for the prices Chanel charges, they should all be butter soft....still impressed that you would compare the RM bag to Chanel - even if it's not quite as finely done
look-alike bags
- Thread starter sdkitty
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A lot of her bags are reminiscent of Chanel so it would make sense to compare them.
yes, I was noticing that you compared it favorably (pretty much). that's saying something when the Chanel costs -what? - ten times as much?
If preloved then it would be 5 times. I don't know the boutique price as I don't buy new Chanel.
Yes, it was definitely a favorable review (for RM), but Chanel leather quality (in my opinion) has declined over the years. I have a Tory Burch Kira crossbody (comparable in price to RM items) that is as soft (if not softer) as Chanel's newer lambskin. So maybe it was more of a criticism of Chanel than a review of RM.
But I have RMs from 06,07, that are still in great shape and I get a lot of use out of them. I think a lot of people can afford to buy a bag for 2-3,000 if they want to-I'd just rather spend that much money on something else. I want something of high quality, that is beautiful (to me) and can take some rough treatment. I've found that with RMs older bags. The leathers are gorgeous and the colors are amazing. I don't see that same high quality with her more recent bags, and there's been a decline in quality among pretty much all brands the past 5 or 10 years.
As Sdkitty said not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on bags or they choose not to. Maybe they just want the look for less.
Never said anything was wrong with that. I was just putting out there that you can get designer bags for less that are still in amazing condition pre-loved. The quality is still there AND they are still worth money 20+ years later. My 20-30 year old bags will be around for decades more if I want to keep them or I could sell them and recoup a significant portion of my money and even make money. Nothing like owning and using a designer bag basically for free, or at a profit. Can’t say that about Coach, MK, RM, TB or the like. Your 06-07 bags would have to be pristine to get more than $50-70 tops, which is harder to do because they don’t wear as well. I have three RMs I picked up as casual bags that are basically brand new (one still had tags on it) that I paid about $20 a piece for. No idea how old they are. Even at a sale price, those owners lost at least 75% of their money.
My point is value. Many designer bags are more affordable than people think and if you want the look for less, there is nothing less than free. And you don’t have to love logos to find one you love. Often the ones without logos are the best deals.
I don’t judge, just giving information. But I feel the judgment from several commenters here. I am far from wealthy and have been dirt poor in the past. I am a very thrifty person to this day. I buy high and low, always second hand or on clearance. Only what I love and what looks good/fits well/is ME, regardless of cost. If I don’t wear it, it is money wasted even if it costs 5 cents. About 90% of what I wear/buy is second hand, 5% gifts and 5% new clearance/sale/outlet ...and I love that. I am 50 years old and am finally at a point where I can have some nicer things or things I really love but I am extremely thrifty. If having a designer bag floats my boat, well then...it is the only thing that I buy designer because it levels up the rest of the outfit and is a focal point.
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You can also buy bags that are extraordinary quality for under $100-150 second hand from makers like Bally and Lancel that are heads and shoulders above mid-tier brands if you don’t really care about labels. Think leather lined, superior leather, superior construction. Bags that cost $750 and up new and were worth it. But because the names are not as popular here in the US as they are in Europe, the demand/prices for resale are crappy. Most of the time you can snap these bags up for $50-100 in great condition (maybe need a go over with a baby wipe and leather conditioner, tops) and use them for the rest of your life.
Oh I certainly hope you didn't feel judged by me! If so, I apologize!
The RM bags I have gotten, I have paid maybe 65 at the most. Some have been under 20. I do see certain more rare bags go for much more though, it's just about what one is willing to pay. I thinks it's fine to spend your money on whatever you want to! I definitely would rather pay for bags instead of clothes, even though I definitely need clothes more than bags! Actually I think I am probably around the same age as you, and also extremely thrifty. Most of what I buy is second hand.
I think the point of my post was more that these earlier bags do last a long time, 10+ years so far. However if you paid 550 for one of those bags 10 years ago, you definitely won't get your money back. I know that other designer's bags tend to keep their value, or at least a lot more of it than a Rebecca Minkoff bag would, which is great for someone like me who loves these older bags.
I've seen a lot of really nice Bally bags for sale, but have never seen one up close. Yet. They are from Switzerland right?
I've heard of Lancel, I will have a look at their bags! Thanks for the recommendations!
Bally is Swiss, Lancel is French (direct competition to LV in France). Both have been making leather goods for over 100 years. The first bag that made me understand the difference between mid-level designers and luxury was a high line Lancel I bought earlier for $120 to resell. From the smell, to the feel of the glove tanned leather, to the interior (gorgeous orange suede), the details...I had never had anything in my hands to compare to it before. And I have owned new and vintage Coach, D&B (great quality but generally boring styles), RM. Just...WOWThe 3 other Lancel bags I have bought...the same. The Ballys I have bought (all under $50) are tanks....just solid. They look and feel like bags for life.
Both brands are worth checking out. You will not be sorry!
Here are pics of the Lancel I was talking about....wish I had smell- and feel-o-vision.
If it wasn’t a size that is too big for me, I would keep it.
If it wasn’t a size that is too big for me, I would keep it.
it is even better in person...and because it does not have an easily recognizable name here, you can pick Lancel up for a song at resale. Poshmark, Mercari, eBay....sites like The RealReal won’t sell them because they don’t move quickly enough.