In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a collector in their late twenties who loves bags but has a pretty practical attitude towards them. CC 150 began their collecting journey just before university when their mom passed down a Louis Vuitton Neverfull. From there, CC 150’s collection has grown to include a few other Louis Vuitton bags, with the Palm Springs Mini being sentimental thanks to when it was purchased.
Despite a penchant for Louis Vuitton, CC 150 favors Polene thanks to its stylish, quality bags that fly a bit under the radar. This confessor is also a fan of pre-loved bags, having snagged a Chanel Jumbo Flap from the secondary market. Also realizing the importance of the resale market as a way to sell off bags, CC 150 has reached a point in their journey where shopping isn’t seen as a problem. Bag purchases are well thought out and budgeted for at this point in CC 150’s life. Read the full CC below and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 29
Location: HK
Occupation: Recruitment
Industry: Banking
Salary: $80,000
Household Income: $160,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? 20+
What bags are in your collection? Polene One Nano in about three colours for my summer and winter variations, Number 7 and Number 10 in gorgeous burgundy color, my favourite camel Umi (love this), Number One Mini in dual-tone (absolute stunner for the summer), and two great work bags Cyme and Le Cabas.
Except for Polene, I have the Louis Vuitton Palm Springs Mini which is my most worn bag out of the whole collection, Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap that I bought pre-loved, my gorgeous Gucci GG Ring Bag in deep maroon, Louis Vuitton Josh Backpack and Louis Vuitton tote bag.
How much is your collection worth? It’s priceless 🙂
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Jumbo
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Polene, I feel that the brand is just so subtle and elegant that it lights up whatever you pair it with. Rather than being out there in your face, I love how the quality feels so luxurious (even more than my expensive bags) that I keep going back to my Polene collection.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 18, I inherited my mom’s Louis Vuitton Neverfull before I started university.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’m looking forward to what Polene comes up for this year and also the Balenciaga Hourglass b=Bag is something that has caught my eye of lately.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Palm Springs Mini, I got it from my first paycheck. Every time I look at it my heart is full that I made it so far yet miles to go.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Definitely, I live in a city that is brand frenzy. If you are a 20 something carrying a Gucci, LV, or Chanel bag here it’s considered to be a status symbol. Let’s not even get me started on the Hermès collection that you see on the street, you want to see bag fashion don’t go to Paris come to HK and specifically go to the Central area.
Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? Definitely, I used to be inclined towards carrying tote bags but over these past 2+ plus years, I feel that my cross-body bags have been my favourite companion.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? About 5-6 a year.
Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Definitely, I’ve gotten much choosier in the sense that initially, I would go for brands that were getting IG popularity but these days I focus a lot on the quality, craftsmanship, and uniqueness.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I love to shop pre-loved, so The RealReal is a great place where you can get some good deals though I do suggest you get the bags authenticated from a third party, otherwise crushing on Polene’s website is my favourite past time.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? The RealReal plus there are tons of IG consignment shops locally, I rely on a few of them that I’ve used in the past to sell the bags that weren’t getting enough use.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Definitely, if you aren’t using a bag for over 6 months I would definitely consider selling them.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Yes, I believe we live in an era where your social status or how people treat you or even see you depends a lot on the accessories that you are carrying. There’s a lot of peer pressure but it’s important to just sit down and reflect if shelling out half of your monthly salary on a bag would yield returns or not.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? My Chanel, LV, and Loewe Puzzle bags for sure but also I feel, psychologically, when you start treating them as an investment you tend to enjoy them lesser than you should in reality.
Who influences your buying decisions? Social media.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Only for jewelry.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? Shopping is therapeutic but then again so is having a decent savings in your bank account.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Yes
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Self-financed
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Definitely, the max I would stretch for any extravagant purchase would be $3,000 USD.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Nope
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Yes definitely but the kind of relationship that my spouse and I have, I tend to tell him within that one week of purchase (I’m horrible at keeping secrets).
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Sell a few investments that I had in shares, trust me would not do it ever again. The stocks have trippled up since then.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? In my early 20s maybe but now I’m extremely particular about how much wear I would get from it as opposed to just buying things for the sake of it.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Investments, risky business.
