Does anyone find it hard to use a non-designer bag after having designer bags...?

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#242
I really can't either.
I love my designer bags, and for some reason carrying non-designer ones just feels so…wrong. And that sounds horribly snobbish, but I can't help it.
And it's not that I need people to know that what I'm carrying is expensive, quite the opposite, most of my bags are rather toned down, but non-designer bags just don't work for me.
It's not just that I can't bring myself to buy new ones, I mean I can't even use the ones I already own!
 
#243
Yes and no - I have a few Rebecca Minkoff bags that I use exclusively for traveling. The MAC is great as a cross-body bag for traveling and the mini MAB as well cuz it's bigger and I like the pockets and compartments. However, I almost never buy the non-premier designers unless it's a really good deal (at least 40% off or so)
 
#246
I find it hard, I have tried to get into some cheaper brands because then I could buy more of them but hasnt worked. Ive regretted the purchases. I tried Rebecca Minkoff, bought 2 MABs but then only carried one - once. It just wasnt me so I had to sell them it was too late to return and could hardly give them away. Then I tried a golden lane bag from shopbop which I had been looking at for ages which wasnt exactly the cheapest of bags but when I got it the quality was awful the hardware was horrible too and I knew I wouldnt use it so luckily worked that out in time to return it. Id like to love cheaper bags because then Id have so many more in my collection than I do but I just dont like anything as much as my favourites.
 
#248
Yes and no--for me, it's more of a quality issue. If the quality (for the price point) is there, I'll buy/wear it. If not, I won't.

The practical implication of this is that I pretty much stopped buying non-designer bags, mostly as a result of my shopping habits--I just don't have a lot of time to spend researching and rooting out little-known or independent designers who produce a quality product (although I have been intrigued by Roots bags--just not a huge fan of their hardware decisions to date). So while I used to randomly buy some unknowns based only on aesthetics at dept. stores, TJMaxx, Marshalls, etc., I just don't do this anymore.

I mostly buy premier designer now (lately, it's been all about the BV--unparallelled quality, IMHO), while occasionally buying/using a smattering of contemporary designers that are in my lane--I still have/carry RM, for example.

Having said all that, I can appreciate good quality bags across the spectrum and think that people should carry what they like regardless of the label as long as 1) it's good quality for the price and 2) they can afford it! :)
 
#249
this is a very interesting question with very interesting answers. it's true what most ppl have been saying.. once you go premier designer, it's awfully tough to go back

that being said, I'm still a very big thrifter and I love vintage non-designer finds, not just for quality sake, but some vintage bags are just so .. beautiful.. some things are just impossible to replicate and good vintage is one of them

I do find, though, that it's so tough to find a contemporary designer bag that I love. I've tried to peruse Michael Kors, MBMJ, Coach, Dooney, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Botkier, but it's so difficult to find something I love that's worth the money. in the back of my mind, I just think "oh, I could just apply this $300 or so towards my next LV" I'll always try to buy when there's a sale, but I always end up returning them. Sux, because it's not like I don't want to keep them.. theyre just never good enough. I bought an RM mini MAC before I was crazy for designer bags and while I love and use her, probably wouldn't have or will again. I currently have my eye on a white Selma messenger because it's a "cheap" bag so buying white won't be as much a waste of money if it gets dirty. bad, huh? I have yet to see one IRL, so I guess we'll see how that goes

I second that this has nothing to do with snobbery.. you just don't want to spend money on a "regular" bag when you could be using it to fill your "collection"
 
#250
Creole said:
No. I've been having designer bags since a teen. Like this is nothing new to me so I can carry my simple bag from Target the same as I carry my Chanel or my Louis or my Gucci. My bags/shoes/clothes don't wear me..I wear it and I do it WELL. :)
Click to expand...

Well said! I totally agree and I can't stand it when brand snobs let their clothes/bags wear them just so they can prove a point and impress everybody with all of the premier brands they can afford to buy. I used to be that person (when I was an arrogant teen haha) until I realized how ridiculous I looked all the time.

I think it should be more about style, confidence and the look you're trying to achieve. You can look amazing carrying bags from any price point.

Having expensive things isn't exotic to me either, so I have no problem rotating between high end stuff and cheaper stuff. I just wear/carry what I think looks good on a given day and depending on whatever mood I'm in. I don't have to prove anything to anybody. As far as quality goes....leather is leather and nylon is nylon and canvas is canvas etc etc. If you take care of your stuff, it won't fall apart, end of story. If it does fall apart, well, it's a bag, not a Roman temple. It wasn't built to last for centuries so these things need to be replaced.

I've had designer bags fall apart on me after just a few months of gentle use and I've had cheap no name bags that have lasted for years, so high prices and prestigious brand names don't always mean that you're guaranteed a great product.
 
#252
I can use designer or non-designer's bags. For me, the most important is the material of the bag, I prefer real leather to faux leather. Somehow i feel like wasting money when i buy faux leather bags coz it ages badly.
 
#253
I only use non-designer bags if I am going to the beach or hiking in the mountains. All my designer bags have been bought after much planning and consideration, and I love all of them ;)
After buying my very first designer bag many years ago; a Mulberry Bayswater, I only buy expensive bags. I love how they make me feel, and I don´t care if people think I am snobbish or crazy spending so much money on bags!
 
#254
In a way, I suppose. I don't have any very high end designer bags but I won't go for anything that's not leather or made in China or any other country where the workers are getting paid peanuts. I look for quality.
 
#255
I had quite a few Mulberry and LV bags a few years ago. I ended up selling them when I had depression ( why didn't someone stop me!). There is no way I can afford to replace them. I carry a gorgeous soft leather cross body bag from a department store. It cost me £45. I'm happy with it. Still doesn't stop me wishing I had my posh bags but I'm not bothered that it's less expensive and not designer. I have my health back (both physical and mental) that makes me happy :)
 
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