If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed a distinct shift in focus from high-end “premier” designer bags to less pricey brands. This is due to both personal and more global economic reasons.
I’ve been into beautiful handbags for years, and for a while I was happily buying Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Prada, Chloe, Miu Miu, Mulberry and even Hermes. It wasn’t uncommon for me to spend $1,000 or $1,500 on a fabulous handbag…and once I paid considerably more.
But the recession hit us hard, and I’ve had to scale wayyy back on non-necessities. It’s now a matter of priorities – for the price of one or two high-end bags, I can pay for a semester of my kid’s university tuition. Once upon a time, I could have done both, but right now that’s simply not realistic. I also seem to be less interested in ego bags as I get older. These days I’d rather have something beautiful that flies under the radar than an “it” style everyone covets because it’s been photographed on the Hollywood starlet du jour.
There’s also a distinct difference in the way I feel when I carry more expensive bags. Experts say the recession is over, but when so many people are still out of work and struggling, it feels really conspicuous to carry a bag that costs more than my first car. To be honest, I sometimes feel like a dumbass for spending so much cash on something as mundane as a handbag. I also have a new job in a big city, and when I carry something obviously-expensive like LV, I feel like a crime target.
Last year I decided to try Longchamp bags because they are comparatively affordable but still well-made. Like Balenciaga, they come in a rainbow of pretty colors, but I can actually afford to have more than one. They have turned out to be lightweight, good-quality, and easy to carry, and although they’re fairly common in my city, they are still classy. I also scored a gorgeous pewter Cole-Haan bag on clearance, I discovered Marc by Marc Jacobs, and gods help me, I even gave Dooney & Bourke and Vera Bradley a try. With a bit of creativity, it is definitely possible to carry a great-looking, good quality bag without spending a small fortune, and they add a level of freedom because you don’t have to worry about where you put them down.
Don’t get me wrong, I still have (and love) some of my premier designer bags, and I still keep up with new trends and styles. But I don’t carry them as often now, and if I spend over $300 on a bag it is a well-considered, classic, understated style I can carry for years.
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I agree. I think there’s a certain price point where quality meets (somewhat) affordability. I tend to like leather purses and eschew exotic skins and have been able to find gorgeous, unique purses for well under the $500 price point that are soft and sturdy with accurate stitching.
While yes, I can lust after the latest Miu Miu or Celine bag; I don’t have the budget to afford keeping up with the trends at this level. I have some higher end stuff, but it was because I either absolutely loved the bag or it was on a deep discount. Some of these items I’ve had for almost a decade (since the age I started working) and I still carry them as regularly as I ever have.
One of my current obsessions is etsy.com, where I can find really unique items that have all of the traits of big budget purse (handsewn and crafted) without the label and the hefty price tag. I can score trendy items or items that will transcend seasons.
Thanks for your comment, Chiyong! I never thought of looking for handbags on Etsy but will check it out. There’s definitely something to be said for unique, beautifully handcrafted bags, especially leather ones. I wrote a post on NOVICA handbags that you might be interested in too.