In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a handbag lover who has only been collecting bags for 6 years. CC 206 got her first luxury bag at age 60, a Louis Vuitton Pallas, and since then, she has amassed a collection of 20 bags. Her collection includes a lot of bags from Louis Vuitton, some Saint Laurent, a Chanel, and more.
This handbag lover utilizes YouTube and our very own tPF to help her decide which bags are worth it, and she typically purchases the classics. CC 206 finds that classic bags work for her lifestyle and are easier to sell if they aren’t loved anymore.
CC 206 admits to having a shopping problem and explains how luxury bags were always out of reach when her kids were younger. Now that she’s a bit older and has acquired some money, it’s become a bit of an obsession for her. Though this can be a struggle, she’s self-aware.
Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 66
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Canada
What is your occupation? Administration
What industry do you work in? Real Estate
Your annual salary? $75,000
Total Household Income? 200,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 20
What bags are in your collection?
- LV Boulogne black trim
- LV Odeon PM monogram
- LV Odeon PM DE
- LV Nautical Toiletry pouch (love for summer)
- LV Tuileries Besace caramel trim
- YSL Lou camera bag black
- YSL Lou camera bag spice
- YSL Toy Lou Lou
- LV Pochette accessoires DA
- LV Pochettes accessoires Mono
- Gucci SoHo Disco beige
- Chanel pouch on chain
- LV Pochette Métis empreinte black
- LV Felice giant mono dove grey
- LV Croisette DA
- LV Double Zip Empreinte black
- Gucci toiletry pouch on chain
- LV Pallas BB
- LV Siena MM
- LV Neverfull MM DE
How much is your collection worth? $50K
What is your most expensive bag? LV Pochette Métis empreinte leather
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why?
- LV Neo Noe with black leather trim. Too wide and sticks out from my body too much. Sold it.
- LV Siena MM – too big
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Age 60, LV Pallas BB.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? LV Odeon PM Tote
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Chanel Double Flap
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Not practical for my lifestyle. I would feel uncomfortable wearing it. I like more subtle bags.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? No, but strangely I do not wear them with some family members as I would feel like I’m showing off and they may comment. My husband does not have a clue how many I have or that I have any. He doesn’t seem to notice. He once freaked out when I bought an LV accessory when on vacation. He could not believe the cost!
How do you take care of your bags? I rotate them frequently. I clean the LV canvas with baby wipes, after a few wears. I use leather conditioner on the leather bags. I keep them all in like new condition. A few bags I have purchased preloved. I can repair minor scratches in the leather and also remove stains in the lining myself.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? 2 – 4 per year, but I also sell them when I tire of them or want something new.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? In store, due to return policy (especially LV). Although I have ordered some limited edition accessories online.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Louis Vuitton, YSL, and Gucci.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes I have returned some. I loved the LV Vavin PM, but when I wore it at home, I felt the bag would not keep its shape at the top in the long run.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes I have from a few sources in Canada:
Love that Bag
Retyche
Oliver’s Jewelry
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Yes I have sold a few. Sold some myself. Sold Some with Love that Bag. Sold some with Friperie du Village.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Only my Coach or Michael Kors bags
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No but I love the PurseForum or YouTube to get ideas or reviews of bags.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Not really, however, I have been able to use them to partially refinance new purchases. I normally lose about 20-30% on resale. But if I purchase on the preloved market, I generally save 20-30%. I only buy preloved bags that are in excellent condition.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I prefer more classic styles. They are easier to sell when I tire of them.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes, I keep a good relationship with them. They will get me hard to find bags that I desire. Or hold a bag for me, if I can’t get to the store right away. During the pandemic, he shipped them to me.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Yes, I love to see the new bags and designer fashion. YouTube helps me to decide if this is something that will fit with my lifestyle.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? No.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? If a bag is too loud or showy, I know I will not wear it. I prefer more subtle design luxury bags.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? No.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? I do.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No, I am pretty impulsive and will usually purchase when something really catches my eye. I try to sell a bag at the same time to partially fund my purchases.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Always.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? I pretty much do not wear them around some family members who may be critical.
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? No.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Yes. Shopping has always been an obsession. I look at it as a way of rewarding myself for working hard. I never shopped luxury bags when my kids were younger. However I was always obsessed with affordable luxury brands like Coach and Michael Kors and acquired about 50 or 60 of them. Later selling most of them. Luxury bags were not even on my radar. After I turned 60 and inherited some money, it became an option and obsession for me.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Jewelry and watches. I have acquired a few designer pieces but many many pieces of fine jewelry.
What is your greatest fear? When I die, my family will see the extent of my obsession.
Which living person do you most admire? No one. Every person has their flaws, and every family has their secrets. Anyone who says that they are great and their family is so great, does have problems and is lying to themselves. No one can escape from this; no family goes untouched.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My children and grandchildren
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? I appreciate all the vacations that I have taken, especially cruising over the years.
The journey of life is the best!
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Appreciate what you have, and do not compare yourself with others.
