Pattie’s Hot Handbags

–Why a woman owns 111 handbags in her lifetime–

You ask yourself, “Am I absolutely crazy out of my mind?” Why would anyone even consider spending on average $14,937.59 for handbags? Yet, according to researchers, the average 30 year old owns 21 handbags, and buys a new one every 3 months. Over a lifetime that works out to 111 handbags, and that huge figure above. Go ahead, look at it again. With the average outlay of $141.90, OMG, no wonder!!! And, get this, of the 30 year olds surveyed, 5% admitted owning over 100 handbags already.  Geeesh!!

If we can get past sticker shock, you might find yourself asking (yep, still talking to yourself),  “do I really need this many handbags during my life.”  With people like Lindsay Lohan and Sienna Miller setting the trend, no wonder many women are spending a small fortune on expensive designer brands. This, from 1500 shoppers that a researcher* was asking about their handbags.  So, there you have it, have we all gone crazy? The answer might be yes and no. This tidbit emerged from the research*, and is certainly more realistic, if you think about it. Ready–Typically women use three handbags on a regular basis, changing to suit the occasion, outfit, or even their mood.  The rest are safely stored “just in case”.  Do you fit this profile at all??

Many handbags are passed down though generations, according to the survey, with one in eight women owning one bag more than 50 years old.  That’s kind of hard to believe, I know. When asked what the most they ever spent on a bag, the average 20 somethings replied, $345.48 (obviously working professionals, don’t you think?). If you think that’s more than you’d spend, the average from this survey of 30 something spent an eye-popping $709.55!!!

When asked why they hoard so many handbags seven in 10 answered, “you never know what they’ll go with” Are we laughing yet, or does this describe you, too?  One woman stated in her survey, “Handbags can change your whole look and transform a plain outfit into one that’s set to impress.”  One in five women said that they are so fond of their handbags, that sentimental value stops them from throwing them away”.

So, ladies as we head for the finish line, what have we learned here.  It’s clear from the results of this research that British women (oops, I forgot to mention that earlier) have some sort of handbag obsession. I don’t know of an American survey of women and their handbags, but if you do, please let me know and I’ll be happy to have fun with that survey, also.

For most of us, owning a handbag is a lifestyle necessity, rather than a fashion accessory. Having one, two, three or four just won’t do, and sooner or later we give in.
We’re all just lucky, whether British, American, or whatever our nationalities are that there is a nice down home place to shop and buy superb handbags, and not spend a queen’s ransom and that place, of course would be Hildashandbags.  Have a nice day, all!!
Do drop by, again…..

*Angela Poplett is a personal shopper at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex, which carried out the survey.