Without meaning to sound preachy, and accepting that everyone's ethics are their own business - things like this get to a stage where it just feels like thumbing your nose at people who can't afford to eat. Or have anywhere to live. Or get clean water. Or immunization. I mean - how many wells could I dig with the money it takes to buy a birkin? A LOT.
Obviously that's just one example, and my experience is that PSers are a generous bunch and, I'm sure, are highly charitable in their giving. And I understand that jewelry is a big ticket, luxury item that really has no earthly justification.
But...one handbag? 20k?? Yeah - um - no.
TBF that’s a lot of what’s on PS. We regularly see and admire jewelry collections worth enough money to change someone’s life. I definitely think this forum is geared toward people who are more financially comfortable. It’s not a bad thing to like expensive things. Just pointing out that this logic could be applied to most of this forum.
Without meaning to sound preachy, and accepting that everyone's ethics are their own business - things like this get to a stage where it just feels like thumbing your nose at people who can't afford to eat. Or have anywhere to live. Or get clean water. Or immunization. I mean - how many wells could I dig with the money it takes to buy a birkin? A LOT.
Obviously that's just one example, and my experience is that PSers are a generous bunch and, I'm sure, are highly charitable in their giving. And I understand that jewelry is a big ticket, luxury item that really has no earthly justification.
But...one handbag? 20k?? Yeah - um - no.
Very very nice @Fabulous50 ! The Rolls Royce of bags probably.
@mrs-b Birkin pricing depends on size and leather. The basic models are around $10K, and $20K+ is getting in the neighborhood of exotic skins like alligator.
I’m not thumbing my nose at people who can’t afford to eat with my Birkin, and it’s a hurtful thing for you to say regardless of whatever caveats you attach to the statement.
To quote Sheryl Crow...
If it makes you happy...
Having a Birkin does not make you unethical, or selfish, or uncaring of your fellow man. I said that, and I meant it. But can I come at it for myself? No. I believe I have that right.
A black box sellier Kelly with GHW.
Enjoy your understated and elegant bag. Box leather ages so well, my Kelly is 20+ years and people think it’s brand new.
I get what you're saying @mrs-b . However, I can't be one to cast stones. And realistically, some people who have bought birkins could argue that they are an investment item, as opposed to jewelry, which we could hardly, at a $20K price point, expect to resell for a profit, while certain birkins bought at a $20K price point or less can be sold for a profit. So who is the idiot there? I will be the first to throw myself into the group, as having bought a good that labs now make and sell for a much lower price. (I don't mean to get into a discussion about that can of worms.) Just sayin.
Just saw this comment, @LLJsmom.
I'm not the type to take a position then switch it out when the tide turns against me, so I'm gonna be out and proud on this one. No stone casting intended or implied. You'll just have to take my word on that one.
I'm sure there are things you don't buy because you think they're a waste of money, and things you don't do because you don't think they're ethical. And I'd bet a kidney there are certain things you don't do because you don't think they're ethical, that I DO do. This thread was asking what our position on Birkins was and - if we don't have one - why not?
My position is an ethical/financial one. I'm sure a lot of people feel that way about all sorts of things. I feel that way about Birkins. So there y'go. I'm 60 years old and have thought through my position thoroughly over the years. It's not going to change at this point, tho I'm unlikely to argue with anyone whose position is different to mine.
Something like - how we spend our money on one specific item - is one part of a much larger picture of how we execute our financial responsibilities and what our world-view ethics are. One part doesn't tell the whole story. You might own 500 Birkins, but have massive charitable commitments I know nothing about. On the other hand, I might eschew Birkins, but own 15 houses for no justifiable reason. I don't believe this thread is for that level of detail. It asked about Birkins. So - at the risk of being repetitive, I'll say it again.
For me to spend that amount of money on a Birkin would be irresponsible and uncaring. It's not a 'caveat' or a side step. I know what my financial landscape looks like and nobody else here does. I can justify jewelry. I can't justify expensive handbags. And yes, what is expensive for one is cheap for another - and round and round and round. We make these decisions for ourselves, not for each other.
But the question was - do I, the responder, have a Birkin and, if not, why not.
No. I don't. And that's why.
I say this with all due respect for the wonderful, generous people here. I also say it without apology and with no intention of moderating my position or ever changing it.
It's interesting though, @LLJsmom you have such beautiful & glamorous jewelry that i feel like i could picture you with a designer purse.
I consider myself the least fancy/glamorous person, but yet i have a few fancy purses.
Anyway, im enjoying the purse pictures here - birkin or no
I have 6 pairs of BIRKENstocks. Does that count?