Is anyone more hesitant about buying handbags in 2024?

[Sparkletastic]

Due to Covid (which brought fewer opportunities to wear bags) and some significant personal health concerns, I only bought 3 bags from Mar 2020 - Mar 2024. That was a markedly slower rate than before.

Now that I’m healed and have more places to go, I’m happily buying and selling again because I need new variety and my functional needs have changed (WFH, fewer things to carry, etc.). Over the last 2 months, I’ve had a LOT of fun picking up pristine preloved bags I missed when they first came out. And I intend to get a couple more bags before year end (likely new).

That being said, I refuse to participate in the crazy price increases like Chanel. I‘m grateful I bought the same bags for 1/5th ish of the cost with better quality.

Where I do have concerns about buying bags is resale prices. With people shamelessly buying mirror fakes , fewer people will be buying real bags resale. This would cause the resale market to decline. So, I want any bag I buy to be
a sure fire keeper or be fine with taking a larger than usual hit when I sell.

 

[Catash]

Same. I have Birkin and Kelly and my most used bag is a Tumi nylon tote, which can accommodate my lap top, a bottle of water and other things. When I go out with my kids I use an MCM backpack. I leave them on the floor if I have to and don't feel bad about it.

 

[Nathaniele]

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[newheart]

I feel you. I also live in a major city and feel unsafe and hyper vigilant every time I wear a designer bag. Crime is a serious concern for me. I would never wear my designer bags to work or just walking around, unless I am hiding the logo and it is daylight (but even then, I get scared).

To be honest, I've been spending a majority of my shopping recently focused on upgrading my wardrobe with nice RTW. I really enjoy fashion and putting together outfits that accentuate me. Maybe there is something subconscious about preferring to spend money on nice clothes instead of handbags because of the safety component, too.

Same here. I have been buying clothes and thrifting unique pieces instead of buying bags although buying handbags is where my heart is.

 

[Cali2HI]

I have too many bags and am trying to stop buying. Or least try to sell/give some to have more space. lol

 

[SDC2003]

I’m not more hesitant just tired of luxury and concerned about safety and after having shopped luxury a while and as I’ve grown older I know what works and what doesn’t and I’ve become very picky.

I’m tired of the ridiculous and unjustified price increases. It doesn’t help that I am now aware that much of luxury is nowhere near what I thought it cost to make. There is imo also a lack of transparency wrt to labor and the environment in the luxury industry.

Luxury isn’t for special occasions or as unique as i thought it was. Luxury really is intended for the masses which is fine but I am not paying today’s prices. I’d rather get a pair of hoka over Chanel sneakers. The luxury brands care most about revenue. Client service really hit the pits during the pandemic and while service has improved it’s not really about loyalty but how much money you can spend. And those spending a lot and getting privileges seem to be the personal shoppers and resellers. How many real clients can compete with that?

Social media has also contributed to oversaturation of luxury and boring designs. Brands used to do limited collections but they seem to release new products every month they’re stale designs - just different materials and colors.

I see so much luxury addiction online it’s become a turn off. Influencers constantly buying and chasing. Never satiated. Constant selling of items for whatever reason. Constantly flex flex flexing. Even h bags or vca or Cartier jewelry that were once seen occasionally are all over the place whether real or fake. if I spend 10k on a bag I don’t want to see it everywhere. Plus sometimes I feel somewhat foolish for spending so much on ubiquitous items esp when I only feel comfortable carrying them on very limited occasions. Why spend so much on a bag I can’t use all the time?

I don’t feel comfortable wearing my Chanel classics or bk because of safety and also judgement. While my cf were purchased more than five years ago I don’t want people to think I wasted 10k on a bag. I live in an area that is really low key wealthy. It was different when cf used to be 4-6k. I live close to an area that has seen significant rising crime over the last few years. It’s not uncommon for people to be held up at gun point for a Cg or Moncler coat. I don’t want to be a victim of crime. These crimes even occur in supposedly safe places in broad daylight.

I am not saying I regret buying my cf and bk but I don’t feel carefree with them anymore because everyone knows what these bags are and how much they cost thanks to sm and the media.

I haven’t stopped buying bags or luxury generally but I’m extremely picky now. I have really pared down my collection. I see myself adding maybe a handful of bags over the next few years. I don’t see myself adding anymore fussy bags - meaning a bag I can’t just pick up and walk out of the house with. No more obvious Chanel and def no more bk. I’ve made enough mistakes on bags to know it has to be a leather or canvas that’s durable. No box or epsom or fussy leathers. Nothing that gets heavy or has a leather that stretches overtime. Has to have a strap for security and a zip closer. No more black bags because as I get older I want color.