Page 13 | Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?

ettieb · 2023-03-29T15:50:48+00:00

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.

Schmutter · 30/03/2023 21:40

It's not showing off. Some people like nice bags. I am one of them. I get more pleasure and use from my expensive bags than I would a cheap one. So, my husband buys me them. No need to justify or apologise or feel guilty.

PomRuns · 30/03/2023 22:03

I get a lot of enjoyment from nice bags - mainly Muberry/Chloe and use as every day bags apart from a couple of evening bags (jimmy Choo/Mulberry Lily).

I'm not as extravagant in other areas.
It's a shame people feel the need to justify what they buy.

1offnamechange · 30/03/2023 22:08

ettieb · 30/03/2023 09:40

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.....

I legitimately don't get what you are trying to say with this. You understand that people value different things and accept that some people would also judge the things you choose to spend money on...but designer items are the only exception?
"my point is that surely there is a limit of how good quality a bag can be..."
Yes IN YOUR VIEW. But others would say 'Surely there is a limit to how nice a hotel can be to justify spending £400 a night compared to £40 on a travelodge, after all you just sleep there, a bed is a bed." "surely there is a limit to how much easier gousto is than just setting up an automatic supermarket delivery for the ingredients for the exact same recipes for a third of the price.'

re: "writing plastered on it" lots of designer bags have very discreet branding. For some people it might be about showing off the label (which is in itself a valid reason if that's what they want!) but not for everyone.

Yet at the same time you choose to spend your money on wine which literally poisons you, fattens you, and you piss right back out!

I'm saying this as someone who loves a wine and doesn't value designer items but who finds your rationale (or lack thereof) bizarre!

SocksAndTheCity · 30/03/2023 22:40

Sirius3030 · 30/03/2023 20:34

Wow, that touched a nerve. I can only repeat that I thought that passionate advocates for consumerism had long since faded away. My mistake, I am clearly wrong. But I'm not going to head out and buy more stuff. Especially pretty sparkly things, and things with corporate logos. If it works for you, enjoy.

Show quote history

They probably have faded away, given that posters have stated over and over again that they keep their bags for years and some even have them as family heirlooms.

It's already been explained more than once that those responsible for the 'consumerism' you're sneering at are the people buying endless cheap disposable crap and your supercilious twaddle is aimed in the wrong direction, but that doesn't suit your narrative, it seems.

I have several lovely and valuable bags, all of which were bought second hand. I look after them properly and when I find I'm using one less I sell it to somebody else who will do likewise and more than likely buy another second hand one. Like PP, I use them because I like them and I still haven't seen an adequate explanation for why that isn't an acceptable answer.

LuvSmallDogs · 30/03/2023 23:07

RampantIvy · 30/03/2023 21:34

To show that they can afford to.

But that would only work if other people recognise that it was a designer bag.

Lots of designer brands are highly recognisable. Those that aren't, still get shoved in litterbox liner like Vogue etc. And of course, all the other label lovers will recognise their own.

oviraptor21 · 30/03/2023 23:07

HoneyPotBee · 29/03/2023 19:18

Why have you only ever spend £35 on a bag? Are you seriously expecting us to believe you’ve never seen a nicer one at a higher price? 🤣🤣🤣

Yes. Or to be more precise, I've never seen a bag that costs more where I haven't been able to find a £50 bag which I like just as much.
And that's the point of the thread I think.

oviraptor21 · 30/03/2023 23:14

It's already been explained more than once that those responsible for the 'consumerism' you're sneering at are the people buying endless cheap disposable crap and your supercilious twaddle is aimed in the wrong direction, but that doesn't suit your narrative, it seems.

It's not a choice between luxury designer goods and 'endless cheap disposable crap' you know? There's a middle ground of just buying the bags you need at a reasonable price.

Becclescake · 30/03/2023 23:15

River Island bags all the way for me

Blossomtoes · 30/03/2023 23:16

oviraptor21 · 30/03/2023 23:07

Yes. Or to be more precise, I've never seen a bag that costs more where I haven't been able to find a £50 bag which I like just as much.
And that's the point of the thread I think.

Show quote history

But how many £50 bags have you bought? I sent the first expensive bag I bought 20 years ago off to be refurbished and for £100 it’s come back looking like new. I probably won’t be around to use it for another 20 years but my stepdaughter will inherit it. How long will your £50 bag last?

ShirleyPhallus · 30/03/2023 23:16

oviraptor21 · 30/03/2023 23:14

It's already been explained more than once that those responsible for the 'consumerism' you're sneering at are the people buying endless cheap disposable crap and your supercilious twaddle is aimed in the wrong direction, but that doesn't suit your narrative, it seems.

It's not a choice between luxury designer goods and 'endless cheap disposable crap' you know? There's a middle ground of just buying the bags you need at a reasonable price.

Who determines what bag someone needs?

SocksAndTheCity · 30/03/2023 23:29

Yes, I agree @oviraptor21 . That's why I buy mine second hand, as my post explained; I get a beautiful and high quality bag at a very reasonable price and I can resell when I'm ready rather than binning it.

It depends how you're determining 'need', but I 'need' different bags for different occasions (work, gym, shopping, evenings out) and to go with different clothes because I don't like carrying the same size/colour/style of bag all the time any more than I would wear the same clothes every day. Other people feel differently (just as I do about alcohol, which I don't buy or drink) and that's just as valid.

JMSA · 30/03/2023 23:31

Because everyone is different. And who are you to judge?

PinkSyCo · 31/03/2023 00:50

Insecurity and lack of confidence in one’s own style.

RobertaFirmino · 31/03/2023 01:13

I don't get it either. But so what, not my money, not my life.

Lampzade · 31/03/2023 05:44

Schmutter · 30/03/2023 21:40

It's not showing off. Some people like nice bags. I am one of them. I get more pleasure and use from my expensive bags than I would a cheap one. So, my husband buys me them. No need to justify or apologise or feel guilty.

This
I don’t why posters feel the need to justify their designer purchases by pointing out that they don’t spend in other areas
People who buy these bags WANT them.
Why can’t some posters get their head around this?

Wedoronron · 31/03/2023 05:51

Redglitter · 29/03/2023 17:12

Why do people buy expensive watches, shoes, cars?

Personal choice

Strange question

I don't understand this either. Nothing wrong with it but genuinely don't understand why you would spend money on such things.
Actually a decent car I can understand to a point. Good engine, safer, comfortable. Watches and shoes after a price point (once they stop being cheap shite) I don't get. I prefer instead to spend my money on travel, doing things and paying off the mortgage so I can retire early.

ReneBumsWombats · 31/03/2023 06:19

I don't understand this either. Nothing wrong with it but genuinely don't understand why you would spend money on such things.

I'm really surprised that such a simple concept is beyond the wit of so many posters, but ok. Do you all at least understand that it doesn't matter that you don't understand?

Fluffodils · 31/03/2023 06:32

It's like going to a fancy restaurant when you could go to nandos 10 times over. Both have their place.

Fluffodils · 31/03/2023 06:33

ReneBumsWombats · 31/03/2023 06:19

I don't understand this either. Nothing wrong with it but genuinely don't understand why you would spend money on such things.

I'm really surprised that such a simple concept is beyond the wit of so many posters, but ok. Do you all at least understand that it doesn't matter that you don't understand?

This happens a lot. Many people have trouble understanding different points of view and ways of living it seems. I wonder what they are teaching at school.

Sirius3030 · 31/03/2023 06:41

limitedperiodonly · 30/03/2023 20:52

Wow, that touched a nerve.

In my humble experience, people who say that really reckon themselves.

In my experience, people who claim to be humble are usually arrogant and opinionated. Just saying…

follyfoot37 · 31/03/2023 06:49

Those who wear designer shit, or indeed any logo'd clothing are merely providing free advertising for the brand.
'Designers' pay models £thousands to wear their 'clothing', shoes, bags, etc for 2 mins, those with more money than sense buy them, et voila, suckers are advertising your wares and you don't have to pay for expensive advertising
And because people have been conned into thinking that a couple of designer pieces says something about them, but those of us who lived through the chavs and burberrygate know this to be false - money does not buy taste

Mercurial123 · 31/03/2023 06:49

I'd say it's nobody's business what I spend my money on. I earn a decent salary and have no debt. I don't drink or smoke or go to fancy restaurants. I have no interest in having an extension in my house or buying a car. I have no need to impress anyone. Would you ask that question to a man?

BlueHeelers · 31/03/2023 06:51

I think it’s sometimes people with no personally developed good taste or knowledge of how you assess quality. The difference between fashion and style, sometimes.

some “designer” stuff is mass-produced and not well-made but there’s an aspirational connection for some people. That’s why “designer “ perfumes do so well.

Personally, I prefer not to carry someone else’s logos around - I won’t buy something if it’s got some sort of visible branding. Opposite of style in my book.

There are “designer “ shoes and handbags which are well-made and discreet. But why anyone would but plastic shoes or handbags is beyond me.

crazyaboutcats · 31/03/2023 06:55

My DH bought me a bag from an Italian outlet for about 600 euros but the original price was twice that. It's extremley good quality and absoultly a status symbol

Yerroblemom1923 · 31/03/2023 07:10

I don't understand it either, OP. It's just a "look at me" attention-seeking thing, I guess. They're brainwashed into thinking an overpriced handbag will improve their life in some way or trying to buy into a lifestyle.
They don't realise that most people assume "designer" bags are fakes anyway and it's a case of the "Burberry effect"