Top: Vintage [love this one] | Pants: Madewell [similar] [so loving this sale find] | Flats: Nordstrom | Bag: Zara via eBay | Shades: South Moon Under | Necklace: Gorjana | Watch: Michael Kors
I’ve coveted the well-known Zara braided shopper for longer than I care to remember. I loved it on the shelf, I loved it on OP, I even loved the knock-offs that blog pal & sale hunter, Kimberly, shared with me. I did not, however, love the price tag. Retailing at $149 USD, it was a little steep for my liking. So, I tried my best to convince myself that my love of this leather luxury was just a phase & there would be another equally fabulous bag in my near future. I. Was. Wrong. For a solid year [plus], I’ve been searcing for this sucker at a price point that I could stomach. Especially when I’ve got my eye on something in particular, it’s easy to get caught up in spending but realistically I needed to be able to actually justify a $149 bag purchase. I knew I’d use it every day & it was large enough to take anywhere; Work, Fashion Week, dinner dates, girl’s nights, you name it – perfection. I knew it would also be large enough for my laptop without being obtrusive. Score.
No, this bag was not $1,000, it’s just $149 so what’s all this justifying about? Lez be honest, ladies. I’m nowhere close to being able to justify the purchase of a bag that is the better half of my monthly rent payment. Get real. At this point, a bag with a tag that begs the question of how I’m going to pay this month’s rent isn’t a reality based on my lifestyle. Come back to me when I’m making a cool six figure salary & we’ll talk about the black quilted Chanel I so desperately need.
So, I justified the $149 USD bag & not just because it wasn’t a cool thousand & “only” $149. I found a NWT original on eBay & I obsessed over details with the seller & “bought it now” at the originally listed retail price plus shipping. I could have saved myself the hassle & bought the bag when it was in stock at Zara but at the end of the day, I know the extent of my love for this bag & that I made the fiscally responsible decision for myself at the time.
So, what do you think – is a $149 bag worth the internal struggle? What purchases do you most often find yourself justifying?
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I definitely get caught up thinking that an item is “only” a certain amount, which is crazy. $100+ is still a lot of money when you start thinking about how much that $100 could buy (like putting it toward rent or groceries). I’m the worst at rationalizing things when I “could wear it on the weekends AND to work.” Double-dipping an item makes it seem so perfect, even though I don’t really need more casual or work clothes!
That is exactly my mantra at the moment. If I can wear it to work it’s going home with me. Need to rethink this one!
xx Meaghan
And, I meant to add that I do love the bag. It was well worth the wait to make sure you really adore it.
It’s gorgeous! But I completely get what you mean– as someone who just graduated and moved to D.C., I’m constantly waiting to buy something to make sure I do actually love it enough to justify the purchase!
Bags are the one thing I justify shelling out money on (within reason of course, no $900 bags for me…sadly). If you love it and it’s something you’re going to use almost every day, then it’s totally worth it, in my opinion!
xo Shay
Yes! Especially when it’s the perfect carry-all for any occasion!
xx Meaghan
As much as it pains me to say this, I think I’m going to start investing in bags rather than shoes. I’ll still always buy high quality shoes, but a high quality bag will outlive shoes by years. $149 for a real leather bag is a steal and you can justify that purchase by the dollars by use you’ll get out of the bag. It just means you can’t go overboard in shopping for other items this month, but that’s okay because it’s your BIRTHDAY tomorrow and you’ll get lots of cool stuff :)
http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
Amen, sista. Now that I live solo my bills be cray. Great bag though! Happy alllmost bday :)
xx,
E
Thanks, woman :) Hoping I can trick you into paying my bills so I can just spend my money on clothes for NYFW :)
xx Meaghan
Think of it as an investment piece, something you will use throughout the year…I don’t think $149 is too bad and it’s not like you’ll be buying new purses all the time. I think as long as it’s timeless, classic and good quality it will be worth it.
All awesome suggestions. I think these all came to play, at some point, when contemplating this purchase. It’s not uber trendy in that it’s an ‘of the moment’ piece & bottom line, I just LOVE it!
Thanks for your input!
xx Meaghan
Lol I literally just posted about my new 2 Park Avenue Beau Bag from Kate Spade, retailing at a gripping $998. You can check her out here: http://preppypanache.com/2013/08/my-new-beau/
I give myself 2-4 weeks to mull over something expensive, especially if I’m worried about it selling out and being devastated later. I can always return right?
Also, anything over $250 makes me pause. Maybe it’s my salary range, my monthly costs, or whatever, but I have, and probably will continue, to spend half my “rent” (I own) on a single item.
Salary & monthly costs absolutely come into play. If I were raking in a little more dough, it might not be sure an issue. My general rule is typically to sleep on it & if I wake up craving the piece as much as I did the previous day I’ll go for it. All the while hopeful it hasn’t sold out!
Great bag, btw :)
xx Meaghan
I’m so happy you got your beloved bag!
xo,
Tiffany
http://shoeschampagne.blogspot.com
It was completely worth it. Toting this little guy around wherever I go!
xx Meaghan
The bag is lovely, I don’t think $150 is by ANY means too much to spend on a bag. My limit is more like $300 even when I was in my interning days (I make more money now but obviously I am more frugal because that is still my limit. HOWEVER – Please, please tell me where in Washington, DC you live that $150 is more than half of your rent!?!?!?
OMG. This bag is lovely………..