Handbag Politics: To Splurge or Not to Splurge?

Sweet Claire striped crop top from Jean Machine // J.Crew toothpick jeans // Converse shoes // Lacoste sunglasses // Old Navy beach bag // Taudrey mini coin initial necklace // Taudrey star plate necklace // Taudrey “jetset justine” personalized cuff.

To the small business owners who are able to afford thousand-dollar designer handbags, can you let me know your secret? Once upon a time, I was a parasitic student living and feeding off my parents, spending every penny of my part-time job salary on fashion. I didn’t need to buy food. I didn’t need to buy drinks. I didn’t need to buy textbooks or pay for university (neither did my parents as my brain got me full scholarships boo-yah!). I didn’t need to “save for the future” or pay for medication (covered under mom’s insurance until I was 25); I didn’t really have any hard fact expenses. What I did have was a disposable income and a penchant for Gucci.

Nowadays, I’m happy to say I run my own business that draws a humble profit – certainly enough to buy a new Celine bag – and yet I feel completely wrong about even entertaining the thought. I ask: what the fuck.

I spend more money now than I ever have – on groceries, rent, Uber, dinners, drinks, vitamins, yoga, baggage fees, flights, accounting, etc., etc. and yet any leftover income shalt dare not goeth to designer handbags. Maybe I think they are a waste of money? Or maybe I’m just – finally – growing up. The thing is, I can’t choose between paying a couple thousand dollars for a new website and a Louis Vuitton malletage bag (which, is what I would pick if I could pick). It’s not even up for discussion. You choose the website, basta.

What I want to know is how all these other bloggers are flaunting the latest Prada, Celine, Chloe and company if they’re running (we assume responsibly) a small business and most importantly, paying their taxes. How do you have enough at the end of the day to splurge on a designer bag?

(I realize this entire post may hinge on the fact that I have wayyyyyyyys to go before I, too, will be able to juggle business expenses, life and fashion spurges; and truthfully, uncovers the underbelly of blogging for everyone other than Chiara Ferragni: there is no funny money in it. But I made a promise to myself not to write about her anymore after unfollowing her a few months ago…) 

Or maybe it’s that I find it trivial. You don’t need an expensive designer bag to have style. I said to my boyfriend just the other day, “I’d rather buy 200g of La Quercia prosciutto at $8.99/100g from Cumbrae’s once a week, than save up for the latest designer find.” As life goes on, you find pleasure in things you’d never thought possible and cured meats are on trend, right? Charcuterie is just as much a sign of wealth and success as the Chanel boy bag, in my opinion.

Wish Drake would throw in some Beretta and Pingue references in his next rap about making it in the six or 6ix. Whatever.

So tell me, as you get older, do you find yourself splurging more on fashion items or less? And, do you want to come over for cured meats and cheese?

 

Justine Iaboni