Has anyone noticed how the turnover of It bags has speeded up in recent years? Gone are the days when our mother had a bag for over a year or even years. When her bag was worn until the leather broke in. It got spilled on, rained on, parts got replaced or repaired. It was her signature. It looked loved because it was and for many it was our first chance at playing grown up with her bag on our little shoulder.
Fast foward to 2016 and designer bags are launched every season. In some cases even faster. Fashion shows used to only focus on the model’s clothes, but slowly designers focused on what models were carrying and the fashion system got completely re-invented. Bags got produced at the same rate as the designer’s next fashion show or even quicker. Now we have less time to enjoy a bag, let alone grow with it. Our long term relationship was cut and got switched to a honeymoon phase only.
Chloe came out with the Drew. When it reached saturation point with around ten ( or twenty?) color variations to choose from, the Faye quickly followed. Instagrammed and street style shot everywhere, it was the new It Bag. Shortly after, the Hudson appeared. Other design houses have adopted the faster and more lucrative cycle including Fendi, Celine, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton, all churning out It Bags in shorter and shorter lead times.
The conveyor belt has shifted and now the Dionysus by Gucci has many teetering on the “should I?” cliff (myself included but I’ve resisted God damn it). Have luxury bags become a form of disposable fashion with a higher price tag? With the tighter turns of new Its, nobody is growing with their bags anymore because there’s another one right around the corner. The rise of the re-sale bag market is justified: Sell one to fund the next.
I get that design houses update their brands, and call me old fashioned, but I can’t help but wonder (as Carrie would write):
Wouldn’t it be nice to slow down the conveyor belt and let us enjoy the bag we just bought five minutes ago?
Lorena Lorena says:
I totally agree with you – and I am on the same boat as Carrie would say, not only because the cost of the bag is usually high but because we’re not even getting a chance to enjoy things. Play with them, style them, enjoy…
Karen Blanchard says:
I know! We are in a forced honeymoon state that we can’t truly get passed
Mariel says:
You’re absolutly right…
I think that recycling is the answer, we must to stop the neo-slavery of fashion industry…in both ways: manufacture and consumption.
Karen Blanchard says:
Recycling is there but not nearly at the level it should be to balance this all out. I’m glad you agree because I was wondering who else has noticed the speeding up to releases!
julie says:
yes!!!!! by the time I’ve decided I want to buy a certain bag it’s become old news!
Karen Blanchard says:
That’s EXACTLY what I’ve been thinking. What worries me is why do I feel the bag that what I’m interested in is old news in the first place? I think it boils down to the same rapid turnover mentality
coffeeslag says:
Ok, so funny that you brought this up because I was watching a Youtuber talk about this the other day and how basically these companies really have their marketing on point. I mean, think about it, how many bloggers did we see carrying the Drew last year (and like you said, the Faye right after). I also fell for it and ended up purchasing a Drew and almost fell for it again and almost purchased the Faye. And then 2016 rolls around and all we see everywhere on Instagram are the Gucci flats and the new Gucci bags. It’s kind of that, “hey should I fall for this obvious marketing technique?” situation…and it’s hard because the Gucci bags are gorgeous.
There’s also this lure with buying designer; when you buy your first one, you want to continue buying more. Last year was my first designer bag and I ended up with almost 5 in a year (all re-sale/previously owned), but there is a bit of that addict state.
I’m trying to think of it as just buying classics now. Or a bag in each style that I want. But the good thing about all these designer bags are that we’re seeing them cheaper in the resale market giving others who may not have the financial ability to buy them at full price have a chance.
This was one big stream of consciousness haha, but it has definitely been on my mind lately.
Karen Blanchard says:
ha ha! I love your streams so keep them coming : ) I do agree that its a breaking of the seal when you get that first designer bag. It makes it ‘easier’ to do it ‘just one more time’ A slippery slope that’s got more slippery. Yes the bags are seen constantly to a saturation point that’s feeling somewhat formulaic and yes the Gucci bags are a great design. I think there’s nothing wrong in treating ourselves every once in a while but I agree thank God for the re-sale market!!
Lindsey via Vegas says:
Wasn’t it Susan Powder who said “Stop the insanity!”…. Enjoy them.. bags at that level are like art. Buy what you like..
And I agree with julie..by the time I get one, it’s old news..Well, it’s great news. And yes, buy second hand/pre-owned.
Love your posts and keep up the great work!
Lindsey via Vegas
Karen Blanchard says:
Yes I agree on the second hand market which is getting only bigger because of this go faster turnover of high end.
Denean Marie says:
I’m so glad you wrote this. I’m leaning towards the “less is more” concept. These bags are too expensive to be coveted for a season and then on to the new one. I’ve just decided to not care about them anymore.
Karen Blanchard says:
Thanks I’ve been meaning to get this off of my chest for so long
Lera says:
Yes! I’m thinking the “borrow a designer” service is perfect if I really need to show off for a couple of days.
Dev says:
I think that bags were always a feature as they would be the second or third most accessible priced item (perfume & shoes) to those who’s income couldn’t stretch to the clothes or size made them not an option and with every seasons look (including resort) there would be a new bag or pair of shoes and an updated version of the popular ones. I think now there seems to be a lot more focus on accessories each season as every designer is trying to make the next it bag, and where you can copy a trend on the hughstreet the bag will always be an item that will make a look and be the most photographed.
Karen Blanchard says:
Yes I too agree that the accessories market has exploded to be honest. It’s that entry level that is more attainable compared to the clothes from that same brand and yes, the one size fits all magic of shoes and bags too. It’s interesting because before it was the clothes but now it’s neck and neck
Lisa says:
Time was that you had your eye on your dream bag and you scrimped and saved for it. Now, while you’re saving for it, it becomes obsolete before you’re even half way there. I don’t have the privilege of being gifted bags by designers so I’ll eye them longingly and continue to carry the ones that I love for years.
Karen Blanchard says:
I know I remember the scrimp save for a long time and then poof a new one gets released! It’s like we are hamsters on a wheel
tsp says:
Oh trust me, you’re not the only one. How about the Chanel Boy bag, just to name yet another example? WOW those bags were everywhere! And the same applies to clothes and shoes as well. Its unbelievable the rate of disposable fashion, but hey, focus on what you love and enjoy it, even if it’s old news 🙂 And it’ll be much better for me, because it’ll give me the hope of actually being able to afford it! 😀
Karen Blanchard says:
I still like the Chanel boys despite being so popular. I think that Chanel over produced them and made too many variations. That was their mistake to me. So far I love and use mine but the constant newer versions that come out just ruins the brand IMHO. Like anything, the classics have more stay power. Yes – stay with what you love even if that bag is ‘out of fashion’ It’s about style anyway or at least it I think it should be.
tsp says:
Oh trust me, you’re not the only one. How about the Chanel Boy bag, just to name yet another example? WOW those bags were everywhere! And the same applies to clothes and shoes as well. Its unbelievable the rate of disposable fashion, but hey, focus on what you love and enjoy it, even if it’s old news 🙂 And it’ll be much better for me, because it’ll give me the hope of actually being able to afford it! 😀
Katie says:
I agree: one of the reasons I fell out of love with my Mulberry Alexa in oak soft buffalo was the ubiquity of it within a year.
Karen Blanchard says:
I loved the Alexa too! I feel there’s a fine line
Alexandra Bowman says:
I’m a bag girl, so this post really hit home. I think my first designer bag was a pink Marc by Marc Jacobs that I received as a Christmas gift from my Mom… fast forward several years and it’s long gone, as well as half a dozen Coach bags, a Wang, etc. etc… (Coach has really stepped their game up though so I’ve been sticking with Vevers, and you can’t go wrong with the vintage ones.) ANYWHO, I’ve been looking to bloggers, like you, to inspire me create a collection of fun, versatile bags. I’m on eBay every day, so a lot of bags went on the chopping block, but I’ve finally gotten to a point where I’m happy with what I have. I find that if it as as practical as it is beautiful, it makes it a lot easier for me to hold on to, no matter what is trending.
Karen Blanchard says:
I’ve always loved vintage Coach bags, there is just something about the hardware and that older leather I can’t resist. You made a good point, as long as it’s practical that counts on it staying regardless of the fast in/out rotations in the industry.