Guardian: Since when did it become acceptable to pay £500 for a handbag? This is now the going rate for a must-have bag, I am told by my younger colleagues. That is way over the top for me. I recently demurred at paying £35 for one from a market near work. Surely this rampant consumerism will not survive the credit crunch? I can’t imagine anyone is going to be paying hundreds of pounds for accessories when they are worried about losing their job. But I’m worried that we now know nothing …