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

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#346
Poppins_Purse said:
I feel the same way - sometimes I am embarrassed by the idea that I feel "better" when I'm carrying a nicer bag, but I rationalize by telling myself that it's a product of treating myself well and acknowledging my success in my career. :shucks:



Beyond the psychological issues, I mostly by "designer" bags now because I have gotten used to a certain level of quality and my experience is that super-cute Zara/Target/etc. bags aren't worth the money because they often have little defects that annoy me and also fall apart/look beat WAY faster. When I do by cheap and cheerful bags now, I do so with the expectation that they will have short lives, which is of course fine as long as it's what you're looking for.
Click to expand...


Yes. This. Once I went designer I found it hard to go back because now I see and feel the difference in quality and it makes me feel great to carry it. I love feeling great when I leave with my pretty for the day. :-)
 
#347
I agree that it is so hard to carry a non designer bag. I have purchased 3 brand new LVs and 3 new LV SLG, along with 3 preloaded LVs and 2 LV SLG. I find when I am looking for the "rainy day" or throw around bag I use the pre loved. I got a steal on all the items and being they already have wear and tear I never feel bad using them in that way.

My suggestion... Check the preloved areas. I spent just a tiny bit more ($50-$100) than a "non designer" bag I would have found at Nordstrom Rack or one of themselves types of stores.
 
#349
No. I purchase my handbags based on utility and craftsmanship. It needs to do a job and do it well. That said, very few of my designer bags would rough-it on camping trips or overseas travel (not to resort areas). My go-to everything else bag is a Baggallini I picked up at the container store eons ago. It's held up extremely well and does what I need. :)
 
#350
No, I don't find it hard to use non designer bags at all, though I will not deny that I do love my premier designers MORE [emoji23] (I have more than 40 premier Designer bags like: Chanel, LV, Bottega, Dior etc).

I have quite a few non designer bags that I use for going to beach, during raining season and for traveling to country that I don't feel safe. I have Longchamp Le Pliage tote, Lacoste, DKNY Nylon Backpack, LeSportSac, Kipling, Tumi nylon bag, Cath Kidson, Fossil for non designer categories [emoji16] You might be surprised...I get complimented when I take some of this bag out!

I also have Non premier designer as well, from Kate Spade, Tory Burch, MbMJ, Rebecca Minkoff, Paul Smith etc for certain purpose.

As you all probably know or heard from this forum, some premier designer bags have faults too!

Basically I buy what I like, it can be cheap or expensive. It really doesn't matter to me. But I can't accept [emoji777]Faux leather![emoji777] err perhaps a bit on trimming can b considered but not on whole bag. And NO NO NO Michael Kors for me. Might change my mind if MK gets innovative in future [emoji57]
 
#352
Yep. I have been through the horror of non designer bags - poor wear, turnover in my closet, no resale value. I'm not doing it again.

It's like anything else. Buy quality once, enjoy it everyday and save money on not having to replace it.
 
#353
No? but i own many bags that are not designer but can go toe to toe quality wise with those that are, frankly some could likely supersede the labeled ones.

Now could i use some cheaply made purse? no, as i have not done that since i was a child, i have always owned nicely crafted, quality purses and wallets.
 
#354
I think I have caught this disease, I'm finding it hard to have any interest in non designer bags. Part of it the quality although I do agree you get some better quality in non brands. The other part is the specialness of the item.
 
#355
Sometimes.
If a bag transfers dye onto my clothing, or breaks quickly, I angrily grumble, "My good ones don't do this crap."
Otherwise, I enjoy quality, under-the-radar finds--or utilitarian, made for specific tasks.

Man in my life is another challenge to exploring other brands.
He will say, "That bag isn't as nice as your mulberry ones."
What he means is, "The mulberry store has a comfortable sofa & big television. They give me free cappuccinos. Let's go there." ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: brbshopping
#356
Hmmm....good question! I definitely can understand a lot of us who don't want to stand out or just want to blend into the background!

I only started buying "contemporary designer" (Coach and Michael Kors) and "high-end designer" very recently (literally like a week ago was my first Gucci). I previously only purchased from discounters or low/mid-price retailers (Marshalls, Bakers, Aldo, TJ Maxx, Meijer, Payless, Ross, JC Penney) for Nine West, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Jessica Simpson or minor designer names.

All of these bags held up for about 2-3 years before the hardware would get reddish brown tarnishing, peeling on the handles or handle screws/thread breaking away, or gummy from the glue.

Of all of those handbags and wallets, only the Nine West handbag (it's about 13-15 years old) is still in pretty OK condition without tarnishing, handle peels or getting gummy. I accepted those things as *standards*...

Flash forward, the hardware on my Henri Bendel is doing okay, and the tough crossgrain leather is great in the rain. I also do not foresee the handles *ever* breaking away from the bag. In fact, as my most expensive item, I was relieved to hear that I can take any such defects back to HB for repair at no cost (we shall see). After having so many bag handles break away from bags that were $20, and being quoted $20+ to repair them, I really appreciate buying items that I do not have to babysit and can use.

That said...I love the designer bags' looks, especially now that my style is pretty simple and basic colors/silhouettes...but I honestly don't feel comfortable with the judgment that will come from people if they see me with them. "She should give that money to....." or "Why does she want to show off to.....?" or "Her uncle/cousin/sister/father/brother/auntie lost a job and could've used that $$" I mean, I bought a printer once that could print color and someone thought I was bragging when I printed a page for them! So I will probably always buy something non-contemporary/high-end designer for the bag depending on where I am going (Calvin Klein has some cute reversible totes!) and stick my designer SLGs inside, since I really like the way they look and seem to hold up compared to my old ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top