What is your comfortable amount to spend on handbags?

[maxww]

I did a lot of design to manufacturing cost analysis in my profession so it can be hard to justify to myself paying $10k+ for a bag that only cost $800 to make. But given that, I do understand there is a premium attached to some logo or a design that is unique, special and appealing. I fell in love with the LV limited edition bags such as the Stephen Sprouse speedy and the later Fleur de Jais speedy. They represent a stroke of ingenuity and unbelievable beauty in an art form. Those were the golden years of Marc Jacobs and I gladly handed over my hard earned money. Some bags cost north of $3k.

Sadly, the entire LV collection was lost during an in home burglary. I have been sitting at the fence to replenish my collection and have been buying pre-loved Marc Jacobs classics to fill the void. If something catches my eye and heart, I don’t mind dropping 10k+ but it has to be a bag unique, not garden variety type which you see many of the same listed in the resale market.

 

[Norm.Core]

$3k is my max. I have never spent over $2.5k on any bag but I have been daydreaming about this vintage Hermes that is around the $3k mark that I’ve been watching FOREVER. It is just so .

If it’s still around next year, I’m going for it!

 

[electricbluerita]

I love how thoughtful you were, not only about what you did or did not buy, but WHY you wanted it.

Thank you so much! I hope you're having a lovely week.

 

[behindtheseams]

Sadly, the entire LV collection was lost during an in home burglary.

I'm so sorry to hear that. It feels like there's been a rise in crime lately, between the brazen smash-and-grabs at luxury flagship stores and prominent influencers like Tamara getting burgled. I've actually felt very nervous about taking my more expensive bags out.

 

[maxww]

I'm so sorry to hear that. It feels like there's been a rise in crime lately, between the brazen smash-and-grabs at luxury flagship stores and prominent influencers like Tamara getting burgled. I've actually felt very nervous about taking my more expensive bags out.

Thanks. It was quite heartbreaking; besides monetary loss, some of the bags carry a lot of sentimental values. Yes, burglaries are on the rise in our neighborhood. We have security system but those burglars didn’t even care if their faces were caught on camera. They simply just smashed the glass patio door and took their sweet time as the police came 30 minutes after the alarm went off. The thieves even turned all the lights on to search the house and walked off the front door.

It was a total loss as I didn’t have the foresight to buy additional insurance to cover these personal items. I want to replenish my collection but each time I get close to buying a more expensive bag, I reminded myself of the incidence and I quickly retracted.

 

[Claudia Herzog]

Thanks. It was quite heartbreaking; besides monetary loss, some of the bags carry a lot of sentimental values. Yes, burglaries are on the rise in our neighborhood. We have security system but those burglars didn’t even care if their faces were caught on camera. They simply just smashed the glass patio door and took their sweet time as the police came 30 minutes after the alarm went off. The thieves even turned all the lights on to search the house and walked off the front door.

It was a total loss as I didn’t have the foresight to buy additional insurance to cover these personal items. I want to replenish my collection but each time I get close to buying a more expensive bag, I reminded myself of the incidence and I quickly retracted.

A burglary is such a profound violation. I've been through it, too, and more than the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of valuables that were stolen, what we lost forever was the sense of feeling safe within our own home. My heart is with you.

 

[graceqqt]

Chanel is driving customers away with the three times price increases this year. $3k will be my max.

 

[coffee2go]

A burglary is such a profound violation. I've been through it, too, and more than the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of valuables that were stolen, what we lost forever was the sense of feeling safe within our own home. My heart is with you.

I can relate too! Our apartment was robbed a year ago and I’m still not over it and each time I come back home I still have a flashback of that time when I was coming back home to see the lock being smashed and all our stuff all over the place… However I was lucky that they didn’t care about my bags (I don’t have any Chanel, LV and Hermes) and took only my jewelry and watches which had mostly sentimental value rather than much of serious $$$… I prefer to spend my money on makeup and skincare and turned out no one cares about that and can’t take it from me. But still that unpleasant feeling of some stranger touching my stuff and breaking into my home hasn’t gone yet… Also a reminder that the real treasure is not material possessions that can be gone in one instant, but our experiences and memories that stay with us and no one can’t take them away!

 

[coffee2go]

Also to respond to the main question, my max is at 1.5-2k€ for a bag, and I’m not ok with the level at which current prices for a small/medium bag of most of luxury brands are… Over 2k€ for a bag it’s quite a lot in my opinion and just not worth it, the brands are starting to outprice themselves. It’s just a bag after all, and even Chanel CF and Hermes B and K are not that rare as they seem to be! These bags are all over Instagram and YouTube, even if they are hand-crafted and so, it’s still a mass produced item in a way. So I’m just not buying into this hype, fomo and other marketing tricks…

 

[coffee2go]

I’m at the point I’m very minimalistic in my purchases, so usually only purchase one bag every other year, if that. My collection is so small and I like to keep it that way to fully enjoy my luxury bags and not have them on a shelf, in their dust bag. My limit is $3,000 and I’m not into contemporary brands (have only one bag in this category) also have gotten quite picky, only seek out unique pieces that speak to me instead of trendy, mainstream ones.

Agree with looking for unique pieces, I’ve recently got into vintage, I haven’t get any vintage bag yet, but I’m constantly looking at old designs and find them more unique, with better quality and more acceptable price ranges for some luxury pieces… the only issue is finding one in a good condition and being aware of fakes, but other than that I like more underrated, not in your face luxury pieces, no logo mania, so most of vintage bags have better design that current trendy pieces with simple design and big logos slapped on them…. Luxury brands are getting too lazy and there haven’t been that many interesting and unique designs that speak to me in their current offerings

 

[hlh0904]

My most expensive bag purchase has been a Medium YSL Loulou. Pre-owned, but excellent condition for 1995USD. I love to use my bags. (I would love to really use them going out, if COVID would just chill out already.) I would save my pennies to add a Chanel single flap, but I am priced out. Reason: EGO. The same bag that cost a reasonable amount years ago, is ridiculous now. SAME BAG. I couldn't factor in inflation. The Fashion house is charging extortionary prices now. It is so sad.

 

[Jereni]

I’ve been somewhat all over the map with bag purchases since really getting into handbags around 2013. I’ve gone up to $5500 (for a Chanel reissue 226), but then again just last week I ordered a $58 little evening bag (tho it didn’t work out… quality).

At this point, I think I’m most comfortable if it’s under $3k. Have gone higher for a few Chanels in the last 6 months but I am really happy with what I have now, the price hikes are insane, and so I don’t know that there will be any more.

Guilt-free for me is under $600 or so.

 

[OCMomof3]

It is fun reading the variety of opinions on this issue!

My most expensive bag is a Chanel 19, which clocked in at over 5k. I can't bring myself to spend more than that on Chanel or any other brand. It has gotten ridiculous with Chanel, as we all know. I also love vintage Chanel...though that has gone up in price as well.

My conflict now is that I would love to downsize my bag collection and get a Kelly 28 at some point...but every time I look at the prices (I'm looking at resale market, no less!) it makes me sick. I just don't think any bag is worth the prices I'm seeing with H...and yes, I appreciate the heritage and workmanship and understand that these bags are a big step above the rest in quality. I am not a stranger to H, having made purchases of items other than bags. Don't love the "game" involved with acquiring K and B though, and not willing to play. But the classiness of the Kelly silhouette and the heritage of the bag is very appealing to me and is hard to shake. I also like the "if you know you know" vibe of the Kelly. Many have no idea what it is, and the lack of visible branding is such an asset in my eyes.

Any way, being able to afford something is secondary for me in this type of situation. I would first have to be able to live with myself. Not sure about that yet. No judgment of others at all, just being honest!

 

[tbestes]

I've been all over the map. I've purchased a few $4k to almost $8k bags, but none of them stayed around for long (I couldn't stop thinking about what else I could use that money for, and would sell usually only to buy some other bag with the reduced proceeds). And lately I've found happiness with lots of <$500 bags from Polene, Staud and Clare V. So these days, I'm staying squarely in the <$1000 area, with the vast majority being <$500.

 

[Jeepgurl76]

I have spent a little over $5k for one bag. To spend that kind of money on myself I always feel guilty though. I could use the money for other things or a nice trip etc etc. If I could only buy guilt free I would definitely be buying more higher end Not really sure where the guilt stems from, its not like I’m financing my bags on a credit card. Maybe it’s because I’m switching my bags so often and quickly obsesses over a new bag. I’m not going to stop obsessing over the next bag just because If I were to purchase a higher end bag. I wouldn’t love it anymore than the bags I currently have. So probably for me a $5k bag is my comfort limit but never say never lol