Are Sunglasses Are the New Handbag?

There is literally no limit to the price you can pay for a handbag. From Chinese-made-Walmart glory to hand-made-alligator-skin-Hermes evil, quality and price couldn’t be different. Sunglasses also have a range just like this, although I haven’t seen alligator skin frames (fingers crossed). But can sunglasses replace the handbag as the “it” luxury item for brand-obsessed shoppers? As though my opinion was not enough, the New York Times writes in a recent article that this may already have happened.

One of the arguments is that people have too many bags, and they have become less of a luxury item. Your own bag can be seen all over town, even if you spent a lot of money on it. That is not the case with sunglasses, yet. The average price for top of the line designer sunglasses, according to the article, has gone up to $350 from $250 in just a short time. This is not the ceiling, by any means, as Ksubi and Chrome Hearts sunglasses can get up to and over $1000 for a pair.

I can see some points to their argument. For one, a pair of high-end sunglasses is much cheaper than a high-end bag. Also, what is the first thing you gravitate towards when you look at someone on the street? Their face (give or take). Being able to showcase that you can afford $400 for a pair of sunglasses does show your status too. Do you see your sunglasses replacing your bag as your number one fashion item?

Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Source: New York Times