In today’s Closet Confessionals we meet a collector in his late thirties who recently slimmed down his collection from 30 bags to just 12. Unafraid to sell bags, giving them new life and a new owner if he’s no longer feeling them, this confessor parts with bags he’s not using but rarely does so in order to fund new purchases. His collection is influenced by a love of art and fashion, and specifically this luxury lover has a lust for unique runway pieces. Next, this confessor wants to snag a seasonal version of Louis Vuitton’s iconic Petite Malle, though he cites Chanel as one of the most important brands in his collection. An unapologetic spender who tends to favor certain brands, today we’re deep diving into this confessor’s shopping habits! Read the full CC now and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 38
Gender Identity: Male
Location: Westfield, Indiana
Occupation: Mortgage Lender
Industry: Real Estate
Salary: $100,000
Household Income: $275,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? 12, used to be 30
What bags are in your collection?
Chanel Boy Bag (3)
Chanel Cocoon Backpack
Hermès Jypsiere 37cm
Louis Vuitton Petite Malle
Louis Vuitton Aviator Bag
Dior Saddle Bag Backpack
Dior Rimowa Trunk
How much is your collection worth? $55,000
What is your most expensive bag? Probably the Hermès Jypsiere but horrible buy as it is discontinued and sells on the secondary market in consignment shops for $4,000-$5,000.
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Chanel by far. Holds its value better than most brands. My most important piece is a limited edition runway piece I went crazy looking for. “Salzburg collection 2014/15” large Boy with top handle and chain braided into the leather in multi-color. Retailed for $7,600, I had someone offer me $10K for it but respectfully turned it down. It now sits in my closet unused.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 19yrs, Louis Vuitton Olav PM…dumbest purchase ever. lol. Small square bag – barely held anything but I was excited about it at the time.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’m big on trunk bags so probably another Louis Vuitton Petite Malle, but runway not classic. I really love the engineering aspect and history behind that bag.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Chanel Cocoon Backpack, it was my first Chanel piece and I remembered following the ad campaign for it with singer Lily Allen. I had the photo as my screensaver and wallpaper for months and even drove to see it in stores prior to purchasing it. It really holds a special place in my heart.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Oh yes!!!… I’m not a snob and didn’t come from money in – fact I’d be the first person to influence someone to spend their rent money on a good bag. I buy them specifically for my own love of art and fashion not to show off. Most of my friends don’t understand why I purchase them because I hardly use any of them, they just sit collecting dust.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? 2-3x a year, I tend to spend more on shoes and accessories.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Vegas shops at the Wynn or Rodeo Drive.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I bought a Louis Vuitton Sunburst Denim Bag…perfect condition for like $1,600. Not sure what it originally went for but it’s the perfect gym bag. As I stated I used to have 30 bags.
I sold all my other bags to Fashionphile. Givenchy xl Phantom, Pandora and Antigona…Chanel Small Boy, Cocoon Bowling Bag, Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Neverfull etc. I didn’t break even by far but they needed to be loved by others.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Guess I answered that previously…lol but yes if I’m not feeling the bag, style, brand it’s time to go. But never for new bags.
Fashionphile made it easy for me to part with these bags that I’ve spent a lot of time and money hunting for.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not at all…I don’t have any social media so I don’t keep up with influencers.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes I do. My first boy bag went for $4,200, that same bag in size now goes for $6,000…$6,200 with tax lol from my last Boy Bag I got a few months back.
Who influences your buying decisions? My lust for new matching accessories…I’ll throw on an outfit and think to myself “I need this bag in this size and color to match”.
I tend to do my own research but sticking to my favorite brands for certain items. I wouldn’t go to Louboutin for a trunk or Cartier for shoes.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Very much so. I come from a sales background…it is very important to keep those relationships otherwise good luck finding those sought after runway pieces.
My reps generally know what I like and will send me photos of items they think I’d like.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? Guys I’m the worst window shopper, the item has to literally grab my attention and make me gasp to buy it.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Only at Cartier…They’re very unwelcoming if your not already dripping in furs and jewelry.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Combination of myself and the hubby.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Generally I will have a budget in mind not going over $6,000 if it’s a most have. But that once a year or I can break that down to like 6 pairs of red bottoms and get away with more spending .
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Never I couldn’t bring myself to do it. If I can’t afford the real bag I won’t consider it, at the end of the day I’m only fooling myself and I have much more respect and dignity to have a bag identify how confident I am about my self worth.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Shhhhh….not me buying a Chanel wallet with my bonus. lol
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Split the purchase in two maxed out credit cards…and applied for a 3rd with Nordstrom lol…it’s the notes.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Yes and no.. some people gamble money away, I just like to see it in my closet.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Shoes and glasses. I’m a sucker for red bottoms and Celine sunglasses
Anything else you would like to include? Don’t feel bad or guilty about consignment bags that have been used. I sold a Chanel Boy bag a week after I bought it in Vegas with no knowledge or memory and I couldn’t return it because the tags were missing. $3,200 and I sold it to Fashionphile for $1,700 they sold it for $2,400. The point I’m trying to make is that anyone should be able to acquire what they want, new or used it still fulfills a void that gives you motivation to do what it takes to do it again.
At the end we can’t take money with us and I sure as hell didn’t work just to leave it to someone else.
“I sure as hell didn’t work just to leave it to someone else.” When I wrote my will a few years ago, it really gave me pleasure to know that I should be able to make life a little easier for people I care about & that my favorite charities will benefit in a meaningful way (programs that matter to me) … The idea of someone working only for designer goods leave me cold.
I felt he meant spend your money and have fun with it because you earned it; don’t deprive yourself to the point that you save all your money, for someone else to enjoy, when you’re gone. I didn’t feel that he spends all of his money on luxury items because he sounds sensible in his spending habits. Also, to curate his collection down shows his thoughtfulness and commitment to only keeping what he enjoys while selling the rest (at a loss) to allow other people to enjoy them. He didn’t recoup his money selling his bags, but knowing that someone else would find joy in them shows maturity and a caring spirit.
I read his comments as being facetious and more in the vein of “Enjoy life while you’re alive”, rather than seriously saying that spending $$ on purses is the only productive use of his money.
Plus we’re on a blog about purses and asking people to reflect on this narrow slice of their interests — I never expect to get a full, well-rounded sense of who a person is just by reading their PB confessional.
Same! Yeah we’re not on this forum for financial planning decisions LOL
I completely agree with you! I read it the same way.
$55,000?
Yeah, even new they wouldn’t be $55K.
Maybe his collection was worth $55,000 before he paired his bags down?!?
Also, I don’t find the Cartier comment to be factual~I’m not dripping in furs or diamonds but if and when I make a purchase, I go through same SA! Sometimes I may go 3-4 years without purchasing anything AND I’ve never bought any big ticket items. But then again, I don’t go in the store and call attention to myself?????
I feel like he’s too focused on his red bottoms and it’s a rather disingenuous post…..not a fan of this CC.
Oh poo hoo to you and your condescending remarks. This is a bag forum and should not be used to take down someone’s honest opinion on his perspectives on handbags.
My comment wasn’t condescending and wasn’t taking anyones honest opinion down. Have a nice day.
The Cartier comment is factual to his personal experience.
the Jypsiere isn’t discontinued, it is less in fashion that’s all. You can find on from time to time on Hermes.com in different countries. I got one two weeks ago.