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Update: We still stand by this advice that if you’re an intern with a $9000 handbag, it may be a bit too much — but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion of dressing better than your boss by carrying a “higher” label of a designer bag…and we’ve also rounded up the best luxury work bags!
We got an interesting e-mail from reader N:
I am an intern at the equivalent of a BigLaw firm in Singapore. I have a Birkin bag (a small one, 30cm) and am wondering if it is appropriate for me to take it to the office. I’ve heard two conflicting opinions: (1) you should dress what you would like to be, ie, if you want to be a partner one day, dress as such; and (2) dress appropriate to your level in the firm.
We have MANY different opinions on this issue, actually, so we’re going to try to put them in cohesive format.
First: No matter what reader N decides to do, we beg of you — please do not walk around the hall with your handbag unless you are entering or exiting the building. We have seen women do this carrying multi-thousand dollar bags, and we have seen women do this carrying $50 bags, and it is never a good look. If security is a concern in your office, lock it in your office drawer while you move about the halls.
In general, we don’t have a problem with dressing for the job you want to have — or even with carrying an expensive purse. But here, where the Birkin bag is known for being an exclusive, highly sought after bag (complete with an only recently debunked “waiting list” myth) that costs more than some cars — and where it has been popularized more by socialites than businesswomen — we’re just a bit hesitant. The fact that you have one of the smaller ones, which will not fit work papers inside it, doesn’t help matters.
(We’ve heard the $9,000 figure quoted, but in all honesty we don’t personally know how much they cost, and the Hermes website does not report the fact. You can find them on resale sites like What Goes Around Comes Around, though, and yes, they can be pricy!)
Now, some people will not even recognize a real Birkin bag, in which case it won’t be an issue. For those around you who do know what a Birkin bag is, though, our main hesitation towards carrying a Birkin bag at a young age is that it conveys something about you that isn’t necessarily a good thing: you’re rich.
Or perhaps your parents are rich, or your fiancé. Still: you’re not working for the money. (Certain engagement rings can convey something similar.*)
So what does that mean?
Being rich can be a good thing for some employers, who may reason that your love of the work is what keeps you coming in to work every day. It may also be a positive for employers who see you — and your wealthy connections — as a powerful tool towards getting new business.
On the other hand, other employers may worry that you’re biding your time — until the trust fund kicks in, until you get pregnant, or, you know, until your sex tape leaks and you get your own reality show.
You may find you have to work even harder to get the respect that you deserve.
You might also find that your personality, your wardrobe, your attitude, and everything else about you will be under extra scrutiny as people try to reconcile their first impression of you (rich girl, maybe a materialistic girl) with whatever else your work product says about you.
Even with all that said, though, we are drooling over the pictures of the “blue jean” leather Birkin 30 displayed on the excellent site, PurseBlog (originally pictured above) — it is a gorgeous purse. You might just wait to carry it until you’ve earned enough paychecks there to afford it on your salary.
Readers, what are your thoughts? What would you think about an intern who carried a Birkin?
*For some reason, while both a fancy handbag and a large engagement ring can send vibes of “I’m rich, materialistic, and show-offy,” we’ve never really gotten those vibes from a good watch — particularly one lacking bling.
Our Latest Favorite Luxury Work Bags
As of 2024, some of our latest favorite luxury work bags (large enough to hold papers and a laptop!) include Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Saint Laurent, Kaai, and Demellier. Of course, note that a lot of our readers who are in big jobs note that they love their (more affordable) Lo & Sons bags, as well as their Tumi.
Our Latest Favorite Work Totes for Women
Some of these are very affordable!
Some of the best work bags for women as of 2024 include great totes from Cuyana (with a zipper), Tumi, Tory Burch (lightweight, a laptop tote), Lo & Sons, and Madewell (north/south). Also try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags! If you’re looking for a budget tote (or one in a specific color) check this Amazon seller (22K+ good reviews) or this Amazon seller (60K+ good reviews).
(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here’s our latest roundup…)
Updated images via Deposit Photos / ChinaImages.
Louise
I’m a lawyer practising in one of the largests law firms in Singapore’s neighbouring country. Whilst we don’t earn as much as our Singaporean peers, we do have our share of bringing luxury goods to work. Generally, interns, pupils-in-chamber and junior associates should not carry a $9k bag simply because they have yet to earn that much to actually purchase one.
Should the intern wish to bring an expensive bag to work, it gives out the wrong vibe: (1) I’m from an affluent family, and being an intern is merely to comply with my university’s requirement; (2) I’m from an influential family, so you’d better treat me good; and (3) I have connections. That’s just how it is in SE Asia.
A vast majority of Singaporean girls are materialistic, no doubt about it. You do see girls parading their LV, Chanel, Balenciaga and Miu Miu on Orchard Road in Singapore. But that’s off-work. At work, just stick to a well-made structured bag. Only after admittance to the bar as a qualified lawyer and about 3 years of practising that reader N should carry some kinda expensive bag to work – to show that she has EARNED it.
Reader N, it’s just not the time yet to flaunt the Birkin.
Ms.Dr.Juris
If a person can positively identify a Birkin bag (which I didn’t even know existed before this blog posting), then they are probably materialistic and will only judge you because they are jealous or extremely judgmental. Regardless of what you do, those people WILL judge you, and will judge you the same if you bring a cheapo purse to work (because it’s apparently not good enough).
Who the heck cares?
Miss D.
I say use the bag, they sure are nice and look very clean and classic. Keep your other attire average to your level though since you are an intern.
If anyone is nosy asks how you can afford such a thing, you can always play it down as a graduation gift from grandma or some such.
planecrazyjosie
I was going to mention the counterfeit market in Asia, so you can’t even tell a real from a fake many times; have been to Korea and the fake Coach bags rivalled the real thing. There are some really bad reproductions though and I would not want to explain my bag being real.
As for the OP, I hate to be judgmental but I would also think “daddy’s girl” with regard to a handbag on an intern that costs as much as six months’ rent for my luxury apartment. She could have a fabulous work ethic in reality but someone who looks like they are chasing money/waiting to marry money/obsessed with status symbols will have many negative hurdles to climb. I mean every Kardashian woman has one….and none of them have real jobs. That says it all.
I say put the Birkin away for now, and carry a classic (leather, not the ones covered with Cs) Coach. My preference is my leather Kate Spade with the (small) logo stamped in the leather as I prefer subtle but well made. You can enjoy your Birkin, but for work go for subtle and tasteful.
Now shoes are another story…I have my Louboutin Fund (not necessarily for Loubies) because the better made shoes = less foot pain in the long run. However, I have been working for 23 years, have a pension on top of salary, and maybe there is a difference in perception.
tiffany silver bangle
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Paul Davis
The BBC is arrogant and has wasted money, it is unable to afford F1 because having overspent on grandiose schemes there’s no money in the bank. Can we reverse this fact of life? No. If the Contract has been signed we can’t reverse that either – no doubt there are massive penalty clauses.
AreYouKidding
First, who is paying attention to (and judging) purses when they should be focusing on someone’s talents and abilities? Especially an intern. They are there to learn and network. If someone is judging them based on their PURSE that person has a lot of growing up to do…both personally & professionally.
Second, It’s about time women stop being so mean to each other. What’s wrong with looking at someone and saying, “Nice bag”? Why must there be assumptions suggested? What kind of message are we really sending? What’s so wrong if someone saved and saved for something? Or their parents bought it? Who cares?!
To the one that asked the question… If you are uncomfortable enough to ask about it, that’s your answer. But know, unfortunately you will be judged… Always. People are just envious. It’s your job to develop thick skin and keep on going.
Interesting Debate
I think that the asker tapped into something that is a lot deeper than it appears. It isn’t the 9k handbag, but the attitude that tends to correlate with its owner.
When I was an (over-achieving) undergraduate I landed the top internship at Texas governor’s office. There the dress code was very formal, but I was an unpaid intern whose rent for three years was equal to one Birkin. I did the best that I could with outlet shopping and sales to fit the dress code, but it was certainly lacking. I was brought in on numerous occasions for “a little talk” about my dressing. Meanwhile one of the other interns (sorority girl) came in dressed better than any senior woman on staff (um.. I think there was just one). She had multiple luxury handbags that she rotated, with also rotation of designer silk scarves tied to the handle.
What do you think happened?
Well, in the end I don’t think it really mattered for either of us. We both got assigned to somebody. I was assigned to a completely sexist jerk (who made me spend three days copying the phone book by hand). I was fortunately re-assigned to the one woman staffer (who was kinder but not much more capable). After some time people figured out that I was bright and I got to do some pretty important things (draft legislative proposal for education policy, write talking points for Perry (insert joke here ;)). Luxury Chick? Well, she flirted with everyone and wasn’t taken seriously.
It bothered me to some extent that people like Luxury Girl and Monica Lewinksy (and stupid, powerful men) were the reason the senior staff had to waste so much damn time in Sexual Harassment Clinics. Looking back, I realize that I was considerably more attractive than Luxury Girl who was considerably more attractive than ML. I tried so darn hard to be taken seriously. I looked like a lingerie model physically, and didn’t want anyone to notice since it only made things hard for me. But there were two or three people who did take me seriously eventually. There was no one who took Luxury Girl seriously. I would say it wasn’t the bag, but that the cliches that went along with the bag seemed sadly true in her case.
So what is the bottom line? Clothing isn’t everything, you will be judged no matter what. It might not be right, but it just is. So why make things harder for yourself? I wasn’t looking for a rich husband. If I could afford it, I would have dressed better. But I wouldn’t have been flashy with my purse etc or worn very revealing clothing. I just accept the fact that people are generally shallow (particularly at that office) and carry myself as the person I want to come across as. It is sad, you could dress like Paris Hilton and be a serious, hard working, genius. But why make things harder for yourself than they already are (as woman)?