Questions from Paris: Are Designer Key Chains Okay?

the $400 key chain.jpg
Weâ€™ve just arrived in Paris, and naturally our thoughts have turned immediately to ChloÃ©… and baguettes and wine, fine, but mostly ChloÃ©.

While visions of Paddington bags dance in our head, we must face the harsh reality of the miserable exchange rate and the potential economic devastation of $2,000 purses.

More in our price range: key chains.

For F/W ChloÃ© has an amazing gold camera charm keychain, which costs about $400. As we gazed upon the mesmerizing cuteness, we wondered:

Is it worth paying almost the cost of your rent for a tiny ring for your apartment keys?

Weâ€™ve talked about designer sunglasses before, but the high-end key chain might just be the most obvious example of how much people will pay to participate in the magical allure of a designer logo.

But at least this ChloÃ© â€œpouchâ€? from last season is on sale for $200.

Its tiny size is perfect, especially since you’ll have nothing else left when leaving the ChloÃ© boutique in Paris!

—ALISON COOL

posted by guest

Jul 23, 2007 4:35PM

I'd consider it a waste of money, personally, but I'm not a big fan of small designer accessories like keyrings, wallets, etc. I think they're overpriced in relation to their value. For example, do 5 Chloe keychains = 1 Chloe bag? Hardly.

posted by i don't just like you. I like you, like you.

Jul 23, 2007 4:41PM

do NOT buy that key chain.

Jul 23, 2007 4:50PM

where do u live that your rent is $400

Jul 23, 2007 4:51PM

who the hell pays $400 for Rent???

posted by e

Jul 23, 2007 4:54PM

At a time when most people in the world aren't even making that much per year, doesn't it seem absurd and spoiled to spend it on a freakin' key chain?

posted by Kyle

Jul 23, 2007 5:00PM

Instead of buying that, consider this: take out, say, $200, in $5 bills. Put them in envelopes, and hand them out to people on the street that you see.

You (and others) will get more joy out of that than a piece of leather and a label can provide any day...

Jul 23, 2007 5:12PM

mainstream brands like juicy and coach and ralph lauren and lacoste etc make $50+ keychains that no one can afford either

posted by ll

Jul 23, 2007 5:59PM

this is like a silly case of wanting to have something designer just because its designer.
besides, if you are really in need of a designer key chain, there are always cute ones at marc by marc stores for like $10.

posted by Summer

Jul 23, 2007 6:42PM

Seriously, I was just going to add the "who pays $400 for rent?" question myself! A car payment maybe, but rent? HA!

Jul 23, 2007 7:22PM

I paid $400 a month for rent in Charles Village, Baltimore.

posted by HeatherChandler

Jul 23, 2007 9:16PM

Really, what's the point of paying that much for a key chain? The only time it can really impress is when you bring back that special someone to your abode. But if you already suckered them to your place, then the flaunting of a $400 key ring is really just over kill.