Is there a bag Hierarchy???

[nmilne2001]

Dooney was underappriciated back 10 years ago when they made quality bags. I think they've slipped A LOT since then.

If I had to rank bags, I would divide them by 4 categories: (DON"T LYNCH ME! JUST MY OPINION!)

I divide bags by how they are made. Category 1 are handmade, by artisans, and you can bespoke bags. Prestige bags (or Category 2) are made by factories in their home country. Category 3, Reputation bags are made in whole or part in a cheap factory but pricing hasn't changed since they were a Prestige bag. In some cases, I don't know if a Prestige bag has slipped to a Reputation bag, so those can be interchangeable. Finally, Category 4, are honest about how and where they are made.

1) Hermes, Bespoke exotic, Bottega Veneta, Goyard, Delvaux

2) Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Leiber, YSL

3) Prada, Burberry, Fendi, Celine, MiuMiu, D&G, Mulberry

4) Coach, Kate Spade, Dooney, RM, BE, LAMB ect.

This is spot-on!

 

[BoldGirl]

OMG - this is such a great thread. What an education!

I thought Chanel was the top of the line until I took a look at the Hermes Kelly Bag.

What magnificient pieces of work - true art!

 

[BgaHolic]

I would place Chanel with LV and all the others as I am not convinced that ALL Chanel handbags are made in France like everyone believes to be! Prada is another company I would add to the list as they have just begun to outsource. Gucci, I believe is still made in their factories in Italy although I can't attest for their lesser priced merchandise.

At the top would have to be bags that are handcrafted by artisans and the two that I know for sure are Hermes and Bottega Veneta.

I would like to add however, that this is just an opinion, and the truth is, I think that it really doesn't matter! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you think your handbag is gorgeous, then so be it!

 

[pro_shopper]

1) Hermes
2) Chanel
3) LV

then BV, Balenciaga, Gucci, Burberry, Fendi, etc to come afterwards

 

[chloehandbags]

wow balenciaga is lower than kate spade and coach? I don't think so..coach is a dime a dozen..I think coach is getting to the point where it's like a slightly more expensive version of liz claiborne or something like that!

She didn't say it was below - she just didn't mention Bal at all.

 

[chloehandbags]

This is absolutely true. People so often feel competitive about EVERYTHING. But bags are not about competition based on name and price. They are all about what you love. If someone adores their designer line bag from Target, it is worth more than all the Hermes (or LV or Chanel or Dooney or whatever) in the world, and if they carry it right it might look better, too! People so often feel like they have to fight their way up the food chain, when it just isn't about that. It's about what you love, and if you truly love Hermes then it is worth every penny. But if you buy it just because you think it is the equivalent of passing Go, then you've made a big mistake.

Maybe Monopoly should consider redesigning their board accordingly?

I have to say, without wishing to sound condescending, I've always thought it's a great shame when people buy their possessions based, primarily, on perceived status.

By not buying what they really like, they're really missing out...

I guess, though, that if you had no real visual awareness to speak of, it would be OK to do so - as you would have no real visual preference, anyway?

The problem for me, is that, because I know that some people only buy on that basis, it makes me feel that anyone who owns certain brands/styles is more than likely doing that.

I know this is probably somewhat unfair, but that is the subconscious affect it has on me...

 

[misstuberose]

*deleted*

 

[mocha.lover]

1) Hermes
2) Chanel
3) LV
4) Bottega Veneta
5) Gucci
6) Prada & Fendi (tied)

 

[gucci fan]

1. Hermes
2. Chanel
3. Bottega Veneta
4. LV, Balenciaga
5. Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Marc Jacobs
6. Burberry, Michael Kors, Botkier, Kooba
7. Coach

 

[misscurious]

LV tops Gucci. Gucci purses go on sale. They even have an outlet which depreciates their name. Sorry Gucci fans!

 

[Anna_525]

I just read this interesting article.

http://blogs.wsj.com/runway/2010/03/08/balenciaga-louis-vuitton-and-ysl-vie-for-top-buzz-spot/

My thought is most hierarchies on this thread are very subjective and based on perception, how you observe certain people carrying certain kinds of brands, etc. This is all good for the bag business and a big marketing challenge for the top brands to keep their bags 'up there.' Hierarchies, to me, should be ignored when you pick your 'it' bag. Just choose what you want. Just not fake ones, please.

 

[RaLoveCL]

Well I don't know much about hermes because I actually just heard about it but I think many people have heard of names like Chanel, LV, Gucci, ect. and know that they are expensive bags. Many people have not even heard of Chloe, though i loooove it!

 

[eye.bag]

i actually rank LV the lowest among the high-end brands, partly cos of the mostly fakes I see around... and i hardly see their limited collection!
Hermes, Chanel, BV... is my ranking

 

[Nancy in VA]

I love the fact that Balenciaga is not mentioned much in this thread - really adds to the exclusivity - most people do not even know about them - Yeah!

 

[karmalaw]

Reading the book, Deluxe, by Dana Thomas is an eye-opener.. and I think a must read for anyone considering buying designer products:

http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-How-Luxury-Lost-Luster/dp/1594201293

After reading it -- I'd say that the standard "hierarchy" is just the result of the effectiveness of marketing -- not based in actual product worthiness. LV, Gucci and a host of others are largely mass produced (apparently, with most of the work being done in China -- and just enough done elsewhere to keep the "made in china" label off of the product). You couldn't pay me to advertise for them by walking around with their logos dangling from my body -- much less me pay them. Meanwhile, Hermes and Chanel seem to both strive for a worthy luxury product.