STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

YSL Muse vs. LV Alma: pick one...

squishy · Coach

what a painful dilemma. eep!

do you have things that you need to get this year? i mean, both the muse and the alma will be available next year and the year after that and... you know, forever.

if i were in your position and didn't have any other big-purchase plans, i'd go for the alma. i like the muse, but the alma is a knockout. i'm assuming you're going to pine after it season after season until you bite that bullet, so you might as well get it earlier so you can start enjoying it earlier

in my experience, buying X which is a little cheaper to quell your lust for Y isn't really all that successful... you still want Y, and will, in all likelihood, shell out for Y eventually. X can be a good substitute, but for how long?

plus, you know LV's going to raise their prices again in a few months.

theotherjess · Chanel

I would get the black Muse first and then save for a while to get the red Alma. It sounds like you like the Alma, but really would prefer it in red. Don't get the Alma in black just because you need it to fill a hole...buy a black bag you really love and get the Alma in red. Make sense?

As for the bag being the only thing you could have for 2006, could you hold off on it for a little longer? Sell stuff on ebay, eat ramen noodles, whatever, and maybe wait until Christmas to buy it as a gift for yourself with any money/gc you may get.

Pretty much whichever one you get would be awesome though. Those are both beautiful bags that will elevate your look, so even if you can't buy anything else, your outfit will look really pulled together.

Lilykind · Hermes

theotherjess wrote:

As for the bag being the only thing you could have for 2006, could you hold off on it for a little longer? Sell stuff on ebay, eat ramen noodles, whatever, and maybe wait until Christmas to buy it as a gift for yourself with any money/gc you may get.

Here's what I'm worried about if I wait.

YSL: they'll sell out of black in the size I want. Right now, there are exactly 21 of them available at Cusp/Neimans. I can't compromise on size or color...the large is simply way too large for someone my height to carry. I started dusting the floor with it.

LV: They'll raise the price. Again. I mean, I got my Speedy 25 in March 2003 for $425 and it's selling for $595 on eluxury as we speak! The bag did not grow a gold lining or get new platinum trim or some other such exorbitant thing...

squishy · Coach

Lilykind wrote:

Here's what I'm worried about if I wait.

YSL: they'll sell out of black in the size I want. Right now, there are exactly 21 of them available at Cusp/Neimans. I can't compromise on size or color...the large is simply way too large for someone my height to carry. I started dusting the floor with it.

does saks have it in the size/color you want? i think shopfall can still get you 10% off

Lilykind · Hermes

squishy wrote:

does saks have it in the size/color you want? i think shopfall can still get you 10% off

they only have black patent in the right size and i'm not really feeling the idea of a patent leather bag as an investment piece in my wardrobe.

maya · BCBG

i say go for the alma. LV is timeless and will only increase in value over time. i do love the shape of the muse, but i also think it's a bit trendy and will only be popular for the next couple of years. if you're thinking long-term investment (i mean 10-20 years), the alma is the better choice.

NCshopper · Hermes

I say to get the black Muse now and the red Alma later.

The Muse in black is gorgeous. Seriously beautiful. And the shape and style of it will last a lifetime. I really don't think it's a "trendy" item and even if it is, it still has "classic" written all over it and you'll be able to use if for a long, long time.

I really think you should stay away from getting the Alma in black. You clearly love the red, as I do too, and I think if you were to buy it in black, you'd end up regretting it and you'd still pine for the red.

So, get the Muse in black now to 1) fill the black bag void and 2) in case it sells out. I mean, at least if you get it, you can have it in your posession and then at least sleep on it, right? Worst case scenario: you feel guilty or not totally in love, and you return it. Then you save up for a bit, maybe get some Christmas money and buy the red Alma. Then you're happy all around!

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

I don't think you can go wrong with either, they're both amazing bags. But, I agree with theotherjess' thought process, get the Muse now and the red Alma later.

Collette · Chanel

The Muse, simply because it's the perfect black bag and I want it as well!

lynnie · Chanel

love the alma in red, if you need a black bag- go for the muse or a cheaper one. Do you wear black bags often enough to justify spending over $1000 on one just because theres a hole in your wardrobe? I personally know that i don't really have a nice black handbag- but i'd rather have a nice one in red or brown, and a cheaper (but still nice!) black one. Maybe if you find a $500 version, you can contribute the remaining amt. to the red alma later.

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Ok, both bags are absolutely gorgeous and drool-worthy, but if it means you can't shop for the rest of the year then I say it really isn't a smart purchase. I say go with something a little more affordable, there's lots of good bags out there for $400-$700.

-- Edited by FashionPrincess at 11:18, 2006-09-09

kittenheels · Coach

That is a tough decision. I think if you are craving the red alma, as I am, maybe that should be the goal, and you get a black bag that allows you to buy the red alma soon. I like the muse, but I agree with others that it's not as classic. Is there any way that a less expensive black bag would meet your needs? On the other hand, if you buy the muse and decide it's not right after a few months, you could definitely sell it on ebay. They are both such beautiful bags. Either way, please post pictures of the one you get!

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I love the muse , I vote for it!

calichic · Dooney & Bourke

lynnie wrote:

love the alma in red, if you need a black bag- go for the muse or a cheaper one. Do you wear black bags often enough to justify spending over $1000 on one just because theres a hole in your wardrobe? I personally know that i don't really have a nice black handbag- but i'd rather have a nice one in red or brown, and a cheaper (but still nice!) black one. Maybe if you find a $500 version, you can contribute the remaining amt. to the red alma later.

I think that lynnie is right. I think that you should get the muse and wait out for the alma. However, you should consider how much you wear/need a black bag because if you won't use it *that* often then it might be worth it to get a cheaper one.

Lilykind · Hermes

Whichever bag I get will be used all the time. It will be my work bag, because I can't see myself carrying my Hayden-Harnett hobo to work. I actually wear black a lot and the inveterate New Yorker in me says that black is always a good color for a handbag.

I am really aiming for quality/longevity above all other things. I mean, I could get something in the 400-700 range and be happy for a bit, but when it comes down to it the bags I lust and lose sleep over are all in the $1000+ range. I figure that even if I buy, say, the Botkier Bianca in black (a very nice bag, but I honestly wouldn't pay more than $300 for it), I will still have to get something else in 2-3 years to fulfill the *large classic black bag* void. In the end I'm going to come out saving more money if I buy the $1000+ bag now.

I almost want to throw in the towel and get nothing because it's so frustrating and because spending my Fall shopping budget on one purse is probably not a good idea.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Lilykind wrote:

I almost want to throw in the towel and get nothing because it's so frustrating and because spending my Fall shopping budget on one purse is probably not a good idea.

but, you live in california...therefore, you don't have the fall wardrobe needs as much as someone who lives in a colder climate. and i've noticed you've bought some great pieces geared towards the fall already so it's not like you haven't done ANY fall shopping.

one thing that i'm doing this fall since i feel like i never get to wear fun/weekend clothes is to do basics (f21/c&c, splendid, etc...) and focus on accessories. i am mostly focusing on jewelry, but also shoes, and bags (when i figure out what i REALLY want). i've noticed this has really cut down on my spending (minus the couple of expensive sweater purchases that i plan on buying) and has allowed me to be more creative with clothes that i already have.

so my opinion on which bag....

i think you should get the muse, and then get the alma (in red) later. it's a gorgeous, classic bag and i think it will settle your need. i also agree 100% with you. i feel like my kooba, botkiers, and bulga don't satisfy my need for more than six months. i carry them for more than six months and they're in heavy rotation, but not as much as i think my more expensive bags. in the end, i don't think you will regret your expensive black bag purchase. also, you seem to get a ton of use out of your LV speedy (brown), and your Moschino bag (black) so i think basic colors such as black and brown you should invest more than fun/bright colored bags.

sorry for my long-winded post.

twinkle · Coach

i'd save up until buying one of them won't use up your entire budget for a season. then.. obviously, you can't go wrong w/either, but for some reason the alma is screaming 'lilykind' to me more than the muse!

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I vote for getting the Muse now, and the LV in red later as budget allows.

I think the Muse is a totally classic bag. It's fairly simple in design and doesn't have lots of straps/buckles/grommets that could make it look dated. IMO opinion it will last 5 times longer than a Paddington or a Spy.

You seem to really want the Muse, and the Alma will always be there. Don't let the constant LV price hikes trick you into getting a bag that will still be there years to come, while the Muse may not be made in a year.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

wait, i'm confused. would getting one of these bags eat up your clothing budget for a whole year? or just the fall season?

if it's just the season, i'd say go ahead and splurge. shopgirl82 is right, we live in l.a. here, fall just means a half-hearted "should i bring a sweater?," not a dire "can't leave the house without at least three layers of clothes on."

if it's for the whole year, i'd say step away from the bag and keep your credit card where i can see it! just kidding...kinda. seriously, you know i empathize w/ having expensive taste but i'm gonna have to be the voice of responsibility here (forgive me!). if you have to stop shopping for a frickin' year for this bag, i just don't think it's worth it. because a) i don't see it happening. you'll end up buying SOMEthing at SOME point and when you do, it will land you straight in cc debt or add to the debt you already have and b) neither bag is worth that kind of sacrifice. wait until you're older/can afford it. if these bags are as classic as we think, they'll be waiting for you. and even if they cost a little more by that time, oh, well, you'll be in a better financial place by that time.

however, if you do choose to buy one of them, i vote for the red alma. because hey, if you're going to get into cc debt over it, you might as well do it w/ a smoking hot drool worthy bag swinging from your arm.