Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
Money & Career

Would you ever pay $450 for a purse?

I have a great purse. It’s perfectly functional and reasonably funky — I picked it up at H&M last fall. It set me back twenty bucks — and I actually get the occasional compliment on it.
By Caroline Cakebread
Would you ever pay $450 for a purse? Marc Jacobs

I have a great purse. It’s perfectly functional and reasonably funky — I picked it up at H&M last fall. It set me back twenty bucks — and I actually get the occasional compliment on it.

But lately I’ve been eyeing a new purse — this lovely bag by Marc Jacobs. It’s very cute and I think it would look great with my winter coat. The problem is that it’s over $450. Even if I could afford it, my kids would have it covered in crayon or cherry popsicle within moments of my bringing it home.

To be honest, I’ve kind of missed the whole status bag trend. Purses that cost hundreds (even thousands) of dollars became kind of an “item” fashion item a few years ago and even are today, post-financial crisis. I still see women walking around carrying a mortgage payment on their arm.

I just can’t do it. Bags go in and out of style so quickly, and the idea of shelling out that much money on one item just makes feel nauseous.

But still, the bag beckons...

Advertisement

Tell me this — would you spend $450 on a new purse? Or more? I would love your comments below!

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.