Why do u spend thousands on a bag?!
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poetry I totally get why people feel guilty if it's not really not a bag they want but something else undefinable for them, a lifestyle, a fantasy, a perfect world, to be loved etc. it's just such a relief to hear that sometimes, for some people it's 'just' the bag, but in a way that totally elevates the bag from the mundane into a fabulous, amazingly made thing of beauty one can actually own.
Excellent question.
I may suffer from slight vanity. :shame:
However, I have an intense appreciation for unique accessories and fashion. I love the intricate details and construction, and I just enjoy wearing something that has a different style to it than most of what's out there. It's an item I will always appreciate the workmanship of. The quality is something I expect for that price, it better be there if it's over $300 upwards. So why jump up the the four digit ranks? I guess, men treat themselves to high end TVs and such, I treat myself to high end bags. It's an extravagance that I enjoy. There is something about having a bag that I never see anybody else with that I find exciting.
The reactions from others is an interesting aspect to the whole thing, because quite honestly, I find it embarrassing, "I love your <<high end designer brand>> bag", Ugh I hate that. So I tend to go for more unique subdued styles. In my town, Balenciaga is not too loud and no one has seen it, I get tons of curious people asking about it. But I never ever say, Oh this is a Balenciaga. I tend to use "It was a gift" (hah!). For me it's not labels, it's design.
Price doesn't matter (unless it's outrageously priced!) $2k or $200, if I love it then I must have it!!
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?
It's important to me because I want to overcome it and feel I must first understand it
Certainly beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the owners certainly think their bags beautiful. I wondered if others found them so. If yes it would tell me it is not such a personal & individual thing. And that I am not in the norm.
As far as the car analogy I can't find a basis there. A car is a machine with thousands of variables as to performance, handling, dependability etc. One can carry their wallet and sunglasses in a Wally World bag. But of course there is an element of pride in ownership of a pricy car. I think they are often bought to tell the world " I am a success". And probably the same is often why the bags are bought. That obvious reason is why I hoped to exclude it from the question by asking if no one knew, would you still? I could pose that to the car owners as well, but they would have many other valid reasons for the car.
I totally get why people feel guilty if it's not really not a bag they want but something else undefinable for them, a lifestyle, a fantasy, a perfect world, to be loved etc. it's just such a relief to hear that sometimes, for some people it's 'just' the bag, but in a way that totally elevates the bag from the mundane into a fabulous, amazingly made thing of beauty one can actually own.
OMG thank you for the insight!!! This is what I am looking (was hoping) for. You have hit the nail on the head for me I believe. It IS NOT THE BAG!! It is something else I am looking for!!! And I know why my bag obsession escalated so violently about 18 months ago. I lost a beloved pet of 18 years. I have been suffering every since. Not dealing with the loss or the grief well. It was right after that I bought my first Prada and the insanity just escalated!! I have been trying to ease this lost feeling, this emptiness, this pain by momentary bag highs! I can't believe I haven't made the connection myself. Now I know!! What a relief. Now I see I must get counseling. God bless you, you were sent to me by an angel.
I have always loved handbags- LV, Gucci, Chloe. But my new thing is Chanel. I always say "this is my last one" then I see the bags you all post on the blogs and I am introduced to new colors and styles. There is just something about Chanel. I have 5 LVs that I have acquired over 12 years and 2 Guccis, 1 Chloe and a few other lower-end pieces. But I bought 4 Chanels (I sold 1) in 6 months. The good news is that the value continues to go up due to frequent price increases, but when I think about it, I just spent $11000 this past summer on Chanel bags, that doesn't even include CC accessories and wallet that I have. I guess I can somewhat justify it because I don't spend a lot of money on shoes and clothes (I wish I could fit CLs, etc, and my arms and torso are too long for the majority of premier designer duds). But it's crazy, the obsession. I think it's fine to buy what you love as long as it doesn't exceed your income or deplete your savings, and (in case it does) has a good resale value 
. This is a great introspective and interesting thread. Kudos to the originator.
. This is a great introspective and interesting thread. Kudos to the originator.
I agreed with the following points
-vanity
-people spending more than they can afford (at $30 or $30,000)
-handbags don't make you happy
-the habit is addictive
-justification of quality n price
-it's a status symbol, ridiculous idea, maybe, but people think it.
But no matter what u r willing to admit to the reason u r willing to spend on a bag.
U know deep down... it isn't going to make u Kim kardashion or nicole rochie if u carry a Bal or Hermes.
(in fact, I was a little turned off from Bal in the beginning because off all the socialites)
It isn't going to make u thin or successful or rich. It could actually make u the exact opposite.
But, if u can justify it, go right ahead
P.s. I will take my mom's handbag collection any time. Then again, I m addicted n bag lover. I have been before I know what Louis Vuitton was.
-vanity
-people spending more than they can afford (at $30 or $30,000)
-handbags don't make you happy
-the habit is addictive
-justification of quality n price
-it's a status symbol, ridiculous idea, maybe, but people think it.
But no matter what u r willing to admit to the reason u r willing to spend on a bag.
U know deep down... it isn't going to make u Kim kardashion or nicole rochie if u carry a Bal or Hermes.
(in fact, I was a little turned off from Bal in the beginning because off all the socialites)
It isn't going to make u thin or successful or rich. It could actually make u the exact opposite.
But, if u can justify it, go right ahead
P.s. I will take my mom's handbag collection any time. Then again, I m addicted n bag lover. I have been before I know what Louis Vuitton was.
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...
Love that last line LOL. Yes it is the addiction I am concerned with. As I have recognized that is what I am dealing with. Those of you who seek out a truly needed bag and pay whatever outrageous amount, then happily carry that bag for a long time are not in the class with an addict like me! I soooo envy you, because you are satisfied. I never am! And no matter the price or quality it goes the same. After carrying a FEW times, or in cases only once, the thrill is gone and I must have another "fix". It is totally an addiction and you have great insight to recognize that. I don't get the same satisfaction the sane ones of you do. And that is what I so desperately want! So I kid myself and say "oh this one is it! This will satisfy me." Just this one more!
Ohhh I think you are right on in at least 80% of the reason we pay those prices. Most do go into detailed justification of it. Some seem to get a bit angry
at even being asked why. I think my reason is that I think the more it costs the more likely it is that it will finally satisfy me! But I have found that not to be true! It's just a better rush, because I know I shouldn't, again!!
The ones (SOME, NOT ALL! if you only own 1-3 classy bags you are in the some catagory) who say they love the quality have bought into the hype. Really there are designer bags out there that fall apart, you can find them on the bay. Used top priced bags that had poor leather, and it's showing, hardware is splotchy, linings frayed. And MOST designer bags are TRENDY!! Yes there are wonderfully made classic bags too, but if you check out our happy closet revealers, you will mostly find loud colors, ridiculous hardware, inappropriate sizes and styles that will be dated in less than a year. Of course as with any " fashion" item it is ment to be that way. Thats why hemlines jump up and down. Colors come and go, so you will keep buying. They are not seeking "satisfied" customers. You can't pay off the Rolls with "satisfied" customers.
If the bag really makes you happy, and the happiness lasts, why do we have to keep repeating the buying? It does become addictive, VERY ADDICTIVE! And after a while it doesn't even make you happy. But you "NEED" that fix. It now controls you!
OMG thank you for the insight!!! This is what I am looking (was hoping) for. You have hit the nail on the head for me I believe. It IS NOT THE BAG!! It is something else I am looking for!!! And I know why my bag obsession escalated so violently about 18 months ago. I lost a beloved pet of 18 years. I have been suffering every since. Not dealing with the loss or the grief well. It was right after that I bought my first Prada and the insanity just escalated!! I have been trying to ease this lost feeling, this emptiness, this pain by momentary bag highs! I can't believe I haven't made the connection myself. Now I know!! What a relief. Now I see I must get counseling. God bless you, you were sent to me by an angel.
Love that last line LOL. Yes it is the addiction I am concerned with. As I have recognized that is what I am dealing with. Those of you who seek out a truly needed bag and pay whatever outrageous amount, then happily carry that bag for a long time are not in the class with an addict like me! I soooo envy you, because you are satisfied. I never am! And no matter the price or quality it goes the same. After carrying a FEW times, or in cases only once, the thrill is gone and I must have another "fix". It is totally an addiction and you have great insight to recognize that. I don't get the same satisfaction the sane ones of you do. And that is what I so desperately want! So I kid myself and say "oh this one is it! This will satisfy me." Just this one more!
I am very pleased if anything I have said has helped you and I am sorry for your loss of your darling pet who must have meant the world to you (what a lucky pet to have had someone like you lifelong).
I see you found the ban support thread in this forum where there are others who have a similarly hard time stopping their shopping compulsions. I haven't read it all but there are obviously people there who are not being satistfied by buying more and more bags, a few of those threads touched my heart as your post does. Perhaps you could see if there is a similar support group in the Animalicious! sub-forum for grieving pet-owners, if not maybe start one. Actually, compulsive behaviour and displacement activity is a very common thing after a bereavement whether it's for a human or beloved pet. When my darling dog died I couldn't even look at his picture and it has taken me a long time to get over the naughtiest little rascal ever created
someways I didn't want to get out of bed - it was too quiet for one thing. I for one, don't find others collections ugly, I find what others collect and find beautiful very interesting even if their taste is far from my own. Perhaps, the 'ugliness' that you feel looking at a collection amassed beyond logical reasoning a reminder of your own over-large accumulation. I can understand people buying bags that they love, even too many. For me the questions start to surface when I see that people have sold bags that they were gushing about only months or weeks ago, And often not once or twice but hundreds of times. If that were me I would be seeking proffesipnal help (or open a shop). Clothes, bags, shoes etc are part of my expression and how I face life, ever since I was little it has been my passion but I know what I like, and I like what I have, sometimes it's not until it's mine that I really love it.
I wish you love and luck and the knowledge that bags are many things but they can't lick your face. Please be gentle with yourself and forgive yourself what is NOT the most terrible crime
.I am very pleased if anything I have said has helped you and I am sorry for your loss of your darling pet who must have meant the world to you (what a lucky pet to have had someone like you lifelong).
I see you found the ban support thread in this forum where there are others who have a similarly hard time stopping their shopping compulsions. I haven't read it all but there are obviously people there who are not being satistfied by buying more and more bags, a few of those threads touched my heart as your post does. Perhaps you could see if there is a similar support group in the Animalicious! sub-forum for grieving pet-owners, if not maybe start one. Actually, compulsive behaviour and displacement activity is a very common thing after a bereavement whether it's for a human or beloved pet. When my darling dog died I couldn't even look at his picture and it has taken me a long time to get over the naughtiest little rascal ever created
I for one, don't find others collections ugly, I find what others collect and find beautiful very interesting even if their taste is far from my own. Perhaps, the 'ugliness' that you feel looking at a collection amassed beyond logical reasoning a reminder of your own over-large accumulation. I can understand people
buying bags that they love, even too many. For me the questions start to surface when I see that people have sold bags that they were gushing about only months or weeks ago, And often not once or twice but hundreds of times.
If that were me I would be seeking proffesipnal help (or open a shop).Clothes, bags, shoes etc are part of my expression and how I face life, ever since I was little it has been my passion but I know what I like, and I like what I have, sometimes it's not until it's mine that I really love it.
I wish you love and luck and the knowledge that bags are many things but they can't lick your face. Please be gentle with yourself and forgive yourself what is NOT the most terrible crime
Oh thank you, thank you! The proof that my loss is likely the source of my out-of-control addiction, came when I read your kind words of condolence, as it put me into a meltdown of crying. That shows how still raw and near the surface my grief is. I don't have a good support system and a lot of people cannot identify with your loss as they might with a human loss. I see you too have suffered a similar loss and my condolences to you.
It helps to know others have felt as I do. And thank you for your precious closing words, I hold them in my heart, you have been a balm to my pain.
Now I must move on here as I realize & apologize to others for getting off
thread topic, as it is so easy to do on forums, as we converse much like in person and that is how conversation flows.(thanks too for directing me to
A thread more appropriate for me and this issue)
The fact that my outlet happened to be bags I turned to rather than drugs or alcohol ( thank God) is like others have said, I have a genuine love of bags and have all my life. I can remember getting new Easter outfits, but it was always the new purse that thrilled me the most. Perhaps our likes are truly born in us and environment only shapes it a bit.
Thank you all for your responses and patience. It has been so informative. I will continue to read about our passion!
