In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a student in her early 20s who knows what she likes/wants and works hard to get it. While others in her age bracket focus on other things like partying or fast-fashion, this confessor has her eyes on the prize, choosing to work hard and budget harder for the bags that she wants, balancing internships with her studies.
A great starter collection of both contemporary and luxury designer bags, this confessor hopes to find purse peace early on in her collecting, and has her eyes set on a Chanel mini Classic Flap or a Lady Dior next. Wise beyond her years, this collector believes in making smart, well-thought out purchases, constantly checking in with herseld before buying any new bags on the fly. Read the full CC now and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 24
Gender Identity: Female
Occupation: Student
Industry: N/A
Salary: $10,000
Household Income: $200,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 9
What bags are in your collection?
- Chanel small Classic Flap
- Chanel small Coco Handle
- Lady Dior Pouch/WOC in black
- Celine Nano Luggage
- LV Neverfull MM
- Tory Burch Kira Chevron in cloud blue
- Michael Kors mini Selma bag
- Michael Kors Jet Set extra small travel tote
- Longchamp Le Pilage small tote bag
- Longchamp Le Pilage backpack
How much is your collection worth? SGD20000
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel small Classic Flap in black! I still remembered that I managed to buy this bag around SGD7,300 in early Jan 2020 before the 20% price increase during April/May period. I had to work a part-time job (while schooling) for almost a year to save up for this bag. It was one of the items on my wishlist since I was in high school. I think back in 2014/2015, the Classic Flap in the medium was around SGD5,000, definitely not as obscene an amount compared to the current price.
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Chanel and Dior for me!
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? At the age of 17. Right after I finished my national exam, I went to work as a fashion retail associate. I used my first paycheck to buy my first designer bag – MK Jet Set Extra Small Tote Bag, which retailed around SGD500. Back in those days when MK bags were absolutely popular!
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Probably adding either a chanel Classic in mini with the top handle or small Lady Dior in my collection. Hopefully to reach purse peace before I graduate from University.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Celine Nano Luggage. It was the only birthday gift from my parents to celebrate my 18th birthday. I’ve had it for 4 years and the condition of the bag is still good!
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I don’t really care about people’s perceptions of my materialistic behaviour – especially on spending a ridiculous amount of money on a few pieces of leather and hardware. Funny how many people out there judging women who love to buy luxury handbags instead of, judging people who love to buy the latest iPhone/ electronic gadgets. :/
To me, buying a handbag is not only to encapsulate the milestone or significant event that leads to the purchase, but also, an art piece to admire. Imagine how much effort that the designer team put into when designing classic pieces. Hence, I am also not a supporter of counterfeit products as those consumers who really support these unethical behaviour really disgust me.
Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? Not really as I mainly use my designer bags for events, shopping and dinners.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Once to twice a year.
Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Ever since the pandemic, it is harder for me to get the desired items I wanted. The handbag game in Chanel is exactly as competitive as getting a pair of Yeezy shoes. I am totally surprised that despite the crazy Chanel price increases (other brands as well like LV), it doesn’t deter consumers to purchase their bags.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Chanel.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? No. I prefer buying a bag fresh out of the store.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I only sold one of my bags which was LV Palm Springs Mini. Simply because the original design of the bag had some design defects, which caused the canvas print and coating around the zipper to wear off. One day I just realised that the LV print was off from my canvas (as LV prints its logo on their canvas and finished off with coating) and I just went to my nearest LV store to exchange it, and the next day I just sold it to a consignment store.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not really unless there is an upcoming price increase and there is the seasonal colour of a classic piece that I would like to purchase.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes, considering most of my expensive bags are classic pieces. I am very glad that i bought some of the classic pieces before the pandemic which caused the price to skyrocket. The best investment would be buying LVMH stocks hahaha.
Who influences your buying decisions? Myself!
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes especially for Chanel purchases. SO COMPETITIVE.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I do shop once in a while, like whenever I completed my finals or internship, to reward myself for all the hard work that I have put in for months.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? To a certain extent, yes. As I am considered relatively young to buy expensive luxury handbags (people in their 20s usually focus on spending buy bulks of clothing from SHEIN, h&m; drinking and partying; or buying entry-level designer items) as compared to the majority of the luxury consumers who are in their 30s and above.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Internship allowances and allowance leftovers from my parents.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes. 100% of my internship allowances and 40% of the allowance from my parents.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No, never.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? N/A
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Having back to back internships – for almost 9 months!
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Not really as I am not in debt right now. I am not addicted to shopping as the bags I bought were rational purchases.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? N/A
Anything else you would like to include? For every bag purchase, I always would ask myself whether do I see myself carrying this bag in the next 10 years? If yes, I would go ahead and buy it (for classic pieces). If not, then I would wait either the bag is on sale or ask myself again 2 months later whether I am still interested. This is how I check on myself and it prevents me from making an impulsive purchase.
