a new friend showed me her Coach and 7 Jeans. Then, suddenly, walking around, all I could see were Coaches and 7 jeans. Suddenly I felt like there was this hidden dialog this whole time I had not even been aware of. Sadly, we live in a world where even the squiggle on our jean butt cheek says something to people!
 
#55
It would be an interesting test to challenge bloggers to find a purse that is under $400 that they think is as cool as a high end Spy or Muse. Is it just because they are not made as well, I think some of them are made pretty well. Is it because they are more creative, some less expensive bags are also creative. Maybe we just can't think of any less expensive bags that are just as cool because we never look for them? Banana Republic anyone?
 
#56
So, what is so terrible about wanting to show off? Everyone shows off something: a new hairdo, a trip they have just planned, a new outfit, a cute boyfriend - whatever - it is the human condition and we are it. And we are fine. It's fun to have something special that you are proud of - This forum is fun and a great interacting experience. A blog on an average item would not fly - the reason this is enjoyable is beacause we are exchanging ideas on an exciting topic (for us) beautiful, quality made and yes, expensive handbags.(just for what they are, not a symbol) Some of us don't buy thousand dollar bags but we are here together, sharing, learning and laughing!
 
#58
pseub said:
Actually, quite a few people here have posted about and bought BR bags. One of my current favorite bags is from BR (Bloomsbury hobo).
Click to expand...

I remember they were having a problem with one of their bags where the strap kept breaking off.

I actually think their bags are getting better but I think that is because they are copying from designer bags.

Banana.jpg

Gucci 3.jpg

Banana 2.jpg

NMV7343_mn.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top