Closet Confessionals

CC 121: The Classic Bag Lover

"I see what others wear and I may like them but I only purchase what I truly like."

In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a healthcare worker whose love of bags is truly innate. Though she can’t exactly pinpoint where her love of bags began, this classic bag lover got her very first pretty little Prada once she was fully established in her career and able to afford it. Her collection is streamlined, yet well-thought out, featuring covetable bags and brands from Fendi, Prada, Givenchy and more.

This collector is incredibly wise and down to earth, budgeting for her bags and saving carefully for months in order to make a purchase. Though she admits to sometimes seeing bags on others and having them catch her eye, this confessor isn’t easily influenced, rather she thoroughly thinks each purchase through instead of impulsively buying anything. Read the full CC now and don’t forget to submit your own!

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The Basics

Age: 37
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Industry: Healthcare
Salary: $100,000
Household Income: $200,000

The Bags

Are you a PurseForum member? Yes

How many bags do you own? 14

What bags are in your collection?

  • Prada Crossbody Bag
  • Prada Wallet on Chain
  • Prada Satin Clutch
  • Fendi Zucca Crossbody
  • Fendi By the Way small (cream)
  • Fendi By the Way small (blue)
  • YSL Camera Bag
  • Givenchy Cross 3
  • Louis Vuitton SLG

Contemporary brands

  • Kate Spade top handle bag
  • Tory Burch nylon crossbody
  • Rebecca Minkoff clutch
  • Marc Jacobs mini backpack
  • Longchamp Le Pliage (small)

sorry I don’t remember the exact names of most of my bags, I just remember the designer

How much is your collection worth? Hard to say because they were purchased at various time points but based on retail value at time of purchase, approximately $9,000.

What is your most expensive bag? Fendi By The Way, and I have two of them. They are great bags!

What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Prada crossbody, my first designer bag. I don’t even remember if it had a specific name but it’s my favorite bag hands down.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 23, I’ve loved handbags since middle school, but waited until I was fully established in my career before shopping designer brands.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Not a specific bag. I love classic bags so maybe a mini Lady Dior in matte black with black hardware or Chanel reissue with all black hardware.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Prada crossbody as mentioned above, but also my Fendi crossbody in zucca print. My sister loves that bag so I consider it half hers, we share the love of bags so that makes sentimental to me.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? In certain circles yes, when I’m around other people who wear designer brands I feel like it does, but around those who doesn’t know designer fashion houses then no. I feel more comfortable around those who doesn’t recognize my bags though cause there are no judgments. At work I don’t ever see designer labels so I just happily carry my Longchamp tote.

Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? Not really, I tend to carry a bag for months before changing out of them so the few places that I do go out to, I just carry whatever bag I’m currently use, if that makes sense.

The Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? About once a year, though for all of 2020 I didn’t buy a bag.

Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Yes and no; the pandemic shows us that life is too short and we should enjoy the little things. But at the same time, so many people are suffering financially due to loss of jobs, medical bills, etc. It puts things in perspective for sure.

Which stores do you frequent the most? Neiman Marcus for designer bags. I live in Oklahoma, not much of a fashion capital. There aren’t many luxury shops around here. I mainly order online.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes I have, I like the sustainability aspect of it, plus saving money is always a plus. Just have to be careful to ensure you get an authentic piece. I like Fashionphile because they have good service and willing to provide additional pictures and information.

Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Not for the purpose of buying a new bag, but have certainly sold bags that I don’t use anymore. No point in a bag sitting around collecting dust. I’ve sold on Poshmark and Fashionphile.

Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Every now and then, I get influenced by certain people who have fancy things and I want to keep up, but most of the time I take a step back and remind myself I should only do what I’m comfortable with, plus I shouldn’t care what others think! I love bags for the bags, not for what others may think about me

Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Only an investment in my wardrobe and happiness. I don’t think bags should be considered financial investments.

Who influences your buying decisions? Mostly myself. I see what others wear and I may like them but I only purchase what I truly like. From my list of bags you can see I don’t really have the “It” bags. I like classic styles. My rule for buying is that I have to really like a bag for at least 6 months before buying, that way I know I actually like the bag and it’s not an “in the moment” purchase

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? I think they can be, but I do most of my shopping online. I did have a Prada SA in Dallas who was helpful in locating the clutch that I eventually purchased. She knew I lived out of state but was still helpful in tracking down the exact one I wanted.

Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I have always loved bags, I can’t really pinpoint why bags specifically, but I do think they are wearable art. I do partake in retail therapy every now and then.

Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Not really, but I do dress very plain and one time I walked in a boutique and was ignored. I wore a crossbody bag and it happened to be turned away from them. I tested them by turning it the other way around so as soon as they saw the label they came to greet me.

The Money

Who pays for your bags? Me. I’m married so technically he could buy me bags, but I like that I am able to get what I want because I work hard. It’s my way of rewarding myself.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes, and if I go over budget then I will hold off on another bag for a while.

The Taboo Topics

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No, the idea of carrying a fake makes me cringe. Others may not know but deep down I do and what’s the point of carrying a fake? It’s better to wear a decent looking, non designer bag then to wear a fake designer bag

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No, we have the agreement that we both work so we should be able to buy things we like. Obviously if I’m buying at the level of Hermès Birkin, then we would probably discuss it first. I like what I like and fortunately, for the luxury world, I feel like my taste isn’t that expensive.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? I’m a bit boring, never really done anything outrageous for a bag. I save for months before buying any bags.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Sometimes I think I may have an addiction problem with the amount of time I spend watching handbag videos and reading The PurseBlog haha. However, I don’t buy frequently enough for it to be an actual problem.

The Rest Of It

Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I would love to travel. I also play piano and my dream would be to have a Steinway & Sons grand piano; those are definitely not cheap, but so beautiful. I just appreciate fine craftsmanship, be it a musical instrument or a handbag.

Anything else you would like to include? Thanks for reading, I love that we share the commonality of bags. Nowadays people disagree too much about politics and public health, it’s nice to escape to a world of handbags for a moment where we can all agree on our common interest.

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