Is 14 too young for a Chanel Bag?

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#31
This is scary! 14 year old asking for a Chanel. I’m not judging OP’s daughter but she must understand the value of money and buy her own designer goods with her hard earned money.

I never asked for anything except a pair of cool high cut Reebok, at the age of 15. It was expensive back then, more than USD70 and my mom got it for me. I wouldn’t buy my boys shoes which are more than USD50 today considering my financial status is way better than my mom’s during that time.

I would rather put that money into a saving for her education and forget about that Chanel altogether. She must earn for it. I don’t believe in family’s status whether the family is well to do or not, children must understand that luxury items must be purchased with their own hard earned legit money. It’s not about whether life is short or not but understanding financial integrity is important across all income status.
 
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#32
What have you seen other girls carrying when you visited the campus? How did she get the idea of wanting a chanel bag? Were other girls carrying them?

IDK what bag you are contemplating -- a WOC is relatively cheaper than other chanel bags. My GD is the same age and she asked me to get her a Fjallraven backpack, which was easily done.

Another consideration is a LV pochette or one of the lower priced LV bags as an alternative.

None of the above means I endorse the idea, though. I think it might be too a big responsibility for her. If she carries it to parties etc., she might not be able to enjoy herself for fear something will happen to it. I think 16 would be the youngest age I'd agree to a bag costing thousands of dollars.
 
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#33
pinkflower897 said:
I’ve looked at all the replies and thought about it. I think that I will hold off on the purse until her 18th birthday or graduation, and it’s not from guilt, I just want to give her a gift before she leaves! I haven’t bought her a new purse in 2 years, and she’s been using her older sisters. Do you have any recommendations of purses under $1000 price range? I want to splurge a little since this is a big step, and I think she’s mature enough for a nice bag that will hopefully last her years to come!
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Please dont get me wrong, no hate just love! But you said you are a middle-income-family - how can she pay half of the bag herself and how is this "splurge a little" - this would be splurgling a L O T. the most expensive things I got when I was 14 was a Miss sixty jeans for 100quid or a longchamp pliage for the same amount. I bought my first designer handbag (gucci) when I was 18 and had saved for YEARS, and my first chanel with 29, for my 30th, for myself.

and: there is nothing wrong with not owning a new purse in 2 years - I wore 2 for all of my final 7 years of school.

Im sure there is other stuff that would be more adequate and provide a unique experience - like spending the time and money on a mother daughter spa day (which can be pricey, too), combined with a nice lunch or a shopping spree at zara, topshop and co. It might be a nicer experience for everyone involved than just handing her a 2-3k bag.
 
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#35
You may also want to check with the boarding school, at least the ones that I attended they had restrictions on the value of items students could have-because of liabilities. The school does not want to be held accountable for a theft of a several thousand dollar bag from a student’s room- and that would be a devastating experience to risk. Maybe consider something lower on the price scale and more durable? When I was a teen I purchased a nylon Prada bag, it was amazingly durable and they come in all sorts of colors for some great self expression. It was expensive enough I was mindful of caring for it but it survived skidding across the sidewalk when I took a tumble and weathered the rain just fine.
 
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#36
pinkflower897 said:
I’ve looked at all the replies and thought about it. I think that I will hold off on the purse until her 18th birthday or graduation, and it’s not from guilt, I just want to give her a gift before she leaves! I haven’t bought her a new purse in 2 years, and she’s been using her older sisters. Do you have any recommendations of purses under $1000 price range? I want to splurge a little since this is a big step, and I think she’s mature enough for a nice bag that will hopefully last her years to come!
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I’m not sure where you are located but if it’s in area with an outlet mall, I’d check that out. You can get a nice designer purse for around $1000 and even less depending on the brand.
 
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#37
OP I don't have an opinion because one thing I don't do is tell folks how to spend their money. Even if I am asked. That is a big rule in my family (siblings and parents included), especially when we don't have to financially support each other. I think the responses you solicited were thought provoking and genuine. I really enjoyed this thread. You all rock! All the best to your daughter in her new school.
 
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#41
pinkflower897 said:
I’ve looked at all the replies and thought about it. I think that I will hold off on the purse until her 18th birthday or graduation, and it’s not from guilt, I just want to give her a gift before she leaves! I haven’t bought her a new purse in 2 years, and she’s been using her older sisters. Do you have any recommendations of purses under $1000 price range? I want to splurge a little since this is a big step, and I think she’s mature enough for a nice bag that will hopefully last her years to come!
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If she is mature enough to have and take care of one, then she is also mature enough to understand that not having one at 14 is the right thing to do. If she does not understand this concept, then she is not mature enough to have one yet IMHO. This could be the litmus test I guess.

Also, I understand that as a parent you want to do something amazingly nice for your daughter as she leaves for boarding. However, it's just education. Treat it like such and only reward her with appropriate gifts.

I would recommend, at her graduation, when she gets accepted to her dream university, then she gets it. But that's just me. That's what I would do.

Having said this, I still don't let one of my children(who is totally into designer bags...just like me lol) take her LV stuff to school, even though her peers carry them. I want her to also learn to be considerate of other peers who got there with full financial aid.

And I can say that all my children got accepted to the top universities in the WORLD. I didn't spoil them and they are very thankful now.
 
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#43
A Chanel bag at 14?!? My goodness, I can’t even imagine. I guess because at that age my daughter thought Abercrombie and Hollister was designer (lol). I would say 14 is definitely too young no matter what end of the income scale you’re on. I don’t feel it makes sense even for extremely wealthy people...I mean just because you can do something doesn’t always mean you should. ;)
 
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#44
Which Chanel bag does she want? There are some that look more 'mature' than others. How is she going to pay for it? I think 14 is a little too young, but if she is going to work to pay for the bag in full and keeps good grades, you may have to let her go ahead with the purchase. In the meantime, she may change her mind. :amuse:
 
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