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 some lovely bags and shoes, one bag was thousands (a gift but I'd have saved up if not) and several shoes in the hundreds. My day to day bag is a Louis Neverful in the brown check which the last time I looked was over £1k and is very recognisable, but I have toddler twins and it holds double bottles, nappies, snacks, and all the extra junk I need to ferry about. I've had it years and it's my carry on flight bag and beach bag too. I don't really care if people think I'm carrying it for status.

Some of my things are recognisable brands, some aren't. I have them all because I like them. I also have cheap stuff, which I bought because I liked too.

My Chanel stuff has rocketed in price, and I'll give to DD in the future.

I think with the more expensive stuff, I get a greater sense of pleasure, but that comes from within. E.g. I have a pair of rockstuds I got years ago, which I bought when I did so well at work, I got an unexpected bonus. So I smile when I see them because I associate them with self achievement. Don't wear them much anymore, but I just like to see them now and again, and think "yeah, I did that."

Oh FFS. Because they want to, and because they can. Is it hurting you in some way?

Because they're beautifully made and I want to.

My Chanel bags are worth a lot more than I paid for them. If I'd bought lots of cheap bags that wouldn't be the case.

That’s more luck than judgement though.

However, so what! Enjoy

I guess it’s a matter of personal taste as well as priorities. I just found an article about the ‘most popular designer bags ever’ and would describe all of them apart from maybe the Loewe bags as either meh or ugly.
https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/most-popular-designer-handbags/slide55

You sound like an inverted snob op.

I have loads of expensive stuff, need to spend all my money before I'm very old

Who cares?

This

I'll have some if you can't spend it all on your own. joking before anyone things I'm a 'beggymcbegface!' 😆

I don’t do designer, but I do use lk bennet bags which cost usually about 200-300 in the type. They are discreet but clearly high quality leather and last a long time. I can buy 10 bags for 35 quid and my lk bennet would would still out last them.

it’s no different to why do you have expensive shoes, or a watch . In many instances the quality will be much higher.

i don’t understand why you find it so confusing though, no one gets to adult hood and doesn’t understand that there is different ranges of price points for most consumer goods and nit everyone buys at rhe low end.

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? 🤣🤣🤣

Ha! I play this game too with the Times Style supplement. I would say 8 times out of 10 I can spot the most expensive item on the page. Which is not to say it makes it better value, but usually the design, colour, pattern, cut and shape will give itself away.

I'm absolutely baffled why people are spending so much money on a handbag.
I’m more baffled that a grown up couldn’t work this out for themselves to be honest.

@RichardHeed She can perfectly well work it out. She just wants to be a goady tit.

Very good point. Don't want the bastard kids getting their money on my hard earned cash.

Cars, postcodes, £20k bicycles, watches.... there are plenty of things men and women covet

Because I want to and I can afford to.

£800 wouldn't buy a high end designer bag, just so you know.

Surely it's just to ensure that Bernard Arnault remains the richest man in the world? Who's he? Owner of Louis Vuitton. Thought it was Jeff Bezos? Think again.

I have a Hermes birkin that my grandmother bought in 1984, one of the first to be made. I had no idea how expensive it was then and used to ask her if I could play with it when I was a child 🙈. She also weirdly agreed to lend it to me for my first school disco when I was 13 🙈. To me it was just nans pretty bag which she used on special occasions and was happy to lend to me for the same.
When she died about 15 years ago I found that she had left it to me in her will on the proviso that I would use it myself and also lend it to my sisters and daughter if they wish. My sisters aren't interested (don't worry they got jewellery of an equivalent eye-watering value) but my daughter occasionally borrows it

For everyday I have an Aspinal Hobo which cost a lot less it still more than £35. I love it as much as the Birkin and that was why I bought it.

Both beautiful bags.

Because some people have been conned into thinking expensive stuff will make them happy.

So I get it - I have never spent more than about £60 on a bag but then bags aren't my thing. I pick up whatever I can find when I leave the house. £800 on a bag is obscene to me. But there are other things I'd spend more money on than most people. I've just bought my 4th pair of Birkenstocks and they cost me £150. To some people that's very indulgent and unnecessary. Each to their own I guess.

Double this....I earn good money, get good bonus's, general low maintenance (sat here having just done a touch up on my roots 😂) and it's my treat as and when. My husband has also given many as presents over the years...Mulberry is my choice and my work bayswater is 15 years old and in excellent condition. My daughters will be gifted them all when I pop off...they can use them or sell them, entirely their choice

Anyone with a passing interest in designer goods is aware of this.

I have a designer bag that cost about £1000 7 years ago. Even stumped up £350 for the matching purse if you really want something to get frothy about. But that bag has been on my shoulder every day I've left the house since. The leather is getting softer over time so it feels lovely. It's big enough for everything I carry and I love it so as far as I'm concerned it was £1000 (£1350) well spent.