OK, you are correct somewhat (I originally had a snarkier reply about opining on subjects we acknowledge we have no experience with but I refrained) , at a certain point, you’re not gonna see huge differences in quality. However, you will see differences in style and aesthetics are a perfectly valid reason to spend more money. We don’t all drive Toyota Echos, we don’t all live in efficient undecorated block houses or apartments, and why the heck would anyone ever spring for stupid colorful plant pollinating structures?. Is choosing something we like because we appreciate the aesthetics always a case of succumbing peer pressure?
Okay, but I still think your point is irrelevant. DianaG was referring to the argument that people who spend money on purses = shallow cows. Her point was that they’re not all like that. Then you come in and say, “Well, maybe they’re not shallow - they could just be insane.” :dubious: I’m sure there are insane people out there, buying a $$$ purse simply because Paris Hilton was seen carrying it the other day. Those people have problems. Those problems, however, are not tied exclusively to fashion accessories, and have nothing to do with people who buy expensive purses for other reasons. Maybe you didn’t mean to make it sound like they do, but that’s how it came across.
Hazel- try Oliver Peoples if you can find it. The lens is so nice. Once you go OP you never go back.
Anyhow I think it’s absurd that renting a bag means you are pretending to be wealthy or showing off. It only means to me that they need it for a time or want to try it out and this is a good way to do that. Owning a designer handbag doesn’t make you shallow or mentally ill anymore than owning a big screeen tv does. Some bags go up in value like Chanel and hard to find Balenciagas, Hermes etc. I own a couple of Balenciagas and carry them for my own enjoyment and use much like other people collect guns or some people drink alcohol. To each their own.
From your initial post on the subject:
You found it necessary to point out twice in one paragraph that you had taken abnormal psych classes. Why not just make that “general analytical point”–perhaps adding a link to a germane quotation from the famous Mackay. Instead, it appeared that you were looking down on us from the lofty perch of somebody who has actually Taken Courses on College!
Lots of us have been to college. Most got degrees. Some have even earned *several * degrees.
Osama bin Laden stole your sword?
After 9/11, they banned wearing swords and knives at the RennFest unless you were a paid performer, or else owned a shop. Because obviously it was imminent that someone was going to yell “Hassan CHOP!”* and run wild through the Fest grounds after they had allowed folks to bring their swords in without incident for 15 years prior or so.
- That’s a Looney Tunes reference, not yet another example of Islamophobia.
I’m certainly not being dishonest - I really think you’re back pedaling with your “explanation post.” Perhaps you thought that trotting out your bon mot about abnormal psychology WASN’T snarky - I happen to disagree.
And yet, I’ve explained what I meant and explained I did not intend to attack anyone in here, and still I’m getting this defensive tone from you, and of course the dubious smiley implying I’m lying. I even gave concrete examples of how I am guilty of buying things that could be argued as being at least as, if not more, unnecessary than a $1000 purse.
I find that also unfortunate.
sigh
When swords are criminalized, not even geeks will have swords.
N.B. I’m not suggesting that Rennaissance Fair(e) types are inherently geeky. In fact, I’d totally be up for it if I could get a more flattering codpiece. And if they hadn’t banned swords. I don’t really see the point if I can’t run around going “Hassan CHOP!” and laying waste to infidels in period clothing.
I pointed out that I had learned it in class because I was not offering a concrete citation. I was giving the frame of reference from where I had learned it. I did not link to Mackay because I assumed that he was easy enough to look up and he gives innumerable examples in his work of fashion issues.
Tell me about it. Not that the sword really matches my garb (a 1400’s townswoman exceedingly rarely carried a light rapier, if ever) but I’d at least like the option of taking it in with me just for showing to other interested parties.
Just tell them you’re Joan of Arc.
I don’t get the whole “designer label” thing. I buy something because I like it and it fits in my budget. I could care less who made it, as long as it’s made well.
Put me in the A Purse is to Hold Things, Not Sling Over Your Shoulder to Impress Strangers with the Designer Label camp.
Hey if idiots want ugly as sin handbags for the price of a car payment, let them.
I’ve been gifted some very nice handbags* a few years ago that have outlasted every mid-range department store purse I’ve ever bought. They still look new, and they’re still really well constructed. The crappy bag that is left has a great shape, but the stitching has given way along the zipper in a two-inch area. I like the purse, but I realize that, unless I can get someone to fix it, it’s going to have to get replaced soon. If I have some extra income, I’m going to invest in a higher end bag so that it’ll last longer, not because I feel that it’ll make me trendy. (If you see my outfits on a day-to-day basis, you’ll find that I could give a shit about being trendy.)
I’d be very unlikely to rent a purse unless it was a “need something to go with the outfit that I’ll wear only once to a very high end forma event” situation. I don’t dress formally often these days, so having a very formal purse would be pretty useless.
[sub]*Although they’re very nice, they’re also in bright colors that aren’t appropriate for “professional” wear and dressier occasions. I can’t interview with a bright purple armpit bag or a bright green mini satchel with yellow piping and still look professional, can I?[/sub]
Personally, I don’t see the hate here. Why is it worse to rent a handbag than it is to rent a movie? More expensive, sure–but basically the same thing. You order it, get it in the mail, use it as long as you want while paying a certain fee, and then send it back. I do realize there are certain differences; I don’t pay Netflix any more for The Third Man than I do for The Hottie and the Nottie.
Basically, most of what everybody does, all the time, has to do with style. Some people will think more of a person carrying a Known Name Brand Bag, and it might be important–for instance if you have a job interview and the interviewer is a designer bag junky. My feeling is that most of the designer bags people are buying that have the name emblazoned all over them are a bit insecure. People who are into such things will recognize a quality bag without that imprint.
I would never do the Bag Borrow or Steal thing, because first of all I hate carrying handbags, and second of all, if I really need one, I did spring for one I could live with. (I am a big fan of pockets, though, so I hardly ever carry it. It ought to last the rest of my life.) When I do carry it, though, I believe I am trying to impress anyone who might see it, or at least hoping they won’t think “Ugh, what an ugly, cheap, horrible bag”–and yet, my best friend saw it and said, “But–it’s not leather!” I should add that I LOVE this bag and when not carrying it have it in a place in my closet where I can look at it. Okay. I’m shallow.
Eh, I’m one of those who go all out if I spend more than 5 bucks for a purse, but I’m completely behind those that don’t see this as any different than any other pursuit of pet luxury items. You like ren stuff? Go for it. Howzabout Star Trek figurines? Same deal. Therefore, more costly fashion choices would fall under the same category.
I say that those who enjoy should partake of services like this if it’s their kettle of fish. I think it’s a wonderful idea that if you’d like to have something really nice for only a little while, renting is the way to do it. Hell, back in the day when I played more softball than I actually slept, it would’ve been a great and wonderful thing to have access to accessories that I otherwise would never be able to justify or afford.
So, this sister. Can you send her over to our house?
I used to think the way of the OP and other posters here. However, after thinking about it I pretty much changed my mind on this. Expensive purses have their purpose. I have also dramatically increased the price I spend for clothes, even jeans to levels I would have screamed at when I was younger. Nicer clothes can really be more comfortable and last much longer than cheaper clothes.
For you guys out there…
…if you want to buy an expensive present for your squeeze or just want to make the day of a sister, daughter, son’s fiance etc… consider a Coach purse. Usually gets a bigger splash than jewelry and makes a better impression.
Also, once you get on their mailing list they have a couple days a year where you get 25% off. A good purse goes about $400 ($300 if 25% off) and that purse will look much better than the equivalent jewelry.
{Blinkingduck…a guy who has bought around 10 Coach purses in his time on Earth 
}
FYI - I bought myself a Coach wallet 5 years ago at a whopping $100-$110 (can’t remember exactly). Don’t know why I did…but it looks good and it is sitting on my desk here looking very much new after all this time. Seriously - I could probably put it back on the rack and someone would buy it as new.
Now you’re being defensive. If you say you didn’t intend to insult anyone, then I believe you - my dubious smiley was to indicate that the timing of your post made it seem insulting regardless of your intentions, and obviously I was not the only one to interpret it as such.
FWIW, I’d totally spend $500 on a medieval-style gown. I’d wear it at home and pretend I was a maiden in a tower, waiting for some lusty peasant to tear me out of my corset.