I think we are going to have a midrange renaissance

I waste ample amounts of time on TikTok, and one thing I have noticed in the handbag community, aside from the “Wirkin” and Coach resurgence, is that a lot of midrange bags are coming back. Dooney and Bourke, Longchamp, Polene, APC, Strathberry, and even Michael Kors have been showing up on my “for you page”. I also see a lot of posts about brands that make “birkin like” bags, like a store in Disney’s Epcot that makes Italian handbags that appear to be Birkin inspired.

I think the “Wirkin” opened up a conversation about quality and luxury, and a lot of people are seeking quality and luxury at a lower price point. The “wirkin” also reflected people’s dissatisfaction with the “upper class” of society for creating fashion good standards that are unattainable for most.

I also think the economic and social uncertainty are causing people to want to save more, and treat themselves to bags that are in the midrange price point. Midrange prices ($150-1000) are still a stretch for most people, but not as much of a blow as a $3,000+ handbag.

I have seen a lot of complaints about how the quality of luxury goods has gone down. Chanel is the most famous example, where I have seen a lot of people complain online that the quality of Chanel has declined but the price continues to increase. Most midrange bags don’t seem to have lifetime of heavy duty use quality, but I feel like many of them can last a very long time.

I own a variety of bargain, midrange, and luxury bags.

Edit: also a lot of midrange bags go on sale while most luxury brands don’t go on sale. Usually it’s not the most popular or classic styles/ colors, but they still often have the more unique styles/ colors go on sale.