$400 handbag-- excessive or buy it? (backstory)

[Anonymous]

Buy the bag. I think that as long as it doesn't become a habit, it will be fine. I bought myself an 800 dollar bag after first child and still enjoy the bag eight yrs later.

[Anonymous]

Do it, or you will always kick yourself for passing it up...I say from experience. DO IT

[Anonymous]

Whem you returm the stuff do you put it back on her card or get something else you need?

I get a store credit.
It's kind of a pain b/c I don't normally shop at Bloomingdales (too expensive) but I can usually put the store credit to better use than the cost of the original items by buying things on sale, Christmas gifts, wedding gifts off of registries, etc. I've also bought things I need for the house - sheets, towels, etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who said that in the handbag world, $400 isn't that much. When I first glanced at the subject line, I thought it read $4000 because that's more in line with "excessive" and what women are saving for in NYC, San Fran, LA, Miami, etc. We DC women don't spend nearly so much of our income on our appearance here. Sometimes I wonder how all those Chevy Chase and Tysons shops stay in business.

[Anonymous]

Four thousand dollars for a purse? Holy Christ. Are these the same women who later lean on their family for a house down payment because "living here is so expensive"?

I dunno. It's like I and my $30 Target messenger live on a different planet.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you really think your interpretation is accurate-- that it was a desperation gift and part of a pattern of your husband expecting you to return the gift while he still gets credit for giving it, then call his bluff:

GET THE BAG, THEN GO SPEND $300 ON A PAIR OF SHOES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you really think your interpretation is accurate-- that it was a desperation gift and part of a pattern of your husband expecting you to return the gift while he still gets credit for giving it, then call his bluff:

GET THE BAG, THEN GO SPEND $300 ON A PAIR OF SHOES.

Awesome!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Four thousand dollars for a purse? Holy Christ. Are these the same women who later lean on their family for a house down payment because "living here is so expensive"?

I dunno. It's like I and my $30 Target messenger live on a different planet.

This whole thread makes me feel like I'm on a different planet. OP is an adult. Her husband is not her father. Just seems weird and a little creepy.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. Good leather bags last forever, though, and you do get sick of them.

[Anonymous]

$400 is not much in the handbag world? Are you nuts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you really think your interpretation is accurate-- that it was a desperation gift and part of a pattern of your husband expecting you to return the gift while he still gets credit for giving it, then call his bluff:

GET THE BAG, THEN GO SPEND $300 ON A PAIR OF SHOES.

. Ha ha! Another vote for getting the bag!

[Anonymous]

Go for it, OP!

By the way, $400 is a really good price for ferragamo. I have 5 ferragamo bags and don't even remember the last time I paid below $1000.

[Anonymous]

How mindless!! Get real!! I have never walked into any of those silly stores along Chevy Chase's Madison Avenue, and never will. And I can afford it. I hope those stores close. DC is becoming more like Hollywood and NYC, and that is not good in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Handbags that have a backstory? I think you should take the $400 and examine that. It should buy you two sessions.

[Anonymous]

Get it. If you can afford it, there should be no stress or anxiety about it.

[So why he buys expensive gifts your budget can afford, but they you play this game of returning it, I don't quite understand... But that's neither here nor there. Just get the dang bag. And get it even if he doesn't buy it for you. This little back and forth is a bit much, don't you think?]