I have come to the conclusion that we wear branded bags to show off in some way or other. I say in some way or other because it is of such extreme levels that some may get offended, especially those who are extremely wealthy whom everybody already know can afford 100 Birkins, so what else is there to show off, right?
If it is not to show off that one is wealthy, for example, then it stems from some level of insecurity that we have that we must show that we are able too to carry a branded bag. It is like an emblem of arrival.
If what I say isn’t true, then wealthy people would be carrying brandless bags around or even recycled bags for that matter, and some actually do! Most don’t so why don’t they? They need to keep up with the crowd, the Joneses and what everyone else is saying about them. It is a competition of the riches. If you refute, then I would ask why you don’t sacrifice each bag to feed another child instead.
Let me share my personal experience. Growing up, the elders were already all about branded bags even though my late Mom personally was never into them, but her class could pass off a guni sack as a branded bag! Me however, I had an eye for a classic black Chanel Flap Bag since I was a teenager, maybe even before. I just loved the way the gold chain interweaved with the leather and I always fell in love with every image that passed my eye. To be honest, it was probably more the design I was attracted to than the brand but since Chanel developed it, I always thought I’d have a Chanel bag one day.
My late Mom used to scowl and scorn at my expensive taste in bags reinstating that she would never, ever pay so much for leather and my ears were deaf. I would work hard just to earn a new branded handbag. I loved fashion. I loved style. I loved handbags.
The day came when I could finally afford THAT Chanel handbag. Soon after I was a Chanel bag collector and then I purchased my first Hermes Jypsiere for RM35,000. The what???? I didn’t do the Birkin because I honestly found it quite ‘Aunty’ for my ‘young’ self then and as luck would have it, my dearest friend from London gifted me her old Kelly bag which I love, love, love!!! Suddenly thoughts of owning a Birkin crossed my mind and I started searching for one but the head still has a hard time accepting paying 6 figures for a bag!!!
I asked myself, why do I need it? What joy do I derive out of carrying a branded bag? My husband reminds me frequently that I have RM300,000 worth of handbags that I hardly even use. Whoops. He keeps track! He has that money software where all my handbags get tossed into one category because I always use the investment strategy with him. To be quite honest, I do love my Chanel bags. If I were broke and needed money, I would sell them but I would be sad. That is how strong my love is for my bloody Chanel bags. But for the Hermes, not so much. Weird, huh?
Carrying one would certainly show that I could afford one but why is that important? To show that I am fabulous? Amazing? Clever? Accomplished? Rich? Capable? What? I don’t need any of that. I think that when you don’t have it and you can’t have it, then you want it more, but when you can, it no longer appeals so much anymore.
These days, I am moving towards the minimalist life with the hope of decluttering all my wealth and giving away all my STUFF so that I have only memories and stories and lots of love and laughter to go by each day. It is enough. After all, we can’t take all our Birkins to our coffin, right?
So should I get one? As much as I think it is a crazy waste of money, I have an inkling that I would succumb to it one day. It is just a matter of when and when I am lucky enough to find the right size and colour. For what is a life of charity if we cannot even live a little to stroke our own ego? Since nobody else is doing it for me!
What is your take on women carrying branded bags? Is it necessary? Isn’t it a waste of money? Why are women so stupid?
**************************************************************************Who is Mamapumpkin?
Mamapumpkin is a former Design Architect turned Multi-Million Dollar Digital Entrepreneur. She sets out to prove to all that you can have anything and everything that you want; if you have that fire of desire burning within and the drive to work hard. Even better with much love.
Mamapumpkin has not only grown corporate businesses successfully in the past and doubled her salary 5 times over 5 organisations but has grown THREE BUSINESSES to 7 FIGURES within an 8 year period. She now shows others EXACTLY HOW after retiring her own husband from employment. He is now the official dog walker, family driver, chef and THE BEST FATHER to their two girls and THE BEST HUSBAND to the woman who CHOSE HIM!
Mamapumpkin is the girl who has nothing but fights for everything including YOU. She is idealistic in her desire to put unbelievable amounts of money and extrardinary happiness into the lives of good people so we can change the world together believing in happiness for ALL. She strives to impact lives authentically wanting to reduce poverty cycles and enable quality education for all and always supports the voiceless. She believes we can all have a life of our own desires to enable real contribution into the world. But first, one needs to understand what this all means.
A beautiful life without limits.
If you wish to learn how to propel your life forward guaranteed, be brave to take action. Mamapumpkin's purpose is to build people. Her gift is to help them UNCOVER their HIDDEN GIFTS. She operates fairly and always leaves an impression. You either love her or not and she is alright either way.
She is a living testimony that women really can have a lot. Being financially and time free has enabled her to travel the world anytime, anywhere, doing anything with anyone, as she spends most of her days with her children, having fun, supporting others wherever she can. Also having fun.
