Bethenny Frankel has declared she’s had enough of overpriced, luxury designer handbags – and is ‘tired’ of the ‘positive status symbol’ of them.
The 53-year-old shared his thoughts in a TikTok video published in late February, which has since reached over 518,000 views.
Over the past few years, the former Real Housewives of New York star has become a bit of a social media guru, sharing all her fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips with viewers.
In this clip, the Skinnygirl mogul opened up about how tired she is of the designer handbag market right now.
Bethenny Frankel has declared that she is no longer in her designer, luxury handbag ‘era’ in a new video posted to TikTok
Frankel has often displayed her selection of luxury handbags on her social media accounts from brands such as Chanel and Hermès, many of which are worth thousands of dollars each.
“I think my luxury handbag era is coming to an end, I’ll tell you why,” Frankel announced at the beginning of the clip.
‘I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but today when I went to a store in Canada, Winners, which is like a TJ/Marshalls, I saw these bags that are made of the same quality leather as really expensive bags, ‘ she continued.
Frankel then showed off an array of purses she had purchased at Winners during her trip, which included a large woven black bag that cost only $99 and an adorable heart-shaped studded red leather crossbody.
She also showed off a few more of her bag purchases from Winners, such as a simple black leather bag that cost only $50 with ‘lots of pockets’.
The BStrong founder even raved about another woven crossbody leather bag that came with a $99 pouch and a raised, oversized carry-on suitcase she picked up at the department store.
“If it was a brand, it would cost $3,000 and it’s such high quality — even the details and the hardware,” she said as she showed viewers the case and all its features.
“And I’m good at things,” she continued.
Frankel explained that she had ‘more handbags’ than she cared to admit and wanted to end her ‘handbag era of status symbol bulls**t.’
In the video, Frankel explained that she picked up some great-looking bags while shopping at Canadian store Winners, which this black weave under $100
Frankel raved about a black leather handbag she bought for $50, as well as a heart-shaped studded bag
“If it was a brand, it would cost $3,000 and it’s such high quality, like the details and the hardware,” she said as she showed viewers the suitcase
In the past, Frankel has not shied away from showing viewers her luxury purchases and what she thinks about them
“I have a lot of serious bags, and I know the quality and the hardware and the weight, and I’ve reviewed $6,000 bags that aren’t as nice as that bag,” she maintained.
And it’s true—in the past, Frankel has shared numerous reviews and sneak peeks of her luxury handbag purchases, including one special order Birkin from Hermès in December and a review last summer of the Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag that is over $4,000.
Frankel has also been photographed wearing her expensive bags in photos on Instagram and when she shows off today’s outfits on TikTok.
In the video, she then panned the camera back to the $99 woven crossbody bag that came with a bag, telling viewers it was nicer than one she bought from cult-favorite brand Bottega Veneta, which also makes woven bags.
‘It gets to a point where you’re so confident that you don’t have anything to prove with status symbols and logos and yes, I have some investment pieces that yes, of course you’ll see me wear, I’m not going to throw them in the trash,” she said.
“I’m just saying it’s not necessary so don’t feel bad if you can’t afford it because it’s hardware and marketing that it is what it is, it’s small print and marketing,” thought The Big Shot With Bethenny star. .
She maintained that the quality of these designer bags ‘wasn’t better’ either.
There was a caveat though.
Frankel told her viewers not to worry about spending their money on expensive handbags
“I’m just saying it’s not necessary so don’t feel bad if you can’t afford it because it’s hardware and marketing that it is what it is, it’s small print and marketing,” mused she.
“I have a lot of serious bags and I know the quality and the hardware and the weight and I’ve reviewed $6,000 bags that aren’t as nice as that bag,” she maintained of the luggage she bought at Winners
In the comments section of her video, many users seemed to agree with her sentiments about buying designer handbags these days
“Length is mostly no better,” she concluded.
In the comments section, many users seemed to agree with her sentiments about luxury handbags these days.
‘Luxury bags take a bit of a backseat. It doesn’t matter the cost. Just find a good leather, trendy, classic bag. Same as clothes,’ one person wrote.
Another agreed: ‘There are dupes for everything. You can look expensive on a budget. But sometimes you like something else that happens to be a non-designer, and that’s fine. My things are beautiful to me.’
‘You couldn’t be more right! I refuse to pay extra for a stupid logo to lug around as a company’s personal billboard. Give me good lasting quality,’ wrote another.
One TikTok user admitted, ‘Oh my god, couldn’t have read this at a better time. I totally looked at bags I can’t even afford’.