I wandered into the accessories department at a high-end department store the other day and started browsing around among the Pradas and Proenza Schoulers… the “we start at $1300″-bag section. I remember thinking that one day, when I was a real grown-up, I would buy myself one of these beautiful, buttery bags, but that was when the highest number in my imagination was what seemed like an astronomical $400. Who knew?! Such a shame because the PS1 bag is really very lovely.
I asked the salesperson “what makes the $1500 Balenciaga bag cost that much” (even though I sort of figured I knew what she’d say: labor, quality of materials, label… the usual) “and the also fancy Marc Jacobs cost that much?”
She looked at me like I was crazy and then glanced at my bag (presumably to check whether it was vinyl). She practically spelled the name: “Balenci-aaaa-ga was Spanish. The bags are made in Italy.” Oh, but of course! That’s why! Aron and I were laughing about the rationale when he claimed: “now if there was some sort of lifetime guarantee… maybe then…”
Which is when I remembered that my other high-end dream bag DOES have a lifetime guarantee!
Isn’t the leather beautiful? Such a pretty color, and I can imagine the patina getting better with age.
J.W. Hulme bags are expensive, too (my favorite, the Mini-Excursion Tote on the left is $590 and the Legacy Shoulder Bag on the right is $370) but brand guarantees each of its handmade bags for life.
Umm, Aron?
[top image via J.W. Hulme site; bottom left photo by Joyce Lee; bottom right photo via Style Extraordinaire]
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
oh my. i have a fairmount satchel from jw hulme and it is the best piece of leather i own!
i went through the same thing you did: went to neiman marcus looking to buy a purse and just couldn’t understand why those designer bags cost so dang much. then, in my efforts to buy Made in America, i stumbled upon jw hulme (a MN company, where i’m from!) and the rest is history. (confession: i also have a mini-excursion bc i bought it at the factory and it was in its sample section. swoon).
yes, aron, take note. this woman deserves a good bag and that bag is the mini-excursion
(i don’t usually post links in the comment section so forgive me but you can read about my purse here: http://www.adenverhomecompanion.com/a-purse-from-my-grandmother/)
Such a nice story! And the satchel looks beautiful. If we are ever near their hq i’ll have to go on a tour!
Re: “Umm, Aron?”, you have to ask your husband’s permission? Does he act in kind when considering items for (his) purchase? Cool if yes. If not, what year is this again?
We certainly do before spending that kind of money! But I more meant that I’d like it as a gift one day.
Hi Ashley, this post and the comments made me think of the book I’m currently reading….Overdressed: The Shockingly High Pricce of Cheap Fashion. Have you read it? I think you’d enjoy it. I’m not finished yet but it’s already made me think twice and then some about what I will purchase going forward! (LOVE those J.W. Hulme bags!!)
i JUST read that book and it is SO SO good and inspiring.
both are beautiful bags for sure, i hope you treat yourself to one!
i’ve been in love with the coach legacy large duffle in cognac for years and am determined to pull the trigger when my promotion comes through.
we deserve pretty things that last right?
Oh! So this reminds me of the story I was going to share! I had also been dreaming of the Coach Legacy collection in cognac, and one day I was leaving the mall through Nordstrom, when lo and behold, they had the bag in clearance! I got an $800+ bag for less than $200! However…
I’d been carrying the bag for 5 years now (2007), giving it a break in 2011. When i pulled it out last summer, there was green everywhere – the metal had corroded! Got green on my white summer dresses, my new carpet, eeeeverywhere! And there’s nothing coach can do. I’m pretty furious.
Anyway, apparantly that’s common with metal on a lot of luxury brands. Ex-queese me? I can’t IMAGINE paying $800 for something I also need use cleaner on a q-tip on. Never again.
I was so glad to see you highlighted J.W. Hulme’s beautiful bags. I’m a St. Paul girl and my father works for J.W. Hulme. I own both of those bags and they’re worth every pretty penny! Each bag is handcrafted and made from U.S. sourced materials as well as that life-time guarantee. It’s one of Minnesota’s best kept secrets!
Wow–lucky, lucky gal.
first the rag and bone sandals, now the bag. you’re no good for me!
Damnit! Sorry.
soooo obsessed with the ps1 bag! i just posted about it today too
am desperately looking for a more affordable version.
this is SO beautiful. i bet one day aron will surprise you! i just feel it
I just got the J.W. Hulme iPad case from Brooks Brothers and I LOVE it. They added a monogram for me and it’s beautiful. A bag is going on the wish list next!
For me, 400 is still an astronomical price especially for a handbag. And the problem with we women is that even if a bag has a lifetime guarantee, we won’t use it our whole lives because we like to change things up with the new fashions and styles. So in that case, it really wouldn’t seem worth it to me. But if you’ve got the money to spare, then why not I guess?
GAH. amazing.