Guilty of not using high end handbags after acquiring them!

[Antonia]

Hey Antonia! I can't really relate to your question. I'm guessing that by wearing these two particular bags you might be feeling self conscious around your friends/coworkers and family. My suggestion is to always buy "things" that match your lifestyle not the lifestyle someone else lives. If you bought them wanting to be a part of "that" lifestyle, I understand but that might be where your uncomfortable feeling comes into play. My suggestion to you is if you truly love these two bags you bought, keep them and wear them at least twice a week then aim for an additional day and feel comfortable wearing them.

When it comes to making an obscene $$ purchase, I can understand! I bought myself the Gucci Marrakech bag which is quite heavy empty (21/2 lbs) and, while I was able to afford the bag, I felt somewhat guilty spending such a ridiculous amount of money over it! Well, if it helps, I got over the price and wear it constantly. No one has a clue who makes the bag but when they ask and I tell them, they get ridiculously excited. Time to go and enjoy your new purchases!

I think I remember when you talked about buying that beautiful Gucci bag-I'm so glad to hear you're using her all the time! I love 'under the radar' bags! That's sort of why I wanted the SC bag so badly. Only people 'in the know' will know what it is. To everyone else, it looks like a regular leather bag. The LV imprint is so small on the top of the bag, you'd have to get pretty close to read it! My Chanel is sort of under the radar too....it's the large chain around hobo but it doesn't have any metal CC's on it. Instead, the sides have the CC stitched so it's not so 'in your face' as say a classic flap would be-KMIM?

 

[Antonia]

I also want to mention that I was just getting so tired of the buy/sell/buy/sell mentality and thought if I could only have this one LV, it will be my 'forever bag' and I will cherish it for years to come. So I really need to just change my mind set and use it on a regular basis. I just have to somehow get over the fear of ruining it!!

 

[Vitta]

I have found that there is a certain price point at which I will regret a bag acquiring wear and tear and eventually wearing out. Any bag over $2,500 or so makes me feel that I cannot put that bag on the ground, I cannot use that bag in the rain, I cannot get dirt on that bag, I cannot scuff it in anyway, etc. So I don't buy bags in that price range anymore. I have learned my lesson the hard way. (I have several very high priced bags sitting in my closet that I do not use)

I now have a lot of coach bags which I consider disposable and easily replaceable, and a lot of balenciaga bags, which are under my "stress" price point and I am willing to wear everyday. I have bought these bags over many years and they are in various states of wear and tear.

I will never pay more than $2,500 for a bag under any circumstances, but that is an arbitrary number and is just my arbitrary stress price. I simply would never use any bag enough to justify a bag that is $5,000. I also would not think that bag was worth the money, but that is a matter of my income level, my taste, my lifestyle, and my values etc. It is a personal opinion of mine nothing more.

Good point! So important to know your 'stress price point' to feel comfortable about every handbag purchase, for use or collection.

 

[papertiger]

Interesting thread! I have my more expensive bags that I rotate but don't use as much as my lesser priced bags. I enjoy taking out one of my more expensive bags and having it be in mint condition. Since I don't use them as often I have stopped buying them and just enjoy the ones I have.

Hey Antonia! I can't really relate to your question. I'm guessing that by wearing these two particular bags you might be feeling self conscious around your friends/coworkers and family. My suggestion is to always buy "things" that match your lifestyle not the lifestyle someone else lives. If you bought them wanting to be a part of "that" lifestyle, I understand but that might be where your uncomfortable feeling comes into play. My suggestion to you is if you truly love these two bags you bought, keep them and wear them at least twice a week then aim for an additional day and feel comfortable wearing them.

When it comes to making an obscene $$ purchase, I can understand! I bought myself the Gucci Marrakech bag which is quite heavy empty (21/2 lbs) and, while I was able to afford the bag, I felt somewhat guilty spending such a ridiculous amount of money over it! Well, if it helps, I got over the price and wear it constantly. No one has a clue who makes the bag but when they ask and I tell them, they get ridiculously excited. Time to go and enjoy your new purchases!

According to the book Gucci:The making of, the Marrakech is one of the few newer bags Gucci uses one of their trademark leathers on (the other being boar-skin) the traditional Italian tanning process makes cuoio grasso (or 'fat leather') that makes a leather especially durable and scratch resistant. So you have no worries.

I thought of you when I read it because I thought it so apt that you chose one of the bags with such strong links to traditional Italian artisan methods

 

[Vitta]

I think it's quite common among tpfers.

Let's face it, some bags are made to be used (and look better for it) and then there are bags for collectors.

I let some of my bags sit in closet a while. Then when I've forgotten how much I've spent (usually when I've just spent more on something else) use it. Sometimes those become my favourite. I also have a couple of old/less expensive bags I can use at a muddy rock festival or for carrying bricks etc just so I can be comfortable when I'm not in bag-safe environment. I don't think there's any point in fighting your own nature

Maybe you friend has a point, except don't sell you SC, just buy a pre-loved old Speedy or the like, just to use for everyday and then take the others out once a week or so.

It's interesting how often we talk about handbags' brands (prestige) and prices (means), but almost never about their direct purpose: practical use to carry things. Handbags are meant to be used for different occasions: daytime, evening, work, travel, special events, etc. So, if we try to match up our own individual "stress price point" to the purpose of how we plan to use the handbag, then there shouldn't be any guilt (paid too much) or fear of ruining it (inappropriate use). I think the same logic can be applied to collecting, because every collection has a different purpose (wardrobe, display, investment, inventory, research, etc.)

I think it only makes sense to buy less expensive, but more practical brands for everyday use or travel, because then you can change them often, as they wear off, without feeling guilty about the money spent. It'll free up some money and let you feel good about yourself when, after saving up for a while, you can finally treat yourself to a premium luxury brand handbag to buy as an investment piece for special events, to keep for a long time. Then you'll love yourself for being able to control your handbags, but not the other way around.

 

[KaseyHK]

this thread has reminded me there're a few bags which still remain new and unused for over 6 months. will bring them out next week to give them a chance to have some experience with me lol

i used to worry about damaging my lux bags. but once the barrier breaks, you would not feel anything and you'd start to enjoy bringing the bags out more. i suppose we don't buy bags for selling them at a good price. so, some wear does not really matter and IMO this wear is a record of your experience with your bag and that may contain many priceless memories. for delicate or special bags, just be careful and give proper maintenance and that would be fine, i think.

 

[BgaHolic]

According to the book Gucci:The making of, the Marrakech is one of the few newer bags Gucci uses one of their trademark leathers on (the other being boar-skin) the traditional Italian tanning process makes cuoio grasso (or 'fat leather') that makes a leather especially durable and scratch resistant. So you have no worries.

I thought of you when I read it because I thought it so apt that you chose one of the bags with such strong links to traditional Italian artisan methods

Thanks PT! For a while I had regretted the bag due to it's heavy leather. It was hurting my back but I've learned to switch it to the crook of my arm and switch shoulders and keep it lightly packed. I also couldn't find anything close to a bag that tugs away at my heartstrings than that bag. It is just so bohemian yet classy! Thanks for the info and Antonia, from your answer, I say keep your bags and wear them!! Don't worry about ruining them. Bags are made to be worn not to be displayed! Enjoy! You worked hard at acquiring them, now it's time to rock them! You won't be sorry!

 

[RKDubs]

My most expensive bag only costs several hundred dollars so it probably isn't comparable, but I am exactly where you are but for a different reason. I'm not afraid to ruin my bags or for them to show wear, but I fear being judged because of where I live and the industry I work in. It shouldn't, but it makes me feel guilty when someone makes a comment about something being "fancy" or expensive or when I feel like I am more fortunate than someone else.

I completely understand your concerns. I work at a small college and while the students I work with seem to appreciate my bag choices, I often get a few scathing looks from co workers. It is incredibly obnoxious! I hate being judged for how I choose to spend my money. I have found a lot of support on the purse forum, and ultimately I've learned to not care what other people think. This is my life and these are my choices to make! I love my LVs and dang it, I'm going to use them!! You can't please everyone, focus instead on pleasing yourself

 

[Antonia]

Thanks PT! For a while I had regretted the bag due to it's heavy leather. It was hurting my back but I've learned to switch it to the crook of my arm and switch shoulders and keep it lightly packed. I also couldn't find anything close to a bag that tugs away at my heartstrings than that bag. It is just so bohemian yet classy! Thanks for the info and Antonia, from your answer, I say keep your bags and wear them!! Don't worry about ruining them. Bags are made to be worn not to be displayed! Enjoy! You worked hard at acquiring them, now it's time to rock them! You won't be sorry!

Thanks BgaHolic! I love reading your comments and you always say the nicest things!

 

[Lilypad606]

I find that my high end bags that I buy "preloved", I have so much less guilt about using them Tho I still get worried if the kids r gonna spill something on them

 

[seaalice]

My issue with using my high end bags as every day bags is that I know I would feel awful if they got damaged or stained while doing something like grocery shopping or other mundane errands which unfortunately fill many of my days. It seems that on the relatively few days that I dress up and go somewhere, the weather is bad or there is some other reason it doesn't make sense to use an expensive bag. For example, this weekend we are going to a museum but afterward we are going to a dive-y (but good) Mexican restaurant where I would worry about something spilling on my bag - so once again my high end bags will probably stay in the closet.

 

[Vitta]

My issue with using my high end bags as every day bags is that I know I would feel awful if they got damaged or stained while doing something like grocery shopping or other mundane errands which unfortunately fill many of my days. It seems that on the relatively few days that I dress up and go somewhere, the weather is bad or there is some other reason it doesn't make sense to use an expensive bag. For example, this weekend we are going to a museum but afterward we are going to a dive-y (but good) Mexican restaurant where I would worry about something spilling on my bag - so once again my high end bags will probably stay in the closet.

Which of your high end bags would you use for grocery shopping or to go to a restaurant?

 

[kings_20]

This is exactly what I go through too lol. I love my basg but the fear that they won't remain pristine with use, keeps me from using them more. I am always super careful, but you just never know. I need to get over it and use and love my bags too. Great thread.

 

[TejasMama]

It's interesting how often we talk about handbags' brands (prestige) and prices (means), but almost never about their direct purpose: practical use to carry things. Handbags are meant to be used for different occasions: daytime, evening, work, travel, special events, etc. So, if we try to match up our own individual "stress price point" to the purpose of how we plan to use the handbag, then there shouldn't be any guilt (paid too much) or fear of ruining it (inappropriate use). I think the same logic can be applied to collecting, because every collection has a different purpose (wardrobe, display, investment, inventory, research, etc.)

This is very insightful.

 

[seaalice]

Which of your high end bags would you use for grocery shopping or to go to a restaurant?

Well I don't want to take any of my high end bags to the grocery store and I'm nervous about casual busy restaurants and since these are the types of places I go on a day to day basis, I guess I just don't have a lifestyle where it makes sense to use my expensive bags as everyday bags. Fortunately, I only have a few and I love them all so I will keep trying to find occasions to use them.