BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Women's Fashion Would You Buy a £4,017 Handbag?

I made a resolution this year, everything I buy is going to be from huge brand names, even if that means buying 1 item a year. Needless to say, I'm failing. Real bad.

First of all because I love shopping and I feel the need to buy more. Second, because sometimes I cave in, I mean if an item is not that cheap (Zara, Mango), it can be good and make up for a ridiculously expensive Valentino tote. We had a small poll on perfumes because a reader needed advice and most people seemed to think that buying an expensive perfume was often justifiable.

Do you purchase expensive items if they are worth it or do you think fashion is not worth splurging on?

I feel a little bit both ways. Fashion in general is not my thing. But the reason for that is I'm 5"1' tall and I wear a size 38H bra. As you can imagine, high fashion is not designed for my shape. Also I wear EE width shoes, so that rules out any interest in pretty shoes, as well. BUT, bags are another story. I am free to buy the same bags as anyone else. So bags are just plain fun. I don't have the budget for very expensive bags, but if I did I would sooo buy them.

Hi Helen,

I think there are many options for every body type now. Some stores do sell adult clothes that look like only a 6 year old could wear them, but I think they are improving with time since they get how beautiful all women are now. Thankfully, with stars like Christina Hendricks, we are getting more womanly clothes fit for real bodies.

I agree on the handbags, it's just so much fun to buy an amazing handbag and they are versatile and make the outfit basically.

Lets see....for the cost of that handbag, I could go on safari in Africa, or travel to Australia for a month or so, or....buy groceries for about a year. Forget the bag!

My local radio station is offering a Coach handbag as a prize. I can't figure out why I'd want that. I like nice handbags and have a bunch, but generally spend under $30 for mine.

I agree with Claybird, for that kind of money I could go on an extended trip to Africa which I'd rather do.

Jeanne and Claybird, good point. I'm starting to realize this, the problem is I would like to have money to travel and shop abroad as well. So traveling for me is related to shopping and buying expensive stuff, vicious cycle!

Love some of these comments. I'd rather have the trip than the handbag but, like Angel68, just knowing I could afford it would be a good thing.

I'm also pretty rough on purses; they're more utility than fashion for me so, no, I couldn't justify spending that much money on a purse. I'd have it trashed in no time.

Bit it would be nice to afford to splurge like that!

Hi All,

I am generally not very hard on bags. I still have one that I got about 35 years ago and it's in good condition. So investing in a good bag is not out of the question. BUT....I said I don't have the budget for an expensive bag, or an expensive vacation, or anything else expensive. But bags sure are fun to look at and enjoy.

If the radio station is giving the bag away, why not enter, then it's free anyway, you've lost nothing, and you still have your money to spend where you like.

I agree Helen, they are even fun to look at and you can always find good ones. Even in Paris, you have the new LV bags which are so expensive and some stores selling originals for much less because they are "out of season". I'm like, who cares, they are pretty so I will buy them.