Rant: Why are handbags so expensive compared to shoes?

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."

(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.)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....ltback=793

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?

Is it simply a matter of supply and demand? Or is there something I'm missing?

15 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, I LOVE that bag!! Great choice!! And if it's any comfort, it seems expensive to me, too!

rae

(website)

Ooh, I really love your choice of bag!

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.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.

Sveta

Great bag - love that color!
I always wondered about the same thing myself...that's why I own the total number of 2 bags!

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. http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-.....25605895e9

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 $$$$.

ticksgirl

Active Member

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!

mamaKate

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!

KristineK

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

It is a lovely handbag, BTW!

tarzy

I'm struggling with the bag issue, too. (I'm going to do a separate post, so I don't hijack yours.)

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.

Lisa

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.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

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.

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)

By the way I received this handbag yesterday and it is way nicer than I expected. Worth every penny; rant rescinded.

That's fantastic! How about a WIW featuring the new acquisition?

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