Who says I can't make it Modern Manners-ish Friday to make up for it today?
My dear friend, Tiffany In Houston, posted this question on Twitter last afternoon and it begs me to wonder what you think about it?
"Should an intern at a prominent law firm carry a Birkin bag to work?"
Won't you weigh in? This should be fun!
Yes. But she may face office issues from people who are focused on her handbag and not her contribution to the team. People can be petty. But you also have to manager your expectations.
ReplyDeleteMy question... is this more about women? Because I don't think men care about your handbag! Lol
I remember the rule of "dressing for the job you want, not the one you have." So, why not? Seems the person in question may just have a case of Birkin jealousy.
ReplyDeleteIf she can afford it....YES!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with Haute Travels, carrying such an expensive bag has the possibility of having women continue to focus on the bag instead of the intern's value to the team.
What does her purse choice have to do with her job obligations? lol I say carry the hell outta it!
ReplyDeleteWow, go her, can I have some of her disposable income?? LOL. Wear it and flaunt it, girl!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was an intern I was VERY careful about the image I projected. I never wanted to "show up" any of my supervisors in fear of making them uncomfortable. Also, I wanted the quality of my work to be how people remembered me.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I don't own a Birkin BUT I seriously do set a tiny bit of cash aside every pay check in what I call the - If I Get Married or Buy a Birkin, Whatever Comes First Fund :)
Not if she reports to a woman! Women can be EXTREMELY PETTY! I worked for a female CFO and she would give me the once-over, itemizing me from head-to-toe and would say, "Exactly how much are we paying you?" And she would try to laugh it off. But comments like that cause you to feel like that image of you may be in her head when the time comes for raise and review.
ReplyDeleteI am SO very clear that that the real issue is less about the intern's ability to perform than it is Birkin jealousy. If the intern, however, is clear that she might receive some not-so-well disguised backlash and is prepared to deal, she has the right to wear whatever she pleases--no matter how fabulous--as long as it is in keeping with the guidlelines of her work environment. Haters, go home!
ReplyDeleteIntern carries a Birkin copy? Most BIRKIN LOVERS CAN SPOT A FAKE...so let it be,everyone should be able to dream.
ReplyDeletei'll answer that question with another question: did said intern have a posh job in a previous life, or just posh benefactors/spouse/etc.? if she earned it, go for it. if not, it sends a message that she's used to being handed nice things in life, whether or not it's the truth.
ReplyDeleteThis question was also posted on Corporette. The intern in question was in Singapore. In the US, if you are a college kid interning, I'd say no. It's not just the cost of the bag. The Birkin brand is all about being a fashionista who cares about exclusivitiy - I don't think it's appropriate for an intern at a US law firm. In Singapore, different story. There the carry a branded bag thing sends different signals.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in terms of doing what you want, is THIS where you want to fight your personal battles? For a Birkin? There are a lot of other battles in the work world I'd rather spend my time on.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It could have been a fab graduation present. Anybody that has issues with it, it has less to do with the intern and more to do with them personally.
ReplyDeleteIntern should just make sure her financial portfolio can support whatever choices she makes.
So many Birkins are fakes that I would doubt that the intern's bag was real. Certainly, there are young women who might be able to afford a $6,000+ handbag but not many.
ReplyDeleteLet's say the bag is a fake. Just for the record, I abhor fake anything. I won't even let my sweaters be sold at shows in conjunction with other retailers/designers who sell knock-off designs. As a designer, I'm offended by people who rip-off someone else's intellectual property. What it tells me about the intern is that she is probably a phony and a poseur.
If by chance she does have an authentic Hermes, and one can tell, more power to her! However, I agree with LPC that this might not be the battle she wants to funnel her energy into.
The rest of the office just needs to get back to work.
Handbag Drama. What a waste of time.
If I had one I would. For all we know someone gave it to her. So I say "Yes, sport the bag and sport it well".
ReplyDeleteIf they have the funds, yes. Why not?
ReplyDeleteI say no. If you carry a Birkin at that age, you must have a secret money source and thus not need a raise. Look nice but poor so people will feel sorry for you and want to give you free gifts and more salary - that's my advice to interns everywhere. Also, god forbid it make someone think her rich (married) lover gave it to her - quel scandale!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't hit them in the head with a 10k bag. I would wear a simple 1k Louis. You never want to come off as a "show off". And yes, being an intern and rockin a Birkin is showing off.
ReplyDeleteWhy is her handbag anyone's business? It could be a generous gift from well-off grandparents for graduating college, or given to her by her mother, etc.
ReplyDeleteI say she should wear it if she wants to wear it - if they want to spend time trying to size up the hows and whys, let them.
Absolutely without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteI saw it all the time at my old firm. Nobody really cares. Honestly ;)
ReplyDeleteBusiness etiquette says you should never outshine your superiors. Everyone is correct in that if you have it use it, or it is none of anyone’s business where it came from or how much you spend on your handbag, but, one would think she would want to be remembered for her work ethic not, her great taste in handbags. As Erica B said women are Petty, People/Women will judge you. It would be foolish to think it would go unnoticed.
ReplyDeleteI think the bag stays home...IF she wants a promotion, a raise in salary, and compassion on any level.
ReplyDeleteOne part of me says if I owned a Birkin I'd carry the hell out of it! But since there are always lots and lots of politics at the office so I'd tread lightly. I had an Gucci bag that I rec'd as a gift and the first time I carried it to the office my boss said, "guess you don't need that raise after all". And my boss at the time was a MAN! All of a sudden I had to explain that it was a gift (he may or may not have believed me) and I leave my expensive bags (the few that I have) for when I'm off the work clock instead. Yes, you SHOULD be able to rock your bags, shoes etc as you please but life isn't fair and these things DO weigh in on raise decisions. Perhaps the girl carrying a Birkin bag doesn't need to worry about such matters but most of us do!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be unwise, actually, even if the bag were a gift or an inheritance, or the result of a well-managed portfolio, particularly if the intern is working in the financial industry. She might be inadvertently giving off one of two signals: either that she has never really wanted for money and therefore does not understand its value; or that she has extravagant, frivolous taste and does not know how to manage money well--or perhaps should not even be trusted around money. Those preconceived notions could very well be wrong, but the impression is what counts.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, having to conceal reasonable acquisitions (like a new car or house) strikes me as deeply unfair and unreasonable. I'd certainly be pleased to find my housekeeper had been able to save up and buy a house. I'd hope to be invited to the housewarming party! However, rightly or wrongly, the American Dream just doesn't tend to admit Birkin bags, especially in this economy.
Why not? Men would probably be clueless to what a Birkin is and women might just think it's fake. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say YES! If she can afford it or not, really isn't the issue. It's hers! However, people tend to have petty ways and this also goes for the people in her office. She might get a couple of smirks from the women...but who cares? I personally, wouldn't carry a Birkin everywhere...they are limits, a purse like that isn't really suitable everything.
ReplyDeleteWhy not if she can afford it.
ReplyDelete