Why Spend $500 on a Handbag?

So you’ve fallen in love with a handbag (maybe one of ours!), but the price gives you major sticker shock. If you’re wondering what makes a handbag worth $500 and are debating if you are better off buying a similar style in a lower price range, we thought we’d share just what puts our bag at a higher price point. 

You might be surprised to know that the price of our handbags, and that of many other brands’, is not usually due to a fancy luxury label or its desirable brand name. We determine our prices by the value of the product. How? We’re glad you asked. Here’s what you want to consider when you’re shopping for a new handbag—or really any fashion purchase.

 

1. The Materials

Two factors are at play when it comes to the cost of our materials. One is quality. We want to find the best leather that will not only be beautiful, but also durable. The other factor is where we buy the materials from, and at Emily Jones, we’ve chosen to purchase from as many local vendors as possible. Most of our bag materials are domestically sourced, and we are constantly looking for new local suppliers. Domestically-sourced materials are more costly, but they’re also a more responsible choice. It supports local businesses, and it has less of a carbon footprint.

 

2. Where It’s Made

Our bags are also made locally right here in New York City. When you purchase one of our handbags, it provides local jobs and supports local artisans. It’s a feel-good purchase that helps real New Yorkers thrive. And of course, since it’s made locally, it is a more environmentally friendly option.

 

3. Its Sustainability and Brand Responsibility

Fast fashion can be tempting, but it’s way more harmful than many of us realize. It’s a topic that often goes undiscussed or gets dismissed. For one, fast fashion puts money in the hands of large corporations while their employees are exploited and/or underpaid. Its production is often detrimental to the environment, using practices that pollute or damage the soil—like leather tanning, for instance, which we as a brand avoid by using eco-friendly, recycled wet blue leather cut-offs (more on that here). Also, when it comes to what your fast fashion purchase means for you, it’s not going to be good quality or last long. That means it’ll need to be replaced eventually, which adds up for you and the environment.

 

We hope this helps put the price of your fashion purchases into perspective. Certainly, not all of us have the budget to spend $500, but if you do have that amount to spend, It’s definitely worth reconsidering your shopping habits to see if you can invest more and purchase less. This way, you’ll feel more confident that your purchase is in line with your values, and that its quality will allow for a lifetime of loving.