How much would you spend on a nice bag?

[marghini]

Lately I have been thinking about purchasing a very expensive designer bag. It is around £1000, so it would be a huge investment. I really like it, but I don't know if a bag, albeit very nice, is ever worth spending so much money. I've never purchased such an expensive bag, the bags I already own are in the £200/300 territory.

What is the maximum you would be willing to spend on a bag? Do you think it ever makes sense to spend a lot on it?

The fast fashion thing is an excellent point. I knew someone who was very sneery about the amount I spent on my wardrobe but would buy a new 'Saturday night' dress every week from Primark/boohoo etc.

I'd probably spend up to £3000. In my mind, the Chanel 2.55 is my holy grail but if I'm being honest with myself I don't really like shoulder bags as I have very sloping shoulders and think the chain strap might drive me bonkers. Maybe a Chanel WOC that I could wear crossbody would be more my cup of tea?
When I want a new bag I save for it – I put aside £65 a month for a year to buy my last one, a Celine Trio. I opened a monthly saver account and set up a direct debit. I could buy on a 0% credit card and pay off a certain sum per month but, perhaps perversely, I like the saving up. It feels like a proper achievement when the day comes and you can go and buy the bag you've wanted.
Mrs CB the Goyards are divine but very unstructured and floppy for travel and no good for things like travelling on the tube/other public transport unless you have your wallet etc in a small cross body.What about a LV speedy 35? They carry tons of stuff, have a zip top and weigh next to nothing, and if you want a crossbody strap you could get the bandouliere version?

Get the bag! It's a gorgeous robust bag that will last and last. If you have the funds and you can still pay your bills etc etc then do it! enabler

Thanks lurking. I have noodle arms too so you have probably sensibly doused some water on the flames of my Celine lust. However I now have full on lust for the OPs Prada tote.

"Yes lara, they are assets"

In what way? I thought assets made money, rather than just costing money.

It's probably all about impression management.

Ambre I saw that article and thought of this thread .

Most handbags are not assets in the sense that they do not produce income, however some handbags do fall under the category of assets in the sense that they have an accounting value. If you look at the Hermes Birkin article Amber linked to, the increase in price of a birkin could categorise it as an asset, and the second-hand market for birkins in good quality is unusual in that a used birkin is more expensive than a new one - have a quick read of "Bringing home the Birkin" to see how one man made a 6 figure income buying and selling them on.

I don't purchase birkins to sell or view them as an asset, and certainly don't wear then as a badge of honour - I simply like the quality of the bags Hermes makes and like the fact that they are outside the fashion trend wheel. In fact, I have put my birkins away for now because too many Z list wanna-be slebs carry them and I have switched to the more under-the-radar styles Hermes makes (anything not birkin/kelly!). These are beautiful bags which are not in the media and certainly far from show-offy - plain, simple, well designed, and extremely well made.

Bags I saved up for have brought me enormous pleasure over the years, and a few have most definitely increased in value ( the vintage section in Liberty has offered me serious money for them). My early 1980s Gucci purchases (a classic barrel bag, a floral print bucket bag, a gold metal evening clutch and a cross body black leather bag) are still in mint condition despite much use - and now my 20 year old dd is the grateful and proud owner of them. In recent years I have bought unusual but classic bags and these are similar cherished and enjoyed. My purchases from my earnings = my particular choices ( and I sold lots of everyday bags in a local sale a couple of years ago making over £5000 for a charity I volunteer for)

I can't imagine wanting to spend hundreds or thousands of pounds on one tiny item like a bag, I don't think I've ever spent more than about £20 on one. Even if I won millions on the Lotto, the last thing it would occur to me to buy is a handbag, because I'm just not that into them.
But if you have that much money spare and love bags, who am I to judge?

I inherited my mother's handbag collection (including several birkins) and sold them for a six figure sum. I don't like birkins or I would have kept them. The high end side of luxury handbags can indeed prove a good investment. I have a few Chanel 2.55 etc but I don't buy bags for investment myself, but just buy what I enjoy.

Thank you, Blingygolightly, the moment I saw it I wanted it (Mulberry handbags are my weakness, not interested in most others). Put it on my Christmas list as a joke but never expected to get it!

Yes marghini, it's almost perfect. It's a bit stiff so waiting for it to soften up, and the handle could be a smidge longer (tight shoulder fit over a winter coat). But love the silver metalwork and like the discreet logo (hate those huge ones).

Catty, how does it close? Is there a concealed zip?

No Blingy, it's just a magnetic clip thing. If I still lived and worked in London, I'd not be comfortable with that because of pickpockets. But, now I'm out in the sticks, it's not an issue.

Since there is a bit of "bag porn" going on, I thought I'd share my latest purchase.

I got this one before Christmas. It was handmade in Italy, no famous brand but the quality is really fantastic.

Now, back to lusting over the Prada Double Tote

I saw a lovely tom ford bag and a lovely alexander mcqueen bag earlier. drooling i was.

feel free to post pictures of your expensive bags I say.
I' ll have my eyes out on sticks.

Gwenhyfar,
definition of the word asset...
An asset is an item of property owned by a person regarded as having value, ie if you were to purchase, like myself, a collection of CLASSIC Chanel bags and or Hermes bags they would be considered an asset, as they would have a significant value should you sell them.

NOT necessarily what you paid for them, but a reasonable value nevertheless.

However, this only applies to a handful of styles from specific brands.

Mominatrix, I feel just the same as you about the birkin now, much prefer to carry my jypsiere as it is less obvious, just wonderfully made.

I also love saving up - and I do a job that has me on the very edge of sanity with long hours and stress but it does have a good salary attached to it. I have a lot of (awesome) girlfriends who love bags as much as me but have to ask their husbands or boyfriends for them as presents (which is still lovely and why shouldn't they? I would not ask DH for a bag but he is happy to spend the same money on a holiday for us because he is an "experience appreciator" while I'm a Thing Appreciator) - and I love the freedom of going into a shop whether it be Chanel or LV etc, handing over my debit card and choosing to spend that money that I earned, every penny, in a job that I work my nuts off in, in order to have those choices. I have an internal rule for myself that I have to invest double what I'm planning to spend on frippery but I feel very empowered by the frippery!

Also - I only like shoulder bags as I lke having my hands free - I heard the same thing about the Celine Luggage being heavy and largely Chanel is best for me for shoulder bags - the chain / leather combo makes them less slidey. And I get huge pleasure every time I wear one. Can't help myself. Worth every penny. I love my bags.

MrsCB - I think Goyard for tote. Zippable shut and deeply lovely shop on Mount Street.

Well said unashamed!