Around this time last year, we posted an article about how luxury goods companies are marketing their products as “investments” during the recession, rather than indulgences. It’s an interesting way to position four-figure handbags, but a bad use of the word “investment.” The Los Angeles Times’ Your Stylist column recently brought out this meme, describing an expensive handbag as an investment and “your new best friend.” Should it be?
There’s nothing quite like the first grown-up bag that will hang from your arm making you feel polished, put-together and confident: Your new best friend that comes with the price tag of about $1,000.
How much does a purse have to cost to be considered “grown-up”?
I prefer to carry $1,000 worth of electronic gadgets around in a $30 shoulder bag, but this is probably why I’m a Consumerist editor and not a professional stylist.
Your Stylist: Investing in your first grown-up handbag [LA Times]
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Since When Is Dropping $1600 On A Purse An Investment?
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I’ve got a pair of LowePro camera sling bags that were about $100 each, but they are pure function for me (not a fashion statement). I have one configured to carry my medium format camera gear, and the other configured to carry my 4×5 camera gear. They are phenomenal bags, very well constructed. If you have a real need for certain qualities in a bag (like a quality briefcase or satchel for work) then by all means pay a little more for better quality, but there really is no need to be dropping $500+ on a purse.
$70 for the laptop bag.
Besides that, $1.00 for some of the reusable grocery bags, the rest are repurposed freebies from conferences
I bought an 18$ Quest backpack from walmart in 1996 when I was in college, and Im still using to today. I travel all over the world for my job, and it goes through hell. Thats an investment.
If it depreciates in value, it’s not an investment.
But wait, since they’re trying to sell “investments,” shouldn’t the SEC and/or FDIC be investigating them?
However, if you find a designer bag in Goodwill and resell it, yes it’s an ivestment. Ferragamo stuff keeps ending up in my Goodwill store.
Now I feel stupid for spending so much on this watch:
http://www.amazon.com/Breguet-Complications-Tourbillon-5335BR-9W6/dp/B002T4V3W4
My everyday handbag is a simple, black Gap bag I found at a thrift store. No logo, no exterior branding, plenty of pockets and a strap just the right length. I paid two dollars US, and when I got home I found a UK 1 pound coin in the pocket! Given the exchange rate, I came out rather well.
That reminds me of a commercial I heard on the radio the other day. It said “A Bullfrog spa isn’t a luxury, it’s a tool to enhance your health and productivity” I told my wife, “A new Corvette isn’t a luxury, it’s a tool to enhance my productivity!”
I am very much a one-purse kind of girl; I don’t go changing purses with my outfits. I always pined for a LV bag, just to have one, you know? I figured it would go with everything, and thus be one of those expensive, yet “worth it” purchases. And when I got one, I was thrilled. But then a weird thing happened. I always felt so conspicuous when I carried it, like why am I carrying a 1K bag at the local grocery?
Then I found/fell in love with a ruffled purse in a soft platinum leather, only 25$ at Marshall’s. Can I tell you how many compliments this purse (still) gets from random strangers? This never happened with the Louis. And on those days when I think maybe I’ll switch back to that expensive purse, without fail someone compliments the ruffles. Universe kicking me in the ass, I guess.
I blew $90 on a nice leather purse for my wife…. because it has a holster inside for her gun. For me, my $20 pants have pockets.
Uh, would that purse be full of money? Otherwise, one would be nuts to buy it. It’s a bag.
I’ve had a few expensive bags over the years, but have you ever tried to sell one? Even in excellent condition, the value is nil.
Buy what you want if your kids won’t be missing out on lunch money. On the other hand, that’s not an investment, it’s an overpriced hunk of cow with embroidery.