[JADE]

I went to the Prada store for the first time and I was shocked at the prices. I knew it was going to be expensive, but I wasn't prepared for the sticker prices. Are any of your gals fortunate enough to afford their prices? How is the quality? Is it worth it or is it just "fashionable" to pay the high prices?

 

[SusanRL]

With Prada you are DEFINITELY paying for the name.

 

[Rishi]

Anyone see Devil Wears Prada?

 

[martha]

If it makes you feel good and you have the money, then why not? These are luxury items and are meant to be expensive so only few can afford them.

 

[mutti]

I buy the fakes. If you find a good fake, the quality is just as good but the price is like 1/10 of a real one.

 

[BlackGoddess]

I buy the fakes. If you find a good fake, the quality is just as good but the price is like 1/10 of a real one.

I'm with you on that one!

 

[makaveli]

^ The quality or materials used in fakes are NEVER comparable... And your directly contributing to child labour and sweat shops.

 

[desertrose]

^ The quality or materials used in fakes are NEVER comparable... And your directly contributing to child labour and sweat shops.

 

[libra]

Yes ... if you are into wearing 'labels' and it brings you comfort ... then go for it ... I have many designer bags, etc. (including Prada) ... but it is such a waste of $$$ because they become boring just like the cheaper things that we purchase ...so why waste all of the $$$ in such a down economy ... even if affordable ... I love St. John and have three closets full of St. John Couture stuff ... do I ever wear these things? Rarely ... it was a waste of $$$ really ... but Prada is beautifully made with the finest materials; consequently we pay for the quality and the label ...

Libra
xxoo

 

[blueman]

Prada (the mainline) is ok, but nothing extraordinary quality wise. As long as they don't try some exotic fabrics that disintegrate upon touch. With diffusion and sister lines Prada Sport and Miu Miu the quality is mostly non-existent, could just as well get H&M or Zara.
That is so with most labels, the cheaper priced diffusion lines are overpriced pieced of junk, like A|X or D&G, while main like costs up to 10x more, but also is better, maybe even really Made in Italy, not just cut and sewn in Turkey or China and then zippers and buttons get attached in Italy so it can be called "Made in Italy".

 

[blueman]

I agree with Libra actually, it's mostly a in "your head" thing anyway, because the quality or craftsmanship isn't that different with high fashion labels. But there are huge differences if one looks close enough, Givenchy is usually very high quality, whereas Chanel can be just pure crap (not always, but happens). Or when you see a plain mono-colored 100% polyester sweater from Hermes with a $3000 price tag...

And American brands like Ralph Lauren are really overrated, it's always the same boring stuff in 10 different lines. But thats what people like apparently.

I don't get it tho.

 

[cheetahgirl]

I agree with Libra too. The novelty wears off very quickly, great quality and craftsmanship. I own many high end designer bags, shoes and clothing items and guess what, I own one little leather purse I purchased at a retail store and it's my favourite!!! I use it everyday, everywhere I go and matches every outfit.

 

[magpie5]

gees GUESS is about as designer as we get!!

but i have a beautiful house and no debts!!!!!!!

but then im going to la?? and vegas????

na hubby will be there to - no designers for me!!!!
but i cant wait to check out victoria secret - love their online stuff!

 

[BeautySleep]

I don't get the whole really expensive purses, (shoes I get, because they are better quality and more comfortable) but purses? It almost seems like it's just a show off thing, to show off how much money you have ...I have the sexiest purse right now and it cost me 20 bucks!

 

[Alexa]

I am a dedicated purse addict, but have some that I got from Marshall's that are every bit as cute as the higher end ones. It's alll in the style and how it's made. I would never pay big $$ for a high end label just because of the label. don't buy any signature type stuff.

 

[Alexa]

Before my computer rudely interrupted me, I was going to add that if someone has lots of disposable income and wants to spend it on designer purses, I don't have a problem with it. If someone would like to donate a gently used Birkin bag to me, Oh Yeah. Hey Kimora Simmons, are you listening, you got more of those than you know what to do with LOL!
Beauty, purses are the same as shoes if you got the fever for them!

 

[MsFancyPants]

I have a Louis Vuitton purse that I got about 15 years ago. It looks brand new. I wear it all the time. It's my everyday purse. I have never had another bag last me 1/10th as long. I also have a Marc Jacobs purse that I use mostly when I wear black, so a lot, that I got about 5 years ago with the same results. Still looks new. And with the Louie, no one can ever tell how old it is because the vintage line is still popular today. As long as you don't buy a trendy one that will be out of fashion in a year or so, then definitely I would say if you can afford it, buy the designer bag. You really do get what you pay for. My Louie Vuitton has cost me about $40/year and dwindling.

 

[ladolcevita]

i kind of miss italy for the fake knock offs of the prada, gucci, valentina, etc bags. they will sell in the street. a lot of them, were actually purses that were manufactured, but maybe had some sort of defect, and i don't know how these people got hold of them, but they sold them, and they were awesome! could not tell the difference from the real one in the store! i had so many nice ones. but now its kind of tough to do so, because if you get caught buying, since its in the street, you get a huge fine!

but when i was younger, i didn't care. but i don't think i personally would spend so much on clothes or a purse for a name brand, unless its vintage, and something that will be used for years.

 

[blueman]

I don't get the whole really expensive purses, (shoes I get, because they are better quality and more comfortable) but purses? It almost seems like it's just a show off thing, to show off how much money you have ...I have the sexiest purse right now and it cost me 20 bucks!

The biggest difference between $20 purse and $2000 is... Well the name on it, or in it and the design (but some are really nice, Lanvin or Givenchy for starters). And if it's a normal leather bag not some fabric/canvas bag then it will weight a metric ton, probably cause they use insanely thick leather, lots of metal and then probably line it with lead, a normal sized Ysl bag is over 4 lbs empty. No wonder women get tendonitis.

 

[dorkalicious]

I just want quality things. I hate stuff that has obvious labels on them, they just scream "look at me!" which I don't subscribe to. Alas, I have to agree Louis Vitton purses are nice though

but i cant wait to check out victoria secret - love their online stuff!

Jo, while their designs might be fun, I find the quality isn't really there. I would rather spend 150 euro on a nice lingerie ensemble that will still look good after 1 year. You be the judge!