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.

I have zero issues with being considered superficial. I buy what I like, whether it costs £5 or £5,000. I’m quite comfortable with this, and my confidence in my choices means that I don’t feel the need to go out of my way to look for cheaper things in order to prove my anti-materialist credentials.

All this talk about people spending on handbags in order to prove something, as if the posters touting that they would never aren’t doing the same, keen to prove their superiority.

The superficial are happily buying what they like and minding their business when it comes to what anyone else chooses to spend their money on, whereas the ‘deep’ ones are bitching and casting whatever negative aspersion they can on the characters of strangers, based solely on their biases. If ‘character’ and ‘depth’ is defined by what you dislike about others then I fail to see why it’s something to aspire to.

Arrogant, opinionated and humble. That’s a first. Well done you.

As someone once said: "Wow! That really touched a nerve."

I never say that stuff myself, though. It's wanky. Don't you think?

Some are, some aren't.

Although when I watched a vid of how an Hermes bag is made, I really wished that I could afford the equivalent of my annual mortgage payment to buy one. They are gorgeous, and very well-made.

@Secondsop thank you for the link - so interesting.

Reminded me of a character in 'This is us" (just started watching).
He describes what it's like to be a black person and have the security guard in the shop follow you around, being the only person asked for ID when paying with a credit card etc.

Sorry veered off the bag topic !

In my part of the world and social circle, no one would assume the bags we see on a day to day basis are fake because we are all wealthy and live in big houses, either earn lots of money or have husbands who earn lots of money etc.

It's about the whole package - if you're wandering around b&m bargains with your hair in a scrunchie wearing a tracksuit then yes, people may assume your bag is a fake. But so what?

It's so amusing to me how the posters who get really arsey and upset/judgemental about people buying expensive bags don't have enough self-awareness to realise that they simply come across as being jealous, but trying to disguise it as some kind of pious social-superiority. And also being so involved in ruminating about what other people spend their money on is rather pathetic. It's honestly quite strange.

If you had lots of disposable income after paying all the bills, school fees, nice holidays/experiences etc - would you honestly still shop at primark?

I hate Primark and other cheap shops like that - I find them depressing and hate polyester clothing that's been made in questionable conditions in a foreign country - possibly by children.

If that makes me shallow - I'm perfectly ok with that!

I will quite happily trot around head to toe in primarni but I love my expensive bags and watches!

I have genuinely no idea what you are talking about.
To reiterate, I thought espousing rampant consumerism was a thing of the past. I’m obviously wrong. What more do you want me to say?

I thought espousing rampant consumerism was a thing of the past

Where did you get the idea that people don't buy things or talk about buying things any more? It's the social media age, one of the most common criticisms is that people show off purchases on Instagram etc. How did you miss that?

@ReneBumsWombats I know. It's a mystery how @Sirius3030 could have missed that, but there you are. Still, perhaps impotently raging at people keeps Sirius warm at night. I have cashmere blankets for that. We all do what we can with what we've got.

https://www.luxurytribune.com/en/lvmh-reports-record-revenues-of-eur-79-2-billion-for-2022

“The Paris Stock Exchange was buzzing on January 26, 2023, the publication date of the financial results of the LVMH group. The world's leading luxury goods company reported record global revenues for 2022 at 79.2 billion euros in sales, up significantly from 2021 (64.2 billion euros), which was nevertheless excellent despite the impact of the global pandemic.”

Clearly not the case.

I’m obviously wrong. What more do you want me to say?
^^
@Sirius3030 that'll do me

I think you are missing the point.
I am well aware that the market for luxury goods is massive.
Painfully and slowly, I will repeat myself: I thought the days of glorifying rampant consumerism were gone. You and others are proving me wrong. I think it is sad, but hey ho, I'm obviously an outlier. Off you pop to buy another expensive handbag. I sincerely hope it gives you what you are seeking.

Out of interest, what do you spend your money on?

I’m not sure why you feel the need to think anything at all about it. If people buy things they like I either don’t care or I’m happy for them.

I’ve never considered the spending of other people to be an opportunity to assert my perceived superiority based on the faulty, and reductive, premise that people are defined only by what they purchase. I think I would actually feel quite sad if I felt compelled to do so, and would consider it indicative of a ‘me’ problem rather than any failure on their part.

I would take your advice but I’m not currently seeking a new handbag. FYI buying one doesn’t require me to ‘pop’ anywhere, not when there’s netaporter.

I buy to last and I have some of my Grandmother's pieces that she left to me. I'd rather buy used quality than crap new any day of the week.

Fascinating article!

I think this really gets at the issue.

People do judge your ‘social value’ on what you wear.

Come to think of it, I get much better treatment everywhere when I’m dressed for work. When I’m in my joggers with hair scraped back and no make up?…not so much

I think it is sad, but hey ho, I'm obviously an outlier.

Again, I don't know how you've missed all the conversation and criticism around social media and Instagram life. Hell, even if Mumsnet is your only link to the outside world, there's plenty of it on here.

What exactly do you think has been happening for the past ten years?

Sour grapes and hair shirts, I guess. But definitely not designer ones.

I suppose they pay for the design, the colour, the material.

Your question is like asking why someone would buy an expensive piece of art when they could just put a poster or some wallpaper up.

The answer is because they prefer it and it suits their tastes, and they can afford it. Sometimes it is also a status symbol or there is social pressure in some circles to own the right bag/ clothes etc.

Food, entertaining, home, travel, hobbies, clothes, holidays, presents, are the categories in my boring monthly spend spreadsheet. FWIW the clothes category is £0 this year.
And you?

So, are you saying extreme consumerism is a good thing or a bad thing? I’m struggling to understand your point.

Oh very clever. Always better to sneer than to engage.
Seriously, have a read of ‘No Logo’ if you want to have a meaningful conversation.

Not to speak for @ReneBumsWombats but I think here point was that this

I thought espousing rampant consumerism was a thing of the past. I’m obviously wrong.

is pretty disingenuous, even if you don't get out much.