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.

How on earth does that users post say that? Honest to god. People see, people like, people buy. Trying to bring down people morally really says more about you !

@whwhumpthereitis what about people who have bought and now made money on these "ftivolous" spends? You sound bitter. If you don't like, don't buy! Its the joy of chosing what you purchase

I do think the landscape with regards to designer bags and small leather goods is very different now than it was forty years ago. Globalisation and online sales means the demand has grown which pushes up the prices while driving down quality. For me, the more available something is, the less luxurious it is, and it is this, along with the silly prices that means should I decide to buy a new bag, I will probably look for something vintage from the 80s or early 90s.

As for bags for life, well, I have the Selfridges Anya Hindmarch one, naturally 😂

You’ve misread my posts. I am fully in agreement that ‘frivolous’ spends don’t require defending, and that people absolutely should buy what they like.

I think some may have missed the point of my post, I have no problem with people buying whatever they want, I myself could probably buy a designer bag with the amount I spend on my vast wine consumption in a year which I realise others will see as totally wasteful. I am neither rich nor poor but I buy things for my pleasure not to impress other people.
Somebody replied to say that in another post I had mentioned that I use Gousto... I do... it's expensive but I'm lazy and like trying new things... nobody really knows I use Gousto. (I wouldn't care if they did).
The same with someone who commented on the difference between staying in a Travelodge and a luxurious hotel: of course I would choose to stay in a better hotel but not because I want to show off because I want the comfort and facilities - my point is that surely there is a limit of how good quality a bag can be...
Someone else posted a picture of their Burberry bag, I have to admit it is a lovely bag and looks very good quality but it has Burberry written on it - why? You are paying ££££s to advertise this company.. it would look a lot more classy without writing plastered on it. I feel this is a case of 'the Emperor's new shoes'.....
The same goes for a lot of other items - Rolex watches, fancy cars, etc.... somebody mentioned buying a Kia or another more fancy car, I can understand paying more for a car in terms of comfort, i.e. heated seats etc.. but not to prove how much money I have. This is not a woman bashing thread either, I am generalising but usually the fancy car thing is done by men.....

*clothes

I don’t have designer shoes or designer handbags but my engagement ring cost five figures. We spent that much because I love it, I wear it every day of my life and every time I look at it, it makes me happy. It makes me feel safe and secure - for no logical reason. It makes me feel like my DH is with me even when he isn’t. I’ve always hated my hands, I was badly burnt as a child and have scarring - but it makes my hand look graceful and neat. If I wear it for the rest of my life, it’ll have cost about £1 per day, that’s worth it to me to feel beautiful.

I assume that the feeling I get from my ring is what other women get from designer shoes or designer handbags (or getting their lashes done, or getting their nails done) or any other unnecessary things that bring us joy.

If you can’t see the purpose in doing something simply because it brings you happiness then I think I’d judge you more for that than I’d judge the people buying things that make them happy.

No, it is called doing your research.

Hardly. Fashion changes and 'alternatives' as these are regarded are notoriously difficult to pick winners. Look at the changes in the antiques market. Look more at the art market. There is always a certain amount of luck. If you think otherwise, good luck with that too.

I'm work in investments and alternatives are high risk exactly because of this. Research only goes so far.

Absolutely wouldnt compare to the arts / antiques market
You misunderstand, these are not fashion items. If you bought a Chanel flap, Hermes kelly, SPECIFIC type of rolex watch you will always get a good amount of money for it. You have to research this though. Generally if you can easily get hold of it then you dont want it. I know I will never be able to pay what i originally have done for my specific items again. These items will always go up in price. They always have done, i bought them so long ago that if they do go through the floor, everything else in the world will have done too!

These items will always go up in price

I do appreciate what you're saying, but nothing is that safe. Stamps are a good example of this. Wine 'always goes up on price'... until it didn't. Bubbles appear. Inflation isn't accounted for either so even always going up in price doesn't even mean it's made money.

Fashion in investments happen to all asset types and if you think you're immune then you're wrong. There is always a risk that the time runs out however unlikely it seems right now.

If it was straightforward I'd be writing from my mega yacht. The fact you think it's a sure fire winner means the money will get pulled that way, bubbles will start and then...

Having held something for a long time is pretty much the safest route though and it certainly isn't happening for a £35 handbag!

Fashion doesn’t come into it. Anyone who bought a Chanel 2.55 20 years ago will have seen a substantial return on their investment. Anyone buying a second hand one now probably will too in the future. That’s nothing to do with luck or fashion.

I think some may have missed the point of my post

No, everyone got it just fine.

The only person missing points is you.

Totally agree. This is what the poster Dindund misses.
We will never see a time when a 2.55 is £2000 to buy. In the meantime, i have looked after it, more importantly enjoyed it, and will always be able to sell it or pass it on as an asset if required.

We’ve all been quite clear that they have been buying for our pleasure. We’re not buying things we don’t like in order to impress others, we’re buying them because we like them.

if you don’t get it that’s fine, you don’t need to.

I think the key here is that you are talking about fashion, and I am not!

nothing is that safe.

Some things are. Nobody’s going to lose money on a Van Gogh. Or at least not unless the entire art market collapses in which case we’re probably close to overall financial Armageddon.

What your latest post confirms, OP, is that you're aware you spend money on stuff that gives you pleasure (in your case, wine), but you still think that's somehow superior to spending it on a handbag. Because while you can understand why you like spending money on drink, you can't understand why someone else might prefer to spend it on a quality accessory.

You are completely unable to grasp that people might have anything other than shallow, show off reasons for it (the Emperor had new clothes, by the way - he wouldn't have embarrassed himself so much if he'd only been barefoot), despite ten pages of people explaining it to you. Therefore, anyone who buys a designer bag will always be inferior to you spending the same amount of money on booze.

Why is your wine habit not a moral failing too?

Status anxiety.

I think some may have missed the point of my post

No. Your point was clear.

I assume that the feeling I get from my ring is what other women get from designer shoes or designer handbags (or getting their lashes done, or getting their nails done) or any other unnecessary things that bring us joy.

Thank you for your explanation. I think I understand where @ettieb is coming from. I don't get "joy" from looking at or wearing stuff. I get my enjoyment from my new kitchen for example because it is well desgined ergonomically, the appliances are a joy to use and my new kitchen has made my life easier. I get joy from pottering in my garden. I get joy from eating and drinking nice food and drink.

My sense of "joy" is more tangible/physical, and I don't think you can compare holidays, hotel stays and driving a car to the joy you get from a designer bag or a piece of jewellery as the joy someone gets from a holiday/car/hotel is far more tangible and physical.

I hope I haven't mangled my explanation.

OP- I think you ask a really interesting question!

I have a few very expensive bags. I buy them because I want to treat myself and I think they’re gorgeous.

however, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was buying into the design/ brand and the status it confers.

you are right- if you are paying more than a couple of hundred quid for a bag, then you are paying for advertising/marketing/ label. (though maybe also design to a certain extent)

like all fashion- this has its pros and cons. Yes, it’s completely harmless to want to buy into luxury/ feel good about yourself, but it’s also marketing at your insecurities- people want to look successful/ refined/ Sophisticated.

and of course many people then judge others on their material possessions.

no different from flash cars.

it’s a status thing- many women will notice your bag. Blokes don’t care.

anyone saying it’s only because it’s better quality/ they can afford it, isn’t really answering the question.

going purely on logic, you only ‘need’ a couple of bags( different sizes for different situations ) anything more is technically a waste of Money unless it fulfils another need.

I can afford all the top of the range DIY tools B&Q can offer- doesn’t mean I buy them!!

Oh FGS! It’s a discussion forum. If you aren’t interested in differing opinions, don’t read it!

she is perfectly entitled to judge others for their decisions.

the bag thing is madness- some brands have massively over inflated their prices in the last 20 years…but it comes from demand.

I’m a designer handbag addict and can also accept that it’s madness ( and ultimately not worth the hugely inflated prices). We, as a society, put massive importance on handbags compared to even 20 years ago.

id like to know why too!