Vocal Point: Do teens carry self-worth in their handbags?

It’s August, which means local stores have loaded up on back-to-school merchandise.

And, of course, kids also are hunting down this year’s must-have trendy fall clothing and accessories. Such items have been de rigueur for decades.

What has changed is the cost of the “must-haves.”

Once, key items teens coveted (such as a shoe, shirt or accessory) were made for and marketed specifically to them, and carried reasonable or downright cheap price tags. When I grew up in the ‘60s, some popular fashion items were a little spendy (wool Pendleton shirts for guys) but doable for most; some (the Love lipstick necklace) were easily affordable.

These days, many teen girls want to emulate favorite wealthy celebrities who snap up elite designer items with no dent to their wallets. Girls want the exact look they admire in Lindsay or Nicole. And they aren’t content with inexpensive knock-offs from local department stores.

No, they want the real things at astronomical prices for their back-to-school debut.

According to an article in the Aug, 5 Spokesman-Review titled “Teens look to luxury when school shopping,” schoolgirls across America are buying accessories such as $300 Chanel sunglasses, Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Chloe handbags ($900-$1,250), and $200-$300 Tory Burch shoes.

Gads. I can’t imagine blowing that much money on a purse which lands on the floor of my car during sudden stops, or flimsy fluff shoes.

However, the luxury market is growing like kudzu and teens play an increasing part in it. Some work and save to buy these accessories (and so feel the pinch – burgers by the bag takes on new meaning), while others get started down Status Road by parents or gift-givers.

You have to wonder what this says about our values.

Branding specialists, store fashion directors and fashion magazine marketing editors interviewed in the Aug. 5 article approve the trend. Gosh, what a surprise.

Said Bloomingdale’s fashion director, Stephanie Solomon, “The fact that you can wear sunglasses every day and carry the same handbag every day justifies the expense.”

Well. It’s a good thing our country has 365 sunny days a year. And that teens don’t ever get bored with their stuff (“Mom, I need a new handbag!” “What about that $900 Chloe bag you just had to have six months ago?” “Oh, eew, Mom, that is so yesterday; I can’t carry that!”).

Jacqueline Nasser, ELLEgirl fashion market editor, said in the Aug. 5 article teens look to TV shows such as “The O.C.” and “My Super Sweet 16” for fashion cues. “They have been surrounded by celebrities and TV programs where fashion is the central point,” she said. “Handbags are huge. They are definitely a status symbol.” And I thought handbags were an annoying pain in the … oh, well.

Nasser also said accessories are the entry point for teens buying luxury items.

Wow. To “gateway” drugs, add “gateway” accessories to the wannabe life. Ironically, drugs are cheaper.

This isn’t just a major urban center trend. Associates at our Nordstrom and Macy’s assured me that Spokane area girls, influenced by Hollywood celebrities, are also scooping up luxury accessories – glasses, handbags, belts, shoes, watches, etc. One explained that, while expensive clothing items may date quickly, accessories have a longer shelf life (for teens, this is exactly how long?). She did wonder if teens who receive rather than earn them truly appreciate their cost. Both associates echoed comments in the Aug. 5 article that luxury accessories make girls feel good about themselves.

Without being a crank, I feel sad that girls have come so far to regress so badly. Dazzled by the promise held in a handbag, they look up to materialistic, self-absorbed “icons” and value themselves by overpriced status symbols, rather than who they are. I’m sad fashion is still “the central point.”

With opportunity merely dreamt of by previous generations of girls, luxury-demanding teens seem to pursue only earthly stars. Because, when it comes right down to it, you can have it all at the mall.

Take that, mothers of feminism.

To the beneficiaries of hard-won Title IX rights, I guess “coach” now means a megabuck Coach handbag.

And self-esteem means Dooney & Burke.