Who would pay over $300 for a handbag?

[charliesmum]

On Gilmore Girls Logan the Rich Boyfriend bought Rory a 'Birkin Bag'. She didn't know what it was, and I didn't either. Apparently it's a big status symbol thing. And my Googling brought up some results that tell me the thing costs at least $300.

I don't get that. Maybe because I can't even fathom having $300 to throw away on something that is simply a place to put my keys, wallet and cell phone, but the bag isn't even that great. It's a literal handbag, no shoulder strap, which I have always found to be inconvient.

So I guess that's its point. It says 'Look at me! I'm so rich I can drop hundreds of dollars on an accessory, and I don't have to bother myself with trivial details like carrying grocery bags, so I don't have to keep both my hands free.'

Or something. I don't know. It's early.

Comments

[lietya.livejournal.com]

"It says 'Look at me! I'm so rich I can drop hundreds of dollars on an accessory, and I don't have to bother myself with trivial details like carrying grocery bags, so I don't have to keep both my hands free.'"

Yep, pretty much. Of course, I don't even carry a purse at all, so I *really* don't see the point. :) (I don't get spending that much money on any "status symbol," though. If it's pretty and worth it to you, that's one thing, but just to prove you had [and "had" is the operative word here] the money, why bother?)

[wolfma.livejournal.com]

They love to wear stuff like that, but they don't like it when somebody sayd "The price of that dress/those earrings/whatever could have fed a town in a third-world country for a week." They need to hear more statements like that instead of condemning whoever says them.

[straussmonster.livejournal.com]

I don't know why I know this, but a Birkin bag is made by the French company Hermes, and an authentic one (which is hand-sewn) costs way, way more than $300.

[cerisaye.livejournal.com]

Isn't that one of the (many) accessories featured on Sex and the City that then went on to have stratospheric sales increases? Though I doubt many can afford a genuine birkin bag.

[chavvah.livejournal.com]

Yes, and I think it was supposed to be pretty expensive to begin with, since Samantha had to get on a four-year wait list to buy one until she started name-dropping.

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

My friend C does that. They may not be $300, but she has something like 20 different handbags/purses that each cost at least $150 or so. It's a bit of an addiction for her, I guess.

[slammerkinbabe.livejournal.com]

Handbags are apparently the new status symbol in general. Me, my purse is a drawstring thing that someone gave me on the sidewalk for free. It came with a toothbrush and a granola bar inside, and it's got an advertisement for RCN imprinted on it. I like it 'cause it was free. Take *that*, Rory Gilmore.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

So what? I have handbags that retail for over 200. That doesn't make me rich; that means I saved up for something I like. Some were presents, some I bought off e-bay. I like handbags. They're pretty and decorative and carry my stuff and I can match them to my outfits.

So what?

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. :)

[snarkypants.livejournal.com]

I don't know what an Hermes Birkin costs, but the Hermes Kelly bag is upwards of $11K.

Yeah, I want to spend as much on a handbag as I spent on my second car.

[sing1118.livejournal.com]

Icon! ::loves H:LotS::

[snarkypants.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm surprised at how quickly and easily people connect these seemingly-random quotes with the show. I got 'em from minervacat; she has lots more!

[sing1118.livejournal.com]

The thing about it as I know is that it takes months and all on the waiting list, so it's a status symbol because they're hard to get. Meh, the most I ever spent on a handbag that I can think of is $30. I bought a new bookbag yesterday that's worth $45 and I couldn't afford that, I was lucky and managed to get it for $13.

[zambonigirl.livejournal.com]

The Coach bag I want retails for over $400.00. That's why there are retail outlets. :-)

[chrysantza.livejournal.com]

I get the most adorable purses at Target, and one of them in particular - it has a white cat with a tiara on it - gets so many compliments. I love my Tar-Jay coturi-ay. :D And I pay what, $15 a pop for them.

[deviantauthor.livejournal.com]

If it's not utilitarian and affordable, I don't want it or need it, therefore that makes it useless to me. LOL

[deviantauthor.livejournal.com]

Forgot to say that I'm just too practical to want or need something as dorky as a purse that costs what I pay for groceries for two weeks. *g*

[chavvah.livejournal.com]

I don't even carry a purse, I carry a backpack. I can fit all my books in it. And my cool retro-style Gameboy SP.

/geek

[halcyon-sting.livejournal.com]

Pockets! I love my pockets! I have a nice purse that my dear, sweet husband bought for me (it's a granny-looking purse) and it stays in the car unless he's with me. It's hideous. And black. And utilitarian to the degree that it came with an umbrella, which my daughter (thankfully) broke within 6 months. It was the thought that counted, right? He tried. And I love him for it.

My ideal purse is funky, one-of-a-kind, has personality, a long strap, and fringe. Gonna have to make one myself, I suppose. Until then, I have POCKETS!