I really like a lot of the responses here - very well thought-out and considered 
Why buy purses? Why buy anything that doesn't feed you or give you shelter?
You mention wondering about the opportunity cost of a bag purchase. From there, I'd say you know the answer to your question yourself: a new bag yields a utility return to the buyer that a new bike, or an expensive dinner out, or a trip overseas, does not.
As an individual, I value fashion, clothes and accessories. I could go into detail about the reasons why I feel a purchase of fashion or accessories is better than an overseas trip and how hard I work in my job, but I won't do that because it feels like justification and frankly, I don't have to justify my discretionary spending to anyone. I'm conscious of the ease with which fashion and accessories (traditional 'women's interests') can be targeted as frivolous or a waste of money.
I haven't spent too much time in the designer forums, purely because reveal after reveal isn't particularly interesting to me. I enjoy the longer posts of individual members, many of whom I have enjoyed reading for years and whose opinions I would genuinely value if I had a particular question. I refer to the designer forums if I'm curious about a particular bag. Otherwise, I tend to be in other areas, discussion relationships, or clothing or jewellery or chatting generally. I own some very expensive bags, and some not so expensive bags. I have some bags I've had for over 10 years. It's a long-term interest of mine - and I'm only 31! I personally would not go into debt to buy anything that doesn't appreciate in value - that is MY choice. 
I honestly never wonder how other members fund their bag purchases - a healthy lack of interest in other people's private lives is such a gift at times
Why buy purses? Why buy anything that doesn't feed you or give you shelter?
You mention wondering about the opportunity cost of a bag purchase. From there, I'd say you know the answer to your question yourself: a new bag yields a utility return to the buyer that a new bike, or an expensive dinner out, or a trip overseas, does not.
As an individual, I value fashion, clothes and accessories. I could go into detail about the reasons why I feel a purchase of fashion or accessories is better than an overseas trip and how hard I work in my job, but I won't do that because it feels like justification and frankly, I don't have to justify my discretionary spending to anyone. I'm conscious of the ease with which fashion and accessories (traditional 'women's interests') can be targeted as frivolous or a waste of money.
I haven't spent too much time in the designer forums, purely because reveal after reveal isn't particularly interesting to me. I enjoy the longer posts of individual members, many of whom I have enjoyed reading for years and whose opinions I would genuinely value if I had a particular question. I refer to the designer forums if I'm curious about a particular bag. Otherwise, I tend to be in other areas, discussion relationships, or clothing or jewellery or chatting generally. I own some very expensive bags, and some not so expensive bags. I have some bags I've had for over 10 years. It's a long-term interest of mine - and I'm only 31! I personally would not go into debt to buy anything that doesn't appreciate in value - that is MY choice.
I honestly never wonder how other members fund their bag purchases - a healthy lack of interest in other people's private lives is such a gift at times
