mochi,Date: 3/1/2009 10:30:14 AM
Author: mochi
charmine..TP.. No generic for me!
Haha! Domo arigato.
DF,
I buy for quality, not name. So, while I do have branded items, I don''t think of them as status symbols.
mochi,Date: 3/1/2009 10:30:14 AM
Author: mochi
charmine..TP.. No generic for me!
Date: 3/1/2009 11:55:09 AM
Author: Elmorton
I think that what people see as status symbols in my area aren''t necessarily status symbols in other areas. I''d say my Coach purses and Tiffany (silver) jewelery are a status symbol in my area, but it seems like the message those things send in larger cities is ''Middle-class tourist.''
Date: 3/1/2009 1:03:32 PM
Author: HollyS
Date: 3/1/2009 11:55:09 AM
Author: Elmorton
I think that what people see as status symbols in my area aren''t necessarily status symbols in other areas. I''d say my Coach purses and Tiffany (silver) jewelery are a status symbol in my area, but it seems like the message those things send in larger cities is ''Middle-class tourist.''
Exactly. So unless you can afford the top designers -- you know, the Chanel suit, the Cartier jewelry, the Hermes bag -- you aren''t really making an impression on anyone. The mid-priced (and still too expensive) brands like Dooney and Burke or Coach aren''t going to get you noticed. You won''t see a star sporting a lesser ''status symbol'', so are they truly status symbols? Probably not. It''s just what ordinary people buy for one of two reasons: 1) they like the quality or the classic look, 2) spending $200+ on their handbag makes them feel good.
I can feel good on a lot less money.
Date: 3/1/2009 2:00:07 PM
Author: Haven
I'm totally happy with non-branded things because everything I buy has to fit one of the following criteria, or I don't want it:
- It is exceptionally beautiful
- It is exceptionally useful
- It makes me look and feel like a million bucks (not because of a brand, but because of cut, color, whatever. I'm thinking clothing, here, of course.)
Date: 3/1/2009 11:27:46 AM
Author: Lorelei
Date: 3/1/2009 11:06:38 AM
Author: Ellen
I''m not into name brands. I buy something only because I like it. Depending on what it is, I may or may not go for quality, but the name of it means nothing to me.
Thats how I am too, I will splurge on things that are worth it to me, otherwise if a cheaper no name brand works then that is what I go for.
I would LOVE to post pictures but am too worried about privacy/theftDate: 3/1/2009 9:28:02 AM
Author: hoofbeats95
Pictures! Must see pictures!!!!Date: 3/1/2009 6:23:52 AM
Author: Steel
My home*:
I designed it (with input from DH) and even if I say so myself; it is drool-worthy (for rural ROI anyway)
LOL!!!Date: 3/1/2009 3:03:39 PM
Author: Steel
With reference to the perception of what is or isn''t a status symbol I did a quick search on wikipedia and feel that the items I listed do find themselves listed under social status symbols.
I could also have listed my lithe tanned body - if I had one.
Date: 3/1/2009 3:43:23 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
c''mon ladies,spill it...i know a lot of you gals own some expensive name brand stuff.
wow !! can you tell me how do the rich and famous live?Date: 3/1/2009 4:02:27 PM
Author: B.H.S
My cars, homes, jewellery, clothes, handbags, perfume, makeup, etc.
Not to sound like a complete snob but I don't buy or do cheap things. If it works for others, great, but it doesn't suit me. I can certainly afford the expensive luxuries in life so I expect nothing less. Besides, I live in a very affluent community so it's just the norm here. You don't see Coach and Toyota cars around here. If we do, we know you're just a tourist.
Date: 3/1/2009 3:02:07 PM
Author: Steel
Date: 3/1/2009 9:28:02 AM
Author: hoofbeats95
Date: 3/1/2009 6:23:52 AM
Author: Steel
My home*:
I designed it (with input from DH) and even if I say so myself; it is drool-worthy (for rural ROI anyway)
Pictures! Must see pictures!!!!
I would LOVE to post pictures but am too worried about privacy/theft. I love to do a whole thread to get ideas for decorating but I will just have to muddle through.
Interesting. So, does that mean if you found a well made piece of furniture, but it didn''t have a "brand/status symbol name, you wouldn''t buy it? In other words, what defines "cheap"? Does slapping a brand and several thousand dollars on something make it better? or just more expensive?Date: 3/1/2009 4:02:27 PM
Author: B.H.S
My cars, homes, jewellery, clothes, handbags, perfume, makeup, etc.
Not to sound like a complete snob but I don''t buy or do cheap things. If it works for others, great, but it doesn''t suit me. I can certainly afford the expensive luxuries in life so I expect nothing less. Besides, I live in a very affluent community so it''s just the norm here. You don''t see Coach and Toyota cars around here. If we do, we know you''re just a tourist.
Holly, here''s a link to the thread on the Purse Forum devoted to celebs carrying Coach bags: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/celebrities-and-coach-28725.html I believe it''s up to 117 pages now.Date: 3/1/2009 1:03:32 PM
Author: HollyS
Exactly. So unless you can afford the top designers -- you know, the Chanel suit, the Cartier jewelry, the Hermes bag -- you aren''t really making an impression on anyone. The mid-priced (and still too expensive) brands like Dooney and Burke or Coach aren''t going to get you noticed. You won''t see a star sporting a lesser ''status symbol'', so are they truly status symbols? Probably not. It''s just what ordinary people buy for one of two reasons: 1) they like the quality or the classic look, 2) spending $200+ on their handbag makes them feel good.
I can feel good on a lot less money.
Ellen, this reminds me of a friend I had years back (but is no reflection on what BHS posted!)Date: 3/1/2009 4:19:07 PM
Author: Ellen
Interesting. So, does that mean if you found a well made piece of furniture, but it didn't have a 'brand/status symbol name, you wouldn't buy it? In other words, what defines 'cheap'? Does slapping a brand and several thousand dollars on something make it better? or just more expensive?Date: 3/1/2009 4:02:27 PM
Author: B.H.S
My cars, homes, jewellery, clothes, handbags, perfume, makeup, etc.
Not to sound like a complete snob but I don't buy or do cheap things. If it works for others, great, but it doesn't suit me. I can certainly afford the expensive luxuries in life so I expect nothing less. Besides, I live in a very affluent community so it's just the norm here. You don't see Coach and Toyota cars around here. If we do, we know you're just a tourist.
Inside pictures I could do...hmmm.Date: 3/1/2009 4:17:45 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
You could just show the insideDate: 3/1/2009 3:02:07 PM
Author: Steel
Date: 3/1/2009 9:28:02 AM
Author: hoofbeats95
Pictures! Must see pictures!!!!Date: 3/1/2009 6:23:52 AM
Author: Steel
My home*:
I designed it (with input from DH) and even if I say so myself; it is drool-worthy (for rural ROI anyway)
I would LOVE to post pictures but am too worried about privacy/theft. I love to do a whole thread to get ideas for decorating but I will just have to muddle through.That''s what I do. You will NEVER find a picture of the outside of my home on the internet.
Date: 3/1/2009 4:49:52 PM
Author: Steel
Ellen, this reminds me of a friend I had years back.Date: 3/1/2009 4:19:07 PM
Author: Ellen
Interesting. So, does that mean if you found a well made piece of furniture, but it didn't have a 'brand/status symbol name, you wouldn't buy it? In other words, what defines 'cheap'? Does slapping a brand and several thousand dollars on something make it better? or just more expensive?Date: 3/1/2009 4:02:27 PM
Author: B.H.S
My cars, homes, jewellery, clothes, handbags, perfume, makeup, etc.
Not to sound like a complete snob but I don't buy or do cheap things. If it works for others, great, but it doesn't suit me. I can certainly afford the expensive luxuries in life so I expect nothing less. Besides, I live in a very affluent community so it's just the norm here. You don't see Coach and Toyota cars around here. If we do, we know you're just a tourist.
We were in the city and she wanted to buy a birthday card for somebody. I always bulk buy my cards and stash them at home for convenience. As a result I know where the best cheapest cards are to buy. So anyhoo I said oh we are passing X discount shop; they have Hallmark cards and are only €1 - €1.50 each (instead of the usual €3.50- €5!). She looked at me as if I suggested we send a lump of dog poo with a candle on it and said ugh she would prefer to buy from Easons (stationary/book chain store). I said nothing - they are the same cards, why pay more? It seemed the idea of buying from a discount store was repugnant to her shopping beliefs.
And on the issue of buy cheap get cheap and you get what you pay for:
When I was younger I bought my purses from barrats shoe store and the like and was always happy with the quality; no obvious flaws. Now pretty much all my purses are LV and I cannot count the amount of times I have had to send a purse back because of a major flaw - unstiched seams are the numbero uno issueand sometimes I do not send them back - just live with the little flaw. So paying $1000+ on a purse does not guarantee quality (control).
Date: 3/1/2009 10:30:14 AM
Author: mochi
charmine..TP.. No generic for me!