Categories: Shopping & Fashion

Why Do Women Buy Expensive Purses?

I’ve lived in the United States since 1998. Prior to that, I lived in Germany. Granted, the styles from here to there are completely different. But one of the biggest trends that I’ve noticed here in the United States is the need for women to own expensive purses. I see women toting ordinary-looking purses that say Coach, Louis Vuitton, or D&B.; When you strip the purses down to the bare essentials, you are left with a device in which to carry your clutter in. It used to be the shoes that make the man. These days, it’s the handbag that (supposedly) makes the woman.

Why do these women buy these purses? Most of the people I know aren’t very rich, yet they’re carrying around these bags that have prices tags in the 500 range. What is absolutely special about these purses, and why do they cost so much? For outward appearances, a woman going about her day carrying a LV bag radiates richness, glamour, and excellence. She can afford a $600 bag. Why not? She has money, style, and (oh, yes!) impeccable taste.

Some women may argue that with the high price, you’re paying for quality. Why buy a cheap purse from Payless, when you can have a long-lasting Prada bag! I believe that this proves the saying is true! You get what you pay for…even if it means not paying the credit card bill this month, and skimping on your phone bill to make up for the alligator skin you HAD to have.

Or…someone can say that Louis Vuitton is timeless. That’s why it’s worth the extra hundreds of dollars. The ‘timeless’ factor makes up for the price.

Somebody else can argue that women spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that they will be wearing for just a few hours…so it only makes sense that a woman should buy a two thousand dollar purse she will be using daily. Does that truly justify the expensive purse trend? I think not.

Whenever I see one of these purses, I ask myself….is that really necessary? Would I buy one myself? (The answer is a resounding NO.) Do I give a croc’s rear if it’s made from real leather, or if the zippers come in individually colored ‘teeth’ for my aesthetic pleasure?

Why do we have to keep up with the Joneses anyway? Why must we vie to dress like celebrities, lug heavy Coach bags around, and play the balancing game with each step on Manolo Blahniks? Is status really that important? We just have to prove our financial status and power, don’t we? But most women wouldn’t know power if it hit them straight in the face. Real power is gaining governmental positions, raising ten healthy kids, leaving an abusive relationship. That’s real power. Power isn’t that poor, dismembered crocodile you’re lugging around everywhere you go.

But in the end, what does this boil down to? To me, the woman is vain, self-centered, insecure, unsure about her self worth, and feels as if she has to prove to the world that she is indeed worth something, anything, by toting an expensive piece of leather. They need to prove to the world that they can afford to buy a LV purse in the most ostentatious way possible. I feel that above everything, the bottom line is that women are afraid. Fear is, in my opinion, the biggest motivating factor behind the act of shelling out the big bucks for a purse. You feel as if people are not willing to accept you for who you are, but are willing to accept you for what you own. You don’t have much going for you in the looks department, but HEY! You have a Prada purse, so all is right with the world! Not only did you suddenly gain a status in life, but your nose has been turned from its natural position to a more elevated position. Now you are considered high-class. Good for you, Bravo!

If you’re going to describe a woman that has had a significant impact in your life, what are you going to say? Who are you going to name? If you find yourself saying something along the lines of this: — “Britney Spears is my idol because she was found the other day carrying the latest Coach purse design in the rarest color of lime green and cotton-candy pink!” —

Houston, you have a problem.

Personally, my respect and admirations go to women who have actually made a positive difference in the lives of others…regardless as to whether they owned a purse from the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart. I respect those who do not showcase their wealth. Why? It confirms a positive and responsible attitude toward money. Am I green with envy? Not at all. Even if I had that amount of money to spend, I can’t see how buying an expensive, ugly purse is worth the ridiculous price tag.

I guess you can call me a hypocrite because I have been known to buy a few ‘designer’ perfumes. At the time being, I love wearing Vera Wang’s Princess perfume and body lotion set. Pricey? A little… But instead of leaving me with a gaping -$600 in the bank account, the perfume set was less than fifty dollars at a sale. But I’d rather be $50 dollars short than $600 in debt.

The amount of money people spend on purses never ceases to amaze me, but at the same time, it never, ever comes close to impressing me. One down-right hilarious experience I had concerning this was when my husband and I spotted a female toting an expensive Prada bag…at the thrift store. How sad. How incredibly sad. Hand over the tissues, please.