Actually, I think these categories are pretty spot on!
Did you stop buying/using contemporary bags once you go luxury?
- Thread starter happy27
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Of course, that's your prerogative to see it differently from most. But, it's listed as premier on TPF. And, while PS isn't one of my favorite brands, I do think it's approach to / uniqueness of style and the level of quality does set it apart from contemporary brands.
To add my own rogue opinion of a classification, I think what Coach is doing lately with its materials and designs would make it a "contemporary plus" brand. The styles don't work for me personally but, I have to give high 5's for materials and quality given the price point.
I had asked once on TPF how these designations were determined and didn't get an answer. It's probably not worth the time of serious thought but, (offering it for giggles) I think there could be 5 categories. Thinking of a brand's handbag offerings only:
- Super Premier: Hermes, Dior, Chanel, etc.
- Premier: Prada, Jimmy Choo, etc.
- Super Contemporary: Coach, etc.
- Contemporary: Michael Kors, Kate Spade, etc.
- Sub Contemporary: Calvin Klein, etc.
- Novelty: Guess, etc.
We could debate which brands belonged where or if even another category is needed and it would be a lot of fun. But, ultimately we'd struggle to reach any kind of consensus as we all tend to over value elements of our favorite brands while undervaluing elements of brands we don't buy or like. And, the argument of whether a brand like Hermes is "worth" the price or whether a brand like Coach or Dooney is "just as good" has been done to death on TPF.LOL!
Yes, it's pricier than contemporary, not as mass produced, but it's def not a luxury brand as I said, therefore I mentioned it along wih Rebeca Minkoff.
Fashion industry has official names for the categories.
Discount
Budget or Mass Market
Moderate
Contemporary
Better
Bridge
Designer
Haute Couture
This is way off topic, so that's my last response
Yes, I'm aware. But, thanks for sharing to add to the dialogue.Yes, it's pricier than contemporary, not as mass produced, but it's def not a luxury brand as I said, therefore I mentioned it along wih Rebeca Minkoff.
Fashion industry has official names for the categories.
Discount
Budget or Mass Market
Moderate
Contemporary
Better
Bridge
Designer
Haute Couture
This is way off topic, so that's my last response
Staying in the TPF universe, however. I still haven't heard how / why we have the premier & contemporary designations found here.
But, I will add that while you mentioned price, I don't think that's the best indicator of much of anything...except how badly our pockets will or won't be assaulted.
I like having several bags in rotation to match my clothes, so I tend to have a fixed number of bags at any given time. I usually replace one if I get bored of the style or the bag breaks, whichever comes first.
To answer your question, I think I subconsciously stopped buying contemporary brands because of this mindset of “buying what I need”, and since my premier brand bags are holding up well I don’t see the need to buy styles that might not be as versatile.
I am, however, absolutely in love with Kate Spade’s owl bags, though I don’t know if I should buy a bag I’ll probably get bored of after a couple of uses haha
To answer your question, I think I subconsciously stopped buying contemporary brands because of this mindset of “buying what I need”, and since my premier brand bags are holding up well I don’t see the need to buy styles that might not be as versatile.
I am, however, absolutely in love with Kate Spade’s owl bags, though I don’t know if I should buy a bag I’ll probably get bored of after a couple of uses haha
I recently sold my only premier designer bag (YSL college). Sometimes I regret it but it was so expensive and I often found I felt uncomfortable carrying it because of the comments I get about carrying even Coach bags. I previously stated we shouldn't care what people think but if I have to go to my place of work 5 days a week, I don't think I could stand any other comments about how I spend my money from people, including my management.
I'm comfortable most with Coach, Kate Spade and Tory Burch. I recently got an MCM tote that no one recognized so it is fine.
I'm comfortable most with Coach, Kate Spade and Tory Burch. I recently got an MCM tote that no one recognized so it is fine.
I recently bought my first expensive luxury bag (LV Speed B 30 in Damier) and I find myself not switching over to my other bags anymore. It's kind of a bummer, but every time I go to switch I find myself wanting to go back to it. I even recently got a coach bag I had been wanting for a while, but I don't find myself wanting to switch. I'm usually a switch at least every 2 weeks person and it's been since September. It's kind of a bummer none of my other bags are going to use. 
I'm firmly in the camp of not caring what others think...
...except in the workplace.
A (somewhat regrettable) part of career success comes from cultural fit. So unless an article of clothing supports my career, I'm not wearing it on the job. I have all of my free time to be a fashion free spirit.
Or...isn't it wonderful that you've found a bag you love so much!I recently bought my first expensive luxury bag (LV Speed B 30 in Damier) and I find myself not switching over to my other bags anymore. It's kind of a bummer, but every time I go to switch I find myself wanting to go back to it. I even recently got a coach bag I had been wanting for a while, but I don't find myself wanting to switch. I'm usually a switch at least every 2 weeks person and it's been since September. It's kind of a bummer none of my other bags are going to use.
I understand this. I sold my last LV bag (a Neverfull MM in monogram canvas) for a multitude of reasons, one of which was feeling uncomfortable bringing an ostentatious bag to work. While not the main reason, it definitely factored in with my decision to kick it out of my collection. I’d rather you hand me one of my Longchamp Le Pliages for work and travel over carrying an LV.
I know when I first started buying designer handbags (early 20s), wearing premier was important to me. Lately I’ve become a little more self-conscious with wearing ostentatious labels and would much rather wear something that is less ostentatious or, if there is a monogram, something that isn’t well-known (like Faure Le Page).
On another side note, there are just some premier brands that are too fussy to deal with for my everyday lifestyle and would much rather carry on special occasions. Like Chanel. I love my Chanel bag, but I would only carry it on special outings as the lambskin is too delicate for my everyday wear and tear. I can’t even bring myself to buy a Chanel SLG since they’re super expensive and I know I would have to baby it, even if it were caviar treated leather.
That said, I’ve been meaning to “upgrade” my Kate Spade card holder but after all the abuse I’ve put it through since buying it 2 years ago, it will not give up on me. I guess we’re meant to stay together forever
That’s very true! At the price tag I was so afraid I would be over it soon but I should be happy that anytime I use it it makes me happy still.
I have 4 Chanel classic flap bags, 2 Gucci bags, and 1 YSL flap. But the bags I use everyday are Furla bags and I like them because they're durable, weren't that expensive (but look really expensive), functional, fit lots (I can overstuff them without worry), and I wear them to work where people won't flip out if I walked in with a premier bag. Besides I save my premier bags for parties and events so that they stay pristine but that's just me though!
It was late twenties for me (I was a SAHM for 6 years in my early to mid twenties, basically right out of college, so I was a late bloomer as an adult fashionista) but yeah, same. I cared so much and it gave me such a thrill. So that was all that was on my radar for several years.
But.... I just realized recently that I lost the thrill for those haute couture brands. If I still got the same thrill I would buy them, albeit fewer and mostly secondhand. I try to maximize the bag joy from available funds, and premier no longer gives me the thrill it once did, so it’s no longer worth the price difference to me.
I’m kind of sad about it. I wish I could get the same joy from contemporary bags that I do now but quadruple the excitement from premier brands to occasionally justify the price jump and buy one of those for an ultra bag thrill. It just doesn’t do it for me anymore, so I have to be happy with great thrills from great bags, but not premier thrills from premier bags. It’s a shame because that just narrows down my options.
I have a soft spot for Longchamp and Rebecca Minkoff, so I still buy those bags. However, they are usually for niche purposes. For instance, I just bought the Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack in the textured leather because I didn’t have a nice backpack for going out with the kids. The leather is divine. But whenever I can choose a premiere bag, I will do so. The only exception is at certain work meetings when I want to stay under the radar, and then I will use my Longchamp Roseau tote.
