do you ever settle? Or buy at whatever price?

[maryg1]

I've been searching for my next everyday handbag and I came to the conclusion that the LV Sofia Coppola would be a great bag for me, to use alternatively with a LV Mon Mono Speedy that I'd love to buy.
But...the price is a bit steep! I'm not comfortable to pay almost 3000 euro for a bag in this period (it must be the economy news ), and even preloved ones are quite expensive.
So I gave a look at other bags and the Duffle bag by Sain Laurent is quite similar (maybe the strap can also be worn cross body, that can't be done with the SC), and the price is about half of the LV.
That way I could have a very similar that serves the same purpose, and still the euro to buy something else.
Do you ever settle for an bag you like, just because the one you like more is way too expensive?
I get this can sound silly because the SL duffle retails at about 1500 euro which is not a bargain!

 

[Mariapia]

There are bags which I refuse to buy because they are much too expensive.
I tell myself that the price is far from being justified, that, above all, I would pay for a name , for the rents of the boutiques located on posh avenues, for the campaigns in the magazines etc.....
I didn't use to think that way, though.....and spent a lot of money just to own THE bag....
You allude to the economy crisis and you are perfectly right....
I think that lots of women, even the ones who have lots of money are looking twice now....
3000 euros is a lot...1500 is a lot too.
But in the meantime, you have to make sure that you won't buy let's say three 1000 euros bags in the near future....In that case of course you would deeply regret your LV.....

 

[ap.]

i think if you want a bag with quality LIKE the lv sofia coppola, then you can easily substitute the saint laurent bag or even the givenchy (assuming quality is similar) for it. however, if you want THE lv sofia coppola, then it's just a waste of money trying to replace it with something else because the replacements will not scratch that particular itch and you will continue to hanker for that one bag. so it's all a matter of being honest with yourself.

 

[maryg1]

i think if you want a bag with quality LIKE the lv sofia coppola, then you can easily substitute the saint laurent bag or even the givenchy (assuming quality is similar) for it. however, if you want THE lv sofia coppola, then it's just a waste of money trying to replace it with something else because the replacements will not scratch that particular itch and you will continue to hanker for that one bag. so it's all a matter of being honest with yourself.

very good point. I'm not wanting the SC just because it's LV, it's because the grainy leather looks more durable than the box calf, but I also know that boxcalf lasts ages if treated properly.
And overall it looks nicer.

 

[maryg1]

I tell myself that the price is far from being justified, that, above all, I would pay for a name , for the rents of the boutiques located on posh avenues, for the campaigns in the magazines etc.....

in this case I wold pay for 2 names actually, LV and Sofia Coppola!
there are bags over 1000 euro I want to buy (more vintage kelly, lady Dior), but not for everyday use. I want to have just 2 bags for everyday use, then switch to my other bags on weekends.

 

[catsinthebag]

i think if you want a bag with quality LIKE the lv sofia coppola, then you can easily substitute the saint laurent bag or even the givenchy (assuming quality is similar) for it. however, if you want THE lv sofia coppola, then it's just a waste of money trying to replace it with something else because the replacements will not scratch that particular itch and you will continue to hanker for that one bag. so it's all a matter of being honest with yourself.

This.

We've all seen multiple posts here on tPF by people who settled for the less expensive or more practical bag, but found themselves still yearning for the bag they didn't buy. Usually, it ends up that the person eventually buys the bag they originally wanted, but at the cost of that bag plus the first, "substitute" bag.

OP, I hear you about the economy, and wanting to be smart with your purchases. But if you are longing for that specific bag, and you can comfortably afford it, I say go for it. Especially when it comes to an "everyday bag" that will get a ton of use! Cost per wear goes down, and if you are using it frequently, it is that much more important that you really love it.

Settle for what you LIKE only if you really cannot afford what you LOVE.

 

[poohbag]

I think it depends on how badly you want specifically the LV SC bag. I also like that bag a lot, but I don't feel the NEED to have the exact bag. So I got the Gucci vintage web boston bag in an all leather raspberry red, and I am happy because it is close enough to the LV SC for me and I even found it on sale. That said, if you WANT the SC and you think you will feel like settling by getting a less pricey version, then I believe you're better off getting the one and only! You may regret getting something else that is just a stand in, and still want the real thing down the road.

 

[babysunshine]

I have looked at bags that I really like, but costing more than a thousand for each bag that takes my fancy is not how I want to build my collection. After all I am not after status symbols, I crave the design and functionality without compromising quality and craftsmanship. So I look really hard for alternatives, or inspired bags. I am not ashamed that I do settle. It is my money and lifestyle after all.

 

[CoachCruiser]

I agree with catsinthebag...and the others as well! There are bags that I've ruled out because I simply cannot afford them, and the prices are astronomical, way past the point of pretentiousness and what it actually cost to make them by hand, etc. That said, I agree w/cats in that if I love a bag so much, then nothing I get as a substitute will "replace" that initial want/longing. So it all depends on your comfort level, your income, etc. (That said, I do love the SL duffle bag! What are your thoughts lately? I'm curious...this is an interesting thread.