https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 19:09:23 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-285855 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:46:01 +0000 MsMary 285855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's fantastic! How about a WIW featuring the new acquisition? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-285852 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:43:40 +0000 mamaKate 285852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By the way I received this handbag yesterday and it is way nicer than I expected. Worth every penny; rant rescinded. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-280005 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:11:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 280005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I'm pretty sure the profit margin on those expensive designer bags is in the stratosphere. I don't care if you hand-massage your cattle and have Zen monks hand-stitch the damn thing in an island monastery, the raw materials cannot cost more than a few bucks; it's all mark-up.</p> <p>I don't think that I've ever spent more than $40 on a bag in my life, except for actual luggage. Then again, I don't know if I've ever spent more than $100 on shoes, either... (runs away from the incredulous mob of screaming YLF-ers) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279979 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:23:08 +0000 Lisa 279979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know but guess there is more work to make a handbag? Or more leather overall compared to shoes? All that bending and folding and zippers, pockets, hardware etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279791 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:52:51 +0000 tarzy 279791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm struggling with the bag issue, too. (I'm going to do a separate post, so I don't hijack yours.) </p> <p>I don't mind paying for great leather and good quality, but this whole "IT" bag thing seems like a lot of marketing to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279790 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:49:00 +0000 KristineK 279790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the other reviewers' comments about the bag being "inexpensive" just show that it's all relative! You can find a lot of bags that cost upwards of $300 at Nordstrom, so maybe this one is inexpensive compared to what a lot of Nordstrom shoppers end up paying for a handbag :-)</p> <p>It is a lovely handbag, BTW! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279787 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:32:37 +0000 mamaKate 279787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Mo, now I guess I know what a Birkin bag is, having seen references to it elsewhere! I would think you could buy an entire crocodile and also hire a leathersmith for a year, at a cost less than that price! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279467 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:45:54 +0000 ticksgirl 279467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in love with that bag too! And I'm not sure what kind of disposable income the reviewers have, because I would certainly not call that inexpensive. Anything over $100 is pricey in my world! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279466 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:44:44 +0000 Mo 279466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder this, too, but am not much of a bag lady ha ha. If it's not under $100 I don't even look - usually under $50. I got to wondering from another post about the clamor for a birkin bag and came across this on eBay. <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-Hermes-Black-Crocodile-Birkin-Bag-40cm-Rare-/160530208233?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&#038;hash=item25605895e9" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-.....25605895e9</a></p> <p>For a USED bag?? Really??? Something is terribly wrong with this picture - I don't care how rare the materials! Sometimes I wonder if we get collectively hoodwinked into being told what is awesome, and therefore worth big $$$$. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279465 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:44:32 +0000 Sveta 279465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great bag - love that color!<br /> I always wondered about the same thing myself...that's why I own the total number of 2 bags! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279463 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:41:43 +0000 rae 279463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, I really love your choice of bag! </p> <p>My only guess is that handbags require more leather to construct -- some are even lined in suede. Then there is hardware, pockets, zippers... more materials. In my mind, I think I compare handbags to boots rather than handbags to shoes/pumps. </p> <p>P.S. I am definitely a handbag girl, and I almost always get my bags online/on Ebay. My bags that retail for about $200 came to me for $40-$60. I know you said you prefer the department store to searching for bargains, but if you aren't a bag lady, I was thinking maybe you would like to save on the bag and put it toward more shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279456 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:36:49 +0000 MsMary 279456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I LOVE that bag!! Great choice!! And if it's any comfort, it seems expensive to me, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rant-why-are-handbags-so-expensive-compared-to-shoes#post-279453 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:34:15 +0000 mamaKate 279453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I'm definitely on Team Shoe not Team Handbag. I probably own 4 pairs of shoes for every handbag. And I admit I'm not the most savvy bargain-hunter. It's usually either second-hand or department stores for me. But today I bought a bag that is totally me, in terms of color and style. It is more than I have ever paid for a bag, and yet the reviewers talk about it being "inexpensive."</p> <p>(I will use this as a replacement to my old diaper bag, which was also orange, but nylon and more like a gym bag - that one has always been too small, not to mention ungainly.)</p> <p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/elliott-lucca-tarassa-leather-tote/3142380?origin=category&#038;resultback=793" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....ltback=793</a></p> <p>So my question is this: Considering that both shoes and handbags are usually made from similar materials, and assuming they require similar levels of detailed workmanship, why can you find so many shoes in the $40 to $80 range but the same "caliber" of handbag seems to be in the $150 to $250 range?</p> <p>Is it simply a matter of supply and demand? Or is there something I'm missing? </p>