How do you feel about paying a few thousand for a bag made of nylon, satin or uncoated canvas? I justify the steep prices of bags to myself saying that its worth it for the leather, or even indestructible coated canvas. But how can you shell out this kind of money for something else? Im thinking about Prada nylon bags (I recently got one pre loved for a great price but I would never pay retail) or the satin bag Chanel’s new collection. Gucci has bags in a canvas that isn’t coated, and it just seems easy to get dirty or rip. What makes bags like these worth their price tag?
Paying Luxury prices for non luxurious materials?
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It's not like one can't get a leather bag for under $100. I feel there is (theoretically) a quality difference between the leathers of those and more expensive ones which is a portion of the price. I feel the same way about non-leathers.
As far as durability goes, I feel the notion often gets mistaken for quality and/or luxury. Python is incredibly fragile. Same with calf or lamb. A number of luxury materials are. A designer purse doesn't mean it's going to last one forever.
As far as durability goes, I feel the notion often gets mistaken for quality and/or luxury. Python is incredibly fragile. Same with calf or lamb. A number of luxury materials are. A designer purse doesn't mean it's going to last one forever.
I really like some of Prada nylon bags but, the material isn’t “special” and Prada craftsmanship isn’t on par with say Gucci or LV, etc. I also adore Gucci’s velvet bags. But, I worry they will wear too quickly and easily. So, nope to paying full price for either of those.
Other than that, I don’t care for non leather bags from an aesthetics POV. I generally don’t like the look of coated (or uncoated) canvas, plastic, vinyl, pvc, vegan leather, etc. from any brand no matter how cheap or expensive. So, they are an easy pass for me.
Other than that, I don’t care for non leather bags from an aesthetics POV. I generally don’t like the look of coated (or uncoated) canvas, plastic, vinyl, pvc, vegan leather, etc. from any brand no matter how cheap or expensive. So, they are an easy pass for me.
The prices of luxury items do not reflect the materials that go into them. When you buy a luxury bag, you are also paying for an image that the company pays a lot to procure through advertising and other means.
Leather seems to cost more than nylon and canvas, so brands use that as an opportunity to command a higher price point, way higher than the leather actually costs.
At these high price points, I choose the material based on my requirements for a particular bag. For example, I have some nylon bags which are more water-resistant than leather, and I got them so that I can use them even when it rains. They are also light in weight which is great for work.
I do prefer the feel of leather, though, but they scratch more easily and get water damage, so not all of my bags are leather.
Leather seems to cost more than nylon and canvas, so brands use that as an opportunity to command a higher price point, way higher than the leather actually costs.
At these high price points, I choose the material based on my requirements for a particular bag. For example, I have some nylon bags which are more water-resistant than leather, and I got them so that I can use them even when it rains. They are also light in weight which is great for work.
I do prefer the feel of leather, though, but they scratch more easily and get water damage, so not all of my bags are leather.
The fact that I like having it and looking at it and using it.
I have zero regrets about buying Prada nylon at retail. Those bags look good and last forever. I have one that's over 20 years old that has really been used, and it still looks good.
Luxury is, in part, the ability to pay extra $$$ for the intangible aura of a brand. It’s not about a rational purchase based on the actual cost of manufacturing a product.
I haven't purchased non-leather bags from high end designers. I just can't bring myself to do it even though I've come close to bringing home canvas and nylon bags from Chanel my better judgment takes over before I swipe my card. I have definitely noticed a difference between the leather Gucci uses and the leather Rebecca Minkoff uses, but I can't tell the difference between my mom's nylon Prada belt bag and the nylon belt bag I bought from Target. Buying high end non-leather goods at retail prices would require me to do an impossible amount of mental gymnastics to justify the price, so I stick to buying leather goods.
More power to you for finding nylon Prada for a good price on the resale market!
More power to you for finding nylon Prada for a good price on the resale market!
I personally never thought I would pay for a Louis Vuitton canvas bag. Fast forward and I own several of them. I just like the way the ones I purchased look and function (smooth zippers, sturdy materials, etc). When it comes to durability, we would probably be financially better off if we continue to purchase two $50 bags every year, replacing them every time they wear out. I think sometimes we use the terms “durability” and “investment” without really doing the math. What we mean is that we are buying bags that we love for one reason or another, whether it is the look, the feel, the name brand, and sometimes knowing that if we should tire of it, we can resell so as not to lose every penny that we initially paid. If you add it up, a $2000 + tax $160 = approx $2160. If I resell that bag 4 years later for $1000, I have lost $1160. $1160 over 4 years = $290 a year. This is just one example, but everybody has to do their own calculations to see whether it is worth it to them.
I normally prefer leather, and probably 95% of my bags are leather. But sometimes a coated canvas bag (or a nylon bag for some) makes sense. We are not always rational are we? Most people in the world would probably think we are irrational for paying more than $100 for ANY handbag, be it canvas or satin or nylon or leather!!
I normally prefer leather, and probably 95% of my bags are leather. But sometimes a coated canvas bag (or a nylon bag for some) makes sense. We are not always rational are we? Most people in the world would probably think we are irrational for paying more than $100 for ANY handbag, be it canvas or satin or nylon or leather!!
My most expensive nylon bag is Mulberry Flight. It's served me for 13 yrs so it's been well worth the 150 € I paid for it. Paying more than that seems a bit excessive.
Then again - I wouldn't be opposed to purchasing a second hand LV Speedy 30 DA if I ever have the money laying around. Coated canvas isn't very luxurious and I think paying over 1,000 € for a cc bag...well, let's just say I'm not sure winning any sized jackpot would make me do it. But that's my opinion and only applies to my life.
Then again - I wouldn't be opposed to purchasing a second hand LV Speedy 30 DA if I ever have the money laying around. Coated canvas isn't very luxurious and I think paying over 1,000 € for a cc bag...well, let's just say I'm not sure winning any sized jackpot would make me do it. But that's my opinion and only applies to my life.
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I paid $700 in the mid 2000s for an extra large Mulberry PVC tote. It has brass findings and is a gorgeous cobalt color. I use it for all of our weekend getaways, and bought its matching little sister. It looks great in the back of the car and great hanging on the luggage cart. No regrets at all - looks as new as the day I bought it.
What is a luxury bag material? Leather itself rarely is, if you look at what all's in the marketplace: only a very thin sliver of the product available is highest grade, from top tanneries. Garden-variety leather is not "better" than excellent canvas.
There are LV canvas wardrobes that have lasted 100 years and Chanel lambskin bags that are flattened messes in 10 years. It just helps to know what a company does well and what you need personally in terms of performance.
There are LV canvas wardrobes that have lasted 100 years and Chanel lambskin bags that are flattened messes in 10 years. It just helps to know what a company does well and what you need personally in terms of performance.
I only buy things like these if I have the money to burn. They may make you feel happy, excited, or both. They might last long..they might also break apart easily. They might be sturdy, they might also be flimsy. But you usually pay the exorbitant price because you are paying for the brand name.
I feel it’s less about the material and more about the design/medium in regards to the specific house.
Prada nylon has been mentioned- this is directly tied to their identity. Not particularly expensive, but significant to its namesake.
Gucci uses bamboo in many top handles and fixtures. Bamboo was interestingly integrated into their pieces during war time in the 40’s when rations were placed on various materials. So this inexpensive and innovative material became a special element synonymous with the brand.
Prada nylon has been mentioned- this is directly tied to their identity. Not particularly expensive, but significant to its namesake.
Gucci uses bamboo in many top handles and fixtures. Bamboo was interestingly integrated into their pieces during war time in the 40’s when rations were placed on various materials. So this inexpensive and innovative material became a special element synonymous with the brand.