The “It Bag” Trap

Have you been sucked into Handbag Status Hell?

The latest email from Neiman Marcus, shows this season’s newest look… the HUGE oversized handbag from designer Jimmy Choo.  The price, $1,690. OUCH!! (and it’s ugly!)

Funny how no one really talks about it, but somehow we have been brainwashed into believing that if we are not toting the latest, greatest “it” bag, that we haven’t really made it. The pressure is on and every time you pick up a fashion magazine, there’s some writer making the justification for buying one of these much obsessed about bags that come with outrageous four figure price tags. The rationalization is that these hot luxury bags are after all, such amazing quality, and that when you really think about it they add up to only a few cents a day over many years, and best of all, you’ll have them for a lifetime!

But aren’t we fooling ourselves a little? Yes, we boomers have more money than our parents did, but aren’t we going overboard? You have wonder- How much quality do you really need? Are you actually going to use such a pricey bag a lifetime (boring), and isn’t the price slightly insane, especially when you are encouraged to buy another “it” bag every change of season.

We too, have felt the pressure to own an expensive status bag and confess that on one occasion we’ve both spent close to $1,000 on a single purse. (a special “treat” we told ourselves). But was it really worth it?

Yes, the bags we bought were gorgeous in our eyes, and yes, we could afford them, but after a couple of seasons they are now stashed away in our closets we’re on the lookout for something new and interesting.

So the question is: When it comes to buying a new purse how high do you go? Once you do buy a status purse are you hooked into forever buying expensive status purses? Do you become a purse snob?  (We think it’s an easy trap to fall into)

If you find yourself going down this crazy road, one option is to at least test drive one of these purses first. BAG BORROW OR STEAL is a great site that allows you to rent a high end designer bag that you can carry around for a while and then take it back when you are done. That way 3 months from now when the new styles roll around, you have not sunk all your money into a purse that is suddenly out or that you are just tired of.

If you think you can somehow move past your “It’s only a great purse if I pay a fortune for it hang-up”, then we have a few suggestions for some classic handbags that are beautiful, high quality and won’t leave you feeling ripped off.

These purses, from:

Francesco Biasia, Stuart Weitzman, and Furla are all fabulous choices.

They’re classic with a modern twist, high end, but all under $500.

Expensive, but not totally outrageous. A good compromise perhaps!