It seems the new trend around here is Tumi's... which are serious $$$ compared to Zucas. I actually do think after a point the bags become more of a status symbol than a functional item... as an adult, personally I don't mind spending a little extra money on a bag that suits my needs (keep in mind I am referring to the $120 spent on my zuca over spending $40 on a backpack - and I love my Zuca so much I actually have two of them and won't travel without one), but no one really needs a $450 bag for their skates and as a parent I actually have to question the reasoning behind why so many kids seem to have them now...
Never heard of the tumi's before but just had a look....that's ridiculously expensive for something that looks no different than a regular suitcase...i can understand zucas being expensive for their unique shape and ability to sit on them, but the tumi's are just like a regular $30 suitcase you'd get from any store (apart from the fancy handles)
I'd hate for someone to look at her in her clothing with her non essential Zuca bag (her one present for her birthday) and think "But you SUCK!" She works really hard at skating. She might not be on the Olympic track, I always tell her she is only skating against herself and not to worry about what others are doing (or wearing or thinking).
Like karne said, it's understandable if young girls with the fancy gear do actually work hard and are given what they want as rewards...or christmas/birthday presents. Even if she didn't have all the fancy gear but showed off her greats skills on the ice, that's all that matters. If I was still a little kid I would rather look up to a skater who doesn't necessarily have all the 'cool gear' but showed talent on the ice, as opposed to a skater who has all the 'gear' but spends all their practise time chatting to friends, playing with phones (as some girls do at our rink) and just completely wasting valuable time.
I like some of the chloe noel stuff, I really wanted a jacket, this one:
http://iceventureuk.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=22&products_id=532&osCsid=e398414d3f09370ec497742de9721f3fbut thought it was a bit pricey for a jacket that i'd probably only wear for a little bit of the practise time before I get too hot and it ends up sitting inside my zuca for the rest of my practise.
Even though it is what I WANTED, it was not what I NEEDED, I got a nike running top in the sale, great for skating - it's like a waterproof material that releases sweat but keeps you warm
I know it sounds hypocritical complaining about the price of chloe noel, considering I spent a large amount of money on a zuca, changing the subject here a bit, I'm slightly annoyed at my zuca now!
One of the little pockets on the side has completely frayed away, I was wondering where my money in the pocket was disappearing to, there's a massive hole which can't really be sewed up, so I've just cut it off
My chance to get a new insert - maybe for xmas i'll get one, as the current one has so much wear and tear and it'll be better to get a plain one to reduce the looks and stares from other passangers on the bus/train to the rink
I might get this one:
http://www.zuca.com/store/images/shop/product/09715ed8902f774906cc4a4360e7a8a6.jpg..and with my red seat cover on top