Who is buying the really expensive handbags and £600 trainers??

[Newmeagain]

I really like clothes and have always splurged on the occasional “investment” item - e.g. nice boots, a jacket from ME&EM that I loved, etc.

But even though I am on a high salary I can’t imagine spending £2000 on a handbag or £600 on fashion trainers that will only last a few months.

I work with lots of women in a professional environment, all earning between £150k/£200k - many don’t have children - and I don’t see any designer items. Mostly mix of standard high street brands plus a bit of Sezane and similar.

So - if you are spending £££, are you earning over £500k or have a partner who does?

Why are your trainers only lasting a couple of months? 😂 I have a 4 year old pair of rebooks I got in the sale for £40 and still going strong 😂😂

I built a great collection of bags and shoes/boots between the ages of 25-35 when I was earning great money and had lower outgoings. Some of those bags are nearly 20 years old and still going strong.
Have sold a few bags since Covid as lifestyle has changed and I wasn’t using them, so have gone down to 15ish. My biggest buy is my Chanel trendy - bought pre loved and has actually appreciated in value since I’ve owned it!
I have 4 pairs of expensive trainers (3x Jimmy Choo and 1x Gucci, all bought at outlet not rrp!) my Chloe boots which I bought pre loved for £400. I’ve always been an item stalker rather than an impulse buyer so by the time I push the button I know I really want it, it will fit in my day to day wardrobe and I’m getting a good price.
I make maybe 1 big purchase per year but didn’t buy anything in that bracket last year because I didn’t see anything worth it to me. As I get older, less is definitely more as far as stuff goes.

Chypres? Most uncomfortable shoes ever

Before having my DD I would purchase a few expensive items a year (e.g. a chanel bag, chloe trainers etc). I was in my early to mid 20s and made good money with a lot of disposable income. I still use all the things I purchased as they have lasted brilliantly! Nowadays I rarely spend large amounts on an item, but perhaps once a year I will splurge on something special I know I will wear often.

Mine is similar to you. I bought Patrick Cox, Miu Miu and Laboutins and a pair of Dior shoes. They’re too high for me now, apart from the Dior.

What are you doing to your bags?!
My most used bags are all under £50 over four years old and none have broken, got holes in the lining and all are still looking perfectly fine.
I don’t use my designer ones daily because I’m far too clumsy and forgetful!

Cheaper bags do last but I recall I once got a DKNY bag and some of the hardware broke. Couldn’t be bothered to get it fixed.

I mainly buy second hand Joseph, Margaret Howell etc. I will occasionally buy new but not often. I'm just really specific about fabrics so I stick with places where I know the cloth will be right. I have had things made - shoes, a bag, a tweed coat. It's so good to have things made just right for you. But I don't do that regularly. I do have a few things that cost a lot but nothing that anyone would recognise, I think, like Church's shoes for example.

I'm not vastly rich at all but I'm a childless widow with a good job so I know that I could spend a lot on brands if I chose to, objectively I could but I don't feel like that's a thing to spend money on these days. I just feel the world is uncertain - the financial future feels uncertain - and it makes me cautious and I put more and more money away into savings or pension or pay down the mortgage aggressively. Though even that seems a bit pointless. Will money even be worth anything after WW3. Sort of hard to guess about the future is what I mean. It doesn't feel like a handbags economy for anyone but the oligarchs.

Thats them 😂 xx

As my user name says I don't get it. I don't earn £500k but dh does and we have no mortgage etc, I have a lot of savings.

I could easily afford a Chanel bag, but why? It's a bag. But actually it's a blingy status symbol.

I'd far rather spend the cash on business class flights, which some see as a crazy waste of money.

I'm feeling the same way too at the moment.
But it's also making me think sod it!
Just buy what you want & forget the consequences.

Ooh I wish I could find second hand Joseph! I’ve got some what would be classed as vintage Joseph now and they’re lovely. Someone I worked with spotted it was Joseph once which impressed me.

I’m sorry but you’re wrong about Chanel bags, they’re not blingy and they’re beautifully made from the best quality materials. That’s why they appreciate in value. I so wish I’d bought one when they were more affordable.

I am so lucky, a relative (nana) gave me her Boy bag and another I’ve forgotten the name of, vintage ones. She didn’t go out then much so didn’t see the use for them. Was before eBay etc too.

When I was at my private convent a few years ago, we had a dress down day, wear your own clothes, several girls came in with Gucci logo bags and belts, I assumed they weren’t designer (I’d seen them before so recognised the logos) and I was just there in my Top Shop gear. 🤣

I agree, the 2.55 is timeless. I received one as an 18th birthday present. They were £1,200 back then. Unfortunately I have boys so no one to leave it to.

I’ll have it! 😉

If you search for "consignment shopping" on Google maps, it will show you the second hand shops most likely to have things like Joseph, Chloe, Maxmara.

I know they're beautifully made and not too blingy but they're still just bags ... I don't care. You can get a perfectly well-made bag at a far lower price point. Others care about these things, I don't, I don't judge just can't see the point. To each their own.

No offense Galsboysgirls but I think they are hideous! I wouldn't pay a fiver for them 😂 Each to their own and all that though.

I love Margaret Howell. About a third of my clothes are from there. The mark-up in the US is obscene so I always stock up when I’m in London. Ditto Sezane in Paris. Where are you finding second hand Margaret Howell, out of interest?

FWIW I love those Isabel Marant trainers and my son's 19yo girlfriend has a pair and she is very cool 😉

Oh, I remember those, I really wanted some. Think I even picked up a pair on eBay but the weren't that great after all the lusting

True. I worked in Immigration doing visa medicals and the Chinese students all had designer bags, Chanel trainers. I was told before they come to Australia their parents give them the money to buy one, like a going away to study present. Seemed very rich.

I’ve contemplated some £600 trainers but never bought as I thought they’d probably be for slender feet.
i know plenty of men in tech who buy loads of expensive trainers though.
Then there’s the sugar daddies buying their women with shoes and bags.

I like bags but haven’t graduated to the very expensive yet. I might one day.