If the family is “low-middle income,” I would save that money for future higher education expenses.
Is 14 too young for a Chanel Bag?
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I went to a very expensive girls' high school as well. Some of my classmates were so wealthy I couldn't even fathom it. I never saw them carrying designer bags until after high school (except for one girl, whose family owned a brand and tbh she was a bit judged for it). The girls usually used Longchamp tote bags and at the time those Marc Jacobs nylon bags that were so popular for a school bag. For the cost of a Chanel, perhaps it would be more useful to get her a pretty and warm winter coat (if you live somewhere it's necessary), a nice school bag like a Fjallraven or Longchamp, and then a midrange bag for when she hangs out with friends. It would be nice for her to do some research on some middle ground options and find something that you both can go get, that way she'll still really like it and you can shop together.
I think it is fine if your daughter was raised with extreme wealth, but you already said you're not super rich. For the children of celebrities like Kardashians and Trumps and Beyonce/JayZ, and Hiltons, their children get those things very early, they already have their toddlers sitting with LV and Hermes. But if you're not on that level, so it should be a no. It doesn't mean anything that a child is smart or mature for their age, it just starts them off wrong by prioritizing symbols of wealth over immediate needs.
Good! Teenagers can be very judgmental of one another; fear she would be a subject of ridicule if she carried one at this age. Better to find out what the others girls are carrying at this school and make a decision, as I bet she prefers to fit in with the crowd.
If your daughter is fortunate enough to go to a boarding school despite your “lower middle income” status, she will quickly discover that having a Chanel bag is just the tip of the iceberg of “fitting in” and that the gulf between the haves and have nots is immense and impossible to keep up with. Things like multiple homes, flying private, exotic trips, country clubs, hanging out with other connected people, flashy cars and designer wardrobes are other things your daughter will hear about. Better for her to learn in life there will always be people who have more and those who have less and it is most important to be content and grateful for what you do have. Easier said than done! I would save yourself the pressure of getting your daughter a purse that is $1000 as I can only imagine how hard that will be for you to fund that. Your daughter won’t need that at boarding school. Even if she is going to save the money for it, a better lesson is to save that money for a rainy day or for the sake of saving.
Agreed it’s too young. I think for middle income families, there are so much more higher priorities as to what is the best use for that kind of money for a 14 year old (I’d pick traveling with my kid over an expensive bag). I’d also worried that my kid would get judged by her peers. I used to have a friend who’s into brand name bags at a young age (her family is more in the upper class). I remembered she was showing us her LV bag collection at her 12th bday party, and all of us were so bored! Then the girls kinda gossip afterwards saying how weird it is that she’s into these expensive brown bags that all look the same lol!
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IMO, 14 is too young. She has her whole life ahead of her for Chanels, Hermes and whatnot. If she gets a Chanel this young, what is there to look forward to (with regards to purses) when she's 30?
Raising 2 15 yr olds now and a recently turned 18 yr old, yes, IMO, it's too young.
My 18 yr old loves designer goods, like me, and saves for her splurges. She asks to borrow my Chanels sometimes and I allow it, she's learned to appreciate the value of them this way!
My 18 yr old loves designer goods, like me, and saves for her splurges. She asks to borrow my Chanels sometimes and I allow it, she's learned to appreciate the value of them this way!
Not a Chanel for a schoolbag that is for sure.
However I won't compare how I grew up with how 14 year olds are today, times are so different now vs 20/30/40 years ago when our mothers did not buy designer bags the way we do these days.
If my 14 year old daughter really wants a Chanel badly, I'd get her a WOC. Since I think we all need a wallet anyway and it also works as a mini-bag. Worn crossbody I think it's cute on a young girl. Price is also lower than a bag.
She can buy a "proper" Chanel bag with her first paycheck.
However I won't compare how I grew up with how 14 year olds are today, times are so different now vs 20/30/40 years ago when our mothers did not buy designer bags the way we do these days.
If my 14 year old daughter really wants a Chanel badly, I'd get her a WOC. Since I think we all need a wallet anyway and it also works as a mini-bag. Worn crossbody I think it's cute on a young girl. Price is also lower than a bag.
She can buy a "proper" Chanel bag with her first paycheck.
Ladies, I have to say I am so impressed with these responses! I really thought I'd open this thread and read the opposite. My 13 year old carries a black backpack from Forever 21 and that is as fancy as she needs at her age. I'm saving my LV Eva for her as she's always loved it, but it'll be years before she'll be responsible enough for it.
At 14, they're into MCM, Gucci and maybe LV. Chanel at that age range is considered uncool because Chanel is associated with maturity (25+ women).
If you really must get her a designer bag to fit in then I'd have her wait till she scopes out "the scene" at her new school...see what the other girls are wearing before you take the plunge.
This Chanel bag might even make her a cast out or a Wannabe at her new school so tread lightly.
I remember when I was a senior in HS, I begged my Mum to buy me a very expensive pair of Dior sunglasses because it looked amazing on Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice)...lol. She caved in and you know what? I barely wore them at school because the girls would make nasty comments about how flashy I looked.
You do not want to spend $$$$ on a Chanel bag that might end up unused in her dorm closet.
I am very supportive of a young girl's dreams about handbags, and about going after what they want in life. But. 14 years old is very young for Premier Designer handbags. You need to wait and to observe the evolution of 3 paths: 1) her social surrounding, friends, boyfriends, and activities they will have, 2) her consumption and shopping habits in general, and 3) if a cheaper handbag can be a short-term solution until she is old enough. Here are more details to the 3 points:
1) There will be many transitions and changes in her tastes and lifestyles. She will go to different parties, meet friends, have boyfriends and develop a teenager lifestyle. She might discover a strong orientation to outdoors, or a passion for travel, or any other passion. Chances are, she will change her goals in life and not pursue designer handbags anymore at some point. Or she will start to surround herself with other girls who buy expensive bags and strive for a luxury lifestyle. But you cannot tell right now what will really happen.
2) For now, I would definitely suggest to initiate luxury step by step, and see how she reacts to spending money for luxury. For example, I would treat her, and buy her one piece of Chanel makeup first (eyeshadow or mascara or lipstick or lipgloss). You should make it a special day and a special shopping experience, and have a sweet treat in a nice cafe afterwards, to celebrate. On another occasion, buy her a bottle of perfume, and go for that real shopping experience like we adults do. Go for a sweet treat afterwards to celebrate it (just like we do shop for those things, with a big smile!). Bring her to a bigger retail store, try to get a nicely wrapped shopping bag. One purchase from Chanel usually triggers the desire to have more. If you buy immediately the bag, she will want a seasonal flap, then a WOC, then a wallet, and so on. But again, you cannot really know right now how her love for luxury will evolve over time.
3) Buy her a similar style to the Classic Flap (if that's the bag she wants), but from a cheaper brand, like Michael Kors. Make it again a special purchase. At MK they have so many styles, their bags are of amazing quality, and for very good prices. If MK is not your cup of tea, then you can look for those similar bags from other brands. Almost every contemporary designer, and at least every high street fashion brand have their own version of designer bags (and even tweed skirts and jackets like Chanel). You can see how often she will use it, for what occasion, how she will style it, and if she gets bored from it.
1) There will be many transitions and changes in her tastes and lifestyles. She will go to different parties, meet friends, have boyfriends and develop a teenager lifestyle. She might discover a strong orientation to outdoors, or a passion for travel, or any other passion. Chances are, she will change her goals in life and not pursue designer handbags anymore at some point. Or she will start to surround herself with other girls who buy expensive bags and strive for a luxury lifestyle. But you cannot tell right now what will really happen.
2) For now, I would definitely suggest to initiate luxury step by step, and see how she reacts to spending money for luxury. For example, I would treat her, and buy her one piece of Chanel makeup first (eyeshadow or mascara or lipstick or lipgloss). You should make it a special day and a special shopping experience, and have a sweet treat in a nice cafe afterwards, to celebrate. On another occasion, buy her a bottle of perfume, and go for that real shopping experience like we adults do. Go for a sweet treat afterwards to celebrate it (just like we do shop for those things, with a big smile!). Bring her to a bigger retail store, try to get a nicely wrapped shopping bag. One purchase from Chanel usually triggers the desire to have more. If you buy immediately the bag, she will want a seasonal flap, then a WOC, then a wallet, and so on. But again, you cannot really know right now how her love for luxury will evolve over time.
3) Buy her a similar style to the Classic Flap (if that's the bag she wants), but from a cheaper brand, like Michael Kors. Make it again a special purchase. At MK they have so many styles, their bags are of amazing quality, and for very good prices. If MK is not your cup of tea, then you can look for those similar bags from other brands. Almost every contemporary designer, and at least every high street fashion brand have their own version of designer bags (and even tweed skirts and jackets like Chanel). You can see how often she will use it, for what occasion, how she will style it, and if she gets bored from it.
I don't think 14 is too young to have a Chanel. Life is short and Chanel is a classic purse. She can use it even when she is 60 years of age. However, if money will be a big issue and you truly cannot afford it, then do not buy it. I think it is very important to teach kids that needs come first before wants.. and that a Chanel purse alone won't make one look rich and accepted.