Your Guide to The Status Handbag

The Dior handbag that started my addiction in 2007

There's something magical about a new luxury handbag--I'm talking about the moment you walk it out of the store, all bundled up and carefully packaged like a precious little newborn going home from the hospital. Then, there's that other magical moment, when you wear it in public for the very first time--akin to stepping out on the red carpet with the hot celebrity all your friends are fantasizing about.

Appropriately termed "Status Handbags," they've become an indispensable part of our wardrobes. If you're an American female, regardless of tax bracket, age or ethnic group, chances are you've got your eye on a favorite designer handbag that you're saving up to buy. With that in mind, let's own up to our 21st Century obsession with purses and consider the three main types available out there--the Holy Trinity of Arm Candy, if you will):

My first of several LVs --  a 2011 buy

The Entry Level Status Bag--  These have traditionally been the more affordable American labels, such as Dooney & Bourke or Coach. Prior to their mass-market takeover, it was Kate Spade--who probably started it all. More recently, a Michael Kors craze has swept the country (justifiably so--his designs are super hot). In the course of her adult life, the average American woman will have accumulated several of these. Over time, some will hang on to these popular, durable brands for life and keep adding to their collection. Others will move on to the next level of addiction.

The Thousand Dollar Threshold Bag is (you guessed it) the next level. Think Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Dior--just to name a few. The starting retail price of these beautifully crafted babies ranges between $1,000 and $5,000 USD, although some iconic labels (like Chanel or Valentino) can easily start around up to ten grand. Despite the wide range, I call them Thousand Dollar Threshold bags because, let's face it, after the first time a woman spends that much on a handbag she rarely ever reverts to Entry Level. Perhaps you bought your first $1,000+ bag as reward-to-self for getting a big raise, or maybe a spouse caved in and got you one for your birthday...and since then you have never, ever looked back. In fact, you're planning your domestic budget around however many luxury designer bags you are scheming to purchase in the next year.

The Rich Bitch Handbag is the holiest tier in the Status Bag hierarchy, and most of us mortal women will rarely ever cross paths with anyone wearing an authentic one, let alone own one ourselves.  I'm talking about the ever-elusive Hermes Birkin bags and other equally exotic and prohibitively expensive arm candy, for which there are year-long waiting lists (and countless movie stars, rap mogul girlfriends, and European royalty already in line ahead of you).

In case you haven't guessed already, I'm a Thousand Dollar Threshold Handbag kind of gal. I got hooked living in Washington DC during a time when Chloe, Dior, Prada and Marc Jacobs bags were accessories de rigueur. I now live in El Paso, TX--and around these parts, only Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci seem to make the most wanted cut. The top coveted styles prominently feature highly visible logos--because that's just how we roll in Texas. As such, I'm working to blend in with the local style habitat like any good fashion chameleon would; and so far I am a few LVs and Burberries deep into that effort.

But in all truth this is nothing to be alarmed about--handbags have been my #1 fashion addiction for years and to this date I haven't even come close to overdosing, although my bank account has at times needed life support. What's your fashion addiction?

My first Prada, a 2009 acquisition. By this time, my addiction was raging and I was getting several bags per year

Pictured above, from top:

DIOR: "My Dior" Handbag 2007 - No longer available in stores but you can find it on specialty luxury broker sites such as this: www.luxuryexchange.com

LOUIS VUITTON: LV Galliera PM, with added Monogram clip charm, currently available in LV stores. Find it at: Luis Vuitton USA - Galliera PM Monogram Canvas

PRADA: Nappa Black Leather Bow Tie Bag 2009 - No longer available in stores but you can find it here:  www.strictlypursonal.com