Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pricey Purses

I just read an article about mall chain stores beginning to carry purses that cost upwards of $300.  I don't get the designer handbag thing.  I'll admit, right now I'm wearing pants from New York and Company (which is still called Lerner in my heart), a shirt from Old Navy, sandals from Wal-Mart and am carrying a purse  from Target.  I should stop this post right now because I've probaby already made a different point: I'm no style icon.  I couldn't spot a pricey purse if you swung it under my nose.  But I just don't get why a store would have a market for a purse that costs maybe ten times more than the average price of an item in their store. 

I like nice things; who doesn't?  I will splurge on an item occasionally.  But if you are buying the purse as a status symbol, wouldn't you still want to buy it somewhere where you will get the best value for your dollar?  If you don't care about having this season's fancy purse, buy it at an outlet store or on sale at establishment that specializes in that designer in accessories in general; they should have a discount section.  If you want the most current thing, again wouldn't you want to go to a store that specializes in accessories or has a reputation for having the latest, coolest, most current coast-to-coast thing? 

Don't get me wrong, mall stores are where I spend most of my clothing money.  But buying a $300 purse at a store where the average price of an item is $38 (per the article linked above) just leaves you with a really expensive purse, not a status symbol.  Unless maybe they are going to carry Coach and... ok, that's the only fancy purse line I know.  But if it's not a brand that is already considered covetable, what is the point of paying $300 for the purse?  And what makes those purses so expensive anyway?  Are they impervious to the jelly and boogers that small humans will wipe on them?  Are they indestructable or perhaps do they contain a jet-pack for when you're late to work?

I just don't get it.  Good luck with the new mall placement of pricey purses.  I'm concerned it will be a bust.

9 comments:

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

No $300 purses for me! I love a cute handbag, but not at that price. The closest I've come to it is Fossil bags, which I love, but even that love has limits!

Long live thrift shops! :)

liz said...

right on, cammy!

A said...

I hear you Liz.

Mishy said...

wow, i thought i was the ONLY one who still thought of NY&Co as Lerner! my grandma used to work at Lerner back in the day, we're talking the 80's kinda back in the day. even though my grandma passed away, "Lerner" still lives on!

Gwennie said...

it's totally Lerner!!! Maybe we need to learner the new name :) hee hee. And my most awesme perse is a dark red Gucci snakeskin purse that my sister bought for me in Russia! I'm sure it cost about 4 dollars there but I only use it on super special occassions!

Gwennie said...

seriously...I haven't been drinking. not sure why I can't spell "awesome purse"

liz said...

@gwennie, you have a travelin' sister too? i live vicariously through mine's crazy stories, we will have to compare notes! and i might spell it awesme perse from now on because it looks all cool and hip that way.

@mishy, yes, i may be dating myself by calling it lerner :D

@agnes, you get your awesme perses in india or thailand or somewhere else intriguing i bet :)

ASTRA REED said...

Good job really what u have written is amazing love to read it....

Anonymous Fat Girl said...

I do not get it either!!!! I much prefer comfort over style and that goes for my purses too. I would also prefer to where clothing, accessories, etc. that have no indication on what brand they are. I like to be anonymous with my items. LOL