Handbags and Lifestyle

[LuvDesignerBags]

This is another question that might start a great conversation. Do you think your handbags compliment or fit your lifestyle?

This is a question been asking myself about items I had on my wishlist. I usually stick to bags that around a $1000 or under and I am willing to spend up to $1500 for a bag. Recently I was thinking of really splurging and get more high end bags from chanel and hermes but have decided against it because it doesnt fit my lifestyle.

Living in a small city where the most expensive restaurants are like applebees and red lobster I just feel like thats a waste of money even if i can afford. Day to day life isnt like being a housewife of beverly hills. Who need a jumbo for weekly runs to Walmart or Target or a birkin to go to the local mall. I do travel and go to nice restaurants and stay nice hotels but still its not to the extreme and grandiose. I feel like my louis vuitton and gucci bags should suffice.

 

[julie32]

That is indeed a very good question. I am from Germany and live in a VERY rural area, so to speak. It is absolutely uncommon here to carry designer purses, the maximum you see here are Michael Kors and occasionally a Monogramme Speedy (many of which are fake). My most high end bags currently are my three Chloes and my latest purchase, a vintage Balenciaga. My most expensive bag is my Chloe Paraty which was about 1400 Euros, and I do not think I will purchase anything above that anytime soon. And I most definitely know that only very few people around here do indeed recognize my bags for what they are. Lifestyle whise, there would not be any reason in my daily life to spend more than maybe 200 Euros on a bag. But I do not do it to fit in or to get glances, but I do it for me because I love these things even if some like to call me crazy, IYKWIM?

Anyway, my bags are not as high end as Chanel or Hermes that you are thinking about. But I think even if I could afford them I personally would not want to carry those things around without becoming paranoid about them getting damaged. But that is just me maybe...

Anyway, my opinion: Do the things that make yourself happy and do not worry tooo much about others. If you can afford it and feel good with it, then why not take your Birkin grocery shopping or your Chanel to Applebees for Dinner?!? There is nothing wrong with that... )

 

[HandBagFanatic3]

You bring up a good point about our buying vs needs and wants. I too think about that with the number of bags I have, how many can I really use, and why buy more?

I'm getting ready to go on a trip overseas, and my favorite everyday bag is my LV Delightful MM. However, I look at how practical is it to travel with, especially putting it through machines at airports, shoving it under seats, etc. Then, when I get to this foreign country, running around with my grandchildren, going to the zoo, out to lunch, taking subways/trains, well, you get the picture; I'm going to be concerned about something happening to it. I've decided to take one of my more practical traveling bags that will be not only comfortable, but less app to lose items out of should one of the kids knock it over or whatever. Also, when I travel by myself, I don't like to call attention with what I carry, I prefer to be practical for what meets my needs.

Everyone is different and so is their situation, which is why there are thousands of bags to choose from. As I get older, I have found, my tastes, needs, and wants have as well. I don't have to worry about answering to anyone but me, yet I find I examine whether it will really work for me, and do I already have a bag similar to what I'm looking at. I admit I made a number of impulse purchases in the past, and no longer want to repeat those mistakes!!

Good thought provoking question........

 

[skyqueen]

Great thread!
I live in "fashion hell", so to speak. I own many high-end bags but I'm the only one that knows it! I'd have to say I buy for myself...for my pleasure.
Since I retired I have rethought my game plan and priorities...unless it's something I positively can't live without, I'm not investing in high end bags anymore.
Famous last words???

 

[seaalice]

I've thought about this question a lot too. Even though I live near NYC and do go to the theatre, concerts etc, even then, I don't "need" to use a high end bag and most days I am at home in the burbs and certainly don't need a fancy bag - although there are many people in my community that do have high end bags and clothes. I used to have enormous guilt about buying expensive bags and then hardly ever using them because it felt ridiculous to carry an expensive bag to do everyday errands and such, but I am getting over those feelings. As skyqueen says, I get pleasure out of owning and using the bags even if I don't "need" them. They are one of my few extravagances and they make me happy and these days I'm thinking that's enough.

 

[papertiger]

The last 2 bags I bought was an hermes croc and a leather sporran from a supermarket (it's basically a waist pouch). I have no bag 'prejudices' $10 or $10K, I just like what i like and wear what I buy

I do go to some 'fancy' places, but you should see some of the er 'subterranean' levels of casualness there usually in manners, but many look perfectly nice in inexpensive looking wear. I don't 'have' to take any expensive purses to these places but I like to dress up. I also pop up the road to the cut price supermarket by foot, last time I wore Moschino, Hermes and carried BV, oh and a wheely shopping cart coz they don't give out grocery bags. I already bought them so of course I'll wear them. I go for walks on the beach in Nike and carry Ed Hardy (oh yes) and other days I research at museums in all black knits and carrying vintage Gucci.

I don't really know what a/my lifestyle is, I just live my life and carry the bags I want to

 

[ladysarah]

The last 2 bags I bought was an hermes croc and a leather sporran from a supermarket (it's basically a waist pouch). I have no bag 'prejudices' $10 or $10K, I just like what i like and wear what I buy

I do go to some 'fancy' places, but you should see some of the er 'subterranean' levels of casualness there and we'e not talking bags :sunnies. I don't 'have' to take any expensive purses to these places but I like to dress up. I also pop up the road to the cut price supermarket by foot, last time I wore Moschino, Hermes and carried BV, oh and a wheely shopping cart coz they don't give out grocery bags. I already bought them so of course I'll wear them. I go for walks on the beach in Nike and carry Ed Hardy (oh yes) and other days I research at museums in all black knits and carrying vintage Gucci.

I don't really know what a/my lifestyle is, I just live my life and carry the bags I want to

I also have a wheely and I accesorise it with vintage CHANEL crossbody

 

[tinybutterfly]

This is another question that might start a great conversation. Do you think your handbags compliment or fit your lifestyle?

This is a question been asking myself about items I had on my wishlist. I usually stick to bags that around a $1000 or under and I am willing to spend up to $1500 for a bag. Recently I was thinking of really splurging and get more high end bags from chanel and hermes but have decided against it because it doesnt fit my lifestyle.

Living in a small city where the most expensive restaurants are like applebees and red lobster I just feel like thats a waste of money even if i can afford. Day to day life isnt like being a housewife of beverly hills. Who need a jumbo for weekly runs to Walmart or Target or a birkin to go to the local mall. I do travel and go to nice restaurants and stay nice hotels but still its not to the extreme and grandiose. I feel like my louis vuitton and gucci bags should suffice.

I have been thinking about this, too.

I live in a much more rural area than you do, so here LV is overkill. I have a few, but I usually carry them ( especially the mono pieces) when we go into the city where no one bats an eye at LV. Here...it stands out and not in a good way.

I can carry the de here as no one knows what it is, but not the mono bags.

Anyway, my lifestyle is uber-casual...Target, grocery, church, library, lunch with a friend, dinner or a business function with dh.

Here the bags that should suffice for my lifestyle are Coach, MK or VB. Those are what most women here carry.

That's fine. I am done buying LV.

It was fun, but back to reality.

I live in the Middle of Nowhere.

P.S. You at least seem to live Somewhere, but not Somewhere Fabulous.

P.P.S. *I* am more comfortable flying under the radar. I understand not everyone wants to do that. If standing out makes another person happy, that is fine.

 

[gail13]

I just love handbags and I think of it as a hobby and like to build my collection. I don't really care if no one knows/or knows what I'm wearing-I like it and love to educate myself about the various designers and their place in history. I love new as well as vintage.

Here in LA I see everything. Ladies wear Chanel everywhere, its not considered fancy or out of place for a casual lifestyle. I see it being worn with Lululemon clothing. I can appreciate lots of designers and price points. There are times I would love to do a woman on the street interview and ask a woman why she bought that handbag as I'm curious.

Once you own a designer bag though and enjoy the exclusiveness of it, it's hard not to want a few more when you appreciate the craftsmanship etc. As I don't have a daughter, I would like to pass along my collection to my nieces and I like that idea.

 

[papertiger]

I also have a wheely and I accesorise it with vintage CHANEL crossbody

I like your style ladysarah, I always have

Yay, wheely twins, mine is tartan and goes up and down stairs without me having to carry it. I also have a sleek black neoprene 'metro' wheely but it's not as much fun .

The locals think I'm completely MAD anyway, I hate to disappoint

 

[remainsilly]

Yes, mine do very much so.
There's no "should be carrying" bag for lifestyle, imo. There's individual choice & comfortable use.

In some views, probably ALL handbags are wastes of money--we could haul necessities in burlap sacks or extra pockets.
I don't buy burlap sacks for many reasons, which have nothing to do with my location or vocation.

If someone told me my lifestyle warranted only burlap, I'd smile tolerantly. But ignore.

 

[BgaHolic]

Interesting thread! I think it should be more about what you like then what others think. I'll share something cute with you - I was on the bus in NYC and observed two women get on at different times. Both were wearing BV venetas in black. I happened to be wearing my very inexpensive burgundy Lands End hobo. While the majority of bystanders had no clue, I did! (I own one.) Today I was wearing my Gucci Marrackech hobo in Verizon and the SA commented he liked my Gucci. He told me I like to be understated. I thanked him for the compliment. My lifestyle is very casual and carefree and irregardless of the price of my bags, the style reflects. I say buy what you love and enjoy!

 

[catsinthebag]

I like your style ladysarah, I always have

Yay, wheely twins, mine is tartan and goes up and down stairs without me having to carry it. I also have a sleek black neoprene 'metro' wheely but it's not as much fun .

The locals think I'm completely MAD anyway, I hate to disappoint

Papertiger, I think I wanna be you when I grow up!

Love this thread and so many good posts. I'm with the ladies who admired their grandmothers' frame bags. I've loved handbags since I was a child and my "problem," was that I've always liked bags that were more formal than my age or lifestyle. I will always remember the first time I saw a Chanel flap -- I was fascinated by the shape, all the pockets, the quality, the whole vibe. Thank goodness I couldn't have afforded it back then -- if that had been my "starter bag" instead of Coach, I would have been ruined for life! Now that I'm in my 40s, I'm finally figuring out what works for my lifestyle. It's been a process! I'm still learning what works for my lifestyle that I also love -- but what is "age appropriate" is not something I give a lot of thought to, TBH.

I think if you're a "woman of a certain age" and want to wear a Hello Kitty bag (or whatever) that's totally fine. It isn't my thing, but then again, it never was. If it's always been your thing, there's no reason to change it just because you're a few years older. To me, that's the equivalent of women who cut their hair short at a certain age because it's "appropriate." Why?

p.s. I don't think location should matter either -- wear what you enjoy and what works for you!

 

[skyqueen]

The last 2 bags I bought was an hermes croc and a leather sporran from a supermarket (it's basically a waist pouch). I have no bag 'prejudices' $10 or $10K, I just like what i like and wear what I buy

I do go to some 'fancy' places, but you should see some of the er 'subterranean' levels of casualness there usually in manners, but many look perfectly nice in inexpensive looking wear. I don't 'have' to take any expensive purses to these places but I like to dress up. I also pop up the road to the cut price supermarket by foot, last time I wore Moschino, Hermes and carried BV, oh and a wheely shopping cart coz they don't give out grocery bags. I already bought them so of course I'll wear them. I go for walks on the beach in Nike and carry Ed Hardy (oh yes) and other days I research at museums in all black knits and carrying vintage Gucci.

I don't really know what a/my lifestyle is, I just live my life and carry the bags I want to

I think I know exactly which vintage Gucci you are referring to. LOL!
That is one gorgeous bag!

 

[HesitantShopper]

I'll say i try for them to be but admit to going a bit OTT for my lifestyle.. it's kinda a fun splurge for myself and is something 'special' for me to have that is only for me, i am the only one who gains pleasure from them. a case of where i will be selfish lol..