Calling a Spade a spade

Kate Spade.  You should know that I love her stuff.  She has such cute high end stuff.  It's really inventive.  In fact, I was discussing this with someone recently before I got into some really big purse problems... but this is a story for another day...

What does it say when you wear a Kate Spade purse?  In fact, what does any purse say?  Do your purses talk for you?  When you see someone with the LV logo, what are you thinking about that person?  What does that say about us that we want to be thought of a certain way?  Is it narcissism?  Is it vanity?  Why wouldn't any old label do?

I was talking with some students about a term that they were unfamiliar with.  We were discussing "status symbols."  To many of them, they know about this.  There is discussion of Gucci, Versace and Dolce Gabbana in many of their rap songs.  Of course rappers know and laud labels.  They represent an exclusive type of lifestyle that we can only glimpse.  We know that our lives have value but what does that mean when we want more?  What does that mean when we only want more?  I'm guilty of wanting.  There are days that I find myself looking over magazines just to look at the designer bags.  For me, it is not about the clothes or the shoes but purses.  I tell myself that it isn't about owning.  It's about admiring the workmanship.  I have bought high end purses.  I have bought mid range purses.  I remember one fortunate birthday or two going into a store and paying full price for a purse just because I loved it.  I'll tell you, I get a bigger thrill rescuing purses.  Yes, I like buying them in a store but there is some guilt associated with it, buyer's remorse.  When I walk around with a purse that I rescued in my head while it is being admired I'm thinking, "I paid the normal tax of this bag." It makes me feel like I got away with something.

The other thing is that I admire purses and if you're my friend and you have a nice purse I will comment and compliment it.  I think it great to see a purse.  My friend had a Kate Spade before me and I would look at it and try it on for size.  I don't begrudge her her great purse.  Honestly, every woman in the world should have a great purse.  If you are going to admire a purse, go on ahead and admire it.

The Kate Spade in the picture with the matching wallet was a birthday present/Mother's day present.  And it is time to call a spade a spade.   I'm afraid that all of this questioning has led me to the conclusion that I am a purse snob.  I have a big purse problem to work through.  You should know that my husband is fond of saying that I have a small closet problem.  He's a sweetheart.  I guess that's why I need this blog.  I have to talk to someone about it.  In any case, for all the mothers out there.  May you always get the purse you want.