Women’s love for handbags starts early, continues on in life

Women have a love-love relationship with handbags. Most men look on with disgust. It’s just a bag, they exclaim. What is the big deal?

Handbags, purses, totes. Whatever you want to call them, we women love them. They are a very big deal to most women. Have you ever considered why?

For most of us, the love for handbags is developed in school. You covet your mom’s purse, even if it’s a Target special. The inside seems a mystery, but you know as a child that anything you need is in there. An adhesive bandage, lotion for your sore, lip balm. At some point when you need it your mom will pull it out of her purse. And the purse looks nice on her arm or shoulder. If your mom likes designer handbags, or high-quality bags, it probably feels good too, and your love of leather or other skins is developed.

Once we are old enough to start carrying a handbag, most of us carry whatever we can get our hands on – the discount bag at the megastore, or mom’s hand-me-downs. It really doesn’t mater. We are thrilled to have a bag of our own to carry.

Once we’re older, we begin to covet better bags. Forget those megastore bags. We want the designer handbag. Why? There are many possible reasons:

• Status – When we carry a designer handbag (authentic or knock-off) we know we’re carrying a status symbol and that makes us feel good, even if we’re wearing cheap sneakers from the discount store.

• Quality – We enjoy knowing that we’re carrying a handbag that will last a long time and that we might be able to hand down to our daughters. That quality also feels good on the arm.

• We like to look good – When we carry a designer handbag, we get attention. Maybe someone comments on what a pretty bag we have, or how they want that same style, perhaps in a different color. The bag might be something outrageous in style or color and it’s a talking point. Whatever it is, we like the attention it brings us.

• We like the ease – Buying a handbag is easy. Unlike shoes and clothes that have to be tried on, and jewelry that must look just right, it’s easy to pick and choose a handbag. Most will look good on anyone, so the decision isn’t about “does it fit?” as much as it is about whether you like it, if you can afford it and how and when you will use it. Shopping for handbags is no fuss, no muss, and no stress. It’s ideal.