Maybe you want to drive a Bentley Continental like Britney Spears. Or perhaps you envy Ashlee Simpson’s Fendi bag. The celebrity lifestyle looks attractive, but the price tag makes it impossible for most of us to attain.
Fans of exotic car clubs have long understood that ownership isn’t the only way to make your celebrity lifestyle dreams come true. You can drive a Bentley Continental without shelling out more than $200,000 to buy an exotic car. Rental of exotic sports cars, along with car sharing clubs and automotive dream tours, offer an attractive alternative to ownership.
And when it comes to carrying the latest couture bag, similar options exist. Bag Borrow or Steal, which featured some very clever product placement in the “Sex and the City” movie, is now expanding its wares to include jewelry, clothing, and sunglasses. The new expanded business will be called Avelle.
Don’t worry they’ll still be able to hook you up with handbags like the 42k Louis Vitton. Image licensed under Creative Commons attribution only and courtesy of San Francisco photographer Brandon Baunach. See more of Brandon’s photos in his Flickr photostream.
The reasons to join Bag Borrow or Steal are similar to the reasons many people join exotic car clubs. Rented celebrity style has many big advantages:
- You really can live the celebrity lifestyle. You don’t need to emulate your favorite celebrity by carrying an obvious knock-off bag or trying to pretend your Buick is a BMW. You can experience the real thing instead.
- Exotic car rental and handbag clubs like Bag Borrow or Steal are the ultimate choice for those of us who might be just a little shy of commitment. After all, an exotic car is a major purchase, and couture handbags run well into the thousands of dollars. That’s just a waste of money if you know you might change your mind at some point.
- Both ownership alternatives help you make peace with your spouse. Is your husband tired of seeing expensive handbags piled up in your closet? Borrow instead. Is your wife a little less than supportive of your dream to buy and drive a Ferrari? Rental will help set her mind at rest.
We all want a little luxury sometimes; it’s perfectly natural. But if the success of exotic car clubs and Bag Borrow or Steal are any indication, consumers are starting to realize that owning luxury isn’t the only way to enjoy it!
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.
