Designer Brands You Will Never Buy

[lenarmc]

I own a Chanel and don't plan on purchasing another. I love it but haven't worn it over three months. I'm not even sure why. I bought an $80 leather bag (Joelle Hawkens) that I've been carrying for almost a month. The last three bags that I've bought have been from lower end designers but still leather (my top requirement). I reach for them and haven't carried a premiere brand in months. Still, not sure why. Haven't thought about it until reading this thread.

1. Chanel. My Chanel is from 2009, and I love it. Haven't seen anything from the brand lately that I want.
2. Balenciaga. My Balenciaga is from 2007, and the leather is gorgeous. The newest ones feel like plastic to me.
3. Coach. I was treated poorly in a Coach boutique 5 years ago and haven't bought one since. I do, however own vintage pieces that I will never get rid of. They're too rare.
4. Louis Vuitton. I always see bags that I like but not enough to purchase. I own a pouchette accessoires from 2001 and paid $150. I'm flabbergasted that this same clutch is now $500.
5. Marc Jacobs. I used to love this brand until I saw the latest offerings. Too young for my taste. I do own tow of the multi-pocket bags. Wish he would go back and modernize some of his earlier bags.

 

[alansgail]

I own a Chanel and don't plan on purchasing another. I love it but haven't worn it over three months. I'm not even sure why. I bought an $80 leather bag (Joelle Hawkens) that I've been carrying for almost a month. The last three bags that I've bought have been from lower end designers but still leather (my top requirement). I reach for them and haven't carried a premiere brand in months. Still, not sure why. Haven't thought about it until reading this thread.

1. Chanel. My Chanel is from 2009, and I love it. Haven't seen anything from the brand lately that I want.
2. Balenciaga. My Balenciaga is from 2007, and the leather is gorgeous. The newest ones feel like plastic to me.
3. Coach. I was treated poorly in a Coach boutique 5 years ago and haven't bought one since. I do, however own vintage pieces that I will never get rid of. They're too rare.
4. Louis Vuitton. I always see bags that I like but not enough to purchase. I own a pouchette accessoires from 2001 and paid $150. I'm flabbergasted that this same clutch is now $500.
5. Marc Jacobs. I used to love this brand until I saw the latest offerings. Too young for my taste. I do own tow of the multi-pocket bags. Wish he would go back and modernize some of his earlier bags.

Your #3 resonated with me. I wish more retailers understood the impact that poor service can have on their business! Many customers just can't get over poor treatment and many never go back.
Customer service is #1 and what people will remember most from their shopping/dining experience, doesn't matter if it was from a McDonalds or a 5 star restaurant, a Forever 21 store or a Chanel boutique. Treat people well and they will keep shopping with you, tick them off and they most probably will never return....but only after venting to everyone that they know how they were mis-treated.

 

[anthrosphere]

Speaking of Marc Jacobs, his newer bag prices are ridiculously high now. I remember seeing his "Wingman" tote at Nordstrom that had all of these tacky embellishments on the front of it (pins, chains, charms, etc), that costs $800-$900. I rather buy a Coach 1941 bag with that money. I mean seriously, the wingman totes looked like an art project or a bag a child can make in their bedroom. Paying almost $1000 for that is a bit too excessive, I think.

I miss his old, more simplistic affordable line like the Natasha, Classic Q Hiller, etc. His Gotham leather bags are nice, though. Especially the saddle bag. But they don't have the same charm as his old bags.

Oh and lastly, what is up with Marc's new "J" logo on his Gotham bags? Those are hideous.

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

. I feel I can buy better quality bags from sellers on Etsy. I have several bags from them and the quality is amazing. All handmade in USA and beautiful in person. Plus I like supporting small businesses and getting a one-of-a-kind bag that no one will carry. I still have a couple LV's but I won't carry them that much anymore. Etsy bags all the way.

This!

 

[Summerfriend]

Speaking of Marc Jacobs, his newer bag prices are ridiculously high now. I remember seeing his "Wingman" tote at Nordstrom that had all of these tacky embellishments on the front of it (pins, chains, charms, etc), that costs $800-$900. I rather buy a Coach 1941 bag with that money. I mean seriously, the wingman totes looked like an art project or a bag a child can make in their bedroom. Paying almost $1000 for that is a bit too excessive, I think.

I miss his old, more simplistic affordable line like the Natasha, Classic Q Hiller, etc. His Gotham leather bags are nice, though. Especially the saddle bag. But they don't have the same charm as his old bags.

Oh and lastly, what is up with Marc's new "J" logo on his Gotham bags? Those are hideous.

View attachment 3449922

I just can't even with this tote.

I do seem to remember, though, that Marc Jacobs bags weren't much more affordable, even before? I feel like my Blake satchel back in 2004-ish was around $900.

 

[deleted5682]

Speaking of Marc Jacobs, his newer bag prices are ridiculously high now. I remember seeing his "Wingman" tote at Nordstrom that had all of these tacky embellishments on the front of it (pins, chains, charms, etc), that costs $800-$900. I rather buy a Coach 1941 bag with that money. I mean seriously, the wingman totes looked like an art project or a bag a child can make in their bedroom. Paying almost $1000 for that is a bit too excessive, I think.

I miss his old, more simplistic affordable line like the Natasha, Classic Q Hiller, etc. His Gotham leather bags are nice, though. Especially the saddle bag. But they don't have the same charm as his old bags.

Oh and lastly, what is up with Marc's new "J" logo on his Gotham bags? Those are hideous.

View attachment 3449922

I just can't even with this tote.

I do seem to remember, though, that Marc Jacobs bags weren't much more affordable, even before? I feel like my Blake satchel back in 2004-ish was around $900.

The prices are overall much cheaper now. It's all one line now rather than separated by MBMJ and collection like it used to be.

I was a huge MJ collection fan (it's all I own) and I'm still on the fence about new MJ. Some styles are definitely hideous (like that tote) but there were usually bags in a season that made me go WTF. The chipped studs collection is slowly making me come around, and the Recruit one, for example, is less expensive at $495 than even some MBMJ bags used to be, never mind collection.

 

[Summerfriend]

The prices are overall much cheaper now. It's all one line now rather than separated by MBMJ and collection like it used to be.

I was a huge MJ collection fan (it's all I own) and I'm still on the fence about new MJ. Some styles are definitely hideous (like that tote) but there were usually bags in a season that made me go WTF. The chipped studs collection is slowly making me come around, and the Recruit one, for example, is less expensive at $495 than even some MBMJ bags used to be, never mind collection.

View attachment 3450301

Oh, I see! Thanks for clarifying! I've definitely noticed when I stroll through Nordstrom that there do seem to be cheaper bags, and I have been confused about where the MJ/MBMJ line was.

I've had both a Marc Jacobs collection bag (the $900 one) and an MBMJ bag that was about $300 in 2009 or so, and I loved them both. Both very high quality. Nothing from recent years has really grabbed me, though! The style just isn't as distinctive anymore, it seems.

 

[preciousl]

Mcm logo bags- looks too busy. I wouldn't mind their Milla though. It looks really good.

 

[LV.NYC]

I never say never. While a certain brand (ex Chanel, Hermes, Celine) might not interest me now in terms of styles,etc, that does not mean that they won't make a bag some time in the future that I just have to get. I am mostly focusing on high end here, but it could apply to contamporary (mid-range) and lower end bags as well. I am personally not a huge fan of Chanel, Hermes, or Celine. Their styles don't really mesh with my personal style. But who is to say that several years down the road if I will still be into the same style or that they won't release bags that DO work with my personal style. I recently bought a new Burberry bag after steering clear of the brand for over 10 years. Their styles didn't match mine but I do really like the Small Alchester bag (similar to LV Speedy) so I bought that one. Never say never.

I'm not brand specific, nor a label snob. I buy into the style, design, quality and durability. I don't discriminate but these traits are normally found in luxury brands.

 

[LV.NYC]

Speaking of Marc Jacobs, his newer bag prices are ridiculously high now. I remember seeing his "Wingman" tote at Nordstrom that had all of these tacky embellishments on the front of it (pins, chains, charms, etc), that costs $800-$900. I rather buy a Coach 1941 bag with that money. I mean seriously, the wingman totes looked like an art project or a bag a child can make in their bedroom. Paying almost $1000 for that is a bit too excessive, I think.

I miss his old, more simplistic affordable line like the Natasha, Classic Q Hiller, etc. His Gotham leather bags are nice, though. Especially the saddle bag. But they don't have the same charm as his old bags.

Oh and lastly, what is up with Marc's new "J" logo on his Gotham bags? Those are hideous.

View attachment 3449922

I know what you mean but the 1941 also has some wacky designs too...

 

[papertiger]

Not just the label. High end designers also usually have better design and / or are the originators in design innovation. And they often have other features (like leather linings, etc. that you can't get in a contemporary bag. Other factors: the premiere brands give wonderful shopping experiences. I don't like shopping so I like to dart in and out of a boutique but some people feel it's worth it to pay for that feeling and even to have a relationship with an SA that dotes on them. Others pay the extra for nice(r) repair policies.

So, no the materials themselves absolutely aren't worth the price differential. And the brand cache is certainly part of the package. But the price differential for luxe handbags is about more than just about the label.

+1. Even high end designer bags made from the highest quality leathers, furs and exotics aren't worth the exorbitant prices we pay...it's all about the label.

I think you're both correct. The lower-priced (relatively speaking) 'standard' bags are sold at a much higher higher mark-up, these provide the bulk of company's turnover, and even though already hugely overpriced (due to rents/ads/campaigns/etc) those standard bags often subsidize the higher quality exotic bags which bring the label prestige. You prob already know it's all based on an old pyramid marketing model. Brand by brand they watch their competitors as closely as their own costs.

Regardless, all products are based on what they think the bag's target market within a brand will pay/tolerate (and that includes not going too low on price even at entry level, as most people equate a cheaper full retail price with lesser product/kudos) and has almost nothing to do with materials plus labour wherever the products are made. You can see how this psychological phenomenon that marketing uses (and encourages with false game tactics like sales/discounts/Ltd Eds etc) in all retail strategies.

There are brands I wouldn't buy from or buy from again. Some are so far from my terms of ref I don't even think about, sometimes it's just because style-wise we have parted company long ago (including MJ). There are also times when I like a lot of things around but know I already have bags that are better/suit me more, it takes one 'ell of a bag to sweep me off my feet these days

 

[Lena186]

Bulgari Serpenti forever bags, due to bag experience

 

[kbell]

Hate saying never but... Hermes.
A) the price &
B) haven't seen one item I liked enough from them to pay the asking price.

And longchamp - I literally see minimum one (usually more) of those nylon totes every time I get on or off the Subway when I commute to work. Every. Single. Time.

I don't love logos but for some reason I love LV mono... I can't help myself. I guess I see it as more like a classic neutral luggage pattern than screaming logo. And the prices are high for coated canvas & leather yes - but they're pretty much indestructible. I've got many retired bags that are pretty young, originally great quality leather, but still just worn out. Leather wears... can't be helped especially if you don't baby your things and mine take abuse. But all my old LV canvas items still look fab. They'll all last 20+ years I'm sure. And even if you're not into mono, and the logo trend comes & goes, that LV pattern has been around for decades & will be for decades more which makes it timeless.

 

[Lejic]

Hate saying never but... Hermes.
A) the price &
B) haven't seen one item I liked enough from them to pay the asking price.

And longchamp - I literally see minimum one (usually more) of those nylon totes every time I get on or off the Subway when I commute to work. Every. Single. Time.

I don't love logos but for some reason I love LV mono... I can't help myself. I guess I see it as more like a classic neutral luggage pattern than screaming logo. And the prices are high for coated canvas & leather yes - but they're pretty much indestructible. I've got many retired bags that are pretty young, originally great quality leather, but still just worn out. Leather wears... can't be helped especially if you don't baby your things and mine take abuse. But all my old LV canvas items still look fab. They'll all last 20+ years I'm sure. And even if you're not into mono, and the logo trend comes & goes, that LV pattern has been around for decades & will be for decades more which makes it timeless.

For Hermes I partially agree. I do like the Evelyne and if I start earning significantly more I can see myself getting one. Just that bag though, nothing else.

For Longchamp - I didn't see it often until I went to Germany. It was like people would get fined if they didn't wear one or something. I was so, so surprised. It's a nice bag but seeing hundreds in a day was... weird.

 

[Ludmilla]

For Longchamp - I didn't see it often until I went to Germany. It was like people would get fined if they didn't wear one or something. I was so, so surprised. It's a nice bag but seeing hundreds in a day was... weird.

[emoji3] Yes, you see them a lot around here. I think I see at least 5-10 during the day.