Has the pandemic changed your perspective on designer purchases?

[LemonDrop]

I am still buying bags here and there but I am starting to find myself looking at these prices (most recently some LV increases) and wondering if these companies are out of their minds? I think I have lost the feeling of "I can afford it, so why not?" I have my answer to the "Why Not" now. Covid 19 has made me re-evaluate my life and choices in so many different ways. Louis Vuitton for example has raised the price of their cles pochette (key pouch) to $290USD. I purchased it at $205USD close to 2 years ago. Are they raising their prices near 40% to offset their losses due to the pandemic?

I find myself wanting to live a much simpler life now when it comes to designer goods. 40% increases seem so out of touch with what is happening in the world.

Again, I think I have changed. Anyone else look at purchases differently now?

 

[maris.crane]

Rambling, but here goes:

I genuinely think - for me - it has gotten worse since March with spending on high-end goods.

I'm WFH and working remotely from an (empty) satellite office that is very close to home on days I may go bananas if I don't get out. BUT I'm spending way less on Uber's and commuting costs since March going to the real office.

Even going into the office, one of my coworkers almost every day would walk over one of the Starbucks mid-morning to get steps in; and that all adds up. I've barely had to add $$$ to my Starbucks app, whereas before the pandemic

I have bought clothes, but I am buying way less clothes and way cheaper clothes. As far as clothes go, I've only really bought cheap lounge-wear (Joe Fresh, H&M), and a few things in the seasonal sales (Zara, Aritzia) - but way less than I normally would. I feel like when I am spending - it is on higher on end goods (I went a bit ham with vintage Baguettes, bought a few things on Fashionphile, ebay and on Poshmark, made a few in-store purchases at LV, and items in the SSENSE and Hudson Bay sales.)

BUT: there is for me a bridge-too-far and an amount I - personally - can't cross for a handbag. So, even before the price increases I really wasn't shopping at Chanel (though those Mini Coco Handles...); and LV I had kinda become a bit bored with prior to this year when for some reason, Monogram appealed to me again. *Shrug*.

HOWEVER: Saint Laurent has been my kryptonite; and the knowledge that they go on sale has kept me from going too ham (I scored an Uptown Pouch I will promptly take out for 40% off in the SSENSE sales.)

TL;DR: I feel I am spending more on high-end luxury, but I am more likely to want some sort of deal AND more willing to scour and hunt for a vintage/pre-owned piece or wait for a sale. I need something to do on breaks afterall, if I can't walk to get coffee.

 

[daisy913]

The pandemic made me buy wayyyy more. I think it was mostly out of boredom. I live in the tri-state area, so for months, my only interactions were at the grocery store and seeing someone deliver packages. Buying something meant I would see another human being. I look back now and I know most purchases were frivolous.

Prices increases haven't really changed how I look at luxury goods. Most bags I like from most brands aren't "popular," so they don't really see an exuberant price increase.

A price increase is still frustrating though, especially when they're happening one after the other. I think LV would have been better off spacing their increases, instead of within months. There are some items whose prices have gone down, instead of up. Fine jewelry was increased to reflect the gold market, but now it's expected that gold will start to come down as vaccines are given and life goes back to "normal." My CA said LV does lower fine jewelry if the price of gold does drop significantly, so again, why not just wait for the pandemic to pass?

I'm sitting on LV credit atm, with no idea what to get, because a bag I bought months ago had a price reduction.

 

[iskam.mnogo]

Rambling, but here goes:

I genuinely think - for me - it has gotten worse since March with spending on high-end goods.

I'm WFH and working remotely from an (empty) satellite office that is very close to home on days I may go bananas if I don't get out. BUT I'm spending way less on Uber's and commuting costs since March going to the real office.

Even going into the office, one of my coworkers almost every day would walk over one of the Starbucks mid-morning to get steps in; and that all adds up. I've barely had to add $$$ to my Starbucks app, whereas before the pandemic

I have bought clothes, but I am buying way less clothes and way cheaper clothes. As far as clothes go, I've only really bought cheap lounge-wear (Joe Fresh, H&M), and a few things in the seasonal sales (Zara, Aritzia) - but way less than I normally would. I feel like when I am spending - it is on higher on end goods (I went a bit ham with vintage Baguettes, bought a few things on Fashionphile, ebay and on Poshmark, made a few in-store purchases at LV, and items in the SSENSE and Hudson Bay sales.)

BUT: there is for me a bridge-too-far and an amount I - personally - can't cross for a handbag. So, even before the price increases I really wasn't shopping at Chanel (though those Mini Coco Handles...); and LV I had kinda become a bit bored with prior to this year when for some reason, Monogram appealed to me again. *Shrug*.

HOWEVER: Saint Laurent has been my kryptonite; and the knowledge that they go on sale has kept me from going too ham (I scored an Uptown Pouch I will promptly take out for 40% off in the SSENSE sales.)

TL;DR: I feel I am spending more on high-end luxury, but I am more likely to want some sort of deal AND more willing to scour and hunt for a vintage/pre-owned piece or wait for a sale. I need something to do on breaks afterall, if I can't walk to get coffee.

Hi!

Sorry to hijack your topic, but how has your experience been with SSENSE? I have bought a couple of things from them (YSL, Gucci), but I am always kind of suspicious of their prices and hesitant that their deals seem too good to be true. But, honestly, thus far I have not had any issues with them. At least, none that I can notice with my non-professional luxury lover eyes.

 

[Juda]

A lotttttt...I'm not interested in buying luxury anymore.
I want to live a simpler life.

 

[AntiqueShopper]

I haven’t bought much of anything during the pandemic. We opted to have our kids learn remotely, hubby works from home and I only go to the grocery store when necessary. I feel like if I’m not going to use/wear it then why bother. I think my spending will increase once this is over.

 

[maris.crane]

Hi!

Sorry to hijack your topic, but how has your experience been with SSENSE? I have bought a couple of things from them (YSL, Gucci), but I am always kind of suspicious of their prices and hesitant that their deals seem too good to be true. But, honestly, thus far I have not had any issues with them. At least, none that I can notice with my non-professional luxury lover eyes.

Hold on tight because I'll go on and on.

They're definitely a legit dealer (I think there's a been a few questions on this website; and everyone has confirmed this) BUT what I've noticed:

- Around the holidays and in the Summer, they have REALLY good sales - but I have seen thing taken off the site and then brought back around in the Sales. Like, I noticed around Christmastime, they had a few Velvet Gucci Marmont bags on there in mid-December (I remember seeing the pink flap for one!) despite the velvet being gone from Gucci a while. It's cool I guess, but I know now to not buy anything full price from SSENSE unless it's a must-have (though Gucci is probably a bad example as I don't think they do sales anymore... but my greater point is don't pay full price; even on neutral coloured stuff like black YSL pouches and Givenchy Antigonas.) I get the feeling things can hang around their warehouse for a while which brings me to..

- The shipping and service. I ordered a pair of heels in the summer sale back in 2020 (Miu Miu for reference) and they sat in the warehouse for a good week awaiting shipment (my CC had been charged though.) Finally, I called and they had mentioned that when they went to pack the shoes they noticed the bottoms were nicked and they offered me a 10% refund to keep the shoes, or they'd refund me in full if I decided I wasn't interested. Which was nice, but it was only when I called to ask about my package that they explained this. An email could've been sent before then.

- For whatever reason, they have the wrong postal code saved for me, and it has taken me several times for me to fix it (to only revert back to the wrong postal code.) Now, I just manually type in my shipping details beause I've had items take 2.5 weeks to go from Montreal-Toronto on a tour round the city and the postal depot. I know it's not entirely SSENSE's fault, but it's something that annoys me about their site (and I've tried to fix it in my customer profile online several times.)

- I like ordering from SSENSE from the Air Miles referral link so I can get some points. I just end up using the points for Starbucks gift cards, but it's a nice bonus.

- I like SSENSE because their free-shipping threshold via Canada Post is $50 or more (and... I don't think there's much on there that is less than $50 anyway...) and I won't have to deal with customs and duties as everything is in CAD. I'm awaiting a package from Fashionphile, and I already know I'll be irritated when I see the customs charges (then I'll hopefully see the bag and get over it lol.)

So all in all: really good sales, really good selection, and service on par with most e-commerce only sites. I would order from SSENSE before I did Shopbop, or Saks... but it helps everything is in CAD currency already. I would still choose Hudson Bay or Nordstrom if it was something I couldn't wait for a sale on.

 

[taho]

I have no plans of buying luxury items until it's safe to travel again. Non-essential spending has been on home office furniture and indoor workout equipment.

 

[Tartlet]

I have many thoughts on this topic. Although, I don’t think it’s just the pandemic that caused a shift for me in my luxury spending. As far back as 2018, I was already put off by the significant and frequent price increases. I was really aware of it when I realized that a Louis Vuitton PM Alma in vernis that I bought in 2010, was getting close to doubling in price by 2017 (before they discontinued the PM size). That just seemed crazy and greedy (my income certainly had not doubled). It completely turned me off LV entirely.

Around the same time, the price point for most luxury handbags began to hover around $3,000 to start. That was it for me. I officially tapped out. I’ve only bought second hand since 2017. I’m fortunate that my tastes aren’t for Chanel or Hermes (or even Celine). Instead, I’ve bought vintage Gucci and recently discontinued Burberry DK88. I’ve now got my eye on the discontinued Bottega Veneta chain knot clutch for my next purchase (whenever that may be as I’m only interested in a certain colour so it may take awhile). I’ve been able to buy what I love at a fraction of the price. I’ll never buy new again when it comes to luxury handbags. The pricing is just bonkers.

The pandemic, the uncertainty, and my changing focus to looking towards retiring early from a job that I hate and causes me enormous stress, have all combined to nearly shut down all spending the past year (except home organizing bins and trays where I went crazy buying last year).

That being said, I did buy two preloved purses in December. They were at a price point that was more common 10 years ago, and I used money from having sold some household items through Kijijii in the summer. I’m fine with that.

 

[pursegirl3]

Although I think we all deserve and should have in store shopping experience. I like others are over it too with the Designers. The never ending price increases that happen every quarter have ended it for me. The out and out greediness of some companies. Looking at you Vuitton, Chanel and Bottega Veneta at a time like this is beyond .. I know , they had to raise prices because of being closed, or in Vuitton's case Turning over the factory to make PPE blah blah blah. Sure one price increase everyone would understand. There was no need for anymore.

 

[PineappleMinnie]

The pandemic definitely changed how I view a lot of things. For designer items, I bought three purses last year and sold one. It sounds like a lot, but I have a rule for myself - the number of purses I have must fit on the two wall shelves I have (current total number of purses: 11). If they don't ALL fit on the shelves, that means I have too many, which means I need to sell some. I consider 11-12 bags a good amount. Way too many purses would be too overwhelming for me. With that said, I am almost at "purse peace". I just have one more bag that I want to purchase, but it can't be purchased here (great, that saves me money!). Whenever we can travel again, I'll purchase that bag. In a way, it is good to have something to look forward to.

On the other hand though, I am almost at "purse peace" because I have started my purse collection a few years ago. If it is someone who is new to the handbag world, and just starting out, I guess people would still buy despite the price increases. It is a different mindset when you got the "classics" and whatnot.

 

[LemonDrop]

I purchase a lot more inexpensive fun items now. Bath soap and scrubs. Body glitter. Hair ties. Getting a package delivered gives me something to look forward to. I find more entertainment in playing with magnetic lashes, glitter and making cute messy buns before taking a hot soapy bath than stalking designer goods. Since the pandemic began I have purchased one YSL and one Fendi piece. But I have moved on from designer goods being such a big part of my world. It's a new world now for me.

 

[pixiejenna]

Not really I already shifted in the past 2 years and have been very conscious on my spending. It’s been a while since I’ve made a higher end handbag purchase. I did make my first bag purchase last year that i;ve actually kept. I would buy and then return them because they just didn’t spark joy when I got them. My rule is if I bought a new bag and didn’t switch my stuff over the same week then the bag isn;t for me and it needs to go back. The bag I got was a contemporary brand and I dub it as a covid bag because it is nylon and easy to wipe down if needed. The only area that my spending has gone up for me would be ordering carry out and lounge clothing. While i have worked the entire time I am basically a hermit on my days off and don’t want to leave the house if I don’t have too. I try to get any errands done on my work days. I edited this to add I have also been very leery of wearing anything that is easily identified as designer between how many people have lost their jobs and the general unrest for a variety of factors. I don’t want to be a walking target for being attacked because of a designer handbag.

 

[dreamlet]

I stopped shopping for myself when the pandemic began and we were first ordered to shelter in place. We had essentials delivered and I was only leaving the house to go for walks, so I wasn’t inspired to buy anything new. I did buy a few things for the house, and plenty to keep the kids busy since we couldn’t go to parks or playgrounds and were home all the time.
I bought a few things for myself this winter when they went on sale, but mostly are what I’d consider necessary purchases because we had moved to a new climate.
The pandemic hasn’t changed my relationship to luxury goods, but it has changed my relationship to shopping in general.

 

[ATLbagaddict]

I definitely feel this thread!! I sadly think I’m in the camp of somehow coming to terms with how much luxury purchases don’t actually matter that much to me in the long run, but yet somehow having spent more on luxury goods during the pandemic. I relate both to the posters who need the activity of hunting down a bag (I’m SO all about the chase) as well as feeling ... some type of way now about wearing obvious designer bags out and about when so many people are struggling financially. I did give the most to charity than I ever had last year ... but obviously that amount didn’t come close to what I probably spent on bags. I think as someone who is super extroverted with an energy that thrives off of others I haven’t been allowing myself to explore how deeply unhappy this pandemic is making me (I mean duh I know it’s making us ALL unhappy). And I’m angry at myself for feeling that way because I’m so lucky - I live in a great city, with a great, high paying job, with a wonderful partner. But I miss going out, dressing up, and seeing people. Even getting dressed for work in the mornings, even though I knew I’d only see my desk and a few people ha, used to make me happy. Now I just roll out of bed into sweatpants as all my clothes and handbags collect dust. So I think I’ve definitely been buying and consuming generally as a way to look forward to when things return to “normal”. But the price increases do piss me off. I just “panic” bought a Dior saddle because I saw the price increase coming and had been eyeing one for a while to buy later this year as a treat for when I could actually go out on the town and use it. Now obviously no one put a gun to my head and made me buy it, and I just fed into their business model, but my mindset was well I better get it at this price now and then I can always return it if I change my mind before 30 days. I don’t know ... I’m rambling, but I guess the bottom line is I *remember* the feeling of buying my first designer bag (LV PM) and wearing it absolutely everywhere and it sparking SO much joy. It frankly still does when I look at it. Now, I spend more and more but yet feel less and less joy. I’m hoping that lack of joy fades away when I can use my bags for more than just taking my dog for a walk though.