https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 11:18:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695130 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:50:33 +0000 MNsara 695130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm, I tend to think that there IS a quality difference when you buy higher end bags, but that this isn't true across all higher end brands and quality doesn't continue to climb even when price does.</p> <p>In fact, some very high end designers are known to use delicate materials - and that doesn't equate with my version of quality.</p> <p>I have had great experiences with some of the more expensive brands, and now I'm willing to seek them out (on sale, of course </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695126 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:39:18 +0000 jayne 695126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is alot in the label you pay for. I am searching for a riding jacket for use at work. And since I well, ride horses, I am considering to buy the real thing. I know from experience that most clothes made for riding are super quality as they have to survive some real use on or around a horse. But the prices are much lower than I would pay for the exact same from Ralph Lauren. And the details are sometimes even better. </p> <p>There is also the consideration though that designers are/should be paying proper wages for the work done to make these clothes which cheaper chains may not. This idea is assumed in my head but I don't know if true. </p> <p>The only place I find quality really is visible in the price is gear. MY BF and I recently both bought walking trousers, both meant to be waterproof. He shelled out for a pair twice the price of mine. His are actually waterproof yet breath. Mine, breath, but are not waterproof. I should have bought the same. Lesson learned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695087 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:55:39 +0000 Echo 695087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I mentioned in the other thread, everyone has their "thing". Other people don't have to understand it; that's okay. Some people want the newest cell phone or computer or lawnmower; some people spend incredible amounts on beading, antique glass, collections. </p> <p>With handbags, generally speaking the quality DOES increase with price, but that only goes so far. Everyone realizes that at a certain point you are paying a premium for the name. Carrying that bag matters to some people, and it doesn't matter to other people. If it isn't your thing, no worries. A person can find a quality bag at almost any price point, but many people simply enjoy carrying a recognizable or specific style or designer.</p> <p>For me personally, a quality bag really adds something to an outfit, IMO. I enjoy the styles and the quality I have purchased in a number of brands, and they are worth the premium I paid above what the materials and craftsmanship were worth. But I also know that bags aren't everyone's "thing". I'm not being suckered; I know what I'm buying, what it is worth and what I am paying (and those amounts rarely match for ANY purchase). They are worth what I paid for them to me, but they might not be for someone else. Likewise, my sister recently purchased an antique glass piece in the 4 digits. I don't understand glass, but it's her "thing", and I do understand that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695075 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:33:10 +0000 Kari 695075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anna, until the past year, I had not spent more than - I think $45, maybe? - on a handbag. I actually don't switch bags often; I would buy one cheap, colorful bag that was versatile and would use it to death. But with the exception of a couple Franco Sarto crossbody bags (bought on sale at DSW) that lasted for a while, most of my bags fell apart within 6-12 months. The handle construction was usually what got me; the handles would crack or it would pull apart at the seams.</p> <p>And yet, in the past year I've added some Kate Spades (just a couple, very selectively) to my closet. To explain this journey, I just touched on this in a reply to Claire's thread.</p> <p>I hope you don't mind my copying some of what I wrote straight from that reply.</p> <p>During a YLF meetup at an outlet mall, I saw a mustard structured Kate Spade bag and fell in love HARD. It was the color that I'd been mulling over for years (I have a love affair with mustard) and also a shade that goes with most of my wardrobe. The shape and size were perfect for perching the bag on my shoulder and holding it against my body; the pockets were large enough to fit my things but not so large that I'd overfill it. The handles are SOLID and are sewn on very well, with large rings attached to a placket that's sewn deep into the bag and bolted to the leather. The leather is nice and thick (boarskin, I think?) and not the type that would wear thin/fragile spots very easily. I could tell the construction was impressive.<br /> I thought very long and hard before taking it home - and googled Ebay, ultimately finding it for a less expensive price from a seller with a very strong reputation for designer bags.<br /> Many months later, I decided to add a second structured KS bag to my closet, and opted for a doctor's bag/satchel in cobalt blue.</p> <p>"I hope that both of these will be my Forever Bags. I don't anticipate being a handbag-collecting maven; I tend to stick to just a few versatile bags and use them often, and that is what I found that these bags have been for my wardrobe. Classic and simple, but bright and colorful, and versatile with the colors that I wear (both neutrals and brights.)"</p> <p>"I paid around $200 each for the bags. I really had to think about that - I'd only spent LOW triple figures a couple times on boots and nice shoes, and never came even close to that figure for a bag before. But I decided that the quality of the construction and the versatility of the styling and color would make it worth it."</p> <p>I selected Kate Spade specifically because of the reviews of the quality of her structured bags, and because I've always loved her designs - colorful, classic, and fun. And I'm really not one who is into designer names as a principle. Angie and others who attended that meetup where I saw my mustard bag for the first time can tell you that I hemmed and hawed about whether I felt comfortable displaying a label on my bag (and the label is tiny!) It's just that I kind of feel like the highly monogrammed bags are SCREAMING the name or logo of the designer, and that would make me feel like I was sporting advertising for a designer's brand rather than incorporating a purse as a cohesive part of my wardrobe. Ultimately, I decided that the label was small and unobtrusive enough not to bother me - and as the back side of the purse is cute too, if I feel uncomfortable displaying the label, I can always turn the bag around.</p> <p>My mom thinks that spending as much as I did on these bags - even though what I paid was about half of the bags' original retail cost - is crazy, but she loves the handbags. Even though she didn't necessarily agree with the decision to purchase something so pricey, she understood my rationale and sees me wear these two bags ALL the time. And with some gentle TLC but near-daily use of one or the other bag, they are holding up beautifully with no visible wear or tear.</p> <p>Anyway, that's just my story and my own 2 cents, and what's right for me isn't necessarily right for anybody else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695074 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:32:51 +0000 Anonymous 695074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you're definitely paying for the style/design of the bag. I'm sure there are perfectly good leather bags out there for less money--I ought to know because those are the ones I have always bought, and usually used ones at that to get the price down even farther. </p> <p>I wouldn't pay big bucks for an expensive bag, unless you were absolutely in love with it and nothing else would do. Which is the curious position I happen to find myself in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695073 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:32:17 +0000 annagybe 695073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread got pretty heated</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-much-is-too-much-for-designer-bags" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....igner-bags</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695070 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:27:42 +0000 Mo 695070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When it comes to bags, I don't play, but I think others have debated this bag phenomenon quite recently. Not sure how to find the thread . . .<br /> It was all I could do to buy a Fossil 2 years ago on discount at $77. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/designer-items-value-pricing#post-695061 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:16:24 +0000 Anna 695061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never even considered paying upwards of $400 for a purse (Coach, Kate Spade, etc) although I really like that green KS bag I saw in a recent post. I tend to like to change my bags, so I'm not likely to hang on to one forever. Ergo, I can't justify spending so much money on something I won't have for more than a few years. </p> <p>I'm just wondering what is it that makes these items a good value for those of you who do spend the money? Are they really better quality than, say, a leather Stone Mountain bag? Or is it just the style that grabs you? I tend to think they're just label hype and we're all just being suckered... </p>