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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think you only buy a LV handbag to show off how wealthy you are?

656 replies

PhlegmyHead · 08/10/2020 12:31

I'm not disputing their quality, as having watched a lot of construction videos they do seem reasonably well-made, but the monogrammed "leather" is just so ugly.

A bog-standard tote will set you back £1200 - handmade bags made by lesser known brands/designers in full-grain, veg tan leather would cost less and be far more attractive. (And higher quality too)

Seeing as we wear things to make a statement about ourselves (for the most part) and considering the bags aren't aesthetically pleasing, the statement, in this case, must be "look how much money I have"?

to think you only buy a LV handbag to show off how wealthy you are?
OP posts:
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10
SimonJT · 12/10/2020 06:38

I was given one of their rucksacks as a gift, I used it as my nappy/general Dad bag. Its been great and been in use for almost four years. Its fairly plain so unless you knew the collection it was from you wouldn’t know it as LV. Not sure how much it cost.

happilybemused · 12/10/2020 06:58

@Remylover

I always think gypsys always wear them them always looks tacky.

This thread truly has become the gift that keeps giving 😂

CarolineBingley · 12/10/2020 07:47

@ImEatingVeryHealthilyOhYes

I’ve got more self esteem, happiness and indeed inner peace (how wanky is that) from self help books than I’ve ever got from a fancy, show off accessory - and I’ve had many of those in my time!
Seriously?!! It's a bag. I wish I had that much time or brain space to do that kind of deep thinking before I made a bag purchase!
WiserOwl · 12/10/2020 07:52

10 years ago I might have agreed with you OP but now that I know more about handbags I know that they have a resale value. It might be worth spending a grand on a never full knowing you have the option to resell it and get a good price on it for a second hand bag. I ended up buying a bag which is more expensive than a never full although there are a lot of LV bags which are a lot more expensive. Only people who are in to bags would know that it was expensive although a lot of people have told me it's nice. Some say ''where'd you get that?'' hoping the answer is Dunnes or M&S. I'm vague. I wanted it for me, not to advertise the fact that occasionally I feel I should treat myself. (Big Birthday)

Whatsthefuss · 12/10/2020 07:55

I agree, I think it is a display of wealth because they are so recognisable ...... but of course each to their own.

As an aside, I often wonder if when airport baggage handlers see LV luggage they deliberately mishandle it, give them a few extra knocks and scratches just for the hell of it Hmm

WiserOwl · 12/10/2020 07:57

@ImEatingVeryHealthilyOhYes

I’ve got more self esteem, happiness and indeed inner peace (how wanky is that) from self help books than I’ve ever got from a fancy, show off accessory - and I’ve had many of those in my time!
Which self-help books!? I've read a load of them but I'm still very happy with my handbag.

I feel worth it now. Before I would have felt that an expensive handbag was for other women. Now I am less resistant to the idea of treating myself (ok, big treat) occasionally. But I thought about which one for about a year before I turned 50

Original poster
PhlegmyHead · 12/10/2020 07:57

[quote BetsyBigNose]@PhlegmyHead - I completely agree with you, I'm certainly not a fan of these, or of flashily branded bags in general.

However, I do feel the need to ask; "having watched a lot of construction videos"... why?!?[/quote]
My main hobby is leather craft.
I've been trapped in quarantine in a foreign country without myself, so YouTube has been my lifeline. I find it fascinating how products are mass/bulk manufactured.

Im not watching the bids, like some people on this thread seem to think, because I'm seething with bitterness and anger over designer brands, so overflowing with rage that I had to post a thread about it Grin

I was watching "making of" videos and an LV one came up, I'd seen a fair few people with the bag and the whole thing just felt weird - it's an ugly material heavily logoed and I just thought... Why? You're not paying for quality or materials... Must be a show thing!
Obviously that means I'm secretly writhing in jealousy though. I do get the same when I see tripe, as PP mentioned

OP posts:
zingally · 12/10/2020 08:03

They aren't to my taste, but each to their own. I wouldn't choose to drop over a grand on a bag, but if you want to, I won't stop you.

Ginfordinner · 12/10/2020 08:08

I don't really notice other people's handbags, much to SIL's chagrin as she has a couple of expensive ones. To me they are something practical to cart stuff around in. So I don't see the point in spending £££ on one as long as it does the job and lasts well.

If other people want to spend a four figure sum on a handbag it's up to them. I just can't get excited about a handbag, I would far rather spend it on a holiday.

Since covid, I find that I don't really need a handbag these days. I just have my phone and debit card when I go out.

BlueThistles · 12/10/2020 08:21

Since covid, I find that I don't really need a handbag these days. I just have my phone and debit card when I go out.

me too

BlueThistles · 12/10/2020 08:24

Must be a show thing!

must be a bitterness thing.

Howlooseisyourgoose · 12/10/2020 08:24

I go to Dublin for work and every other woman seems to have a LV bag. I think the leather ones are lovely. Do any Irish MNers know why LV is so popular in Dublin/Ireland compared to Chanel, Marc Jacobs etc?

CherryPavlova · 12/10/2020 08:27

I know plenty of very wealthy people. I don’t know anyone who would be the slightest bit impressed by the make of a bag, trainers, clothes or suitcases.

Aren’t labels for labels sake rather tacky and outlet centre affluence?

Original poster
PhlegmyHead · 12/10/2020 08:27

*without my STUFF that should say.
I certainly had myself in quarantine, or I did at the start anyway...

OP posts:
BlueThistles · 12/10/2020 08:31

I know plenty of very wealthy people. I don’t know anyone who would be the slightest bit impressed by the make of a bag, trainers, clothes

lol ... what gave you that impression. People buy what they like ... and what they can afford... nobody buys things because they're IMPRESSED 🙄 by a label..

Laaalaaaa · 12/10/2020 08:35

So what if someone buys one to help their self esteem. Who are you to come along and knock it by calling them tacky and stating it’s obviously fake? That’s really going to make them feel better isn’t it. Fuck me some people are so bitchy and nasty.

damnthatanxiety · 12/10/2020 08:36

@Mumblechum0

Totally agree. I don't see the attraction of LV, or now we come to it, Burberry and wouldn't have a Range Rover if you gave me one.
Oh right. Not even if you were given one? I highly doubt that.
damnthatanxiety · 12/10/2020 08:37

@Okaro

Was bought one as a present, then a lot of fakes came on to the market. My bag is still in the box in storage. Don’t think it will ever be used but don’t have the heart to sell it as it was from a relative.
Oh just use it ffs. It's weird not using stuff
damnthatanxiety · 12/10/2020 08:40

What is this weird belief that cow skin is somehow 'better' than anything else? It's just a material. It's no more inherently better than anything else.

Heidi1976 · 12/10/2020 08:44

I do like designer clothes/accessories but ones that are a bit understated. There are some really nice LV bags that you wouldn't know where LV unless you looked up close. I have a few designer pairs of shoes and purposely got the label so it blends in with the rest of the shoe. Large designer labels on bags etc are definitely 'look at me and how much money I've got' accessories. Because in reality, there are plenty of non-designer bags that 'look' like LV that would suffice if you like the style.

MuserOwl · 12/10/2020 08:45

@CherryPavlova

I know plenty of very wealthy people. I don’t know anyone who would be the slightest bit impressed by the make of a bag, trainers, clothes or suitcases. Aren’t labels for labels sake rather tacky and outlet centre affluence?
This is a myth. Rich people aren't one tribe, you can't say they will always go looking for a cheaper version of what they've seen that they would like. This is a nonsense. I know people who aren't short of money and on the whole, they have decent bags, shoes, watches, coats, cars and houses. They don't spend on every little thing for the sake of it, but my impression is that they don't go looking for cheaper versions of everything either.
LifeAfterBreastCancer · 12/10/2020 09:05

Ugh these threads always bring out the very worst of posters. Those tripping over themselves to say they'd rather fund a community bench than even dream of consider a bag more extravagant than a 10p Asda plastic bag. And then there's those vying for the 'considerably wealthier' than you position. So tedious.

Angrymum22 · 12/10/2020 09:10

My DSis has a beautiful handmade handbag, made by a local artisan. It looks very similar to a certain Mulberry bag and is often mistaken for one. It is probably better made in beautiful homegrown leather. It may be considered a knock off but of equal quality to the original.
The most beautiful tote bag I have seen was handmade by very small Welsh company. The design was truly stunning in its simplicity, I didn’t buy it because I thought it was rather expensive at £100.
I suppose for the ‘sheep’ designer labels are a must. But for true style you have to find something that is unique that everyone lusts after.

lioncitygirl · 12/10/2020 09:15

Urgh. This post has made me want a Lady Dior. Badly. 😂

happilybemused · 12/10/2020 09:18

@LifeAfterBreastCancer well said.

However I'd arguably say with gems such as your

Those tripping over themselves to say they'd rather fund a community bench than even dream of consider a bag more extravagant than a 10p Asda plastic bag

I'd arguably claim this thread is pure Mumsnet gold 👌

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