The Bag Stare

I hate cliches about the 'haves' looking down at the 'have-nots', the 'labelled' laughing at the 'non-labels', 'the rich' snobbing it up about the 'the poor'.  Most of the time, it seems to me that it's just an oversensitivity on the part of all latter parties.  Life is rarely like Pretty Women and the posh shop assistants aren't jeering at you in this tough economic climate when they're mainly grateful to you just for frequenting their store.  When I stumble upon a cliche, it pisses the hell out of me for the reason that I've always hated pigeon-holing people.  So today, when I got on the tube, sat right down and was stressfully drinking my Americano, I noticed two ladies sitting across from me giving me the oddest looks.  Did I have unrubbed moisteriser on my face?  Was my hair sticking up?  My outfit was a little tame/rushed so nothing to look at there.  I then realised they were staring at my bag, an old and faded Vivienne Westwood number.  Then as quickly as I caught the stare, they then turned away and exchanged a sort of knowing 'sneery' look with each other.  I had encountered the Bag Stare.  The, 'What bag is she carrying and how much did it cost?' sizing up act.  I kid readers not, it was 'sneery' and like I said, I don't usually imagine these sort of things for the reason that I just don't believe that people act like this in real life unless they were deluding themselves into thinking that they were playing the bitches in 'Mean Girls' or something.  So I returned the favour and clocked their bags, a black Hermes and a black quilted Chanel.  Nice.

So I had walked into a pretty typical 'fashion snobbery' scenario.  Not only was it cliched but it also seemed dated to me.  Are people still playing the 'I have a better bag than you' card?  Is it still the way to constantly play with the bag and swig it around (despite sitting still on a tube journey...) to demonstrate its lux-ness?  I didn't think so until I had experienced the Bag Stare this morning.  It was sort of a little bizarre as they then proceeded to spend the whole journey putting lot of make-up on until they got off.  I was rather weirded out by the fact that they seemed to be purposely pigeon holing themselves into the 'WAG-wannabe, designer-loving, overly-preened' box.  Again, I'd like to think there's a bit of balance in the world.  What's even more annoying is that other women, who were carrying canvas totes as you do in this hot weather, got onto the tube and clocked these ladies' designer bags and proceeded to display a look of jealousy/want on their faces.  I guess high-value bags still tug away somewhere on people's fashion psyche which is ever so slightly depressing.

Oh well... I would have liked to have waved around a flag that said 'Miuccia Prada says bags are over and shoes are in...' but then again that's another cliched trap I'd be falling into.  Let's hope reality knocks on the door of my tube journey tomorrow.

Comments

[Anja]

God I don't even wanna know what they would have tought of me and my h&m bag...

[Guest Lady]

Well they were on the tube weren't they? If they were so high and mighty they should take taken a taxi!

[floraposte]

How pathetic!! Sometimes I really despair of the human race, the Wag and her Bag is an object of envy rather than derision.

Jealousy could have been part of the sneer as your outfit probably rocked!

Ah, what I would have wanted to do is lean over to the one on the left (the Hermes):
"I'd rather have my bag than your calves."

Just a teensy bit worse that what you were thinking of doing, maybe. And a lot more returning-the-favour...but more fun for me.

[Shay]

whatevah, it's times like these that you just need to remind yourself that spending loads of money does not equal or guarantee style or originality. But you know that already and demonstrate it daily!

I pity this type of person for their obvious low self esteem and I pity anyone who aspires to be like this for the same reason.

[bun2bon]

I get stares all the time whenever I enter a Hollister/A&F-type place. Which is why I don't got in those places volunteerily.

[Anna]

If you don't like Wags you should not come to Italy.. Wags are everywhere not only in the subways, but in the streets and in store..and the age varies from 4-year-old to 99-year-old women and men!! .. it's terrible!!

[devina]

That's just awafully snobbish ! I usually pay more attention to shoes than bags though so I wldn't notice these 'bag stares'.

[WendyB]

Are ya SURE they weren't admiring it?

[deexdeexdreamer]

ah but cliches are everywhere! i think WAGs,snobby shop assistants and contestants on The Apprentice are all made of the same stuff(ing).

Why can't all flagships hire the friendly doting types who tend to run thrift shops? So we don't have to steel ourselves before walking in!

[Allure]

Sometimes you feel like you're back at school. It's ridiculous.

[lisa]

I confess I do give people's outfits (and their bags) a once-over when I'm out and about, but it's more out of curiosity and appreciation for how they've put things together or how they wear their accessories, than out of judgement or malice.

[Danny Daily]

Yep. I know how you feel and truly sorry you had to endure that. Should had hit them with your bag. A small swing...People do the bag/shoe stare in Paris and NYC like it's a sport. Every time I have to get into either cities, I dread riding the subway. People do the quick eye flick and then they do a double take of you...For guys, it's the quick shoe/watch look.

And what's even worse, if you are carrying an expensive bag/item on the way home from the gym looking awful in sweatpants and ragged hair, they think it's a fake.

love,

danny

[tommy]

I love "the bag stare"! Recently I've resolved to become more aware about judging people - it's just not pleasant and reflects only on yourself!

[selina]

off with their heads! money can't buy style, i hate the way a bag acts like a label saying 'i'm so fashionable' when that's really not true

[SwanDiamondRose]

whoa this hits home. i don't usually come on here and mention what i do specifically. but since i make bags and my tagline is "handmade luxury" and sometimes "taking luxe back 1 catfight at a time" i think i just have to say something.

the weird part of this is that your bag is actually the more exclusive of the trio here, they just don't even know. it's not just arrogance it's ignorance, a not uncommon pairing. don't let these ladies get you down! hehe. carry your non-designer totes [or off the radar designer totes] with snooty pride too. those ladies are just boring anyway. meow.

i LOVE how you got a photo, too perfect.

[Emily]

They were probably just envious that although they might have snazzy bags they don't have your sense of style.

[editor]

um, if this picture is of the hags in question, and their bags, that is not an hermes bag on the left. it is an imitation of the jean paul gaultier birkin. absolutely zero question about that.
i suppose that would explain why they behaved the way they did, and it also supports your conviction that people do not, in fact, behave in the trite manner you thought you were witnessing. they were aping what they thought was an appropriate "haves" attitude. they got it wrong.

[editor]

ps while i am no expert on chanel, i would hazard a guess that the companion is sporting an equally inexpensive ... representation of the original.

[Meeshy]

haha! that photos is hilarious!! brilliant undercover cam-phone action!

[Susan]

Urgh! I hate people like that, they're just so downright rude. The stupid thing is that you know a million times more about fashion, and good fashion at that! Love the stealth photo.

[erica]

i agree with you; those bags look like fakes!

[Rowena]

Gosh. Meow. Just the kind of assault you need on the way to work/back home after a long day...

[Cammila]

Yeah, not to sound PURELY bitter but those do look like fakes. Either way, their relative complete lack of style otherwise leaves no impression whatsoever, so in a way they're lucky you immortalized them here.

[editor]

hi again - just to clarify, my assessment of the would-be H bag is based on a decent familiarity with the brand in general. i don't call it a fake out of anything but knowledge.
though i do kind of hope that it restores your faith in people, categories, etc.

[Nicola]

I love that you took a photo of them - priceless!

[Sister Wolf]

Susie, these women are tragic idiots in every way. Anyone can buy a high end designer handbag, it only takes a credit card and signifies NOTHING except that the owner is a status seeking fashion slave.

Why would anyone even want a bag that's so popular and easily identified?

The whole Bag thing is so lame that I'm tempted to just throw all my shit into a plastic Hello Kitty bag. Or something even more nondescript.

BUT the photo is a great way to document the ghastly Bag competition! Good job.

[Helen]

i dunno. I think it's tacky to be ostentatious when there's a recession on.

[Héloïse J]

ggrrr! hate it. well women are so pathetic sometimes that one may carry this hermes bag and still look in this way you described your poor eco-friendly canvas tote! f*** them. (and here in greece where we are much more 'open' than other northern countries these kind of stares are always on the schedule, unless you wear a pair of 501 levis' jeans and a white tee. hhmmm still! some pathetic-'i haven't found myself'-'where is my self esteem' female will look at you in this 'it makes me wanna punch them' way!!!

courage mon amie!

[New York Chique]

wow thats so pathetic and low of them.
next time just jeer at them back and continue with your probably cuter bag

[Anna]

Oh I am so so very much over the bag thing. And I think that it has been amped up by god-knows-how-many women's magazines, which is a generous part of the problem- like we are meant to be obsessed with bags.
I just dont think I can justify spending that much money on a fairly nondescript black bag.

[Yetunde]

this is so pathetic. sorry to hear about that susie. no one deserves that bull and i agree, most people are just too sensitive. for some sad reason some people actually like to play the bitch just like in mean girls. how did you sneak a picture of them? very clever...

[Giselle]

How sad. I probobly would have retorted by staring openly at them until they either said something or I judged that they where uncomfortable enough. lol.

[Austere]

Great post. I remember one a gril was looking at me all snotty while she had a fake Chanel bag. And I was just like "Que"? It was actually kind of a funny situation though.

[Lady Smaggle]

Ha ha! That's hilarious! I love that Viv bag of yours though. I might have bag stared at you too...

[crishz]

I have a totally different comment about the post. I try to see it both ways... You mentioned that there were other ladies with canvas totes... where they also given the bag stare? I doubt it. Perhaps they were looking at your bag because they recognized it's a Vivienne Westwood. It may not be as pricey as Chanel or Hermes, but it's still a good designer bag. Seeing that their bags are really nice, perhaps they share with you the love for fashion? So they most likely know it's a designer bag... just my 2 cents :)

[Rach]

You post what I think so often!I think you know my friend Diane, I've seen your picture on her site, A Shaded View on Fashion. Do you shop on King's Road?We should meet up some time, we'd have a lot to talk about!

Rach from Belgravia

[Catherine]

Sadly, enough people are into the prestige handbag to have a site where you can rent them: http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/

I'm sure you've probably seen this site already- not really my bag at all- no pun intended;-)

[guerrillastylist]

That picture is sooooo funny! I love that they are both troweling on the slap. And BTW, I think their bags are boring. I would LOVE to see the vintage Westwood you were carrying. Because, money can't buy taste or a personality.

[Tia]

i must admit that black quilted chanel is kinda cute...but too bad their personalities reeked!

[Label Ho]

Those girls are idiots. Unfortunately, class, unlike bags, can never be bought.

Did you really take pictures of them!??? That is awesome!

[pam]

nicely put. i always got those stares from the designer-cladding girls, MOSTLY in my 3rd world country.. which is weird, because i know some of them reeked alot of money in their small salary just to get "the" bag, then brag it off to every non-designer girls. its sad & really annoying...

[Randall]

the best thing to have in silly moments like this is a sense of humor. Any dum dum can buy a pricey bag, but it takes some class and presence of mind to gently laugh off the scabs n wags who try to make their accessory an abusive life preserver. Speaking of this vanity game, being fashion, I'm happy to say that today I'm at the season of live where I truly dress for myself. I enjoy fashion because it pleases me, no longer because I live in fear of being rejected by people so shallow that their approval, once won, is as hollow and amusing as the rejection these thuggy ladies tried to power over on you. I believe you thought this kind of behavior was 'over' because you're wiser and more mature. I share your thinking.

[enc]

Bags for women are like cars for men; status symbols. The yardsticks/benchmarks by which we are judged. At least here, in CA.

I hope not everywhere else.

[sonam]

hmm..i don't think i sneer or give anyone the stink eye..but when i see some on the street looking soooo awesome or just someone wearing something i want or that i have wanted for a long time,,my face lights up, i get excited and i have the oh my goshhhhh!! "look at her, she is fucking rad!" look and have the widest teeth showing smile. i guess with my excitement and adoration, i would discreetly point the person or object if i were with somebody. is it wrong to do that? someone did that to me once on the train and i do the same too.
oo..i hope normal people don't mind that.

[Aja]

This happens to me from time to time (Vivienne Westwood never fails to get stares! That's why she's my favourite designer). I find as I get older, the only thing you can do in situations such as these are smile, smile, smile. . . and I'm not talking "lil grin", I'm talking big cheesy grin that completely throws them off. Usually you get a smile in return, or an embarrassed frown, both I find to be equally satisfying.

[Taylor]

susie, if you encounter any more sneery shopgirls and boys soon (as you mentioned at the beginning)... just remember they make NOTHING! as a shopgirl myself i can't believe how some act like they're so high and mighty when they're making barely more than minimum. hmph.

[Prêt-à-Porter P]

when i get weird looks for things i wear, i think to myself those are not the people im trying to be friends with anyway.

[Fashion Is Poison]

goodness. it happens in LA all the freakin' time. sometimes i'm carrying my 'fabulous' chanel. and sometimes a thing other would call a piece of crap. whatever it is, i love it and i just smile. it irks them.

[Tavi]

What lames! If they're so pompous they should be having their chauffeur driving them around anyways. They don't stand a chance to you and your Vivienne Westwood, and everyone and their mom knows it.