Do designer bags go out of fashion?

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LucyMadrid

Sofa King Banned
Aug 17, 2017
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Do designer bags go out of fashion? Not the iconic bags, of course, but firms launch new items every year, high quality and durable. Could these models go out of fashion the next season or would they be a treasure to be worn "for ever"?. We can see at the resale market handbags which are more expensive that bought new, and, on the other hand, some other models are cheaper. Does this mean that we should buy new items every year to be added to our collection?
 
Everything goes out of fashion. It’s kind of the definition of fashion.
Style is another matter.

Do you think that an item "on fashion", designed by a well known designer and launched by a well known brand can have its own style apart of the fashion, and maintain its value as "artistic object? itself, is that what you mean?

I think design is an art and then there are the craftsmen, artists as well.
 
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Yes. An object can be timeless because of certain attributes ( usually well proportioned simplicity ) but even that can be in and out of fashion. That item will endure through all of the ups and downs of fashion.
I think more to the point, one develops a sense of their own style, their own taste. They develop an eye. And that will manifest in their clothing, in their choice of a car or even how they want their dog to be groomed.
I think one of the biggest challenges for a young person today is the struggle to develop their own point of view and their own sense of what is valuable. Social media makes it very difficult.
 
Yes. An object can be timeless because of certain attributes ( usually well proportioned simplicity ) but even that can be in and out of fashion. That item will endure through all of the ups and downs of fashion.
I think more to the point, one develops a sense of their own style, their own taste. They develop an eye. And that will manifest in their clothing, in their choice of a car or even how they want their dog to be groomed.
I think one of the biggest challenges for a young person today is the struggle to develop their own point of view and their own sense of what is valuable. Social media makes it very difficult.

I agree, maybe the economy is the answer. Luxury things have always existed and also other market, not so expensive, but good quality. Today clothing is cheap ( and rather bad quality) and young people do not appreciate anything but colorful shirts, jeans easy ton buy, easy to get rid of and so on. I don't think there is much interest to educate the youth into good taste, as good taste is usually expensive and salaries cannot afford this kind of market.
 
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But since were in the money section, I will answer your question a different way. No purse is really a financial investment. Hermes definitely holds it’s value. But compared to other true financial investments, I wouldn’t consider even that.
If you like a purse, just get it. In terms of what you pay for it, it starts decreasing in value the minute you walk out the door. Just like a car.
 
I was an art professor for many years and I do think you can encourage a young person to believe in their instinct towards beauty.
I don’t think that is related to the cost of things. But, I was in a unique position in that students came ready for that experience. They signed up (literally). If you have developed an eye you can go to a thrift store and make an outfit that would rival anything from a design house. I really mean that.
 
But since were in the money section, I will answer your question a different way. No purse is really a financial investment. Hermes definitely holds it’s value. But compared to other true financial investments, I wouldn’t consider even that.
If you like a purse, just get it. In terms of what you pay for it, it starts decreasing in value the minute you walk out the door. Just like a car.

Well, I am not talking about investment, but your own taste. The pleasure that an object can bring into your life, maybe a good handbag, a coat or a chinese vase. I buy a handbag not for fashion, not only to keep things inside, but for the bag itself, I pay for a masterpiece made by a good craftsman and which looks perfect. I do not know if I am expressing myself. That's the kind of thing which is timeless for me, as it's a delight to use it, keep my things inside, touch the materials...
 
I was an art professor for many years and I do think you can encourage a young person to believe in their instinct towards beauty.
I don’t think that is related to the cost of things. But, I was in a unique position in that students came ready for that experience. They signed up (literally). If you have developed an eye you can go to a thrift store and make an outfit that would rival anything from a design house. I really mean that.
That's an art, being able to develop your eye and compose an outfit from your own personality. All of us should have been taught to do so, also it also depends on your own talent and sensibility.
 
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Do designer bags go out of fashion? Not the iconic bags, of course, but firms launch new items every year, high quality and durable. Could these models go out of fashion the next season or would they be a treasure to be worn "for ever"?. We can see at the resale market handbags which are more expensive that bought new, and, on the other hand, some other models are cheaper. Does this mean that we should buy new items every year to be added to our collection?

Well, fashion magazines and websites would certainly tell us things go out of fashion. But they don't dictate what I love and wear. I'm not going to stop wearing a bag I love just because some strangers tell me it's 'out of fashion'. If you love a bag, it can be treasured and worn forever. If someone finds a new bag (or more than one) that they love every year - and can afford - then no reason for them not to buy a bag every year; or even every season. But if someone doesn't find a bag they love one year then I see no reason they should buy a bag they don't love just for the sake of buying a new 'fashionable' bag. Love this line from a book I read: "It was so fashionable as to be out of fashion five minutes later." Fashion changes fast. Style is timeless. A high quality bag in a great style could be worn for years and look gorgeous.
 
Trends we fall for more often when we are younger, style comes along when we have survived a multitude of trends. I believe from each decade, we could discern what works for our style and take that piece and make it ours. I cannot say that there has been a period where everything that decade offered fashionwise, fit me. I like to cherry pick what works for me.

Now I love classic designs because I don't want to throw away clothing, or keep changing every season. The love of a well curated closet springs to mind. We are all unique, and we mold our style as we progress in age and experience.

I have bags that are considered out of fashion, but I love their lines. If I think of selling them, I take them out of the dustbag and then BANG I fall in love with then yet again.
 
Do designer bags go out of fashion? Not the iconic bags, of course, but firms launch new items every year, high quality and durable. Could these models go out of fashion the next season or would they be a treasure to be worn "for ever"?. We can see at the resale market handbags which are more expensive that bought new, and, on the other hand, some other models are cheaper. Does this mean that we should buy new items every year to be added to our collection?

Brands are shooting themselves into a foot with constant bag releases. Not to mention it’s unsustainable to be buying luxury bags each time smth new is released… Also I feel like whenever a bag is promoted heavily on Instagram, the trend for that bag dies out once smth new and cooler comes out… like anyone remembers Dior Bobby, BV Casette, LV Pont 9… and so on? Already feel like old, not cool anymore bags and these were released in 2020, so just 2 years ago, but already feel dated. Luxury fashion became just like fast fashion, rarely new releases become a true classic and have staying power. Also with constant price increases, there is rarely a designer bag that costs under 1500€ nowadays, and medium sized bags usually are priced somewhere at over 2000€… Is any bag truly worth to spend over 2k? Is a Chanel bag is truly worth spending 5-10k? It is just a bag after all…

Once you develop your own style, you don’t look for just any trendy bag, but a bag that speaks to you, no matter is it cool anymore or not.
 
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I don’t think the cost of an item - luxury vs non luxury determines if it is fashionable or “on trend”.

I’ve been looking at vintage Cartier bags. They were certainly luxury at the time but also are very much off trend / not fashionable now. But because their style and the history appeals to me, when I find one I like, I’ll buy.
Everything goes out of fashion. It’s kind of the definition of fashion.
Style is another matter.
Completely agree with this.
I agree, maybe the economy is the answer. Luxury things have always existed and also other market, not so expensive, but good quality. Today clothing is cheap ( and rather bad quality) and young people do not appreciate anything but colorful shirts, jeans easy ton buy, easy to get rid of and so on. I don't think there is much interest to educate the youth into good taste, as good taste is usually expensive and salaries cannot afford this kind of market.
I’d refrain from saying young people don’t like quality items or need us to educate them on taste. My children only choose quality items and we’ve never had a lesson on the subject. And, there are a number of young tPF’s that can and do teach me about items as well.
Brands are shooting themselves into a foot with constant bag releases. Not to mention it’s unsustainable to be buying luxury bags each time smth new is released… Also I feel like whenever a bag is promoted heavily on Instagram, the trend for that bag dies out once smth new and cooler comes out… like anyone remembers Dior Bobby, BV Casette, LV Pont 9… and so on? Already feel like old, not cool anymore bags and these were released in 2020, so just 2 years ago, but already feel dated. Luxury fashion became just like fast fashion, rarely new releases become a true classic and have staying power. Also with constant price increases, there is rarely a designer bag that costs under 1500€ nowadays, and medium sized bags usually are priced somewhere at over 2000€… Is any bag truly worth to spend over 2k? Is a Chanel bag is truly worth spending 5-10k? It is just a bag after all…

Once you develop your own style, you don’t look for just any trendy bag, but a bag that speaks to you, no matter is it cool anymore or not.
Unfortunately, they’re not. The constant offering of new is working for them financially because many people chase the new.

And many people keep buying items whether they wear, use or need them because they like shopping or like owning the thing. There is a lot of wealth and a good amount of debt supporting the ever increasing profitability of the luxury companies. :shrugs:

But, I agree with your last point. The space of happy and sanity for me is buying the bags I want and not to bow to any external pressure to do differently. Down that path there be dragons. Lol!
 
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