In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a paralegal hailing from LA who started collecting bags at 35. While she stated that she wishes she had begun collecting bags earlier in life, since getting her first designer bag, a Gucci GG Marmont Mini, she has amassed a small collection containing some really great bags. Her Chanel Mini Flap is her most expensive piece, but CC 168 states that her GG Marmont remains her most special piece.
Next, today’s confessor would love to add a Bottega Veneta Jodie to her collection, which would round out the pieces she currently owns (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Mulberry, and more). Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 44
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Paralegal
Industry: Law
Salary: $35,000
Household Income: $80,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 15
What bags are in your collection?
- Chanel Mini Flap Bag
- LV Palm Springs Mini
- Givenchy Antigona
- Chloe Mini Marcie
- Gucci GG Marmont Mini
- Mulberry Bayswater
- Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag
- Veronica Beard (can’t remember the name)
- Longchamp
- Michael Kors
- Kate Spade
- Tory Burch
- Coach
How much is your collection worth? Around $20,000
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Mini Flap Bag
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Chanel, LV, Givenchy, and Gucci.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 35, Gucci Marmont mini.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My 1st bag the GG Marmont.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Definitely!! I’m a Mexican girl, and in some stores, they will not even acknowledge me if I don’t dress up the part.
Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? I do use my bags at work except for the Chanel, and I’ll not take my most expensive bag to certain areas around LA. And yes, since Covid-19 hit, I figured out I’m supposed to use them and enjoy them.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Once or twice a year.
Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Yes, it makes me think I better use these babies instead of them collecting dust.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? No yet.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Yes, definitely, my taste changed, so I sold a couple or gave them away.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Sometimes, especially if I scroll through Instagram, that’s why I unfollowed influencers.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes, not long ago, I sold one that doubled in price since I bought it.
Who influences your buying decisions? Influencers.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No, I heard stories of people waiting to be called from the associate. I have been lucky to score some hard-to-find pieces just walking in.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? My outfit and my bags are an extension of my character and mood.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Oh yeah, all the time, they never acknowledge me, and when finally I ask for help, some of the associates are not friendly, or they will just follow me. On one occasion, when I needed to exchange an LV purchase, they said no to me until I called my white husband, and then finally, it was not a problem.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Me, myself and I
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes when I plan to buy a bag, I save a least $100 USD bi-weekly
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Oh yes then I’ll bring it out and say, “what? this old thing is not new; it was in the back of my closet.”
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Have a second job cleaning houses.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No, not with my bags, as it’s a relatively small collection, but I feel that way with my clothes.
The Rest Of It
Anything else you would like to include? I wish I could have started my collection sooner, started from the most expensive 1st, and never settled for a kind of lookalike from the one I really wanted.
If this woman is a legit paralegal, I’d advise her to look for other jobs. She’s being severely underpaid and should not settle for that.
I don’t know what their husband does either, but $80k household for Los Angeles is barely scraping by. I wonder if they live outside the city or live with family. With rent in the $3k range for a one bedroom in most places, I couldn’t imagine putting so much of my income to housing. (I’m from LA and considering moving back, but the prices are absolutely depressing.) She is definitely underpaid! I made the same when I was a fresh college grad working in LA as a news assistant in 2010. As a Latina: Girl, value yourself and find an employer who pays what you’re worth!
The funny thing is, this forum is about the bags and you are not focusing in her collection or how she works hard to obtain her pieces, obviously she is not wealthy and she is honest about it!!
I was appalled at her meager salary, but then I wondered if she job shared or worked part-time? She may have young children and she doesn’t want to work full time. Or, if none of this is true than her salary is terrible.
Completely agree! 35K in California is barely above minimum wage.
I love this closet confessional. I’ve read a few of these but they always tend to be non-POC high net worth individuals with lots of disposable income. I love that this is someone with a lower income and a latina who enjoys luxury. As a queer POC it is refreshing to read more about how POC engage with luxury brands and accessories. Also agree on the part that as a POC you usually have to dress up more to receive any customer service in high-end and luxury stores. Definitely agree with everyone else that she is severely underpaid.
Completely agree with all these
125 is a POC (though she doesn’t mention it)
Wasn’t one of the Closet Confessionals from a POC from Australia?
Very nice confessional. I think it’s great to see someone who is genuine, works hard for her what she wants and isn’t just into consumerism for consumerism’s sake.
Always thought listing income for this feature which I enjoy otherwise, is tacky AF.
It is there and optional. Many times people want to share that to share more of how they plan their spending, other times people want to leave it out. It does help paint the picture of the question many wonder – how does one afford their bags. It’s curiosity for many!
there are people who say it’s always tacky to ask or discuss income, and there are others who say there’s a time and place. But the taboo on discussing income is hugely responsible for the gender wage gap, so it’s often empowering for women in particular to hear what other women and men in different fields and positions are making.
This is quite alot of bags for me to keep actually. Anyways i have downgraded in bag amount and sold most and down to like 8. I only have Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Dior and one Carolina Herrera in my collection; plus two LV SLGs. Less stress, more time to appreciate them.
Same here. Ever since the pandemic i was able to clean out my closet more and got rid of a lot of bags. Started when i was saving for my b. I finally counted all of my bags and i was so surprised it was over 100. Ive given away the damaged ones and sold 19. Im down to 58 now half are designer bags and half are big bags (gym travel bags for yoga mat) and ive saved 6 bags from my college days (sentimental value). So much better now im able to rotate most of my bags.