Closet Confessionals

CC 152: The Collector With Sentimental Louis Vuitton Pieces

"My current bags mean a lot to me so I’d have to really want a new one in order to sell any."

In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a collector hailing from Ireland who began collecting bags at the tender age of 13! Her collection started with a Juicy Couture bag, and from there, her love for bags continued to grow. Finally, at age 21, CC 152 got her very own Louis Vuitton Speedy, purchased on London’s Bond Street.

This handbag lover really enjoys the whole shopping process, though she admits to living far from any boutiques, making each bag buying experience during her travels that much sweeter. While this collector is eyeing a Chanel bag next, she currently loves all of the pieces she owns, with some of her Louis Vuitton bags being the most sentimental to her. CC 151 admits that Instagram can be tempting when it comes to showing off a shiny new bag but says it’s important to remember what will and won’t work for you. Read the full CC now, and don’t forget to submit your own!

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The Basics

Age: 23
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Ireland
Occupation: Content Writer
Industry: E-Commerce
Salary: $25,000
Household Income: $65,000

The Bags

Are you a PurseForum member? Yes

How many bags do you own? 9

What bags are in your collection?

Loewe Pauls Ibiza Bag

How much is your collection worth? €9000

What is your most expensive bag? Probably my Louis Vuitton Croisette, which retails at €1450 now.

What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? I definitely find my LV Alma BB a great all-rounder. The fact that I don’t have to baby any vachetta and can carry it cross-body make it an instant go-to.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I had always been interested in bags, right from my first Juicy Couture bag when I was 13. I started to collect Michael Kors and Moschino bags when I was about 18. I was 21 when I got my first designer bag though. It was in Louis Vuitton on Bond Street, and my husband bought me my Speedy 25 Mono. It was such a fun day!

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Honestly, I’d love to invest in a Chanel Mini Flap, so hopefully! Aside from that, I’m looking at the Chloe Woody Tote at the moment.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Aside from my Speedy, my Croisette is also very special to me as it was a wedding gift from my husband.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? It really depends on the person, but I don’t like to discuss the prices as a lot of people don’t understand or share the same passion for bags. I don’t feel like it changes the way people treat me.

Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? On a more practical level, I’m cautious of carrying anything with vachetta if I know I’m going to be applying a lot of hand sanitiser! Other than that, not particularly. I still have the same interest in bags as before the pandemic.

Gucci Marmont

The Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? I would say about twice a year, but it can depend.

Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Not really, but price increases recently have definitely made me grateful that I made some purchases sooner rather than later!

Which stores do you frequent the most? Chanel and Dior (mostly for shoes!), and Louis Vuitton for bags.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I haven’t bought pre-loved yet. I was going to for my Prada but ended up buying new just because it worked out more economical, the price difference wasn’t very significant. But I’m absolutely open to it.

Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? No, I try to have a fund for bags. My current bags mean a lot to me so I’d have to really want a new one in order to sell any.

Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Sometimes, Instagram is certainly a playground for showcasing shiny new bags, but I think it’s important to consider whether a certain purchase is going to fit your lifestyle. It’s so easy to get caught up in it.

Do you consider your bag purchases investments? I do, although perhaps not so much an investment in the traditional financial sense as I don’t buy to resell. But certainly an investment in terms of adding something to my wardrobe and my overall look.

Who influences your buying decisions? If there’s a new collection out I like to check it out to see if there’s anything I like. Usually colourful bags catch my eye, the Gucci Towards the Sun collection was major eye-candy so I ended up getting a few items from that, which may have included three belts…!

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not always. I tend to buy online or buy when I go to other cities like Paris, so there’s usually someone new wherever I go. But it’s always great to get to know your SA!

Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I love shopping. I love the experience that you just don’t get when shopping online, but living quite far from any major designer stores, it’s sometimes more convenient. I’m not sure I’d consider myself a shopaholic, but it’s definitely a major hobby for me.

Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Never.

Louis Vuitton Croisette Bag

The Money

Who pays for your bags? I buy a lot myself but my husband has also bought some for me. I like to ask for vouchers for my birthday so I can put them towards those items.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? I don’t have a set budget. If there’s something I see that I like, I’ll usually save up until I reach the goal to get it.

The Taboo Topics

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Never, it’s just not the same!

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No, I can be open and rational about what it is I plan to buy and why I want to make the purchase.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Nothing yet!

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No, I’ve always been level-headed about my purchases and I rarely buy things on a whim.

The Rest Of It

Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Shoes, for sure!

Anything else you would like to include? Don’t get too caught up in what’s classic and what’s not. Just buy what you love. We can’t take them with us when we go so just enjoy every minute of your bags!

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