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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?

547 replies

ettieb · 29/03/2023 16:50

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.

OP posts:
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18
Blossomtoes · 01/04/2023 14:13

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

I think you’d do better with a refurbished preloved bag from a higher price point. I had my Bayswater refurbished for my stepdaughter and it came back looking like it did the day I bought it.

throwawayaway1 · 01/04/2023 14:14

And I have to say, if I was still doing a city job and dressing up daily, I'd be sorely tempted by this (Valentino).

Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?
Blossomtoes · 01/04/2023 14:15

You have excellent taste in bags @throwawayaway1.

memesndmoreme · 01/04/2023 15:20

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

Some lovely Ted Baker bags and radley

ReneBumsWombats · 01/04/2023 15:22

throwawayaway1 · 01/04/2023 14:12

Posted that and I realised I'd forgotten one more. It's a Miu Miu, no obvious external branding, that I bought somewhere around 10 years ago, possibly 12. The leather still feels like satin and not one of the embellishments has come off.

The straps look impractical, but the bag looks beautiful.

MummyJ12 · 01/04/2023 15:41

Blossomtoes · 01/04/2023 14:15

You have excellent taste in bags @throwawayaway1.

I agree!

limitedperiodonly · 01/04/2023 16:15

@BlueHeelers I pretty much agree with you too. We can spend our own money on whatever we want. Other people's judgements on what's worthy or well made or crap is neither here nor there because I am not asking them to pay my bills.

kdramaqueen · 02/04/2023 07:52

@RampantIvy I recently attended a wedding and on the advice of dd who works in fashion, wore a pink coloured Furla bag with dark blue suede shoes. Dress was mainly dark green but had some dark rose and blue bits and somehow it worked beautifully. I think colours are in and matchy matchy accesssories are out, but it's mostly whatever pleases you.😄

Devoutspoken · 02/04/2023 07:58

That pink bag is the complete opposite of any bag I would ever own, highly impractical for a start, but different strokes and all that

RampantIvy · 02/04/2023 08:04

I might just stick with my grey Radley bag then, and just buy some shoes that will fit the bill. I so very rarely attend anything that requires me to look really smart that it would be pointless to splash the cash on something I will only use once or twice.

Fluffodils · 02/04/2023 08:05

RampantIvy · 02/04/2023 08:04

I might just stick with my grey Radley bag then, and just buy some shoes that will fit the bill. I so very rarely attend anything that requires me to look really smart that it would be pointless to splash the cash on something I will only use once or twice.

Radley is fancy

RampantIvy · 02/04/2023 08:10

The brand is often sneered at on mumsnet @Fluffodils, but I like mine because it is practical, good quality and goes with all of my clothes.

My other bags are just cheapies that I bought for specific purposes.

Fluffodils · 02/04/2023 08:11

RampantIvy · 02/04/2023 08:10

The brand is often sneered at on mumsnet @Fluffodils, but I like mine because it is practical, good quality and goes with all of my clothes.

My other bags are just cheapies that I bought for specific purposes.

Ignore the sneerers they are just trying to make people feel small

RampantIvy · 02/04/2023 08:16

To be fair it hasn't happened on this thread, but I see it on others.

I like a nice bag, but I don't feel the joy that the handbag lovers on this thread do. I don't judge them for it though. It's horses for courses.

I tread the middle way.

Devoutspoken · 02/04/2023 08:18

Yes I don't really get it at all

ReneBumsWombats · 02/04/2023 08:42

This thread is starting to make me get it. I'm in the market for a new bag...

I'll probably have terrible taste, though. I actually don't mind the LVs with the logo all over them. I find the LV logo quite attractive and pleasant to look at so I actually think it looks quite nice, just a pretty pattern. I really like their quirky stuff, though.

I saw a young woman yesterday with a LV bag, logo everywhere. Nothing else she was wearing or carrying looked expensive so maybe it was a fake. Or maybe not. I wouldn't know.

DashboardConfessional · 02/04/2023 08:58

I have a very cool Radley backpack. It's a mix of quilted fabric and leather trim in grey and black. Looks no different to some of the Knomo laptop bags that are often mentioned here.

Nobody's really mentioned Coach but my Scout hobo is probably my second favourite bag! You can get them for under £150 in the sales.

Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?
Floofydawg · 02/04/2023 09:00

ReneBumsWombats · 02/04/2023 08:42

This thread is starting to make me get it. I'm in the market for a new bag...

I'll probably have terrible taste, though. I actually don't mind the LVs with the logo all over them. I find the LV logo quite attractive and pleasant to look at so I actually think it looks quite nice, just a pretty pattern. I really like their quirky stuff, though.

I saw a young woman yesterday with a LV bag, logo everywhere. Nothing else she was wearing or carrying looked expensive so maybe it was a fake. Or maybe not. I wouldn't know.

I love LV as well - I have three (not fakes).

Blossomtoes · 02/04/2023 09:11

I think LV’s Marmite. It’s sad for people who love them that they seem to be the counterfeiters’ favourite.

Fluffodils · 02/04/2023 09:12

DashboardConfessional · 02/04/2023 08:58

I have a very cool Radley backpack. It's a mix of quilted fabric and leather trim in grey and black. Looks no different to some of the Knomo laptop bags that are often mentioned here.

Nobody's really mentioned Coach but my Scout hobo is probably my second favourite bag! You can get them for under £150 in the sales.

That looks nice

ReneBumsWombats · 02/04/2023 09:25

I suppose LV is one of the more recognisable brands, so for those people who don't really know much about bags and do want something that looks obviously designer, it's the obvious one to fake.

Reading a bit about exactly how LV is made and the attention to detail is interesting.

throwawayaway1 · 02/04/2023 11:35

Devoutspoken · 02/04/2023 07:58

That pink bag is the complete opposite of any bag I would ever own, highly impractical for a start, but different strokes and all that

Exactly. It is impractical, at least for my life right now, which is very casual, mostly WFH and very different atmosphere from my old job, which is why I'm not buying it. It's beautiful, imo, and I guarantee you the leather feels incredible and the inside is lovely. Not all bags are about practicality.

I think of it kind of like food - for some people eating is about fueling your body well enough and for some it's a sensual experience. At the end of the day, dinner at Nando's and dinner at Ynyshir perform the same duty, but the experience is totally different. To some people that matters and to some it doesn't.

whumpthereitis · 02/04/2023 12:28

LV also do some more ‘subtle’ bags when it comes to branding. I’ve got this one. It’s taken a beating from me and it still looks good as new. It’s beautifully made.

Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?
Floofydawg · 02/04/2023 12:32

whumpthereitis · 02/04/2023 12:28

LV also do some more ‘subtle’ bags when it comes to branding. I’ve got this one. It’s taken a beating from me and it still looks good as new. It’s beautifully made.

Love that. I love the black print.

Florissante · 02/04/2023 15:38

Blossomtoes · 02/04/2023 09:11

I think LV’s Marmite. It’s sad for people who love them that they seem to be the counterfeiters’ favourite.

Possibly because the popular LV lines are made from canvas, not leather, making them cheap to produce.