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?

Meh. Some people spend their money on stamp collecting. Who cares?

Im not into shoes at all but i do love a good handbag. However i dont have money to spend on them so i dont. Your friends are idiots if they are apending money they dont have on bags. Not all bag lovers have no sense of natural consequences. Some people who like bags are dumb, some people who like bags are super intelligent (like me ) the bag lust isnt the cause of them spending money. Their shit attitude to money is.

Yabu! well about the shoes anyway I'm not fussed with bags. I love every pair of my shoes but I don't leave myself short to buy them, I save up and I get them from my DH for birthdays and Christmas

I don't think I even have a hand bag.

I do like a nice pair of Boots htough

Oh OP, I'm with you. For me, shoes are for protecting your feet from sharp things on the floor, nothing more. I usually get cheap £10 canvas shoes from somewhere and wear them until they literally cannot be called shoes anymore!
My beloved knock-off Converse gave up the ghost this morning after two years (canvas has departed from the sole) so DP badgered me into buying two pairs, normal and wellies. I spent £40 and felt obscene

That said, people are horrified when I tell them how much I spend on gaming stuff. My main Christmas present was a £90 special edition, and I'm getting another for £60 in February. As many others have said, different priorities!
It's just that shoes and handbags are more acceptable socially for women to spend lots of money on, so you hear about it more often.

Totally agree, but then find it impossible to walk past a stationary shop without buying something.

Galaxy i have a similar view, wear my shoes til im forced to get a new pair.

Oh and my one lone handbag, i dont even use it, i have friends handbags for my stuff.

I have approximately 250 pairs of shoes, boots, sandels etc. including 8 different pairs of red shoes. Why? Because different ones go with different outfits.

I like clothes. Some of my shoes are over 8 years old but are in great condition because they don't get worn all the time but they do get worn.

*sandals.

I used to feel like this, then I got taken to a mulberry press sale. I am now lost forever. There's just something about a really nice bag. I think mulberry must put crack in theirs.
For the rest I shop at h@m and clarks...

I have a bag "thing". Certain brands retain their value and in fact can even appreciate - I have a Chanel bag from the 90's that's worth more than I paid for it.

I'm not fussed about bags.

I love shoes though. I have shoes that's are around 8 years old. I'm a size 2/3 so shoes are cheaper for me as well and they last years.

I think I have maybe 30 pairs including boots, sandals, heels and trainers.

I don't spend a lot though on them don't buy them often. Usually with Xmas and birthday money.

My sister passed her converse and trainers down to me as she is now a size 4 so they didn't fit her. No more passing down now though

I LOVE bags and shoes, but wouldn't spend much on them, I do love a bargain in the sale though.

I love shoes but have such awkward feet that I rarely find nice shoes that fit, the most I think I spent is £50 on some outdoor type shoes and that was in the sale (think north face/merrell type shoes) but I walk everywhere as I don't drive, so to me it's very important that I have comfy shoes that fit right.

My most expensive bag is one I got as a present from OH but most of my bags are sales bargains and not designer, I won't spend more than £30.

It's my guilty pleasure and I don't buy them that much.

I can see where you are coming from though with expensive bags and shoes, especially uncomfortable shoes! My shoes must be comfy, apart from one pair of heels I have for very special occasions!

So I can't decide if you are unreasonable or not :o

YANBU - I don't get the whole shoes and handbags thing either. However, last year for my 40th birthday, my sister - who is into shoes and handbags - bought me a £70 bag, and it's absolutely gorgeous, I love it. It's very functional though, and I use it daily.

On the shoes front, I own a pair of converse, Crocs for work, a couple of pairs of neutral coloured heels which get pulled out of the depths of the wardrobe and dusted down for special occasions, and a pair of boots for smart-ish weekend wear.

I might be a complete hypocrite here though, as I've just spent a fortune on a pair of wellies. It's the most I've ever spent on any footwear in my entire life by a long shot, but I live rurally, it's very muddy, and I'm hoping to get at least ten years out of them with regular wear.

I love shoes, boots and bags but I tkmaxx for them. The feel of lovely leather or excitement of a fab colour hanging off my arm thrills me.

I don't have loads and still manage to look like shit most days but I do love them!

MrsWolowitz you described that Marc Jacobs bag so wonderfully. Sigh. Dresses are my thing, I could buy one every day - it's not about use, it's about pleasure

I get my nice shoes from shoe city and bags from primark.

I have friends who spend hundreds on both and seriously not being mean but they still can look like a bag of shite.

I have a bag which gets loads of compliments - when I breezily announce that it's Primark, I love the ensuing looks of and

I love shoes - probably have 80 pairs or so - same with handbags. I look after my shoes well & because I have so many different pairs to to choose from, my shoes actually last for years as I'm not over-wearing a particular pair. Recently went to an event & wore a pair of shoes I hadn't worn for 6 years or so. I like choice, & to have shoes & handbags that match my outfit. I wouldnt be seen dead in trainers outside the gym. I think its 'each to their own' on this one, really

I've noticed that my friends who are quite overweight have a fascination with shoes and bags. They have told me this is because they don't get pleasure in clothes shopping.

Beeyump tis true, Primark do lovely handbags I've bought a few from there. Good for accessories too

Reading Caitlins posts, I now realise that I need to buy more clothes - then I might have a need for more shoes and bags I do have a work uniform - therefore work shoes always go with it. I live in jeans and the same shoes go with any of those, and I hardly ever go out smart, so have a limited wardrobe of "dressy" clothes - again, one pair of shoes does the job.
I don't spend a lot on books, love bargains - like the Book People

^^ yes to primark bags, really nice and mine is much admired and best of all cheap!

I hate handbags and don't carry one, I buy clothes with pockets. That means no smartphone because they are too big and heavy. If I do need to carry stuff I have a rucksack, better for my back.

shoes are for walking in. Trainers, walking boots, one pair smarter boots, one pair smarter shoes. (would have more of the latter if I didn't work from home now).