What's with women and expensive bags and shoes??

@cyclopz (251)
Sydney, Australia
December 29, 2010 8:08am CST
I have observed that some women would really spend a lot of money for just a simple bag or even just a pair of shoes. I think spending around $600 or Ph30,000 for just a bag seemed quite impractical. $600 could really go a long way and i think spending it on bags that doesn't seem to be that nice is very unreasonable. I think there are also lots of cheaper stuffs being sold out there that look even much better and would just cost just around $10 or Ph500 at most. I would like to hear especially from women about this. I just don't quite get it how they could spend so much for something so simple. I think a $600 is quite a reasonable price for a laptop but i think not for a bag or a pair of shoes. Have you also experienced buying something that seem impractical for its price? I would like to hear what other members could say about this.. Thanks guys..
8 people like this
33 responses
@34momma (13882)
• United States
1 Jan 11
you know i like shoes, and i love i nice bag. however i am not the kind of person who would pay $2,000 for a bag and $200 for a pair of shoes. I am a bargain hunter. my motto is , if it's not on sale then I don't want it. hey if you can go into a store and drop that kind of cash and it doesn't effect any other part of your life then i say go for it. i just know that for me at this point it's not something i can do.
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
31 Dec 10
I don't even remember the last time I bought a bag! my children give them to me as presents and I have quite a few! my daughter [who lives in the city]shops around the markets and second hand shops she usually gets good brands for small prices not long ago I got a Prada and a Louis Vuitton so I guess I Am lucky I don't have to pay for them! when comes to shoes I never spend too big but I like a good fit and good looks but I would never spend any more than 200 dollars...I think more than that is a bit much for me.
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
29 Dec 10
I cannot wear the designer shoes. I have to wear athletic shoes. I will buy name brand, but I buy them in a store that sells off season shoes and they cost much less. I have a pair of orthotics that go inside of my shoes that cost $250. That is my expensive foot wear. I really do not like to carry purses very much. I like them simple, but cute. I had rather carry bags like shopping bags or back packs, or jackets with pockets.
• Israel
30 Dec 10
When I was in America, I also bought off season or last seasons shoes (and clothing). I didn't and still don't care if they are last seasons athletic shoes. I went through a pair of sport shoes every 6 months. When I say went through, I mean the soles had holes in them. I was on my feet all day long. I was in great health back then. This year I bought a new pair of New Balance shoes. I hate to think of the high cost, but I need good sport shoes. They cost over 600 shekels, about $200 USD, but will last 3 or 4 years of walking about 5k every day. I have a very bad back, leg problems, and other health issues, so high quality proper shoes are important.
@jennbart (1330)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
Its the way women represents themselves. They feel confident when they wear branded shoes and bags. Just like you when you wear branded clothes, people feel confident when they are bearing something popular.
@jennbart (1330)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
I think this also goes with men and their cars. Its just that women are with their shoes.Men feels so handsome when they have cool cars or wheels. Same effect with women.Diffent folks.. different strokes.:)
• Canada
30 Dec 10
I am a woman and I would never, ever do this. I think it's stupid. Even if I was a hollywood star making millions of dollars a movie, I would still buy the same old stuff at cheaper stores (there are many stores in Canada whose prices are comparable to walmart) and all the extra money would go towards experiences, like taking lessons in other languages. And then I would still have tons of money left over to go to charities and such. I don't think anyone needs bags and shoes that cost that much money. I would be greatful to have enough to pay rent on a modest place to live, buy groceries, and have enough left for a little treat like a night out once in awhile. Any more money than that tends to make people addicted to "stuff" that they do not need.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (136864)
• Philippines
29 Dec 12
If we should be wiser in terms of being practical. Some people will never think of this if they are not being wise, though wasting money is what makes them loved to do.
• Canada
2 Jan 11
I own three pairs of shoes; a pair of winter boots, a pair of sandals, and a pair of flat dress shoes, all of them black. I use a canvas groccery bag for my handbag, not because I am poor, but because it's big, and I don't want to pay for a designer one. My step-daughter once paid $1,500 for a handbag, and then had the damn thing stolen. $1,500? That's two months rent for me, why spend it on a handbag? I just don't get it!
@soleya (1100)
• Latvia
30 Dec 10
I love expensive bags and shoes. And when I can afford them, I always go for the more expensive thing. Bags and shoes are like statements. Of course there are cheaper versions of the same models of shoes and bags, but they are always not comfortable or lose their nice looks in a month. When you buy high quality bag or shoes, you look good, you feel good and you are also proud. And other girls respect you more when they see that you can afford to buy good and expensive things.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
30 Dec 10
Hey Cyclopz! I am two-faced in this answer. By this I mean I LOVE bags and shoes. Sneakers and bags to be exact. I do spend alot on my JORDANS the most Ive ever spent is $175 and that was a gift for me on my birthday. As far as bags go I have spent $300. Its not an everyday thing either. Idont know about anyone else but I love bags no matter what they cost. Up until about two years ago I was literally addicted to bags. I had over 500 bags. My husband finally said ENOUGH. He was right. I donated the ones I hadnt used in a while. Some I only used one day. That's ridiculous! Even I know that. I dont know why this is so but it is. I am not rich. I work three sometimes four jobs at a time. I now try to think a purchase out to the end. Will I use them for a while or just a day? Do I have something to match it? Do I have another that looks like it? Do I really need it or just need to buy something? Usually by the end I no longer want to purchase it. Im alot better than I was a few years back. I'd rather go naked and have a nice bag and sneakers than have good clothes and no bag or sneakers. I also am a realist. I know that my 15 yr old daughter likes them too and my husband. So that's three Im buying. Now we plan our purchases. With sneakers, you can check what's coming soon. That way you can plan what you want and how much money you need. Women are not the only ones! I know a ton of men that are the same way. Men are carrying messenger bags as well. So now they are in the same predicament. Do I eat or buy a great bag? I say BUY THE BAG! lol Happy Handbag hunting ALL! dl
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Jan 11
I don’t mind spending a reasonable amount for a good pair of good quality shoes and bag so that they will be well made and last a long time but to spend a small fortune on accessories just because of a designer name is ridiculous in my view. It is incredible how much some women (and men) will pay for a label!
@maezee (42003)
• United States
26 Feb 11
It's the fact that it's designer, doll, that makes it so appealing to women. And men alike! It's a consumerism thing, not just reserved for women. It's about wanting expensive things - it increases our sense of 'self value' and the like. I personally don't spend that much on my stuff. I shop second hand, ALTHOUGH I once bought a purse for $110, but I think that was my max. I really don't have all that kind of extra $$ to be spending, though!!
@freymind (1351)
• Philippines
6 Jan 11
its too expensive. i guess the only people that buy that kind of crap are people who doesn't have a problem with money. its really heartbreaking since almost all of us have to be wise with our spending while others splurge and don't care at all... yes it is impractical and heck my netbook is cheaper than that bag!!
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
30 Dec 10
In my opinion, I shall spend based on what I can afford and worth. Cheap shoes can not last for long. They are not so comfortable to wear too. Those middle range of shoes should be good enough for me. About the bag, if I take care of it well, I am sure it can last for quite long. Moreover, a good quality and stylist bag can help me to impress my prospective for customers. for bag, I shall go for those a bit expensive with better brand and quality.
30 Dec 10
i have no idea why they do and i am a woman. i dont think i have even paid £50 for a pair of shoes. i dont understand why they spend so much
@derek_a (10874)
30 Dec 10
I could never quite work that one out. Mind you, I don't tend to go for expensive stuff myself, I never have. Where my friends were wearing the best branded trainers, I simply wouldn't pay the price and have always bought budget ones anyway. And you know what? Nobody ever looked at my feet and made comment on it. So it only goes to prove how unncessary it is to spend more money that you have to. _Derek
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
30 Dec 10
well i guess that's why these merchandises exist. different people has got different taste for things. just like how i'll spend quite a bit on food and my sister frowns upon it. if i have the money to spare, i don't see why i should not spend it on things i like. if this person has to go beg, borrow or steal just to afford the bag, then it's impractical. if it's spare cash, then i think it's fair to spend it on one's likes.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
yeah.. what's with the expensive stuff. i am a lady but i don't buy stuff most of the time. if i have one expensive pair of shoes, well that just it. good thing i'm not a buyer or else..
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
30 Dec 10
Hi cyclopz, I confess that I have a weakness of shoes,footwear and hand bags. If I had the means I would keep buying. However, I don't really bother about the brand, it has to look good and take care of my needs. I have several handbags , although I use one at a time for my daily use, it is the same case with my footwear, normally use 2 pairs. The rest are just there...The most expensive bag I have cost around 100 dollars, and the rest are much cheaper. The shoes also about 50 dollars, the rest are much less expensive, so cost wise it doesn't really matter , as long as it makes me happy
@pogi253 (1586)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
The majority of the people I know aren't very rich, yet they're carrying roughly these bags that have prices tags in the $500 range. What is extremely special about these bags, and why do they cost so much? For obvious appearances, a woman going about her day carrying a LV bag emits richness, glamour, and distinction. She can afford a $600 bag. Why not? She has money, style, and (oh, yes!) flawless taste. Every time I see one of these expensive bags, I ask myself....is that really essential? Would I buy one myself? (The response is a loud NO.)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
You're not alone. I too am quite confused why so many women would shell out so much money on just a pair of shoes or a single bag. Almost all my friends have expensive bags & designer shoes & when I asked them, they told me it's their investments & that these things make them happy & forget about their problems.Others say these are their stress-busters. But for me, I would not do such extravagance, I could just imagine how many cans of milk or packs of diapers I could buy for my baby from that big amount of money spent for designer things. But well, our priorities in life differ from one another.If these things make them happy then nothing's wrong with it, it's the happiness that they derived from buying these things that counts.Glad to know that nowadays , one can actually buy happiness.