| The online world is full of fashionable bags and shoes. | | | | imploded, taking down with it many things that were |
| And the price! Oh, my, it's enough to drive you crazy. | | | | being taken for granted. Millions are losing their jobs |
| So, let us take a look at why it's top fashion to carry | | | | and thousands are witnessing their retirements shrink |
| the right bags. | | | | to the size of a shriveled up prune. Terms such as |
| In the past, most women (read red carpet celebs) | | | | budget fashionistas are becoming the accepted norm. |
| showed off their toned, svelte bodies that were neatly | | | | So, where does that leave the concept of fashion |
| tucked into expensive dresses. Everything else - | | | | bags and designer wear? Pretty much in the lurch, as |
| shoes, jewelry and handbags - were mere | | | | is witnessed by the booming market for the more |
| accessories that did not deserve more than a passing | | | | affordable replica handbags and accessories. |
| glance. But, all that was before expensive shoes, bags | | | | People love fashion. They always will. But, for many, |
| and accessories became high-end luxury items. These | | | | spending $1,800 on a bag or $2,000 on a perfume is |
| days, these seemingly trivial items have become | | | | offensive. Actually, most people no longer have that |
| important enough to become fashion statements in | | | | kind of spare cash. So, even a well designed bag from |
| their own might. So, if you're wearing the wrong brand | | | | a popular brand like LV or Gucci languish on sales |
| of shoes or carrying anything other than the latest IT | | | | desks with no takers. Mind you, people would still be |
| bag, you'll be stamped as being a cheap-o! The time of | | | | grabbing the replicas of these designs, which just goes |
| fashionable accessories had truly arrived. | | | | to show that they still love the clean lines, cut, color and |
| Everyone knows that high-end logo brands are | | | | style quotient of the bag. In fact, they love just about |
| created and designed with celebrities in mind. That is | | | | everything except the cost. If they have to forego the |
| why they are insanely expensive. $3,000 for a mere | | | | original so they can afford an equally well made replica, |
| bag may sound ludicrous, unless you move in a society | | | | then, for most people, this seems to be the most |
| where everyone is vying to purchase bags or shoes | | | | logical option. |
| that cost even more. At that level, bags such as these | | | | Fashion can never be peeled away from accessories: |
| are fashion statements. They are must-haves, and | | | | the bags, shoes and jewelry you carry have a definite |
| scrimping on these is simply not done, 'dah-lings'! | | | | impact on your appearance. So, people who need to |
| But, one must remember that the climate for big brand, | | | | look good or desire to be appreciated for their looks |
| high end fashion bags has just undergone a huge | | | | have to keep swimming with the tide. However, that's |
| change, as has the demand for anything that does not | | | | not to say that they can't cut costs and go for |
| justify its cost. It was all hunky dory till the economic | | | | alternatives that work out in the long term. |
| downturn set in. Since then, the world economy has | | | | |