Earlier this year, I read the book Deluxe: How luxury lost its luster by Dana Thomas. This is a must read for everyone who buys luxury items. I was born in the early 70s and I got my first taste of luxury that I can remember at age 11 with my first Coach bag. I remember the bag fondly. It was a dinky bag in taupe. I remember the bag was made out of leather that was comparable to a baseball glove. Rewind twenty years later, Coach has introduced a similar version in a rainbow of colors. I am sure the bag is not as well built like my bag purchased over 20 years ago. I wanted to give Coach the benefit of the doubt so I ordered the Coach duffel in Vermilion. I received the bag and it was nothing like my second Coach bag (a black duffel sak) I received as a Easter present from my mother back in 1989. The bag was so bad, that when I took it to Coach for a return, the salespeople couldn't believe the quality of the bag. They never saw any of the Coach original bags in person because they are sold only online. God, I wish I would of kept my old Coach bags.
Like others who have been buying luxury items all of their lives because of quality and originality, I felt that I was getting to big for Coach's britches. I wanted a newer and obscure brand so I went for Dooney and Bourke. Dooney and Bourke became Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, and so on. I remember a time when luxury was only in the hands of quite of few. That's what made it unique and the quality was to die for. Now with the Internet and celebrities, high fashion has reached the hands of the masses. The masses equate style with what is the most expensive. If you have the most expensive and coveted styles, you are considered stylish.
I was recently on one of my favorite blogs, and the blogger interviewed a woman that didn't fit inside the proverbial stylish box: young, waifish, and dressed head to toe in designer threads. She was a beautiful older woman whose style by my interpretation was Ziggy Stardust meets Stevie Nicks. Her house was modest, not the pre-staged, photo shopped, magazine homes you see. She was being herself. The comments about her closet and home were mostly negative. Commenters didn't like her home or her style. I thought to myself if she was dressed in a conspicuous way, the comments would of being all positive... as I see with other women dressed in designer clothes, shoes, and handbags.
Groupthink has influenced fashion. People think that if you have the latest handbag, Chanel suit, and Christian Louboutins, you are stylish. Nothing against those brands, but people often equate a higher price tag with quality. Quality has been diminished with almost everything. I was on one blog, and a woman had purchased some Chanel flats and they had developed a big hole on them after a few wears. She took the shoes to a shoe repairer and he stated that the most expensive shoes are made the cheapest. That is why I recommend all to read the book by Dana Thomas, Deluxe: How luxury lost its luster. These luxury brands have one priority: increasing profits for the shareholders. If that means cranking out merchandise by any means possible and as quickly/cheaply as possible while charging astronomical prices, so be it.
I am going to end this blog with a quote from our first lady, Michelle Obama. She is a very stylish woman. She wears what she likes against all convention and looks good doing it. "Find your spot. Find your space. Wear what you love." - FLOTUS, Michelle Obama.
Blessings!!!!
Like others who have been buying luxury items all of their lives because of quality and originality, I felt that I was getting to big for Coach's britches. I wanted a newer and obscure brand so I went for Dooney and Bourke. Dooney and Bourke became Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, and so on. I remember a time when luxury was only in the hands of quite of few. That's what made it unique and the quality was to die for. Now with the Internet and celebrities, high fashion has reached the hands of the masses. The masses equate style with what is the most expensive. If you have the most expensive and coveted styles, you are considered stylish.
I was recently on one of my favorite blogs, and the blogger interviewed a woman that didn't fit inside the proverbial stylish box: young, waifish, and dressed head to toe in designer threads. She was a beautiful older woman whose style by my interpretation was Ziggy Stardust meets Stevie Nicks. Her house was modest, not the pre-staged, photo shopped, magazine homes you see. She was being herself. The comments about her closet and home were mostly negative. Commenters didn't like her home or her style. I thought to myself if she was dressed in a conspicuous way, the comments would of being all positive... as I see with other women dressed in designer clothes, shoes, and handbags.
Groupthink has influenced fashion. People think that if you have the latest handbag, Chanel suit, and Christian Louboutins, you are stylish. Nothing against those brands, but people often equate a higher price tag with quality. Quality has been diminished with almost everything. I was on one blog, and a woman had purchased some Chanel flats and they had developed a big hole on them after a few wears. She took the shoes to a shoe repairer and he stated that the most expensive shoes are made the cheapest. That is why I recommend all to read the book by Dana Thomas, Deluxe: How luxury lost its luster. These luxury brands have one priority: increasing profits for the shareholders. If that means cranking out merchandise by any means possible and as quickly/cheaply as possible while charging astronomical prices, so be it.
I am going to end this blog with a quote from our first lady, Michelle Obama. She is a very stylish woman. She wears what she likes against all convention and looks good doing it. "Find your spot. Find your space. Wear what you love." - FLOTUS, Michelle Obama.
Blessings!!!!
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