to not understand the fascination with "shoes and handbags"

[Justforlaughs]

I have friends who think nothing of spending £150 on a pair of shoes/ handbag. The same friends who complain they are skint every month. Not just one pair/ bag, but loads of them. What am I missing? Genuine question, I have a pair of shoes for work (well, trying to replace them after 3 years as they have fallen apart - and cost me £3 in the first place), I have a pair of high heeled shoes for going out, a pair of walking boots and a pair of trainers. I will probably buy myself a pair of flip flops if the sun comes out this Summer. What possible use do people have for more than that?

I don't get it either... but then I'm trying to think of excuses to get out of going clothes shopping tomorrow

You probably get the same pleasure from spending money on something else.

I'm not a handbag and shoes person myself, but I love spending money on plants - I get a lift every time I walk past my beautiful arrangements of seasonal planters. I'm sure plenty of people would think I'm mad to buy those, when I could be investing in something genuinely useful like shoes and bags!

I will spend more on shoes and handbags than clothing because my weight and shape fluctuates. Going clothes shopping can be depressing if you feel overweight.

But shoes and handbags always fit.

I don't get it either

You might have a point, but my money pretty much goes on the kids these days. But when I have the money I love books.

I'm the same as you OP, just not interested.

I do have friends who say that for them, it's because they're overweight.

There you are! My DH spends money on books every other week, whereas I'll always get them from the library. We all have our spending pleasures...

I'm with you on handbags, for sure. I can understand paying hundreds for a beautifully tailored garment of some kind, if you could afford to, but handbags leave me cold. They're just... bags.

Shoes are different I think- I don't have loads of pairs myself, and due to being tall and having big flat feet I have long since abandoned high heels, but I can see the appeal of pretty shoes. I did spend £100 on a pair of Fly boots that will hopefully last me the next three winters, plus they are lovely soft leather and have chunky buckles.

I would have to admit, that I don't have a problem (in principle anyway) in spending a reasonable sum on a pair of shoes/ boots that will last and get worn out, rather than pushed to the back of the cupboard and never worn.

I'm with you on handbags, but I love shoes

I don't drop hundreds of pounds on them, but I do love a pair of shoes and mine all get worn

I don't understand people's fascination with buying books (free from the library) or gardening, or video games, DH gets as much pleasure from buying camping gear as I do shoes

Different strokes, different folks

Love an expensive bag, properly expensive.

Don't get shoes. £500 for a pair of shoes that will still hurt? No no, for that price I expect it to be like walking on a 5 inch high cloud

Totally breaking the spirit of this thread - those Fly boots look wonderful, EmmaBenna (I'm tiny but with big flat feet and so hate shoe shopping). Where can you buy them?

I mean, I get shoes. Just not ones in the "very expensive" category.

I dont get it either, i have one handbag and about 5 pairs of shoes thats it.

I love good shoes and bags, though I don't spend a lot on either these days. I find it quite hard to get clothes that fit me really well - 5'2" and a bit wider than I used to be, and I rarely like anything in the nauseatingly-named Petite ranges - and I don't like to dress too boldly, particularly now I'm a bit older, but I do quite like having something about me that is bold and, hopefully, stylish - a bit of a statement piece, if you like - so I think shoes and bags are an easier way to do that.

YANBU. I will never understand it.

In fact, I have a FB friend (old school friend) who posts photos of very expensive designer handbags she has bought, and more often than not, they are damn UGLY. Seriously, you could get a prettier one at Tesco.

But why the need for so many bags anyway? I mean, FFS, it's just a bag.

I'm the same as you Lucius. One bag, 2 pairs of boots, work shoes and flip flops.

Sorted!

Here's the thing.

I get lovely shoes. You look at them and they are lovely.

But how often do feet actually look good in those lovely shoes?

Those big build up shoes that push the feet to the front? There's a big ugly gap at the back of the shoe. That's not pretty but everyone pretends not to notice because the shoe is nice. And let's not forget the big veins down the front of the feet because of the unnatural strain.

Those sexy strappy numbers? There's ugly lumps and bumps and bunions sticking out from the strappy bits. But everyone notices the shoe not the actual aesthetics.

As for bags. They're just there to tote your other stuff about.

I don't get it either. I do get excited when I have a fantastic comfy and stylish pair of shoes and boots but I don't drool over them or feel the need to have loads. The bag thing I don't get at all, Dd does though and I do confess to borrowing from her collection on occasion!

Don't get the bag thing either.if it doesn't go in my pockets, it goes in my squishy briefcase (work) or backpack.

I don't get expensive shoes and bags. I get a proper thrill out of finding something beautiful for hardly any money - charity shops, eBay etc. I have a work colleague who will spend upwards of £500 on a handbag, mainly because it is made by some designer or other and I just think - why??!! You could have done something amazing with that money! You could have gone somewhere really nice for a long weekend or something. Why spend that kind of money on something to put your purse and keys in?! A good friend of mine paid £500 for a pair of manolo blahnik (sp?) shoes. They are suede. They have suede soles. Suede soles. She can't wear the bastard things outside, they cripple her and they are fucking ugly. Bizarre.

I don't judge people for what they spend their money on. Their money, their business. But I really don't understand it.

Do you only have 1 work outfit, one non-work outfit and one dressing up outfit? If yes then I can see why you might only have 3 pairs of shoe; if not why do you want to wear the same pair with everything?

I have around 60 pairs,more if sandals are included and perhaps a dozen pairs of boots.

Obviously you're free to buy as many or as few as you want. I just think it's very boring wearing the same pair every day. And there's always a whiff of superiority about this , you're not shallow because you don't care about shoes.

I like shoes and handbags but I don't have many. The ones I have tend to be quite classic so go with most of my wardrobe. I'm a bit like that with clothes too.

Oh and you are being unreasonable.