When I first fell in love with handbags almost two decades ago as a pre-teen, I fell in love with them not for their style and functionality, but for their easily identifiable branding and the perceived lifestyle that went along with it. Self-admittedly, the designer handbag world was like a little club that I would have done anything to be part of. I, like so many entering their handbag journey, fell in love with designer logos and made it my mission to own the best logo bags from Dior, Louis Vuitton and Prada. Eventually I did aquire many of the bags that I dreamt of owning as a child, and my love for bags only intensified and grew from there.
I soon began to appreciate the quality, craftsmanship and history behind each and every bag brand, and while I never developed a disdain for logos like some handbag lovers, I did eventually diversify my collection to include more obscure bags and bags that weren’t just all-over monogram silhouettes. And yet I still struggle to justify the thought of purchasing a bag at luxury price point without the iconic luxury label. Why is that?
Recently I was scrolling through Moda Operandi, when a pretty little handbag caught my eye. It was by American designer Brandon Maxwell, who launched his namesake label in 2016 after working as a stylist for many years. The brand received immediate acclaim, quickly becoming a favorite of A-List celebrities, music stars and women around the world. The designer doesn’t often include handbags in his collections, and I was surprised to learn that this little top handle bag, with its flap paneled detailing and half-moon shape, was called The Maxwell Bag by Brandon Maxwell. I looked at the price tag and instinctively knew that I wouldn’t spend nearly $2,000 dollars on this bag, despite it being by a well-known designer that’s received industry accolades. But why?
These [don’t] look like anything special, which is a nice change indeed. But I don’t see what motivates this kind of price tag for a “no name” brand?”
Commenters that have engaged in discussions on articles introducing new under-the-radar bag brands seem to share my thoughts. Disqus user @oliviaisaksson said “These [don’t] look like anything special, which is a nice change indeed. But I don’t see what motivates this kind of price tag for a “no name” brand?”
A guest commenter also seemed to agree, stating: “I like the simple lines and shape. What I struggle with is new brands marketing their bags as designer and charging designer prices. In order for me to purchase, an expensive bag, it needs to prove longevity.” To which another guest commented “I believe that after a certain price point you’re paying for brand recognition, lifestyle, and status. These bags look beautiful but they have to EARN that price tag through lifestyle marketing.”
But price-points are a tricky thing for new bag brands or designers entering the bag category to get right. On the one hand, if you start too low, consumers will be accustomed to paying a certain price, trained to expect a certain price tier, but on the other hand if the price is too high, consumers may struggle to pay the luxury price for bag brand that’s more obscure.
So what’s the most you’d be willing to pay for a bag that feels luxury and has the price tag to prove it, but isn’t well known? What would it take for you to purchase a more under-the-radar bag?
Very unpopular opinion here: I dislike Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci bags. Not because they’re necessarily ‘high profile’, but because honestly, I just don’t like most of the designs!! I think Chanel bags are very ‘old lady’ (I hate quilting); likewise for Hermes–the Birkin and Kelly ages me are are just a tad too prim and proper.Conversely, I collect a lot of Victoria Beckham bags, although it’s a designer whose bags are more under-the-radar. Why? Because I love the sleek, modern look of the silhouette and hardwares. The bags can be formal if dressed up, but they are never prim. And the bags are well made too. I ended up buying TWO backups for the Victoria Beckham Bar Bag because I loved it so much (The bags at full retail were $2,000 each), and don’t even regret it for a second. I also have her half moon bag and Eva chain bag in pops of colors. They are delightful to carry and own.
I love my Half Moon too.
I own so few bags that it usually doesn’t make sense for me to buy a bunch of cheaper ones, because my style just isn’t that varied (in contrast to my mother for example who has plenty of low/mid-$$ bags to ensure she has what she needs for specific looks). So I don’t really spend money on <100$ bags.
BUT if the luxury/quality is there, I absolutely would rather have an under-the-radar bag than an It bag, simply because, again, my style just lends itself more that way. Doesn't mean they can't be popular (love Loewe for example), but almost never would my outfit go well with, say, a Celine Luggage or Hermes Kelly or something, the most obviously popular ones. If we're skipping the luxury brands (including those like Tiffany who branch out to bags but aren't known for it), then usually I think it's <400$ that I spend but it's very rare, and almost certainly from a leather craftsman/stall at a local fair back when we used to have those.
For me, the design and quality of materials/construction is what would sell me on an under-the-radar brand, along with knowing the brand story. Where I would get into trouble is with my habit of bag turnover. Well-known brands are easier to sell with the ability to recoup some of your initial expense. With lesser known brands, that seems pretty impossible until a following is established. So…I’m not sure I would set a lower spending limit for a lesser known brand, but in making my decision I would be thinking about the fact that I would not be able to recoup any of the cost if/when I decided to part with it.
I have too many gorgeous designer bags in my closet to consider buying another bag for a while. ? At least until summer!
I only pay $200-$300 for under the radar bags. I know that I won’t get my money back so I’m not willing to pay more.
Agree, i’ve never really thought about it that way but i haven’t spent more than $500-600 on a “under the radar” bag brand.
Same. That’s about my price limit. I love my mlouye helix and my mansur gavriel bucket bag (bought back when they were under the radar) but I have a really hard time with their $7-800+ prices now!
I think about this a lot. As I’ve gotten older, the Chanel, Balenciaga and Gucci I used to list over, I won’t even look.twice at now for many reasons. 1)The Cost/ Quality ratio is unimpressive. Are they great bags? Yeah! Can I get just as greata great bag for $600? Hell yeah. 2) I don’t care about the resell value of a bag and I don’t baby my bags. 3) I enjoy discovering new brands. 4) if I’m feeling like buy a bag for the name. Coach and Tory Burch provide plenty quality and easily recognizable styles at not so steep prices.