Women Are Spending Incredible Amounts of Money on Name Handbags

Who's got the handbag to beat all handbags? Why are handbags the latest in high end fashion statements? Why are some of them selling for as much as $42,000. These are questions I'm asking. Yes, 42K on one handbag. That would be Beyonce's patchwork Louis Vuitton. It's a particularly ugly, large bag made up of bits and pieces of other pocketbooks. That's vicious excess.

This particular bag made such a stir that when Rosie was still on The View she mentioned it. Not only did Rosie mention it she went to Jo Ann's, a fabric/craft store, and put together an almost identical version for about $14.00.

Women will clip coupons all day long, shop at TJ Maxx or Target and then drop hard earned money on some excessively expensive name like Louis or Fendi for a status handbag. Similarly they will pull out all stops for big name shoes as well. Who hasn't heard about Jimmy Choo? Especially since Sex and the City

Angelina Jolie was seen walking around with her baby daughter carrying a $1400.00 handbag. The baby had the $1400.00 bag to match her Mom's bag. Now, I agree Angelina is most generous with her staggering income but still this child is maybe two if that. Does she need to carry a handbag let alone a $1400.00 handbag? How many starving children would that bag pay to feed?

If you are up on things you have heard of Baby Phat, Kimora Simmons line. Kimora Simmons is a fabulous, over the top, ex model and ex wife of Russell Simmons, an incredibly rich, music producer. Her homes are in the $15 million range.The Baby Phat handbags are gorgeous, over the top studded, charmed and bejeweled handbags, a bit more affordable and easily found in stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls at greatly reduced prices. You can also find knock offs of almost any trendy big name bag. Louis Vuitton is everywhere, any street vendor will have one. You have to really examine what your buying unless you go to the Louis Vuitton store. The same goes for Fendi, Chanel, Dooney & Burke, Prada,Coach.

Prada's Spy Buckle B Bag and embellished bucket bags have wait lists if you want to purchase one.

Anyone familar with Ebay knows the pitfalls of buying these brands on line. Copies are everywhere, very good copies. I read about people who've been taken by fakes and are bitterly complaining. It's a hazardous pitfall of online shopping there. It seems very hard to curb to this problem. Many stores have been involved in law suits because they were selling copies.

Martha Stewart did a segment on her show about gorgeous vintage Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Coach. Louis Vuitton was originally known for luxury leather luggage. Louis Vuitton is also known for their excellent workmanship.The craft is actually passed down through generations.Martha Stewart did an interesting segment on handbags and featured Louis Vuitton. The older high end Vuitton handbags are considered an investment and were in the $14,000.00 range. Most of them were very austere looking, straight lined, simple but elegant. I don't think you can take these to the bank but they were lovely, elegant and according to Martha would never go out of style.

Paris Hilton's, friend Nicole Richie, was photographed carrying a huge, plaid .99 plastic bag that can be seen being used by people at craft fairs to haul their merchandise, and can be bought at any dollar store. This particular version had the Louis Vuitton stamp on it. It sells for $1400.00. Nicole Richie paid $1400.00 for a Dollar Store plastic bag. Isn't this the King's new clothes? Or a sucker is born every day? I thought this particular bag purchase was hysterical knowing where it basically comes from. Someone is very gullible and someone else is laughing all the way to the bank.

Some handbags were once large pieces of fabric gathered together to hold whatever needed to be hauled around, that's where the term Carpetbaggers comes from. Large pieces of carpet was used to carry their belongings thus bringing their decor along with them when they travelled and giving themthis name. Versions of these have been fashion statements. Saddle bags for travel on on horses also were copied in the fashion world. Paniers on bicycles, bags to hold tackle, fishermen's net or woven bags took on a look for awhile and can still be seen used for shopping or in handbags styled after these practical items..

Well, there's no explaining style and the women who follow the latest trends. I'm not exempt. I carry Kimora purchased at TJ Maxx I'm not ashamed to say.