How much would you spend on a bag?

[LetThemEatCake]

Just curious- if you were buying a bag, one that you hoped to get a few years from, what is the most you'd pay?

Last year when dd was in pre-school, one of the mums was unbelievably glamorous, always in heels, fabulous hair, amazing figure, huge wardrobe, but the bags were the cherry on the cake, a Chanel 2.55, numerous Anya Hindmarches, and two, yes two, Birkins, one black, the other in this amazing hard to describe shade, what they usually call 'mole' in magazines. I was kind of hypnotized by it

If I had that bag, I would NEVER even look at another, I would be in handbag heaven.

BTW, the Euromillions lottery was 100 million euro tonight - if I win it the Birkins are on me ladies

I know quality lasts longer. But surely no bag can actually embody several grand's worth of quality? The daft prices must be more to do with the iconicness and designer name and the status of particular bags. Which again would be fine, but they're fugly!

I believe the colour you are referring to is Etoupe, Verity. It is one of my favourite colours Hermes has for it's leathers.

In terms of price for the bags, on surface it does seem madness and of COURSE there is mystique/marketing/"prestige" involved in the mark-up one is paying, but it is relative. I am happy to pay the £X... for an Hermes bag and it is worth it to ME to know that I am buying the best quality item which will be heavily used for 10+ years, will never date, is discreet (nothing on the bag screams LOOK AT ME!!!!!), and instantaneously makes me feel put together (despite just having leggings,a long t-shirt and no make-up on).

Other bags which charge over a grand, I would never look at due to shoddy quality and trendiness. To buy one of these bags I think is truly wasteful, unless, of course, one has a six figured budget for clothing a year.

An interesting read on this is Delux by Dana Thomas. Really made me glad I just stick to Hermes.

Actually Riven, you might be surprised !

One of my Hermes bags is used specifically for hikes, the beach, nature walks...

yes I do like that Hermès is understated. Well one bag is that I like on their website. I do not covet or want Marc Jacobs buckles and branding, nor Chloé, not even that keen on Mulberry.

But I do like this one... (you're doing a good job convincing SofaQueen)

this one in ORANGE (won't show up).

ha! and they both end up full of Gogos and crumbs.

That is a fantastic bag, MarshaBrady - very roomy and practical, and orange is their signature colour. Check out the Bolide and the Paris-Bombay also. Hermes a whole book of leathers and colours which their bags come in, some very structured and some (like the one on the link) soft and smooshy.

Sofaqueen - do you know where I can get a Kelly without having to wait? The Hermes store I usually visit in London never has any bags in?

CHOOGIRL, normally any of the London stores will never have Kelly bags or Birkins in store (but it doesn't hurt to ask). Hermes UK works on a wait-list basis for these 2 bags. The wait list opens up two days a year (in September and February) and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The date is secret, and will only be announced the morning of. After this point the wait is 12-18 months on average for delivery of the bag.

An easier method is to go to Paris where you will find Kelly's on the shelf, particularly at the flagship store on rue du Faubourg St. Honore.

For over £2,000 I'd want more than "understated" frankly....!!

Prefer this

Thanks SofaQueen

Hopefully will visit Paris in the next couple of months so will pop in.

Do you know if there is a Hermes outlet in Paris - similar to the Prada one in Milan?

I would spend 200 max, on a nice leather bag that I´d hope would last me about 3 yrs at least.

Hermes does not have an outlet, and the kelly and birkin never go on sale. Hermes does have 2 sales per year (best one is in Paris) where silks, shawls, small leather goods, shoes, household goods, and ready to wear are available. I've never been because 1) need to queue 4 hours before opening and 2) it is a madhouse. The London sales are not worth going to.

Thanks, SofaQueen, Etoupe, I shall file that away for future reference

I have just bought this one www.amazon.co.uk/Betty-Jackson-Black-Taupe-Origano-patent-across/dp/B002S409MU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s= clothing&qid=1257625485&sr=8-3
it was only £15 but I can fit heaps of kids stuff in, it look well made, wipes clean, leaves my hands free and goes with nearly everthing except evening wear. I love it

I'm so glad I read this thread for the benefit of SofaQueen's sale wisdom!