NWR : Designer items..worth the cost or just status?

tafft1 · May 2010

So I work retail in a pretty nice area - about 90% of the women that frequent my store try to throw their money at me , wear all designer clothes , flashy jewelry and have Coach , Louis Vuitton (sp?) handbags , etc..and I just wonder..is it really worth it to spend that much on luxury items ? Granted I am not the normal female - I don't even see the point of shelling out money to have my nails done - and I know some people do make those once in a lifetime purchases , nothing wrong with if you are successful and wanting to spurge yourself , go for it..you earned it.

But I just don't know how anyone justifies paying 1600.00 for a PURSE. I looked up the style one of my customers had because I thought it looked cool..but yeah. More than ever these people that come in all "done up" - have no less than 10 credit cards which makes me believe they are living off their credit and status. I was wondering if anyone else gets it..or is it just one of those things that some people feel they "need".

Narwhal · May 2010

I don't get it either.

Then again, I'm a big fan of knockoffs.

I know with designer items they're a lot better quality usually, but I still just can't justify it.

desertsun · May 2010

I think you pay for names. The goods may be high quality, but I think you can usually find things that are just as well made for less.

You can't tell me Coach sunglasses that cost ten times as much as my Target ones are really ten times higher quality.

Or rings from "Tiff's." You can find rings just as nice other places for MUCH less.

bethsmiles · May 2010

I dont really get it either. I think some of it may actually be high quality but it doesn't really make a difference to me. I can't afford any of it anyway. But if I was rich I might buy it just because I could.

Simply Fated · May 2010

Sometimes you get what you pay for... but only sometimes.

Other times, you are paying for the name brand. You're paying to buy something that is expensive so people can see that you bought something that is expensive. It's all about image and how important it is to you how people see you and what you want them to think about you when they see you.

ETA: Just to clarify, that is not always the case... I own a few name brand bags and not because I care what other people think, but because I love the colors and designs and the knock offs weren't close enough to what I loved.

ekathleen684 · May 2010

I worked in Coach for two years so I am a bit partial to the brand and all of my bags were at a deep discount . Their bags are a better, softer leather than I've seen and hold up better. If anything happens to your bag, you can ship it to Coach and they'll fix it or compensate you on the damage bag. They also have their fabrics treated so on some bags (not white of course) is is tough to stain them. I spilled hot chocolate on one and it came right out.

I like the quality of their bags and they are a classic shape that I can use for years to come. I don't buy it so everyone can go "ooh look at her" but because I like them and I know that I'll get tired of the purse before it gets worn out.

That being said- I'm with desertsun on their sunglasses. My Target sunglasses are just as awesome and they were 1/7th of the price.

Where's BlueBox when you need her? lol

paintgirl · May 2010

I have very expensive designer sunglasses and I have $20 glasses. I love both types. Really, I just like sunglasses and will buy whatever I like - regardless of the brand. Same with handbags. I've got some really cute cheapies and some great expensive brands. Is it worth it quality-wise? Eh, maybe, but only if you buy classic styles that last forever and take good care of them.

katanne9 · May 2010

Nope! Not worth it!

Although, SOMETIME the things ARE a higher quality. Do the price and quality increase simultaneously - nope. But I must admit, I was given a Kate Spade purse once, and it's lasted eons (years longer than my knock off).

Some things this does NOT work for. Desert, I totally agree about Tiffany diamonds. FI chose a diamond that registers with the highest category of all 4 Cs - you can't get any better - and he got it at BLUE NILE probably literally a tenth of what it would cost at Tiffany's.

hetshup · May 2010

I think you can pick and choose. I bought really expensive shoes for the wedding, but I figure, I will be standing all day and it's worth it to me. However, I have never purchased a expensive bag and I had an awesome pair of Chanel sunglasses for approximately 12 days before someone stole them from my swim bag at winter training. I might still be bitter.

If I was wealthy, I would likely pay more for things and have expensive bags etc etc. But that would just be because as a rule they would be a small portion of my income. It's like saying you can afford to shop at Forever 21 and now you can shop at Athropologie.

sapphirebaby926 · May 2010

I think sometimes it's worth it because sometimes the quality is better. That being said I don't think that price=quality. I've gotten cheap things that last longer than the big brand stuff. I could never spend 1600 on a purse but I do like coach and I have one and it's held up really well. It's the most I've ever spent on an accessory but the quality is really good. I'd rather get the knock-off and put that extra money into our savings.

I think too many people are worried about what other people think of them so that's how they justify spending gobs of money on unnecessary items.

zaneopal · May 2010

I don't have any "designer" clothes, so to speak, though my sister is a Coach devotee. Yes, their bags are nice and last forever. But at the same point, my sister goes through them in the time span it takes to change her mind, and now she has 4 or 5 really nice Coach bags in a pile in her closet. I think if you're going to invest the money into something designer, you should use it for the extent of its life and get your money's worth.

Ekath -- I was wondering that myself. She hasn't been here in a few days. This is one of those times when I wouldn't mind her name-dropping, just to hear her opinion on this topic. But that is simply because she works in the fashion industry.

Ana_2985 · May 2010

I don't know. For some things it might be worth it. I wouldn't have a problem spending a lot of money on shoes or jeans because these are things I wear all the time. If they are better quality/more durable/more comfortable then it makes it worth the extra money to be. Bags I don't really care about. If I saw one I really liked and could afford it I would get it. I don't see the point in going into debt over it though.

On the other hand, it is definitely possible to find good quality items at affordable prices. Also, some things don't need to last forever. I don't care if my t-shirts are high quality. If they only last 3 months before they get old looking, who cares? They were 4 dollars.

dwest2201 · May 2010

I do not think that it is worth it for MOST items. I believe that most people who buy them like the status of the brand just as much if not more than the item itself.

I don't buy name brands usually at all... I like to shop at Kohls, Target, TJMaxx and the like.

I usually purchase cheap sunglasses for about 10-15 dollars. This year I found a pair of Simply Vera Wang ones that I liked better than all the others at Kohls and thought to myself $40 is too much for sunglasses... until I realized they were 50% off that day. Score! $20 I can do and did and I love them!

I have never been to Tiffany's and probably never will... I was given a really nice bracelet from there from my XH's grandmother a few years back and recently sold it with my old and broken gold & jewelry to be melted down... muhahaha!!

Purse wise... the most expensive purse that I purchased was a Vera Bradley backpack... I found one on Ebay for 40% less than in the store and got it for myself. I thought that $50 was pretty rediculous but I REALLY liked it and was very pleased with the purchase and I used it till it was worn out, thank goodness for cloth purses that can be washed in the washer and come clean! About that time I was pregnant and my then MIL got me the larger backpack as a shower gift because it worked great for quick trips with little one... the side pockets are big enough for a bottle! She paid $100 for it and I kinda felt bad until she showed me the TWO new Coach purses she bought herself on the same trip... haha.

Speaking of Coach, I think that some of their bags are really cute... but you won't find one in my closet now or in the future, I just can't justify it! I do know a few older women (40's and 50's) who have sworn by Coach since before I can remember and they carry the same plain leather bag for years and years and years.... that I can't argue with them on. But, people who have many designers purses and claim "they are great quality and last forever"... well then why the hell do you need a dozen of them?

Also designer clothes such as hundred dollar jeans are nonsensical to me. Even if I had a crap load of money(won the lottery or something) I wouldn't buy most of these things... there are so many other things that I could do for myself or others with said money.

hetshup · May 2010

BlueBox is on vacation. I found a post asking what to wear to a vacation where she didn't know where they were going. I'm a creeper like that.

sapphirebaby926 · May 2010

You mean she's going to be back? Aww man I thought maybe she left for good : (

tafft1 · May 2010

I was just curious to what people thought because in the area I work it's all about "status" - basically "look what I can afford and you can't and because I can afford this and that you should give me more discounts than anyone else!" - It's like so you will spend hundreds of dollars on designer items..but you won't pay 10 dollars for a towel..wow. it makes me sick.

It ranges from women right out of high school to retired women telling me how much they make and how insignifigant my job is..sometimes I hate my life. Even if I could afford such things , I wouldn't throw it in another person's face - good for you if you can afford it and/or want to spend your money like that , not my place to judge but I am sick and tired of people telling me how much they paid for this or that..it isn't impressing anyone. I need a new job..

Daisyca99 · May 2010

People who have to show you how much money they have by talking about it probably don't have much money. This includes name dropping, how much an item is, how much they make etc. when it isn't part of the conversation topic. It's like being a woman; if you have to tell somebody you are, you probably aren't.

ekathleen684 · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_nwr-designer-itemsworth-cost-just-status?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9eaafef0-2c57-4cc5-abc5-cbfb02a42222Post:998f8fb4-f993-448f-bb03-9f9175ff8018">Re: NWR : Designer items..worth the cost or just status?</a>:
[QUOTE]BlueBox is on vacation. I found a post asking what to wear to a vacation where she didn't know where they were going. I'm a creeper like that.
Posted by hetshup[/QUOTE]

Darn. I would have looked but work is getting in the way of TK this week.

PandaBurr · May 2010

I'm one of those people who will buy things that I like regardless of name brand. I'm not going to lie, I have a few designer bags. However, the only one that actually has a visible noteable designer logo is a Coach one, but I liked it because of its color scheme (very spring!). All my other purses are plain leather in white, pink, and black. Honestly, I don't like a lot of Coach's patterns because they seem like they're screaming "HEY LOOK AT ME!". I think if you're buying the designer brand because you like the item and not just because it's designer, then there's nothing wrong with that.

**Mutley** · May 2010

I don't really look at Coach as a 'designer' brand. Or at least, I don't view it as high end.

Certain designer items are worth it. Shoes! Designer shoes are definitely a step above others. My higher end purses do last longer than others. I buy items that I like that I can afford. Sometimes those are more 'designer' brands, sometimes they are from Target. Often, I like to find higher end brands at Marshalls, TJMax, Ross, etc.

However, I do find anything heavily labeled with a brand name tacky - no matter what the brand.

PandaBurr · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_nwr-designer-itemsworth-cost-just-status?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:9eaafef0-2c57-4cc5-abc5-cbfb02a42222Post:c38d362f-f826-4835-be9f-7e279031e154">Re: NWR : Designer items..worth the cost or just status?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't really look at Coach as a 'designer' brand. Or at least, I don't view it as high end. Certain designer items are worth it. Shoes! Designer shoes are definitely a step above others. My higher end purses do last longer than others. <strong>I buy items that I like that I can afford</strong>. Sometimes those are more 'designer' brands, sometimes they are from Target. Often, I like to find higher end brands at Marshalls, TJMax, Ross, etc. <strong>However, I do find anything heavily labeled with a brand name tacky - no matter what the brand</strong>.
Posted by **Mutley**[/QUOTE]

This exactly. It's like mind meld. I also wanted to add that I bought one of my ex's an LV wallet that he really liked for birthday or Christmas or something like that. That was like 6 years ago, and it still looks exactly like the day I bought it, and he does not take good care of his things. LV also had this special edition cherry blossom pattern that I LOVE, but could never afford. Now that it's discontinued it's even more expensive. Lame. :(

NWR : Designer items..worth the cost or just status?

Re: NWR : Designer items..worth the cost or just status?

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