OT: How much is too much for designer bags? - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: How much is too much for designer bags?

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I am curious about this-personally I don't think that outragerous prices that lot of top designers charge for their handbags is worth the actual bag. Example-LV logo handbags which are made of coated cotton(I think) and only straps are actual leather. And let's not forget the outragerous prices for Hermes bags-we are talking about anywhere from $4,000 to well, $100,000(for croc birkins with diamonds). I am curious if I am the only person who thinks this outright rip off. To each one their own and I know plenty of women who carry LV locally(and I have seen plenty of Birkins too) but seriously, how much is too much? And why do women fell the need to buy outrageously expensive items which are clearly overpriced? Not trying to judge anyone here, just curious about the subject.

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58 replies

Latest reply was from Victoria

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's too much when it's too much for you to afford. Otherwise, I am all for spending money for love, no matter what it's made from.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I own several designer bags. Most but not all bought on sale. I find a lot of judgement i your post. No one criticizes Goodwill and thrifting but feel free to make and pass judgement on higher price points and luxury items.

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with both IK and Anna. It's a free market, and the people who pay those prices feel they get their money's worth or they wouldn't fork over the dough. I have my own foibles and I have no particular need to second-guess anybody else's purchasing decisions. As long as you're not spending the baby's milk money, it's all good.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I've wondered the same thing, Victoria! I agree that many are outrageously overpriced and overrated. To each her own, I suppose, but it does mind-boggle. I think bags are a "status" item, and a logo LV or a MK or Coach bag seems to say, "I'm successful" to some. I'm not a huge "bag lady", but I do appreciate a beautiful leather bag at $200 or less (better if on deep sale!) But a bag for more than that - and even into the thousands - I don't understand, and will never buy into. Are they made of chinchilla (in which case, yuck)? Perhaps the croc skin is rare, and that is it? But I've seen designer bags that are vinyl, cotton, pleather selling for ridiculous amounts. A fashion mystery to unravel...

MsMary

Veteran

Coming back to address the merits, I don't think it's much of a mystery. People pay the big bucks for some combination of the following:

1. The lastest, up-to-the-minute styling, which takes a couple of seasons to trickle down to the mass market
2. Brand names convey status (and there is a GINORMOUS range here -- a Coach bag would be considered downmarket in the extreme in a circle that regularly carries Hermes bags, while it would be considered quite statusy in most of Middle America)
3. Sometimes the materials really are intrinsically rare, e.g. the croc that Helen mentioned
4. Scarcity and being the only one on the block with the "it" bag
5. Related to but not identical to #2, certain bags connote membership in a certain group which is considered desirable by the members and wannabe members thereof

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. These are mostly intangible but are definitely worth money to many people!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I also think it depends on what you define as "designer." Plus, making a bag is a serious art, which many do not understand. It's not just about the materials. It's about the design of the bag, the placement of the gear, the *use* of materials, the thought process.

Frankly, for ANY purchase, this is how I evaluate it, and then I decide if it's worth it to *me.* Not to whoever is looking at me on the street. If someone else thinks I spend stupid money, oh well!

I also think you can get super great bags for less. But I don't automatically judge either way, It's about the item, and that's it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

The consignment shop I bought my vintage Cartier handbag from has an original vintage LV overnight bag selling for $4000 - for used. I must admit, if I had the ready cash, I'd be bringing that beauty home. Just feeling the quality of it and the workmanship, it really is a luxury item. But if I bought it, not having that type of disposable income, I'd be an idiot because I'd be taking money from a more needed area. So it's all relative on what you can and cannot afford.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

annagybe: I honestly wasn't trying to judge anyone, I was just curious about the subject. I appologize if this offended you it certainly wasn't my intention judge or offend anyone
P.S As I read my original post, I realize that it may have come out that way but I was more wondering about the workmanship of the designer bags and whether they are worth the hefty price, not making judgements on women who buy them

Anonymous

After posting a thread about how disappointed I am in the poor quality of handbags I paid about $200 each for, I'd say I think it's poor economy to buy a designer bag. That said, if I did buy one, it would have to be made out of some rare material such as croc. Luckily for me, I was able to buy a croc bag, a croc wallet and a snakeskin bag (all leather lined; no fabric) during one of my recent trips to Nicaragua, and did not pay more for them than I would pay for a run-of-the-mill leather handbag here in the States. So I have my luxury without paying an arm and a leg for it, and I don't give a rat's behind that these items do not have designer logos stamped on them. Call me judgemental if you will, but I do think the prices of these designer bags are for the most part outrageous. Yes, you get what you pay for, but only up to a certain point.

MsMary

Veteran

But the point is, you're paying for things that have little or nothing to do with the material quality of the bag. You're basically buying admission into an exclusive club, and for some people that money is worth it to them.

It's funny, because we here on YLF often talk about bags in the $100-$300 range without batting much of an eye. And I post on a frugality messgae board where this same topic comes up with some regularity, only it's people wondering why on earth anybody would pay $75 for a bag when you can get a perfectly good one for $25 at WalMart! It truly is all relative to your priorities and financial situation.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

To comment about the quality-if you check places like purse forum, you will see many women commenting negatively about quality of LV, Chanel and several designer brands.. I don't know if it changed from what it was in the past but judging from what I heard, quality of it now is not worth hefty price tag

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Mary: 100-300 dollars is fairly reasonable price for well made leather bag. $1000 for vinyl is not. Everything is relative of course, and if a person has income to spend, its their choice. I have no issues with what a person chooses to spend, none of my business. My question was whether this kind of prices is actually reasonable for designers(like LV) to charge because I can't imagine that it costs this huge amount of money to actually make a handbag

Diana

Veteran

I don't see anything wrong with paying big bucks for a designer bag, provided that you love it, can afford it, and will take good care of it. That is to say, I don't agree with people who buy these bags 1) because it's the latest fad and they're buying it just to say they have it, 2) they are going into debt/not feeding their kids/etc to buy the bag, and 3) they don't give it the care it deserves. My sister told me once that she saw some rich college student casually shove a drippy, dirty coffee cup into her Chanel bag, and it was all she could do not to run over and grab the bag before it was further abused. BUT if you can afford it and truly love it, there's nothing wrong with treating yourself. They really are impeccably made.

I don't own one because I can't afford one (see point 2 above about not going into debt), but one day I want a Valentino or Prada bag.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I do think for some brands Victoria, the older items were better made.

Anonymous

@ MaryK: You are right, but FWIW, I don't think I could get a genuine leather-lined croc or snakeskin purse at Wally World. Just saying! From a sheer quality standpoint, I seriously wonder if a vinyl designer bag is going to last any longer than a vinyl bag from Wally World. I don't like vinyl bags, and prefer to spend more to get something like leather, croc or snake. I shop clearance sales to get the lowest price possible, as I don't like wasting $, which I think is what this thread is all about.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Shannon: yes, I heard that in the past, lot of designer brands lasted for 15-20 years if not more. It seems like quality has gone downhill yet prices have gone up astronomically. I think that's the part that bothers me

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A friendly reminder not to judge people by the amount of money they spend (or not spend) on their wardrobes and style. How we choose to spend our money is a very personal thing, and completely relative. For some, $50 is a lot to spend on a bag. Others don't think twice about spending $1000 on a bag.

Victoria, to answer your initial question about designer handbags, there is much to be appreciated from a design, exclusivity and quality point of view. And above all, I totally support the legacy and superior craftsmanship and history behind designer brands. The pieces are often like wearing works of art - and I am a huge supporter of great art. I also support what it took for the brands to establish themselves in this day and age. I am also a big supporter of iconic original design. I want the legacy of the brand to continue so I support it.

Anonymous

Sheesh.

Victoria ... aren't you glad you asked?

MsMary

Veteran

Victoria, what I'm trying to say is that the price of a designer bag is only slightly related to the intrinsic value of the object itself. You're paying for the intangibles much more than for the leather and canvas. And I think the people who pay those prices are well aware of what they're buying.

And as usual, Angie puts it much better than I could!

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

While I agree that many designer handbags are beautiful and look like a work of art, as Angie said,I disagree with her on several other points. I think there is a lot of misinformation attached to the manufacture of many designer brands. I am pretty sure that most of these will claim to be made in Europe(France or Italy) but in reality many luxury-brand items today are made on assembly lines in developing nations, where labor is vastly cheaper.
For anyone interested in the topic, I would encourage you to read "How luxury lost its luster" by Dana Thomas. I think she lists almost all known designer brands that produce all or some of their goods in Asia. So as for quality and superior workmanship-in the past when these items were actually made in Europe, quality was there, I am sure but at this point I sincerely doubt it.
And to mention that my original question(perhaps phraised poorly)- was whether designer goods were worth the price and not judging women who bought the said items
Mary: thank you for clarifying. I agree with what you are saying

rae

(website)

Veteran

I can only speak for myself but, *if* I had enough money to buy some designer bags, I would be influenced by:

- Unique design (paying for the idea and the art behind it)
- Materials (stingray? kangaroo leather? python? unicorn hair? if it's rare, gorgeous, and ethical, it deserves a higher price tag)
- Convenience (if my time was worth $$$$, I would be less inclined to break my back scouring for a deal or doing a complicated DIY when I could, say, work an hour and earn the cash to by the exact item I liked).
- Durability (If for whatever reason I needed ONE bag to survive as my only bag for many many years, I'd make sure to get the best, most beloved version I could afford).

I am currently influenced to NOT save up for designer bags because of:
- a *lack* of uniqueness (Ironically, since big designers are often knocked off, the look becomes far less rare and exciting. I am not interested in a Birkin at all).
- the perfectly adequate functionality of less expensive bags (I'm not rough on my things, so the leather and craftsmanship doesn't need to be boutique-level).
- my need for variety (I would rather change out many, cheaper bags than be stuck with one closet monster).

Jonesy

Veteran

It's the same in any category of goods (e.g., houses, cars, diamonds). As long as there is demand, the price is established based on what people are willing to pay. The mark-up and profit margin go up substantially the higher up you go within the category. I think we had a similar discussion when dissertante was in the market for a Burberry trench a while back :). Same sort of issue: "What makes this particular trench worth $2,000 vs. another trench for $200 or one for $900?" Is it the materials, the workmanship, the special details, the brand, the exclusivity, the status? Probably all of those things.

ETA: I'm guessing that quality has fallen across the board in all sorts of categories (e.g., home goods, cars, clothes, bags) as companies try to make as much profit as possible. Not every item from every brand at every price, but in general, a lowering of standards. A low-level example: I have a pair of black wool blend trousers from BR from about 9 years ago. They are fully lined and made out of this lovely, drapey fabric. Today, I would say that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack to find fully lined pants in a nice, high-quality wool blend at that price point.

Echo

Veteran

I agree with Angie and Jonesy. Any number of things, material and immaterial, contribute to the inherent and perceived value of certain things. And let's face it, almost everyone has their "thing". Some people will only drive certain brands of cars; some people must have the newest technology available; some people are collectors and pay very high premiums for certain items. Any of those things may or may not have value to each of us, but to the person making the purchase, those items are worth the price. My sister collects vintage glass. I don't understand it, but it makes her happy, and that's what matters.

Anyone could judge almost any of our purchases and deem them "unworthy" of the price we paid because their standards are different from ours. That doesn't make them right and us wrong; it just makes us different. I very much enjoy nice hangbags, shoes and other accessories, and I am sure many people would judge some of them as overpriced. My neighbor also has a new zero-turn radius riding mower with all the bells and whistles, with a yard barely big enough to warrant a rider in the first place. Not my idea of "worth it", but then again, not my money and not my choice to make.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Mary, but you are far more elequent than me

I really enjoyed your analogies, Echo.

Victoria, Asian countries can produce superior craftsmanship and quality too. And European factories do not necessarily equate "superior quality". I visited the factory in Hong Kong (courtesy of my fashion buying days) that produced trench coats for Banana Republic, Prada and Burberry. Absolutely flawless craftsmanship. I hope that sheds a little light.

Furthmore, as Jonesy points out - it's not about whether an item is worth it per se. It's about what the market can bear for the item - what is it worth to the person purchasing it. Is a million dollar 500 square foot condo in Manhattan worth it? It depends who you ask!

Isis

Veteran

In a free market, price will be determined by what people will pay.

There are enough people who value and who will pay for designer bags. So those bags aren't "overpriced", or a "rip-off" for them......otherwise they wouldn't pay and the price would fall.....

No judgement here; we all value and enjoy different aspects of our material possessions....

krishnidoux

Veteran

Victoria, Thank you for asking this question. I also wonder about this. It is useful to read everyone's point of view.

san

Veteran

For me the quality has to be there. I don't care about the logo but I love the feel of good quality like soft leather and finished rolled edges. I've mostly bought handbags on sale, probably always on sale, but I have also returned a few that I ordered because when I got them they didn't have the feel of quality or they weren't comfortable.
I also think it is an interesting topic that you brought up Victoria.

rachylou

Veteran

Well if you are feeding artisans who are confecting your personal dream, $100K is not unreasonable.

All else is ready to wear, and nothing should be over $500 in my opinion.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think that Mary nails it when she differentiates between intrinsic value and intangible value. If you think of fashion as art, which most of us on this forum probably do, then trying to put a value on a designer handbag is much like trying to put a value on a painting. The value is in owning a Picasso, not a canvas covered in paint.

But I do not apologize for being judgmental when I see someone flaunting a fake designer bag-- a bag that is not just inspired by a designer but a one that is a cheaply made item that tries to mimic the original. The majority of those shoddy imitations are manufactured and distributed under unspeakable conditions. I totally support designers who go after those pirates!

I'm also going to admit being judgmental about fashion gurus going on about this season's "It" bag. If someone has the funds and adores the design, then that bag probably has the intangible value that makes it worth the money. On the other hand, a woman who buys the bag because someone tells her it is THE bag to carry this season strikes me as a bit sad. Is the intangible value still there if there is no appreciation of the design? Or is it just mindless consumerism? That bothers me.

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