Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?

[ettieb]

I have seen a few threads recently with people discussing designer handbags and I'm absolutely baffled why people are spending so much money on a handbag.
What can be so special about a handbag (or a pair of shoes) that people will pay hundreds of pounds for them when they can get a decent leather bag for a fraction of the cost of a designer bag?
There must be a limit to how good the quality of a bag can be... surely no bag is worth £800?
The most expensive bag I have ever bought cost £35 and I felt very guilty as this is a lot of money for a bag in my world.
Is it a status thing? Do they buy and carry these bags so other people will know that they have lots of money to waste?
I honestly don't get it, it just seems obscene to me. I get that people can spend their money on whatever they want but it just seems such a waste and so show-offy.

Because they want to.

It’s all relative, a few hundred is ok. I wouldn’t pay another 3k to add a couple of cc’s

A Chanel classic flap is now over 8k. I wouldn’t pay that as the quality has declined

I completely get you that a lot of designer products are no better quality than standard products but if you gave me a bazillion pounds I would be buying designer instead of high street brands! 😂

Because I love them

Different people get enjoyment out of different things in life, some cars, some bags and shoes. I haven't spent more than £50 on a handbag (perhaps when my children are older and no longer sticking open Capri suns in my bag I'd consider it) but I do love looking at people's bags/ shoes over on the S+B threads.

Nw22 £8000!!!! gosh, it never even occurred to me a bag could cost that much!

They want too.
It presumably makes them happy

I don't buy designer clothes, but a good handbag, purse and watch is a must. Makes you feel good. And some nice statement pieces can really change the look of an otherwise reasonably priced, bargain outfit.

Holidaymoo - I think we should all be able to buy what we want.... but what is it about them that you love?

Why not.

if you can afford it.

an £800 leather bag will be a lot nicer than a £35 pleather bag imo.

It's a status thing. The bag is no better than a cheaper one, it's the prestige that comes with it that people are attracted to.

Signalling. To other women mostly, as men don't care.

I used to feel bad spending more than £30 on a bag. My last one cost £100 and the quality is so much better. I guess leather costs even more.

I think there is a happy medium, for example Mulberry bags when they were still made in England were expensive but you were paying a reasonable price for quality of materials and workmanship, not an outrageous price for a brand name.

I don't want to be a dick, but what is it to you? I mean, what is your point? If someone is wealthy then their purchase of a designer bag is the equivalent to me buying one for say, £100.
Other times people like different luxuries. For eg, if you don't drive then you have more money available for other things.

Because they want to.

Same reason I choose to holiday in the Caribbean when I could go to Devon for a fraction of the price, or drive an Audi instead of a Kia.

35quid OP? How obscene, you know you can buy a carrier bag for pence? Or just cup your hands together and carry things that way? Do your clothes not have pockets, that would be free!?
I have a few designer bags. I love them and I can afford them. They last for years and give me pleasure.
My £800 bags actually are all pleather @PegasusReturns 😆

Because I can tbh.

Because they are gullible, that's why.
Nobody gives a toss what labels your wearing, Some people walk around like billboards.
My Grandad always made sure he had a fancy car parked outside his house, rather than there being food in his cupboards to feed his family, such was the approval he so desperately needed.

I have a limited edition designer handbag. I saw it, fell in love with the shape and colour and as we had the money available I bought it. I have used it every day (except for the odd wedding or meal out when it wouldn't go with my outfit) for 13 years and it's still going strong. I've cleaned it so you can see scuffs but the leather is bright and in excellent condition. The only people who know it's designer are my immediate family and the staff of the brand (it isn't covered in logos or bling and very few were sold in the colour I have).

Apart from buying a bag because you can, some rare designer bags are worth even more second hand because there's a waiting list to buy them.

Just look at these prices:
Top 10 Most Expensive Handbags of 2023: From Hermes to Mouawad

• Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse – $3.8 Million.
• Hermes Kelly Rose Gold – $2 Million.
• Hermes Birkin Bag by Ginza Tanaka – $1.4 Million.
• Hermes Chaine'd Ancre Bag – $1.4 Million.
• Lana Marks Cleopatra Clutch – $400,000.

£8k is small change.😁

To each their own!

Marketing

Because I can do and I like them. The styles I get are not copied and are quite different to others. I don't smoke and I don't drink huge amounts so I'll happily spend £400 plus on shoes