Why A Burberry Tote Has Caused So Much Drama
Succession watcher or not, there is one moment from the final season that has got almost the entire fashion scene talking and it’s all because of a humble Burberry tote bag. So, how on earth has a £2,000 handbag caused so much discussion and, more importantly, what does the entire conversation (both in the fictional world and real life) say about luxury consumers?
Before jumping into the nitty gritty discourse of wealth, class and snobbery, here’s a brief rundown if you haven’t watched the HBO masterpiece. It’s billionaire entertainment mogul Logan Roy’s (played by Brian Cox) classy birthday do. Greg Hirsch, known as cousin Greg, is Logan Roy’s great-nephew. Greg, understandably, is attending said birthday bash. Greg works for Tom Wambsgans, Logan Roy’s son-in-law. The poor soul at the story's heart is Bridget, cousin Greg’s date at the event. Tom Wambsgans who is obsessed with wealth and is, in general, a snob, proceeds to make some very harsh comments about the handbag Bridget has bought along with her. He complains about the not-exactly-cheap item calling it “ludicrously capacious” continuing to say “What’s even in there? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? It’s gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job”.
Succession/HBO
First and foremost, it’s generally in bad taste to even make such remarks at such an event, especially towards someone you hardly know, but that’s beside the point. The Roy family and those that cling around them are plagued with the hideous trait of elitism. They truly see themselves as above others. Hence why Tom thinks it perfectly acceptable or even fair to make such sweeping comments. To the average person (aka, anyone not a billionaire) the £2,000 Burberry tote on Bridget’s arm is just that. A handbag. Nothing more, nothing less. However, to Tom, it is a clear indication of her being below them in status and prosperity.
Tom’s greatest verbal disgust at the piece is against the size of the bag. It is certainly medium-large, but it also isn’t a duffle or suitcase! Nevertheless, it signifies everything Bridget does not yet possess. Bridget comes from a world where yes, she probably does carry flat shoes for wearing on the subway because she can’t afford to Uber daily. And, yes, perhaps she does have some food from home packed away in there because buying out every day quickly adds up. The Roy family on the other hand will never take the subway to commute and will always pick up a gourmet meal outside the home. Bridget struggles. The Roy’s float. If Bridget were instead carrying a mini Jacquemus (or something of that ilk), Tom would certainly have less to complain about.
There is also the oft-discussed aspect of ‘quiet luxury’. The notion that the ultra-wealthy and those of old money do not worry themselves with logos and noticeable luxury branding. After all, one should just be able to notice that a coat is £10k and made of the finest materials without relying on a logo because if you know, then you know. This is undeniably something that members of the Roy family would align themselves with. Bridget, however, has chosen a handbag in the classic, world-famous, Burberry tartan print. Everyone knows where the bag is from and, in the eyes of some, it indicates that perhaps Bridget wants you to know.
Fashion can say all that needs to be said about a person, their position and their feelings before they’ve even said a word. The costume department superbly chose a handbag to do all the talking for Bridget, and sadly, make Tom say a lot too!
