Here's why women in NYC can afford designer handbags and shoes.

What non-luxury item, that one could argue is a status symbol, was once something you could only get by appointment, but now you can get anytime but doesn't really impact women in New York City?

You may have already moused over the link so I'll just give you the answer:

GAS.  It's certainly not a luxury item when you're talking about needing it to get out of the house to run errands, go to work, pick up the dry cleaning and to just go for a drive to get away from it all.  Well, maybe that last part doesn't count.  But at one time it was such a product in short supply and increased demand (i.e. like right now) that our country had to ration it out by appointment only.

Environmental Protection Agency 12/02/1970

This makes me think that the newest fashion accessory isn't some great handbag or awesome pair of shoes -- it's a full tank of gas!  Our sisters in NYC don't know how good they have it.  They can afford designer handbags and shoes because they don't have to spend their money on the one non-luxury status symbol that the rest of us have to because they take public transportation.

So girls, if you're feeling down because you don't have the latest Birkin bag or Jimmy Choo shoe, don't fret - smile instead, as you look at your full tank of gas - at least it will hold back the tears after the shock settles in from realizing how much you spent to fill 'er up.  And just for the record, I just filled up for $75.61.  Cute pair of shoes certainly not included.