First off, lemme just say… why? Like, seriously, WHY are these things so expensive? I get it, “luxury,” “craftsmanship,” blah blah blah. But honestly, sometimes I see a plain leather tote and I’m like, “I could probably make that… ish. Maybe. With a lot of YouTube tutorials and a glue gun.” (Okay, fine, probably not. But still!).
Anyway, from the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram – which, let’s be honest, is everywhere, you either love it or you hate it, no in-between – to the eternally chic Chanel quilted bags (the ones that scream “I have my life together,” even if you’re secretly eating ramen for dinner every night), these brands are practically household names. And they know it! That’s why they can charge an arm and a leg for a tiny clutch. They’re selling a *lifestyle*, darling, not just a bag.
And then you’ve got Hermes, the holy grail of handbags. The Birkin. Oh, the Birkin. I’ve heard stories about waiting lists that are longer than my lifespan. Apparently, owning one is like achieving enlightenment or something? I dunno. I’m just not buying into the idea that a bag, no matter how expensive or exclusive, can magically transform me into a sophisticated socialite. I will just stick to the knockoffs then, I guess? (Disclaimer: I’m not *actually* advocating for buying fake stuff, but I’m also not gonna pretend I haven’t been tempted).
Now, beyond the “big three” (LV, Chanel, Hermes), there’s a whole galaxy of other designer brands out there. Saint Laurent, Burberry, Fendi… Nordstrom is practically overflowing with them! You can find everything from totes big enough to smuggle a small dog in (don’t do that, though, please) to chain wallets that are more like jewelry than actual, functional wallets.
And while the classics are always a safe bet, I gotta admit, I’m kinda digging some of the contemporary brands popping up lately. Macy’s has some cool stuff, apparently. I’m too lazy to actually go to a Macy’s, but I’ll definitely check out the online store.
But here’s the thing: at the end of the day, a bag is a bag, right? It holds your stuff. Sure, a designer bag might be made of nicer leather, have better stitching, and make you feel like a million bucks (until you remember how much you actually spent on it), but it’s still just a thing.
