To not understand peoples' obsession with expensive handbags?

[GMajor7DeadlySins]

Gonna get roasted for this, but I honestly don't get it.

I've seen a few threads on here lately where people have openly admitted to possessing several designer bags costing many hundreds of pounds! Why?

I have ONE handbag. It is in a neutral colour so goes with everything. It's only there to conveniently transport my general effects - hairbrush, phone, purse etc. Why the need for 15 of the damn things!

I thought we were in a recession FFS! Please enlighten me as to how one affords to even think of spending in excess of 500 quid on a bag. Madness!

I don't get it either,but each to their own.

I'm with Riven. I'd rather spend my money on Star Wars novels.

I don't care if others spend a small fortune on handbags however.

I don't buy labels; I buy beautiful handbags.
I might be as big as an advertising hoarding; but until such time as they pay me for the advertising, I will not carry around anything with a "label".
Designer bags without labels, yes; if they're gorgeous.

I love my handbags (over 200). If I see one I like, I buy it. It is the beautiful craftsmanship that does it for me. If it says "Dior" but the stitching is wonky or the leather not quite right or too much bling; it doesn't even get a look in.

They also fit no matter how fat I am.

They are my reaction to wearing black/navy every working day. I change my handbag everyday except weekends.

I have a tray tidy thing. Pen, blackberry, tissues, car keys,purse etc. Empty one handbag every night and put it to bed in the dust bag (with 'photos on outside).

They are second multi coloured childhood.

My handbag was £3.50 from a charity shop and I do feel it makes me look a bit smarter, so I can sort of see the appeal of accessories.

However I would never spend £500 on one - even if I could afford it. You could have a holiday for that!!

I guess its like why people drive expensive cars, it gives you a buzz kind of thing. I dont drive so owning a Designer bag I guess is buying into the celebrity lifestyle thing. But the depletion in my bank accound is a real low.

Oh no Riven fashion no no , how about getting your wheelchair decked out in Burberry check, with matching hat and scarf . Oh on second thoughts you might look like Daniella Westbrook who did just that and put her then baby in the same Burberry stuff tooI bought a cheaper Ted Baker bag and honestly it was far better quality than my Miu Miu one.

I like good bags, they are more my 'thing' than shoes. I bought a couple of good Mulberry bags when I was flush, and dh has bought me some good ones. They improve with age too, when the leather is very good.

BUT, I cannot be doing with the 'it' bag thing. That's just marketing, a cheaper (!) way to buy into a luxury brand. That way lies madness, it would bankrupt me if I were to try to keep up with those. And that's just a fashion trend when all's said and done.

A bag is rarely an investment, unlike say, art, jewellery or whatever.

I don't see what is wrong with owning expensive things, certainly nothing anyone should be ashamed of. Bragging about owning them, or feeling superior because of it, yes, that is stupid, they are just possessions.

I just bought one from Boden it cost 87 pounds and i love it. Nothing fancy about it it just feels so nice. It's the most expensive one in my cupboard so I can honestly say I do not have a 'handbag' thang but I do find myself changing outfits so that I can use it

I don't get it either. Nothing to do with "can afford" or "can't afford", everything to do with "CBA".

I have one bag most of the time - I used to have a "winter" one and a "summer" one but I don't even do that now - just a plain black leather one with a long shoulder strap. I can't be doing with the thought of having to move everything around between bags all the time - bloody silly!

I have little evening bags to go with outfits for parties/weddings etc. but even those are not expensive.

I don't really "do" shoes either...

omg penelope you have 200 handbags

I don't get the handbags thing...........

but I do understand boots/shoes

Although I'm not in the £100's league I do like my boots, and I don't think I'll ever have accumulated too many

Marketing has never made me buy a handbag.

I still have a gorgeous navy Rus & Brom handbag that I stole off my DM over 35 years ago. It looks as good as new; despite being used nearly every day for 10 years.

I also have shoe issues.

Think of an episode of "Rainbow" on an acid trip.

I cannot understand anything "Burberry" apart from a really nice plain cream rain coat I bought about 20 years ago.

I'm not hurting anyone, I work hard, I pay for it. I have never mugged a Granny for her Van Dahl loafers.

I have one bag - it's not even a handbag - I use it about 4 times a year - if that

I bet Penelope has a bag cupboard too

Penelope, where do you put them all? Do they have their own wardrobe?!!!

Yet.

RiverofSleep - I should imagine that if you had £500 to spend on a handbag - your holiday would be costing £5000 not £500

I also don't understand the obsession with paying £50,60+ on having your hair cut, or painting your nails, or a miriad of other things - live and let live though

Ruby/domeafavour. They have their own bedroom .

Unfortunately as DD is now older she wants to swap into this (bigger)bedroom.

Regretfully, I cannot allow this so we have had to put her up for adoption.

Penelope - I totally understand

It was a dilemma Ruby

But; hey ho at least I have more handbag/shoe space now.

Penelope

Hmmm...still don't get it. Clearly a very personal thing.

Penelope, if you have 200 bags why have been using the same russel and bromley one nearly every day for 10 years?

Just wondering......

I guess the thing that gets me is that women are all supposed to be obsessed with handbags and shoes (according to TV/magazines)- is it a stereotype or is it the norm? I'd love to know whether the majority of women really are obsessed with them. This thread is slightly leaning towards the handbag lovers, I would say, but is it representative? Are there a lot of 's who just aren't bothering to post. I don't mind people loving them, I'm just not interested myself. Am I strange/unwomanly?