Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel conned by 'luxury' handbags?

163 replies

realhousewifeofmodor · 29/12/2021 22:35

Have been fortunate enough to have had a bit more disposable income recently,and have found myself lusting after bags from certain well known middle-high end brands, such as Mulberry, Aspinal, Strathberry, Demellier etc.

Have bought a couple, and although they're nice bags, I can't now help but feel that I was conned into buying them from people on Instagram and I only ever really liked them for the name printed on the front. I can't afford the likes of Hermes etc so it's not even super high end, but do feel a bit disgusted with myself that I've spent so money on branded goods when that money could have done so much good.

Anyone else splurge a bit and then get buyers remorse? Or is it possible (or indeed OK) to own a plethora of such handbags etc and to not feel an ounce of guilt/shame about it? Or to truly believe people buy these items because they genuinely love them, not because of the brand name abs therefore status attached to them?

OP posts:
SlashBeef · 30/12/2021 08:48

Fakes are so common and normalised now that I don't think the obvious brands like Chanel, Gucci etc are worth having anymore. Young people on tiktok and Insta have piles of fake bags and trainers and nobody seems to question it. I think you're better off going for good quality lesser known brands now.

justasking111 · 30/12/2021 08:54

DS at Leeds university his GF studying fashion says the Chinese students have the money to shop at Harvey Nichols everything is designer boys and girls. They may buy for family the way they shop.

Estée Lauder are restructuring their company their reports stating the Chinese market is the future. They've put in place Chinese chiefs and executives to achieve this. It's interesting to study luxury companies Europe is being downgraded

ElftonWednesday · 30/12/2021 08:59

I'd pay a bit more to get a nice quality bag but I don't care about designer names at all. At a certain price point you are just paying for the name and not additional quality.

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2021 09:04

I wouldn’t know a designer handbag if I saw one.
I buy bags because they’re practical mainly. I am currently liking MegandBee crossbody ones.

MsSquiz · 30/12/2021 09:07

Well it all depends on your reasons for buying them on the first place. If you choose a bag because of the name/brand, then it probably could be seen as a waste of money.

I choose bags based on what I like or need it for.
I have multiple Mulberry bags of various designs as well as a Gucci, a YSL and a Coach. They all differ in colour, and size and are used often (when not in lockdown!)
I also have a nude clutch from Tesco that matches perfectly with a nude pair of shoes I have, and cost £5! so it's not all about fancy brands.

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/12/2021 09:09

I used to buy the Bridge and Lancel prices. Never bought really expensive as I just couldn’t justify spending that much. These days, I’d rather spend a bit less tbh. Just not interested anymore. I did buy a Ralph Lauren bag from TK Max that went straight back as I was disappointed. Would rather go for Radley.

UserBot99 · 30/12/2021 09:09

@justasking111

DS at Leeds university his GF studying fashion says the Chinese students have the money to shop at Harvey Nichols everything is designer boys and girls. They may buy for family the way they shop.

Estée Lauder are restructuring their company their reports stating the Chinese market is the future. They've put in place Chinese chiefs and executives to achieve this. It's interesting to study luxury companies Europe is being downgraded

Interesting. But European luxury companies aren't being ''downgraded', they're just hiring Chinese staff to make sure that they're available to get the chinese customer's money and attention. They're still European Luxury Brands, and are still desired (apparently by a huge Chinese market).
Kshhuxnxk · 30/12/2021 09:14

A handbags a handbag whoever makes it, buy what you can afford and what you like. Personally I'm not one for statement pieces with branding as it means nothing to me and I wouldn't notice if anyone had something special.

Notcontent · 30/12/2021 09:15

The problem with some of those brands is that the quality is no longer the same as it used to be and to a large extent you are paying for the label rather than quality craftsmanship.

Jessie75 · 30/12/2021 09:17

No absolutely never. I have worked for 23 years earnt a lot of money and never spent any of it on myself until recently. I’ve bought two what are probably considered very chavvy handbags and I bloody love them

MorrisZapp · 30/12/2021 09:18

I love the look of leather totes but they'll never be for me. I get sore shoulders just carrying my essentials plus work bits, heavy leather bags make my bones shudder!

For special occasions yes, a teeny bit of leather gorgeousness is perfect. Must admit though I found my perfect 'going out' bag in Zara in Barcelona 15 years ago and have never had to replace it :) Think it cost forty euro on the sale bench, the leather still looks flawless.

ChristmasRobins · 30/12/2021 09:19

I have a beautiful Celine bag which I love and use all the time. It’s great quality and I’ve never regretted buying it. I spent quite a long time researching and choosing it though. I think buying an expensive bag just because you saw it on Instagram will often leave you disappointed.

Ibane · 30/12/2021 09:21

@SoniaFouler

If only you weren’t forced into buying one
Grin

OP, own your own purchases. The evil Insta Influencers didn’t reach out of the internet and frogmarch you to Mulberry.

Cactu · 30/12/2021 09:22

You can get amazing fakes in China. The best are not really fakes at all but out the back door of the factory. So the fact that the Chinese want to buy the genuine article shows how much ownership is about far more than the bag itself. Knowing you’re carrying a fake bag just won’t give you the same buzz.

I bet lots of the young people with fake bags will buy a genuine one at some point if they get to a point where they can afford it.

ifeelabitsad · 30/12/2021 09:22

I love Osprey personally. Luxurious to me and not too expensive.

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2021 09:24

If you are buying a v expensive designer handbag to impress others then there’ll be a lot of people myself included that wouldn’t have a clue.
But if you love them and they make you happy (and maybe your close friends will be impressed) then buy them all!

Kbyodjs · 30/12/2021 09:26

Why would I feel any guilt or shame about my handbag collection which were carefully saved for and bring me a lot of joy?
I don’t feel guilt or shame about the carefully saved for expensive watch I have or wedding ring and engagement ring.
Does it make people feel better to say they don’t care about designer things like that makes them a better person? A designer handbag does make me happy; other people are made happy by expensive holidays and don’t feel guilty about that.

PinkWednesdays · 30/12/2021 09:30

I have quite a few bags, and I have no regrets at all. The only one I dislike is my LV and so I never use it, but I bought it when I was 22 and so the monogram bag was very much in at the time.

I guess the key is to buy bags that you actually like, rather than just the name. Personally, I don’t like Mulberry as it’s too common (common in that everyone has one) but I needed a new cross body bag recently, and after looking for ages through every designer, the one I liked the most was a Mulberry one so I just went ahead and bought it.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 30/12/2021 09:31

I bought a for me expensive bag from Elvis and Kresse. They donate 50% of their profits to the firefighters charity so I do feel like my purchase was great for me because I love their unique style and did a bit for others too. The quality is actually amazing.

DifferentHair · 30/12/2021 09:35

I think where you went wrong was buying multiple bags.

If you had bought one expensive bag it might have felt more special and less wasteful, and you could have seen how you used it and how it held up over time before buying another.

Try and enjoy them now you have them. There are worse things OP!

DareDevil223 · 30/12/2021 09:43

@stayingaliveisawayoflife

I bought a for me expensive bag from Elvis and Kresse. They donate 50% of their profits to the firefighters charity so I do feel like my purchase was great for me because I love their unique style and did a bit for others too. The quality is actually amazing.
I was just coming on to say that I bought a beautiful bag and purse from Elvis and Kresse (from a recommendation on MN). Not cheap but unusual, very well made and stylish. Also sustainable and doing some good.

I love their stuff.

AngelinaFibres · 30/12/2021 09:44

Onlychildhamster
The piece you quoted from the economist about economies of luxury absolutely hits the nail in the head . The similarity between creator and myth and belonging in both religion and luxury brands is so true. People want to be able identify their 'tribe' at a glance.

deadlanguage · 30/12/2021 09:45

I don’t own any luxury bags but I don’t feel guilty about buying expensive things when the money ‘could have done good’ as I donate 10% of my income to charity which means I don’t feel guilty about spending the rest on whatever I want. I don’t buy leather so my choice of bags is limited anyway. I have a Matt & Nat crossbody which was £80.

Charliesgotachocolatefactory · 30/12/2021 09:49

It’s not a con. You are paying a premium exactly because it has the name and the recognisable design. You know that and they know that.

There are plenty of small UK businesses that you’ll never have heard of that make beautiful leather bags that are of equal quality or better than some of these big brands. I’ve got an extensive collection!

yoyo1234 · 30/12/2021 09:51

I like Russell and Bromley and Strathberry, I have found them to be smart and good quality. Certain brands (LV in particular) I think just look brash and tacky.