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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:
Thread gallery
18
memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 21:45

Timesawastin · 29/03/2023 21:06

And have more money than sense.
OP, mostly what you'll get here is dozens of people seduced by one upmanship and advertising defensively insisting that you're just jealous and/or they are making entirely free choices based on superior quality. They aren't interested in reflecting on this because they are too invested in the Labels Are Just Better narrative.
Honestly, just be glad you have a sensible perspective on relative and leave them to it.

/eagerly awaits being told how jealous and judgemental I am, to which a) nope b) you betcha, and more people should be

Show quote history

This is ridiculous. I am by no means well off, I do however like a good handbag and a some nice statement pieces. A few years ago I was gifted some money which I invested in a lovely rolex watch. I'm not invested in labels nor designers, my daily wear is not designer and I love bargains/vinted etc. But by wanting to have some nice items doesn't make a person shallow or want to look better than people. Sometimes it's nice to be able to splurge sometimes and feel good about yourself.

whumpthereitis · 29/03/2023 21:48

Timesawastin · 29/03/2023 21:06

And have more money than sense.
OP, mostly what you'll get here is dozens of people seduced by one upmanship and advertising defensively insisting that you're just jealous and/or they are making entirely free choices based on superior quality. They aren't interested in reflecting on this because they are too invested in the Labels Are Just Better narrative.
Honestly, just be glad you have a sensible perspective on relative and leave them to it.

/eagerly awaits being told how jealous and judgemental I am, to which a) nope b) you betcha, and more people should be

Show quote history

Lol. I buy what I like. If you want to analyse it deeper than that - am I influenced by environment? Sure. Do I care? Nope.

I’ve never been one for performative austerity, not least because it looks fucking boring. Never been one to worry about being judged either tbh. If you want to waste your time and displeasure on that then go for it.

mybeautifuloak · 29/03/2023 21:48

Saz12 · 29/03/2023 21:30

Because theyve no confidence - need someone elses design, backed by someone ekses creative marketing, to feel that they themselves are special.
And need to show that they have money. Because monetary value is a huge performance measure for a lot of people... "I can afford xyz" .
And failure of imagination - is there really nothing and noone you'd rather spend money on than a bag youll own "for years". That homeless guy, that child who's a carer for his mum, the girl who really needs a better wheelchair for basketball, the food-bank, the employability charity....

Unless you live truly frugally and spend nothing on anything other than the most basic and give all the rest of your money to the causes you have listed, you really are not in any position to preach Pet. Walk the walk

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 21:50

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 29/03/2023 20:11

I usually don't comment on these threads but happy to 'justify' my purchases and will put my armour on for what may come.

As others have said, I earn more than enough and would like my purchases to last a lifetime. This could be well known and established brands or leather hand crafted sandals from Greece.
I'm happy wearing high street if it suits my need.
Also lots of designer items are discreetly branded and no more branded than high street alternatives, see attached pic of recent purchase. Will take cover for the comments that the bag looks like and is the same quality as something that costs £50 to £100.

Lovely bag! Enjoy. Its looks very classy. I love burberry. (Not the Daniellea westrbrook look lol) x

CockPits · 29/03/2023 21:51

If I won £100m on the euro lottery I still wouldn’t buy shit like this. People only buy stuff like this to let others know that they have money. I don’t feel the need to get that kind of validation from other people.

Same goes for these top hotel rooms … £15k a night in the Shard for example. If I was a multimillionaire I still wouldn’t. It’s ridiculous.

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 21:56

CockPits · 29/03/2023 21:51

If I won £100m on the euro lottery I still wouldn’t buy shit like this. People only buy stuff like this to let others know that they have money. I don’t feel the need to get that kind of validation from other people.

Same goes for these top hotel rooms … £15k a night in the Shard for example. If I was a multimillionaire I still wouldn’t. It’s ridiculous.

What you might think is wasting money is something that makes someone happy and feel good. I'm sure you waste money on things other people would role their eyes at. A good bag/piece of jewellery is in most occasions an investment. It will either gain value or last longer than the cheap version. Buy well, spend less often, either that or feel good or treat yourself for something you've worked hard for.

Magnoliainbloom · 29/03/2023 21:56

I bought a Chanel bag when I was 28. Back then, they weren’t as common as they are now and I wanted one because I think they are incredibly beautiful. I would never dream of buying one now. I take it out maybe 3 times a year if that. It feels very ostentatious wearing it and I’m terrified of being robbed for it.

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 21:59

Magnoliainbloom · 29/03/2023 21:56

I bought a Chanel bag when I was 28. Back then, they weren’t as common as they are now and I wanted one because I think they are incredibly beautiful. I would never dream of buying one now. I take it out maybe 3 times a year if that. It feels very ostentatious wearing it and I’m terrified of being robbed for it.

And I bet if you were to sell it you would get more than you paid for it or equal. Investment and something I bet I also feel good when wearing

CummaCummaChameleon · 29/03/2023 21:59

Not read the full thread, but for me I buy designer / luxury items (to an extent - own a few LV's, Strathberry, etc but can't afford a chanel bag anymore). But I don't drink alcohol aside from maybe 1-2 glasses if I'm out with friends. That may be on average once a month. I don't drink at home, so no weekly outgoings on alcohol at home or out really.

Alcohol costs a ridiculous amount of money and I'd rather own a tangible product I get joy from than drink my money away. To each their own really!

Nottodayicant · 29/03/2023 22:00

I have no interest in bags in fact the dearest one I have was about £100. I don’t get the hype and I can’t imagine having an array of very expensive bags. That would bring me no happiness.

But I love high end perfume. I would never purchase a cheap one or a dupe no matter how identical it smelled. It has to be the real deal. They make me happy and bring me joy.

Same difference …

Ireolu · 29/03/2023 22:04

I have many expensive handbags

No look at me here. No status anxiety. I don't care what people think. I am otherwise dressed very casually with not a huge amount of make up on. No designer shoes or clothes.
People probably think they are fake. Again I don't care.
I bought cheaper bags they fell apart. I have more expensive bags & have kept them for 15 yrs still in very good nick. If I sell some of the most expensive bags I have I will make significant profit on what I spent. I didn't buy with the intention to sell though.

People spend 10k on holidays, I couldn't think of anything worse for me but I wouldn't judge them. Their money, earned from their hard work. It's up to them to do as they please with it. It would be nice to be extended the same courtesy.

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 22:07

Ireolu · 29/03/2023 22:04

I have many expensive handbags

No look at me here. No status anxiety. I don't care what people think. I am otherwise dressed very casually with not a huge amount of make up on. No designer shoes or clothes.
People probably think they are fake. Again I don't care.
I bought cheaper bags they fell apart. I have more expensive bags & have kept them for 15 yrs still in very good nick. If I sell some of the most expensive bags I have I will make significant profit on what I spent. I didn't buy with the intention to sell though.

People spend 10k on holidays, I couldn't think of anything worse for me but I wouldn't judge them. Their money, earned from their hard work. It's up to them to do as they please with it. It would be nice to be extended the same courtesy.

THIS with bells on.

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 29/03/2023 22:08

@memesndmoreme ha that made me chuckle and reminded me of when those particular Burberry styles were all the rage with some!

ShirleyPhallus · 29/03/2023 22:09

Saz12 · 29/03/2023 21:30

Because theyve no confidence - need someone elses design, backed by someone ekses creative marketing, to feel that they themselves are special.
And need to show that they have money. Because monetary value is a huge performance measure for a lot of people... "I can afford xyz" .
And failure of imagination - is there really nothing and noone you'd rather spend money on than a bag youll own "for years". That homeless guy, that child who's a carer for his mum, the girl who really needs a better wheelchair for basketball, the food-bank, the employability charity....

“Need someone else’s design”. Hilarious. Know many people that design their own handbags do you?!

User639762456 · 29/03/2023 22:12

Handbags are always seen as a waste of money for some reason

Cosycover · 29/03/2023 22:13

I have a few but tbh I've stopped buying them because everyone just thinks they are fakes anyway. Thanks DH Gate.

MummyJ12 · 29/03/2023 22:13

I love my handbag collection. I have quite a few Chanel classic flaps and Hermes Birkins. I don’t do disposable fashion and have had them years. They are classics that will last me forever. My DD will inherit them and hopefully enjoy them too or she can sell them if she needs or wants to. The price of a Chanel classic flap goes up 10-20% each year. Birkins are also investment pieces with a higher return than gold. You’re not going to get that from the £35 purchase that will end up in landfill by Christmas. Ironically, that £35 bag will have been massively influenced by the styles of the big fashion houses if not blatantly copied. Just mass produced in poor quality materials and also very likely to have not been manufactured in an ethical way. A world away from the ateliers of Chanel and Hermes in every way.
But you do you OP. Each to their own. I know not everyone is in the position to own such luxury items and I would happily go without them if I needed to. I love my shopping tote just as much which my DS made me at school! (Although that doesn’t go with everything!!)

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 29/03/2023 22:15

Worth noting that a lot of high-street and supermarket designs are takes on the pricey designer models...

SocksAndTheCity · 29/03/2023 22:27

User639762456 · 29/03/2023 22:12

Handbags are always seen as a waste of money for some reason

It isn't just handbags and shoes, it's also makeup, skincare and to some extent expensive clothes. All things which are often bought by women, and which are regularly dismissed as being frivolous, shallow and a waste of money because women should be concentrating on important things like cooking and cleaning, and any spare money they have ought to be spent on 'worthy' stuff, like pans Hmm

This reminds me of the (similarly full of sneering, pious crap) thread somebody started about beauty advent calendars in the run up to Christmas. Different people use, enjoy and value different things.

DashboardConfessional · 29/03/2023 22:31

SocksAndTheCity · 29/03/2023 22:27

It isn't just handbags and shoes, it's also makeup, skincare and to some extent expensive clothes. All things which are often bought by women, and which are regularly dismissed as being frivolous, shallow and a waste of money because women should be concentrating on important things like cooking and cleaning, and any spare money they have ought to be spent on 'worthy' stuff, like pans Hmm

This reminds me of the (similarly full of sneering, pious crap) thread somebody started about beauty advent calendars in the run up to Christmas. Different people use, enjoy and value different things.

Show quote history

Exactly. I'm sure there's plenty of loaded DHs of posters here who spend an absolute fortune on their work shirts and suits, but it's fine for that to be seen as part of the Big Important Job.

(Cue someone saying their DH earns half a million a year and dresses like Jeremy Clarkson)

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 22:32

Cosycover · 29/03/2023 22:13

I have a few but tbh I've stopped buying them because everyone just thinks they are fakes anyway. Thanks DH Gate.

Omg I know and bloody saramart.

Hawkins00 · 29/03/2023 22:34

I presume it's the wow, factor, the prestige of the item or designer label, or to showcase their outfits ect.

I prefer functional items over weather it's designer or not, yes if it lasts longer or is generally better or I like the design then I'll be tempted, but if there are similar items and the main difference is ££ then I'll prefer the cheapest option

memesndmoreme · 29/03/2023 22:35

@TTheRealKatnissEverdeen I know right, she really did do the dirty on Burberry 🤣 ur bag is stunning tho x

BettyBoopy · 29/03/2023 22:35

Duhduhdub · 29/03/2023 17:02

Because they want to.

Same reason I choose to holiday in the Caribbean when I could go to Devon for a fraction of the price, or drive an Audi instead of a Kia.

I'm sorry but this is the most knob heady post I've actually ever seen. 'I'm rich and you're not' is the message here.

...and yes I know that's not a word but it accurately describes the tone of the post

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