In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a reseller from Texas who shares a love of handbags with her Mother. In fact, her most sentimental handbag memory involves a shopping trip in Dallas with her Mom and the purchase of her Mother’s very first Chanel, a Tweed 19 bag.
While CC 208 does love Hermès and dreams of owning a Kelly Bag one day, this collector doesn’t love the H game and instead shops out of state with an SA that she and her mom have bonded with. She states that she’s received poor service in the past and is mindful of the SA relationship she’s formed.
A lover of shopping at her core, this reseller enjoys shopping for others as it’s quite thrilling. Read the full confessional below and check out a few of CC 208’s bags below. Don’t forget to share your own with us to be featured next!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 25
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Dallas, Texas
What is your occupation? Reseller
What industry do you work in? Fashion
Your annual salary? $90,000
Total Household Income? $90,000
Are you a PurseForum member? No
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 16
What bags are in your collection?
- Hermès
- Chanel
- Celine
- Chloé
- Gucci
- Fendi
- Louis Vuitton
How much is your collection worth? About 40K
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Jumbo 19
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? The Bottega Veneta Padded Chain Cassette. Too heavy, clunky and hard to get in and out of. Staying away from trendy bags from now on.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 2021? Louis Vuitton Petite Sac Plat 1854 collection.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I would love to put a classic LV Speedy into my collection, a Celine 16, or of course, anything Hermès.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Hermès Kelly bag.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? It’s actually my mom’s Tweed. We were walking around Highland Park Village in Dallas, and walked into the Chanel store and saw this beautiful bag. This was all before these crazy price increases. We went to a cafe to talk and think about it and ended up buying her first Chanel bag together. It might be a small little memory, but the excitement on her face and mine will always be truly special.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I would hope not. I spend money on bags and shoes, but when it comes to clothes, I go to the thrift store! I am very humbled by what I have and love finding deals at the thrift. I would never want someone to treat me any differently due to what I wear or carry.
How do you take care of your bags? After I carry them, I have a bag shelf I place them on. Out of sunlight but my Hermès bag I store back in the box lying down flat. Since they are Clemence leather, I don’t want saggy bags.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? 1-3 times a year
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? In-store, I want to make sure there are no defects or anything to my dislike before purchasing. I like to inspect what I get before I come home with it.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Neiman Marcus and Neiman Last Call.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? No, I think long and hard before I purchase any handbag. I do my research and look at photos and reviews.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes! My clothes mentor had a new Chanel bag with tags I got under retail. Of course authentic and went and let Fashionphile authenticate for me as well. Also Fashionphile.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Yes, of course! The best way to do it if you can.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? No
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No, I make my own decisions. I like to see what’s trending or what people are liking. But it does not make me want to go buy what they have.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes!
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Yes and no. I tend to go for the classics, but it’s always fun to see what’s up and new. Sometimes a trend can turn into a classic. It all depends on how it’s marketed.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? For Hermès, yes. I don’t shop Hermès in my home town because it’s too hard. Anywhere else, I have a few SAs I’m close with, but my mom and I shop a lot of places and hope whoever is helping us is nice!
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Yes, that’s why I resell. I have a shopping addiction, so I shop for other people! My mom and I, we work together. But I enjoy shopping for my dad, looking for deals and steals.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Hermès in Dallas, sometimes they just look at Mom and I and won’t even ask if we need help. We connected with one SA once, but we do not play the Hermès game. That’s why we shop at a different location out of Texas. Mom and I typically dress nicely when we go out, but maybe we just don’t have that “look.”
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Quality, hardware, and of course, a scandal behind the brand.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Balenciaga, and I don’t believe I have to explain why.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Myself
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No, I’m single, but if you know of any guy who’s looking for a crazy handbag lady, let me know!
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? No.
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? No.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I am also a dental assistant on the side, so that deff helps keep me extra busy as well.
What is your greatest fear? Drowning
Which living person do you most admire? My mom.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Growing and learning to do more besides reselling. Overcoming type 1 diabetes and learning to live with it for the rest of my life.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Even though luxury handbags might be a goal to have one day or to collect as many as you can…you can’t bring those with you when you’re gone. So buy a bag, live life, and don’t get caught up in the trend. Do what you want to do, buy what you want to buy, and pass down your world to someone else’s world.
