Vent: Parents who buy their middle-schoolers designer purses!!!

[missypie]

Has the "designer purse" craze hit your daughter's school? We were shopping yesterday, and my sweet 13 year old would so love a Coach or other designer purse like so many of her friends have. These are 12-14 year old girls carrying trendy $150-$300 purses. I asked her whether the girls saved their own money for them (like she has just saved for her own digital camera). She said no, their parents buy the purses for them!

We live in what I guess would be considered an upper middle class area. Not fabulously wealthy - we all go to work every day. I guess I technically COULD afford to buy my daughter a $200 purse - but why would I? Whatever is "in" now will be "out" in 6 months. I bought my first Coach purse when I was about 30 years old and had been a lawyer for a few years. (I've reverted to cheap purses again.)

 

[carone0318]

Are you sure that they are no knock-offs. I have had a couple of friends tell me that they are hosting home demostration type parties and the theme is knock-off hand bags. They showed me theirs and although I am not a purse expert, they looked pretty nice to me. They said they sell for like $50-60 - big difference from the original.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My parents got me a Gucci when I was in 8th grade for Christmas. I just wanted one. Granted it was all I got for Christmas--it was within the budget with what they would spend on each child..and it was very appreciated. It was $100 at the time.

So I think it always has been.

If my child asked for such a purse and such a purse were in a given gift giving budget--it would be considered as a gift...but not an everyday run of the mill purchase.

I don't really think this is anything new though. Just the names of the designers have changd over the years.


ETA: I cannot justify such a purchase for myself--though one day I would like a very nice purse. I'm a cheap purse kinda gal right now.

 

[Maleficent13]

I remember the day before I left for college...my mom took me out shopping for a few last minute things and as a surprise bought me my first "designer" purse...it was a Liz Claiborne and cost about $35.00. It was a really big deal, and I was so thrilled about it.

Not sure what point I was making there, except when you build expectations as in the OP's post at 12, what's left?

 

[tiggersmom2]

I don't have daughters but when I was 12 -14 I had Liz Claiborne, D&B and Coach purses.

 

[binny]

ummmm no way in heck.

WHY???


When I was 13 I lost so many things. Why on earth would anyone do that.


Keep dreaming kiddo ( to my kids LOL)

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I really don't think parents are buying these designer purses to make their darling daughters happy, I think it's to make THEM look good! These days kids are the newest fashion accesories - if they look hip, so do you! I see alot of girls around town carrying what seem to be real Louis Vutton, Coach, Dooney and other designer brands of purses, and the first thing that crosses my mind is that her parents must be in debt up to their eyeballs. Plus, the fact that 13 year old girls are carrying these nice purses around sort of cheapens the brand. Having the latest Coach purse is not that big of a deal when you can go to any middle or high school and see 50 girls carrying around the same thing. I wouldn't mind buying my 17 year old a nice purse, but if she decided that she can ONLY carry around $200 purses, then I'll nicely tell her to save her money that she makes from her job and she can buy all the purses she wants.

 

[missypie]

No, they are not knock-offs. When we were in Italy, we saw lots of knock-offs, and she wanted one so badly. I explained the idea of a knock-off, and also the stiff possible fines to the consumer buying them (1000-10,000 euro) and she decided buying one.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

My kids know that just because someone else has something does not give them the right to have it too. If my dds really wanted one it would be for a special gift, not just beacuse kwim?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't spend my money on that stuff and my dd's are not into "fashion".

Heck my 15yo yells at me for leaving lights and water running...she thinks those purses are a waste of money, even though they are very cute.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Speaking of--I caught my first episode of that sweet 16 show...

The brats of honor..were in some shop--No idea which purse du jour--she picked up a $250 bag and her reply was..."$250--ewwww!!!!"

(the "ewww" was b/c it was too cheap and icky! LOVELY!)

 

[binny]

OK Im going to ammend my last statement.


*IF* I found a good deal on one, like the Dooney purse that I bought a few weeks ago at a yard sale for $3.00 then yes they could have that. For one, the quality is great and I couldnt buy a cheap purse for that price.

But to buy a new purse just because everyone else has it is and its that expensive, sorry, no.


And I'm a total purse addict so that says a lot.

 

[ImMarcik]

My DD is 12 and complains to me about her friends getting designer purses. She doesn't even carry a purse and thinks it's a waste of money for those purses. She rather buy comic books. Guess I could be considered lucky. I have to beg her to go clothes shopping too.

 

[catherine]

How do they manage to carry all their school books? My DD has a large sports bag and has a hard time fiiting her school stuff in that!

None of the girls over here use designer bags, thank goodness!

 

[missypie]

Most of these girls have never actually worked - I don't even think they baby sit yet.

My son (15) is a swimming lesson aide this summer at our local pool - his first paying job. In a two week sesson of swimming lessons he helps teach 3 classes in the morning and two in the afternoon. For that, his check is about $150. I would love it if it were my DAUGHTER doing that - so I could say, "That is how much you have to work to get enough money for one of those purses. Is it worth it to you?"

 

[ZachnElli]

Are they the latest purses? I could see me buying me DD a designer purse when she's 13 from an outlet or when it's greatly discounted at the dept. store. I'd never pay full retail, at the most 50% off. I've seen Coach at Marshall's a few times for alot less.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

My DD(14) has a few designer purses. She saves her own money for them, as a lot of other things. We may buy it for her on her birthday or for a special occasion, but not buy it just to buy it.

 

[cardaway]

Bags, watches, shoes... all the same, all just to not the only be the only without.

 

[daisyduck123]

My DD11 is going into the 8th grade. These purses must not be "all the rage" around here or I would have heard about it. Thank goodness!!

 

[missypie]

Bags, watches, shoes... all the same, all just to not the only be the only without.

That's part of my resistance, in addition to the cost. I want her to be her own person. When we were in Florence, Italy, she bought a very very cool purse there - not "designer" but definitely "Italian," for about $40. I think that when she takes that one to school, the other girls will think it's terrific. I'd much rather her do her own thing than to do what everyone else does.