In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re hearing from a Canadian Accountant who has been collecting bags for over 15 years. Her collection began when her now husband gifted her a Louis Vuitton bag, and the rest is history! Since then, she’s curated a lovely collection, including a nice selection of Old Celine bags, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and more.
CC 177’s attitude toward bags is incredibly down-to-earth, and while she loves bags like the rest of us, she believes that you should never, ever go into debt for a material item. Additionally, she tells us that the most important thing is to buy what you love, not what you think you can sell for profit. However, CC 177 is not afraid to part with bags that are no longer serving her. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 39
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Occupation: Accountant
Industry: Finance
Salary: $150,000
Household Income: $300,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 17
What bags are in your collection?
- Chanel Jumbo Double Flap
- LV Alma in Ivory Epi leather
- Dior Black Patent Cannage Tote
- Celine Belt Bag
- LV Odeon MM
- LV Pochette Metis Reverse Monogram
- YSL Chevron Black WOC
- Celine Tri Color Trio
- Celine Nano Luggage
- Gucci Green Marmont Camera Bag
- LV Damier Azur Galleria
- Chanel Small Single Flap
- LV Eva Monogram
- Burberry Blue Label
- Loewe Puzzle
and a few other contemporary brands…
How much is your collection worth? $30K
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Jumbo Double Flap
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Chanel I guess? But only because it’s appreciated so much now in value, I can’t fathom buying it today.
Celine also holds a special spot in my heart during those Phoebe Philo days.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 23. My boyfriend…now husband got me an LV.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Hermès Evelyne PM or Lindy 20…with Chanel price increases, may as well pay for the Hermès.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? The Celine Luggage Tote. I searched high and low for it for almost 2 years before finally getting a tri-color Mini Luggage. Then I found out I was pregnant and sold it shortly after I had my baby. I just couldn’t juggle a baby and a forearm-only bag.
I just got the Nano last year, as I’d been yearning for my lost luggage tote when I sold it back in 2014.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Sometimes? Depends on the setting.
Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? I only used the Lululemon nylon All-Night Festival bag for 2.5 years while my purses sat and collected dust. It was just last summer that they came back into rotation.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Pre covid…. maybe once or twice a year. Last year, I went a bit crazy and bought 4 to make up for lost time.
Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? Made up for lost time and bought 4 last year, but thinking I’ll slow down going forward.
I also bought 2 LV canvas last year, as I still carry hand sanitizer and sanitize my hands all the time, and am paranoid that I would damage my leather bags with the sanitizer.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Holt Renfrew
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Bought 2nd hand once, but I always second-guessed whether or not it was authentic (even though I got it authenticated), and ended up selling it. Direct from the boutique for me going forward
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Not to pay for new purchases, I sell what I’m no longer loving.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No…. but when I go shopping with friends, I get excited and swept up and sometimes buy myself…. but not anything I’ve regretted buying.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? My Chanel Jumbo has tripled in price, so yes?
Who influences your buying decisions? I like talking through a bag I’m considering with friends who are also purse lovers.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No, I actually prefer buying online. I hate the SA game you have to play at Hermès.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I don’t…I prefer buying online after doing the research online.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? I wouldn’t say inferior service because of my appearance, but Hermès boutique in Vancouver is just so snooty. So unless you have a pre-established relationship with a SA, don’t walk in thinking you’ll get great service even though you’re willing to drop 5 figs.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Me
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not really
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Not because I couldn’t afford it, but one time when I was traveling in HK, a friend wanted to see some counterfeits where you have to go up to an apartment to look. We didn’t see anything we wanted and were walking towards the exit. A staff person blocked the door and asked us what we wanted to buy. So we both were forced to buy something, otherwise, we weren’t allowed to leave. It was insane!
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Work harder and put in some extra hours
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Jewelry, travel
Anything else you would like to include? Never go into debt to buy a bag…for that matter, any material item. Live within your means.
Buy bags that you love and not what you can sell for a profit or an investment.
