Ever since the concept of “renting a designer bag” made popular by Bag Borrow or Steal and apparently featured in the Sex and the City movie, a couple of similar concepts have sprouted in the region. I know Singapore had one a while back while Malaysia has also now gotten one but the name escapes me for now. I just saw it fleetingly in a newspaper.
But my question really is – Will you rent a designer bag?
My answer is “No, I will not.”
You see, my rationale comes down to the question – Why do you carry a designer bag? Because you like it and want to own it? Or because you want to be seen with the latest designs?
If your reason is the latter then yes designer bag rentals will work for you. You will pay a certain large sum to “rent” the bag for a week or two and when you get bored, you return the bag and get another so you never have to be seen carrying the same bag twice or you can always be at the forefront of bag fashion.
However, my beef with it is that its like renting a house; after paying and paying, you end up with essentially nothing. No money and no bag.
Whereas if you buy the bag, like owning a house, after paying off your loan or mortgage, you end up with a house. Ditto a designer bag. Granted boredom can set in after a spell.
So, I am very careful about the designer or more expensive bags I buy. I make sure I really REALLY like a design before committing to buying it, because usually large sums of money are involved. If I’m still wanting a particular design after a week, chances are, its a design that’ll work for me. Also I know this way, I will appreciate and treasure it more, while at the same time ensuring I will actually use it regularly. Because its mine, I’m careful about where I put it down (never on the floor!) and how I care for it (regular cleaning and polishing) and above all, I know that its MINE!
I don’t go for latest designs in bags, mostly because I prefer something classic – they weather the trends better but also tend to cost more as classics rarely go on sale. Hence my ever present “need” for the Chanel 2.55 😛 So that’s me and my reasons why I will not “rent-a-designer-bag”.
I’m not saying its a bad thing to rent a bag – its an ingenious idea and can come in very useful if you have to be seen in cool new outfits all the time and be able to do it on a budget. I could contemplate it if I had to attend glitzy red carpet events where I desperately need a glam evening clutch that photographs well but which I can’t afford to buy otherwise, as I won’t get much mileage out of it. But since red carpet events aren’t in my forseeable future, I guess I may not make use of the service just yet 😀 I just can’t contemplate renting a bag for daily use, that’s all.
What about you? Will you rent a bag and if you will or won’t, would you share your reasons?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Alexis says
August 11, 2009 at 9:20 amFor me, rent-a-bag will never work as I do not agree with the idea of using a designer bag just for the purpose of ‘to be seen’. Just like what you said, rent a bag might end up with no money and no bag situation.
ParisB says
August 11, 2009 at 11:52 amHi Alexis
Yep that’s the thing that really gets to me more than the idea of being seen but still I could contemplate it for a special occasion 🙂
geekchic says
August 11, 2009 at 9:44 amNo. I’m like you. I want the bag because I like the design and I know I will continue to use it even when I’m 70 (though that is debateable with the Balenciaga Motorcycle :P) I don’t care if no one knows I’m carrying a designer bag; in fact the less who know the bettter, it shows how exclusive it is, MUAHAHAHAHA. Ahem. crazy moment there. So, I buy it cos I like it and I wouldn’t want to part with it.
Hopefully I’ll get to own the iconic Chanel before I turn 40 ><
ParisB says
August 11, 2009 at 11:54 amHey geekchic
Tehee… yep! I fully concur with the exclusivity of something that doesn’t scream designer! 🙂 I’m still lemming the Chanel – perhaps I should check out the boutique soon 😛
Jenn says
August 11, 2009 at 10:01 amDitto. Don’t think i’ll ever rent a bag! I agree with you, one may just end up with no money and no bag if they rent bags!
And oh, i want the 2.55 tooooo T_T
ParisB says
August 11, 2009 at 11:55 amHey Jenn
Looks like so many of us are into that 2.55 – damn the Chanel magic 😉
Shanghainese Dumpling says
August 11, 2009 at 11:02 amHI Paris I won’t rent a bag too, If i like a bag I would rather save up and buy one 🙂
ParisB says
August 11, 2009 at 11:57 amHey Shanghainese Dumpling
Same! I do hope someone who will rent a bag leaves a comment – I’d love to hear others’ thoughts!
mira says
November 9, 2009 at 2:36 pmhey,i think..i’ll rent it..
u know,i’m a student..u know tough being a student especially financially.since i can’t afford 2 buy a designer bag,why not rent it.. since the rental is really affordable,what, bout RM 100+ for a week using LV bag..why not? and just so u know,while i’m a student staying in hostel,if i really bought a designer bag,i bet all the girls going to borrw my bag.so let’s just rent it for couple of weeks..n i can also use other designer brand.since it’s still a long way to go,by renting these bags,i can know which one is the best for me so i can buy it when i can afford it.
Tine says
August 11, 2009 at 11:17 amRenting bags can never work for me. I won’t be able to return them! 😛
ParisB says
August 11, 2009 at 11:58 amHi Tine
LOL… my other fear would be getting something that doesn’t look clean and pristine. I guess I’m a little anal about my bags 😛
Jamilla Camel says
August 11, 2009 at 11:57 amI’m not really a logo bag girl, even though I like designer bags. I think I’ll keep buying mine!
Jean says
August 11, 2009 at 11:58 amI prefer to buy my own bag too..
there’s no point to pay to let ppl see you’re on the newest trend…
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:27 amHi Jean
But for those in the forefront of fashion this might be a good deal 🙂 I guess it depends on the individual
cat says
August 11, 2009 at 12:06 pmI might if i am not sure whether i will like the design after a while. Sometimes i make compulsive buy and i dont wana make a mistake with something that will cost a month’s salary.
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:28 amHi Cat
That is a perfectly valid point! To try it out first – great idea 😉
Shop N' Chomp says
August 11, 2009 at 12:24 pmI rather save up and buy even if it takes a long time to save! I’m a big fan of the 2.55 too. 😀
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:28 amHi Shop n Chomp
Yeah for now the 2.55 is quite unattainable for me! 😛
fer says
August 11, 2009 at 12:31 pmYeah, why not? I would rent a bag if I want to, say, test drive it before I take the jump and purchase it. Also, I don’t like to buy evening clutches because then I would probably need one for each dress and pair of shoes! (As it is now, I often borrow from my mom’s extensive collection of clutches :p) Plus, I would hate to spend a fortune on something I’d only wear once in a blue moon. So, if there’s something nice and suitable for rent, I’d go for it!
But I wouldn’t rent an everyday bag though. I’d just look like I’m desperate to show off money that I don’t have.
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:29 amHi Fer
Thanks for your thoughts! You’ve made a valid point re: test driving a new bag but I do notice most of us would rather just buy the everyday bag rather than rent 🙂
Nikki says
August 11, 2009 at 1:50 pmI would never rent a designer bag just to look “cool” or in fashion! I would purchase a bag if I know I’ll use it frequently or I know it’ll be with me for life! 🙂
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:29 amHi Nikki
Teehee… High 5!
aichaku says
August 11, 2009 at 2:07 pmi don’t like renting things – i like owning them hahaa i want it to be mine mine mine. LOL!!
though i can understand some peeps might want to test drive before committing a large amt of $$$ or just want to carry sth once and never again. i still pref the sense of ownership (i’m jealous and selfish type) yes, even when i comes to material goods like bags. muahahaha.
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:29 amHi Aichaku
Ooh I remember your lovely collection! Yes I’m like that too – if I’m going to spend that money, I might as well just buy it!
Synaesthesia says
August 11, 2009 at 2:13 pmI won’t rent a designer bag as I rather to buy one if I really like it.. Of coz I would agreed with fer for testing purpose but I’m not really that particular about the logo.
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:30 amHi Synaesthesia
Logo bags date so I prefer something without a logo but leather bags are so expensive. I guess its a balance to find sigh…
lemon says
August 11, 2009 at 2:56 pmI think I might, for special occasions like dinner bags, where you only used once or twice and matching to your gowns.
Everyday bags, maybe not. Cos I am not someone who take care of my bags well, ie I used to leave them under car seats, you know, recent growing of theft cases. So, my bags tends to get dirty after awhile.
😉 Lemon
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:32 amHey Lemon
Heh… I guess if you’re renting a bag, you can’t stick them under car seats anymore 😉
Amanda says
August 11, 2009 at 4:05 pmRent a bag? It has never came across my mind but my answer would be a ‘No’. I love bags and own heaps of them. Most of my designers are sleeping in the dust bags. Haha… If I like a bag, I can afford it and I’ll buy. I prefer to buy bags which I can use everyday.
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:33 amHi Amanda
Ooh yeah… my bags all sleep in dustbags too and stuffed so they hold their shape. I’m very particular that way 🙂
Li says
August 11, 2009 at 6:57 pmI wouldn’t. Then again, I could probably care more about what I look like when I step out of the house! I carry the same handbag for yeeeaaarsssss
ParisB says
August 12, 2009 at 11:34 amHey Li
Hehe… I guess rent-a-bag services will serve those who want something quickly and “cheaply” for a glam do less than an everyday sort of thing
Saintangelius says
August 12, 2009 at 12:00 pmI prefer to buy… Even though the initial investment is pretty expensive, but you get something for keeps. I am also a little anal about owning something that many others have touched/used before. I don’t mind second hand items when you are paying second-hand prices but not at the prices that these rental shops are asking for. Also the source, I need to know that the person it’s coming from is reliable( and clean… very clean). You will never know with rentals o.o Which is probably why I will have my own wedding dress tailored, haha!
Roger Gregory says
October 24, 2009 at 4:22 pmHello, I will declare first of my vested interest as a partner of Voulue, a handbag hire business. It is very interesting to read all your thoughts on hiring designer handbags.Many of them I would also consider to be valid reasons.May I say that a designer handbag is not just about the extreme high prices, there are many that are between £100 and £200 that would still have an impact on the pocket, we believe it is about the artistic qualities of the design.
As for going down the celebrity red carpet, even we dont do that, but we do like the opportunity of extending our wardrobe for any event.e.g. Its my sisters birthday today and she is going to a haunted hotel for the weekend and she will be taking one of our handbags.
There are many social occassions, weddings, special birthdays, job interviews etc where a new bag would look great. The cost of a weeks hire would be around £20.If you went to half a dozen social do’s a year, that would be less than £150 for the year.
It isnt about replacing your own collection it is about complimenting and extending your wardrobe and not flashing your cash.We even offer handbags from new up and coming designers who are trying to make a living.
If you wish to visit us , do leave a comment on our blog and tell us in the business what you think.
Kind regards, Roger