Teenagers and younger girls with designer handbags

[bagolicious]

I agree. As well as each family having their own definition of what "good performance" / "earning it" is from their young person in question.

But if it really is different strokes for different folks, then it's also pointless for those who disapprove (for within their own circumstances/families), to criticize those parents who have deemed it appropriate (again, within their own circumstances/familes). That's what I've seen happen on this board some times, and it just makes me chuckle. No one knows any young person better than the parents. (At least, that's the way I thought it should be.)
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It is different strokes for different folks and just because one doesn't do the same within one's own family doesn't mean that one can't voice one's own opinion. The question was posed to us all and different people have different opinions on the issue. So, the opinions have been voiced.

If everyone had the same opinion, then what's the point of posing the question in the first place?

As for each family having a definition of "good performance" and "earning it", yes families have different definitions as well as different opinions of what the child should be rewarded for such "good performance".

 

[Qteepiec]

I'm a 32 year old Asian female with a designer bag addiction. I grew up in Hawaii waiting for my mom while she and her friends purchased new bags or shoes at Gucci and YSL. Most of her designer items are still in her closet. We were middle class but I learned from my mom to admire the design, feel and quality of luxury goods. I borrowed my mother's Chanel bag to one of my high school formals but was never given a luxury bag. I bought my first designer bag at the age of 23 when I got my first job out of college. In 6 months I grew a small collection of Gucci, Dior, Prada and LV bags. Some young people do wear designer items for status or those that are truly envious will get a knockoff. I think it's really rare for a young person to truly value and appreciate designer items unless they truly admired the brand or have worked hard to pay for it themselves. Just think of all the spoiled wannabes that force their parents to buy them things at the mall because its the cool thing to have. Usually younger people will have only one status quo item that they will abuse everyday so that they can show off. If your family is rich and they can afford to buy whatever you desire, then who is anyone to judge?

 

[rabbits]

When I was younger, I did think it was a little extravagant for teens to be toting designer bags for their books. Now, it really doesn't bother me, so maybe they saved up for it or maybe their parents bought it for them or maybe they just come from backgrounds where its just a bag, designer or not. I mean who knows right and I'm not about to judge.

Personally as a parent of two young ones, would I buy them a designer bag? Honestly I'd very much prefer not to. I hope that while they are able to appreciate the finer things in life, they can make do with less.

 

[yoyotomatoe]

When I was younger designer handbags weren't even in my thoughts. I didn't get into designer handbags until recently and I am in my late 20s. I think girls in University from 18 and up, if they are working hard and earning their own money...why not. However there is no way in hell would I ever allow my 16year old or younger daughter to wear luxury brands like LV...and I am not talking about contemporary designers like Coach/MK/Juicy as I think they have items that are very age appropriate; style and price wise for the teens.

And I agree with the others about women who have their husbands fund their fashion...that is not me. I don't need a man to do anything for me that I cannot do for myself (well, almost everything :lolots.

 

[Gixxer]

When I was 15 I worked a few weeks one summmer answering phones and being on reception at an office next door to my dad's work. Every cent went to purchase my first LV agenda, knowing full well that it was something I would use every day, and that marginal utility of the money was better in a luxury item than in a bank or investment account (for that amount, a that time). My father was livid, even though he could've bought it for me, he never would have, but I didn't care as I earned it (my mum was beyond proud). I subsequently proved to him and myself that taste in designer accessories doesn't have in inverse relationship with financial or fiduciary capabilities.

So I would not judge a young girl for what she has or hasn't. Would I give my future children designer bags? Depends if they appreciate the value, craftsmanship, and have respect for it, and have in some way earned it.

 

[gypsiemagic]

Haha, sorry I have to disagree here. If you're into anything media related like video editing, your first option will be a mac, not windows. If you're a hard gamer, you would get alienware.

Then again, if you only need a laptop for browsing and word processing, I have to agree with you. Any laptop will do. Macbook would be for show.

I disagree for 2 reasons: some people just (usability-wise) really prefer Apple because it fits their needs a little better, and...we're talking about such different products here.

Honestly, you can get yourself a leather purse for €70 at ZARA, and for €2000 at Lanvin. You can get a laptop for €700 at HP, and for €1500 at Apple. See where I'm getting at? The proportions are so very different.

obviously when you are an adult and have a job that requires it, then a mac makes sense. I have tons of friends who are designers at companies like facebook, path, airbnb, youtube, etc. welcome to the Bay Area, they all use Macs, but so do the people who just do social media and sit on facebook all day. Apple makes amazing well designed computing machines.


however, the context of this thread is about TEENAGERS owning expensive things, be it a bag or a laptop, basically every teenager wants a mac because they are the louis vuitton of computers, expensive and easily recognizable, its a principle called conspicuous consumption there is no reason to own expensive things if nobody can see you own them.

I am one of those people who got a macbook just for the sake of having a macbook 7 years ago when I go my first macbook I only wanted it because it was white and so pretty. My dad just bought me my second macbook, and I went top of the line Macbook Pro Retina. Do I need it for school? No I am an english major and just type papers. Do I need it for work? No I don't work I am a student about to graduate, and any company I will work for will give me a work computer, thats how it works.

 

[tiggycat]

Depends on what level you consider 'designer' - it's very common here to see young girls (12-16) with Coach or MK or similar brands.

I live near an expensive private school and often see girls from there with the lower priced LVs (Eva, Speedy, NF) as well. They wear uniforms so their bags are really the only invidual expression they are allowed. Anything more expensive than $600-$800 looks odd to me on a very young person but that might just be me as I grew up without much money for clothes and such.

I remember my Dad (who I didn't live with) sending me a leather purse (no brand name) for my birthday when I was 13 or 14, and I used it until I was through high school and working full time. It never occurred to me to want another one until it wore out.

I will say though that I live in an upscale neighbourhood. I would be concerned if a young person was the only one in his/her school with designer items because I think it would make them a target for bullying or theft. On the other hand in my area a kid who doesn't have those things wouldn't fit in.

 

[momtok]

It is different strokes for different folks and just because one doesn't do the same within one's own family doesn't mean that one can't voice one's own opinion. The question was posed to us all and different people have different opinions on the issue. So, the opinions have been voiced.

If everyone had the same opinion, then what's the point of posing the question in the first place?

Just to be clear, I wasn't talking about this thread. That's why I specifically phrased my reply like this: "That's what I've seen happen on this board some times, and it just makes me chuckle. No one knows any young person better than the parents. (At least, that's the way I thought it should be.) "

When I said "this board", I meant tpf in general, not this particular subsection we're in now. Sorry if that was unclear. I was referring to other times I've seen it, usually in multiple individual brands' sections. (And in many of those cases, they weren't actually asking for opinions, which means "different strokes" should dictate. )

 

[seahorseinstripes]

just sharing but i remember when i was teen and i don't see many advertising or editorial with designers clothes/shoes/bags on teen mag i read, but now even when i flip through teen vogue, i don't think i can afford the fashion on their editorials, and the teens they featured there a lot of them are sons/daughters of celebrities or rich people, even i got jealous of their wardrobe LOL

and especially now since designers have baby/kids range and they're uber cute. my friend's kid is schooled in a private school and it's not rare to see kids 8-10 yo wearing prada shoes to school.

personally i don;t mind seeing teen with designer handbags as long as they're not acting like they're the queens of the world when carrying them. i have a friend when i was in school, she have a lot of designer bags but she's very down to earth and she said personally she wouldn't buy them with her own money, she have those because her parents bought it for her and she's not bragging for it. and most of the bags are still wearable now 10 years later.

 

[yoyotomatoe]

Just to be clear, I wasn't talking about this thread. That's why I specifically phrased my reply like this: "That's what I've seen happen on this board some times, and it just makes me chuckle. No one knows any young person better than the parents. (At least, that's the way I thought it should be.) "

When I said "this board", I meant tpf in general, not this particular subsection we're in now. Sorry if that was unclear. I was referring to other times I've seen it, usually in multiple individual brands' sections. (And in many of those cases, they weren't actually asking for opinions, which means "different strokes" should dictate. )

I understood your original post pretty clearly.

 

[BagsNBaubles]

I don't think it's fair to judge because nobody knows if the young person bought it for herself, was a gift, etc. I received my first designer bag for my high school graduation gift when I was 18. It was a LV speedy and I still use it regularly and love it. Most of my friends received 2-3k in cash so I don't consider what I got very extravagant compared to my peers.

All of my other luxury items I bought for myself, with my own money. I'm 26 and I'm self employed and able to buy myself something nice on occasion when I have a flush month or just save up for it. I've been told by some people that they think I look 16 (mostly when I'm wearing a hoodie or something super casual) so I'm sure some people are judging me thinking I'm a spoiled brat teenager... they would be wrong.

 

[gidramom]

I don't have any girls but if I had one and she asked me to buy LV, I would rather concern the reason why she thinks she needs it.

 

[peachylv]

This is me. SAHM, traveling husband and no family near by and YES it is extremely difficult at times. Much more so than when I "contributed." I personally don't feel I actually need to buy anything that costs more than $500. And that would be the high end of what I'd buy. I just don't feel like the lifestyle I live warrants it.
I honestly don't pay much attention to the age of the owner of a purse. Certainly not enough to judge whether I think it's appropriate for them to own it. Partly this is because I just love bags and if I see a nice one I'm looking at the bag not the owner. Probably wouldn't be able to pick them out of a line-up unless they had their purse with them. Lol!
Also it's been awhile since I was a teen or in my 20s and I feel like so much has changed since then as to what anyone is willing to pay for a handbag that it's hard for me to be able to judge what's "typical."
Honestly I feel like its none of my business. I can only say what I would do. Not what anyone else should do.

Things have definitely changed since I was younger. No one I knew even got their nails done (I still don't). No one colored their hair unless they were going gray or decided to buy Sun In to go blonde. I never would have bought a designer bag because my babysitting money would not have covered it. I am currently limited by my monthly allotment as to what I can afford.

I don't have a problem with the younger set having nice things in and of itself. I think it depends on the situation though. I have always had a problem with buying teenagers brand new luxury cars though.

 

[lovingmybags]

It doesn't matter to me what people buy for their kids, as long as they teach them values at the same time. I just think it's terribly impractical to use designer bags to carry books in, for middle school and high school-when I was in high school, I attended one that was one of the top in the nation, and man the books were heavy. For fear of forgetting to bring the texts home if I have an assignment, I brought everything around with me, and my (two) book-bags were 30-40lb+!

Also, although it was an affluent neighborhood that I lived in, it's so academically competitive there, that most people don't have energy to judge what other people are carrying in their arms; with that, I didn't own a designer bag, or buy any clothes of my own, all the way until I was in college. 'Twas high time to do so, I think!

 

[mockinglee]

Not my money, not my business. I don't know why people make such a big deal out of what other people, often strangers, possess. Maybe she was just handed a designer purse, maybe she paid for it herself, maybe she earned it by making her parents proud. What difference does it make to someone else?

When I was a teen, my mom would always buy designer bags for me and would try to make me carry them, even though I had absolutely zero interest in anything designer. I was a total thrift store rat. SHE liked to buy me these things because SHE liked them and wanted me to like them, too. After I pulled a 180 and started liking designer bags, we still had completely different tastes in brands, but I still carry the bags she bought me when I see her, for her sake.

Also, as someone who looks way younger than her age (seriously, I'm 34 and I got carded buying a lottery ticket the other day), why is someone's apparent age so important in determining "worthiness" of owning designer goods? Would someone see me walking through the mall and think "ugh, another kid with a designer bag who doesn't appreciate what she has," when instead I paid for it with my own hard earned money (and am not "a kid", but rather HAS a kid)?

No, a laptop is useful, a macbook is for show

a purse is useful, a designer handbag is for show.

same principles are at play here.

Oh, nooooooooooooo way. I work in graphic design and there is absolutely no comparison. My Macbook is completely for function, not show. I've used both windows PC and Mac, and each has its functions. I am sure there are people who own Macbooks just to be trendy, but there are those of use who need them for a purpose. I get what you are saying about a generic purse vs. a designer bag, but PC vs. Macbook is the wrong analogy to use.