Why do u spend thousands on a bag?!
- Thread starter 1perbrand
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
i like nice things....
i guess thats my only real reason
designer bags are good quality i rather get something i want that will last vs getting a bunch of things that might make me happy and wont last
i guess thats my only real reason
designer bags are good quality i rather get something i want that will last vs getting a bunch of things that might make me happy and wont last
I hear your pain. I appreciate that you expressed your perspective in this thread. And my best wishes to you as you come to terms with your struggle.
I wrestle with what is a reasonable approach to bags. I have observed my growing obsession with bags and don't want to let it get to the point that I make bad decisions for my life. I read some of the "going on a ban" thread and it blew my mind reading about the debt people racked up.
I have bought only one $1k bag so I am not in any danger on my existing purchases but I have a $150-200kk wish list. Shocking number, huh? It shocks me. I came to terms with what I am going to do by devising this plan.
I work (self employed) to give us disposable income, not to meet our basic necessities. I am going to divvy up my earnings this way: 30% to pay the taxes on my earnings, 50% to investment, and 20% on bags or travel. Why would I be willing to spend $150-200k on bags? (assuming I can earn $500k over a multi year period).
I live in a very status conscious area. I have concluded expensive bags will communicate success. An image of success perpetuates and furthers additional success. People want to work with winners. Luxury goods are a code to those who speak the language, but do not offend those who don't because they don't recognize them. I consider bags an investment in my brand.
I mentally joke with myself that maybe I should put on my business cards "will work for bags". (not really). But having pretty bags makes me want to go to networking events where I can promote my business. I expect bags will motivate me to work harder and make the additional amount to make a big dent in my wish list.
The right bag is an expression of art. I love the sculptural and textural aspect of bags. I can look at them. I don't really see what I am wearing on my body other than hand bags. I am visually oriented and looking at beautiful things is the primary joy in my life.
I can assuage the guilt of spending that much money in a self absorb way by buying used and buying bags with good resale value. That way I will theoretically be able to liquidate my collection when I retire and give the money to charity or help put my friends children through college. I look at my future bag collection like people do their kids--they are mine to enjoy for a while.
I agree that having nice accessories can help you make you more money. Career advisors have no problem telling you to get a new suit if you are interviewing. If you can make a personal connection using a bag or a watch or a car, that can get you a job. I'm not rationalizing. It works. The connections matter more than the quailty of work you do, at least initially. You just have to be realistic and objective about the investment in "the impression."
Fortunately where I am you don't have to carry a $1000 bag to impress. I work in a male-dominated industry and some of the guys are impressed by Rolex watches, cute convertibles, Coach bags, and mostly by your smartphone.
I have a question relating to this thread. I am a newbie and cannot begin a thread yet. What I want to know is IF you knew no one would recognize your bag as VERY expensive or even know the brand if you told them, would you still pay those prices? Now I'm not talking about you carrying a twenty dollar bag. I believe in quality for it's own sake, but a good quality bag can be had for a couple hundred. No bag lasts forever. I saw a Hermes on the bay today that the leather was frayed off the handle, so price=durability is moot past a certain point When you go into 4 figures, that is vanity. We are satisfying some need we each have. I am anxious to dissect this need and see if it will help me with my obsession.
I live in a rural area in a rural state. Most people I am in contact with wouldn't know a Hermes from a dollar store bag.
I am pretty sure the majority of you that carry these really cosy bags are living in a metropolitan area, where you are sure your bag is going to be recognized. Am I wrong? I have read entries such as "if I cause one person on the street to get whiplash I will be happy". That pretty well tells me her reason is to be noticed, possibly envied or at least to think that she is. And there is nothing wrong with that But i KNOW that is not my reason, for as I said, no one I come in contact with would even know. So let's be honest and examine our reasons. No blame game here. No fault finding. No one is wrong. I just want us to examine deeply what we fullfill with the extravagant bags.
Along the same lines are you attracted to other ladies bag collections? This is very important in my trying to anaylize this phenomena. I find I am not. I have looked at bag collections proud owners are showing us and I know there are thousands of dollars represented there. Yet I think, those are the ugliest bunch of bags! Truly, to carry them, I wouldn't give you $10 for the lot. Though I would love the money they cost.
I ( and you possibly) will say, "it's about how they make me feel". Yes but WHY do they make us feel that way?
Any insights, I would be grateful to hear.
I live in a rural area in a rural state. Most people I am in contact with wouldn't know a Hermes from a dollar store bag.
I am pretty sure the majority of you that carry these really cosy bags are living in a metropolitan area, where you are sure your bag is going to be recognized. Am I wrong? I have read entries such as "if I cause one person on the street to get whiplash I will be happy". That pretty well tells me her reason is to be noticed, possibly envied or at least to think that she is. And there is nothing wrong with that But i KNOW that is not my reason, for as I said, no one I come in contact with would even know. So let's be honest and examine our reasons. No blame game here. No fault finding. No one is wrong. I just want us to examine deeply what we fullfill with the extravagant bags.
Along the same lines are you attracted to other ladies bag collections? This is very important in my trying to anaylize this phenomena. I find I am not. I have looked at bag collections proud owners are showing us and I know there are thousands of dollars represented there. Yet I think, those are the ugliest bunch of bags! Truly, to carry them, I wouldn't give you $10 for the lot. Though I would love the money they cost.
I ( and you possibly) will say, "it's about how they make me feel". Yes but WHY do they make us feel that way?
Any insights, I would be grateful to hear.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Also for the insight you have expressed. I think you have a very valid reason for carrying high end bags as in the situations you describe, appearances are everything! I am sure they do assist in your business. I have stumbled upon a bit of that when I have noted a definate demeanor change when a salesperson in better stores notes my bag. I suppose they think if I dropped bucks once, I might do it again. LOL
But seriously, I really appreciated your thoughtful insight and your detailed financial plan to fund your passion. I don't think you will ever be in a financial upheaval with your level head. Thanks!!
I think you can start a thread after 10 posts. You have an intensity about this issue that exceeds this thread. I would suggest you find some threads and make "nice bag" posts to get you to 10 posts. Then start a thread that meets your needs to discuss this issue.
for me, I buy the bag becuase i love it!!=) as long as its not too ugly that my family or bf will think it looks too bad then i dun care if other people can recognise the bag is worth $1xxx or not.
In my case I'm not looking for 'ur bag is ex' recognition cos Im happy just having them sitting in my cupboard.. I like e process of researching for my next brand n sense of achievement of having e selected piece.. E sad things is e more I research e more I see inspired pieces from e 'non-premium' brands n I'm v particular about having e 'original' so my selection of bags tend to cost thousands.. A good example of ignorance is bliss, I kinda miss those days where a bag is just a bag to me..
Sunbyrd, I would be nervous about carrying expensive recognizable bags. I am not obsessed with bags. I would spend more than $1000 on a coat or piece of jewelry I loved. If I loved a bag that much and could justify its use, I might spend $1000 on a high quality, long lasting bag. But I would prefer the brand not be easily recognized by most of the people I encounter.
You: This is very important in my trying to anaylize this phenomena.
Me: May I ask why is that?
You:I have looked at bag collections proud owners are showing us and I know there are thousands of dollars represented there. Yet I think, those are the ugliest bunch of bags!
Me: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
You:I ( and you possibly) will say, "it's about how they make me feel". Yes but WHY do they make us feel that way?
Me: Hhmmmnnn...interesting....but I do think buying and expensive bag is not so different from buying an expensive entertainment showcase or a really snazzy car, or a beautiful watch, or a really nice dress....it is all relative. If one has the money to burn, then why not? Why not ask a guy "why spend thousands" on an expensive car?
Agree. Not bags but some of my vintage clothes passed down from my Mum are my absolute favourite items of clothing. And if she had designer bags to pass down to me I'd personally be over the moon.
I have to say I don't believe anyone who says their main reason/personal justification for buying a designer bag(s) is to pass it(them) down to their children though. It's a bonus of buying a bag of great quality, sure, but I think a secondary reason for buying a designer bag than personal want...
After all we all know that price doesn't (always) = quality. And it's entirely possible that the children in question may not be interested in designer bags and would be just as happy with an unbranded bag from their mum as with a Chanel.
I carry my mother's and my grandmother's bags/jewellery/clothes etc too but I think we are the exceptions, I know my sister or most of my/her friends would never in a million years. I would not kid myself that any bag I bought would suit my not-yet-born daughters.
I totally get the pressure to carry certain bags of a certain make for 'club' status, but most of the pressure is in our own minds. Some of my mother's friend's make tPFers look relaxed, they are not only OBSESSIVE they are COMPULSIVE. In Europe, any buisness person with a new bag suspect let alone one costing thousands (the more expensive the brand, the more beaten up it must appear). There are bloggers carrying and passing fakes off as the real thing and hundreds of fakes masquerading in the most up-town locations. It's INSANE. Do they people are blind? No, they are deluded into thinking following fashion is a sport whereas real fashionistas are artists and make up there own rules and people who are worth doing business with have skills and a solid CV.
I have lots of bags, yes, all kinds, all prices, all ages but I don't feel guilty I go 'shopping' in my own closet frequently. A lot of what we are talking about here is classic addiction and a lot of the excuses sound very close to addicts' excuses. I may be in denial but I do it in style
The fact that so many actually believe they buy a bag for family 'heirlooms' or re-sale value is the real mystery for me. Anyone can see that consignment stores are choc-a-block with once fashionable bags at 'bargain' prices, even once classic pieces like 1950s uber-expensive crocodile, frame bags are a fraction of their original price, their famous brands name forgotten in the mist of time. These were once sold on the premise that these precious 'classics' would never go out fashion...
I have a passion for beauty and art. I have spent portions of my life in museums staring endlessly at pieces I feel a connection with. I covet them and wish to acquire them so that I may have immediate and limitless access to them when I feel the need. Alas, for many of these pieces I cannot (yet? optimistic here) afford and so I continue haunting the galleries and halls to gain access to them but this is alone is never satisfactory. To me, some of the bags I have and want are like these pieces of art in 3D. I like the way they look, the feel, the smell, the emotions they evoke. Some are outrageously expensive, yes, and I cannot really justify their cost singularly. However, I cannot also fathom their value because how can one value emotion? I buy them, some at many thousands of dollars, to use them, look at them, feel them, smell them, and derive certain contentment and satisfaction from having them. Yet, I consider that I don't spend the equivalent on a car - I don't care for automobiles; I don't indulge in mind/body altering substances and procedures (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, soda, cosmetic procedures, etc; I do not spend the national average on entertainment (I do not want network nor cable TV in my home); I do not purchase nor care for trinkets, jewelry, trendy fashion. Therefore, from a fiduciary perspective, I judge that the cost of a bag vis a vis the cost of all other frivolity, I'm still within reasonable limits.