It’s not snobbery, it’s the way it makes you feel

FOR many women there’s nothing quite like the feeling of strolling through town on a Saturday with a Brown Thomas shopping bag hanging from their shoulder.

Some may think this is snobbery but believe me it’s not. It’s all about image and the way it makes you feel.

There’s a reason Irish people spend millions of hard-earned euro in Brown Thomas every year — brands make people very happy.

Most women will never be able to afford the WAG lifestyle enjoyed by the likes of Posh Spice and Wayne Rooney’s girl, Colleen, but there’s no harm in dreaming.

The fact that Irish people are the most brand conscious in Europe is highlighted by the success of stores such as BT, where people are happy to pay crazy prices for the latest designer gear.

People travel in droves every year to New York to pick up as much five- season old Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hillfiger stock as they can. New York is a place where designer gear can be bought for a fraction of the price it sells for here.

It’s not that we want people to see that we have Ralph or Tommy on, it’s the feeling you get when you’re wearing it — it just feels special.

Penneys, the bargain- hunters’ paradise, is one of the most popular clothes stores in the country. It’s a place where a summer’s wardrobe can be bought for less than €100.

I have been a dedicated Penneys girl all my life but on my 21st birthday, I decided to treat myself and bought my first Burberry bag in BT.

At the time, Burberry was the must-have designer product for in-the-know fashionistas.

I had looked and longed after these bags for as long as I can remember and I can honestly say it was a great feeling when I paid more than €200 for one. Four years on and I don’t know where the bag is but it hasn’t quenched my thirst for the latest brands. And I’m sure many others, although they may not admit it, feel the same.