Are you kidding me?
-
- August
- 21
My friend and colleague Gayle Williams forwarded me a story today from The Washington Post about — get this — a $52,500 bag.
Yes, you read that right.
Fifty. Two. THOUSAND…
It’s a Louis Vuitton “Tribute Patchwork� bag, one of just five to be sold in North America (and 24 in the world).
Are you shocked? I was… but then not so much.
See, that came on the heels of my amazement this morning, when I was reading the New York Post. The paper wrapped up its “Fall Bag Extravaganza” series.
The first day was devoted to “luxury� bags of $1,000 or more. Fair enough.
Yesterday was “mid-rangeâ€? at $500 to $1,000…. um, ok.
And today — “affordable.�
But affordable apparently means anything less than $500.
I had been looking forward to this final day — and admittedly, there are some of what I consider (relatively) affordable bags — $55 for one from Kohl’s, $98 for another from Jessica Simpson.
Sorry, though, I don’t think that a Cole Haan model for $425 or a $268 one from Kenneth Cole are real “choices for tight purse strings.�
I remember back in the fall, when I saw “The Vertical Hour� on Broadway with the fantastic Bill Nighy.
Julianne Moore had some line where she mused about a world — and I’m paraphrasing here — where acquiring the latest handbag had become more important than “real” issues.
As anyone will tell you, I love bags… and have quite a few.
To me, though, a splurge is something scored for $50 or $75 at T.J. Maxx or Annie Sez… not something that gets into car-payment territory.
Still, all this all made me stop and think.
How much do you spend on bags? What do you consider affordable?
I guess I’m living in a different world…
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 4:03 pm by Mary Shustack.
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I also enjoy handbags, and I would never pay much more than $100 for each. I’d rather have three or four “cheaper” bags, rather than one “prize” bag. I think I’m living in the same “different world” as you are…
Thanks, Tangerine. I have to agree.
Just recently a friend and I were drooling over a $450 bag. It was simply gorgeous- a classic that would last for years thanks to both its materials and style. And I appreciated it for those very reasons… but honestly, if you had a bag like that, wouldn’t that be the only one you could carry — forever?
I love to switch bags every few days to “match my mood” — and think I’ll stick to this plan… until I win the lottery!
Okay. So I’m willing to spend a between $250 and $400 for a nice bag. But I usually purchase Coach bags at their outlet stores. So what if the bag was last year’s hit, noone else has to know…
I also like Dooney & Bourke bags. Michael Kors makes nice bags too.
I’ve no problem with “last year’s model” either!
Happy shopping, Mama Cee.
One expensive hadbag can make any inexpensive outfit look terrific. Same goes for an expensive pair of shoes. The more you carry the expensive bag the less expensive it becomes…...becuase will love it and want to carry it everywhere.
I have a LV speedy bag that I’ve had for two years and honestly carry it with me 5 out of 7 days.
K
Kathy-
I think it’s that old quantity v. quality thing- and I admit I sometimes fall back into the ‘quantity’ side…
I do have a few ‘quality’ bags- I got a Nine West one last year for around $100- and it was well worth the money.
I think if you buy what you can afford and it makes you happy- all’s good… but somehow I wonder how happy those paying thousands for bags really are.
Mary
You shouldn’t not pay the rent to buy an expensive handbag. Ultiately it’s a personal choice. Like you said quality versus quantity. 6 $100 bags equal that one $600 bag but a lot of woman like to have a bag to match every outfit. Then the less expensive purchases make sense. $1,000 is excessive for a bag.
K
Hi Mary..Great article..that’s what you and Gayle were up to at Javitts when I saw you last week. the handbag thing has gotten outrageous—-beautiful/over the top styles…expensive prices… I too like variety so I am not willing to spend over $300 and hopefully that would be a sale bag and that would be my one very special bag that talks to me.
At this rate soon ladies will be getting MUGGED not for what’s in the bag but the bag—-OMG…Thanks Mary
Best wishes
Donna
Hi Ladies,
I’m from the school of thought that everyone has their vice. Some enjoy spending what’s left of their check (after taking care of finicial obligations/savings) on fine dining ($150+ for two), travel(we know what that will cost one person whether using Expedis, AAA, ORBITZ or HOTELS.com), the arts (family of 4 can cost $400), etc. I have 3 classic handbags that are between $400-$600 purchased on sale or at an outlet. They are within my budget and more importantly an item that I plan to enjoy for years to come. I also mix my handbag collection with items from TJ Maxx & Marshall’s. Though my price limit for these stores is $59.99 I can still get faddish bags at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, things are not to made to last like they used to. These bags only last a season,two if you’re lucky. So why not invest in a good leather bag!? SMILE
Thanks everyone for the comments- I think we hit a nerve here—great comments all the way around.
Kathy- I love the point you brought up- six $100 bags still equals $600—but I have to say, I usually would opt for the variety- unless, as Donna (hi, Donna) said- a bag ‘talks to me’- and I must say the one I referred to earlier (at $450) was one of the biggest shopping temptations I’ve had in a long while…
And Susan- I love how you explain your thinking. It’s true- it’s your money that you earned- and yours to spend however you choose. I think most of us like to have those
special/splurge pieces mixed in with our everyday bargains. It really just adds that finishing touch!
Again, lots of great points from all of you- and lot to think about- thanks so much!