In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a healthcare professional in her mid-forties who has been collecting bags since her grandmother gifted her a Louis Vuitton Speedy at 15. Since then, she’s added over 2 dozen bags to her collection.
Louis Vuitton remains a favorite, though she states that her Holy Grail is the Chanel Jumbo Flap she purchased for $4,500, well before the constant price hikes! While a WOC is next on her list, because of the insane prices, she states that the longer she waits, the more expensive it gets!
CC 228 loves to spend time on TPF chatting with fellow bag lovers, but she states that her journey of motherhood has been one of the most rewarding of her life. She works hard to give her kids the life she didn’t have. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to share your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 46
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Orange County
What is your occupation? Healthcare Professional
What industry do you work in? Healthcare
Your annual salary? $155,000
Total Household Income? $310,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 28
What bags are in your collection? Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci
My favorites are:
Chanel Jumbo
Louis Vuitton Mini Palm Springs and Louis Vuitton Bum Bag
How much is your collection worth? $35,000
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Jumbo and Louis Vuitton Capucines BB
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? Yes! I’ve purchased the LV Alma BB 3 times. It’s a love/hate relationship. It’s too long and I’m only 5’1.”
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 15. My grandmother gifted me a LV Speedy 25.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I want to get the Chanel WOC but the longer I wait the more expensive it gets!! LOL!
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? My holy grail is my Chanel Jumbo. I got it at $4,500 and now it’s over $10K. I don’t have any dream bags at the moment.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My LV Mon Mono Speedy 30. My kids purchased this for Mother’s day 2016 at age of 8 and 6. The colors are pretty bright but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!!
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes I believe so. It really depends on the person. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are influenced by how people are dressed or what bag they wear. Anyone can dress the part but it’s how they present themselves.
How do you take care of your bags? I leave them in their dust bags. I do clean them from time to time.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Not that often. I do consign. I consign with Fashionphile and Yoogi’s.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I like to go in so I can try them on. Also to see if it’s something I want to buy.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Bloomingdale’s.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes I have. I purchased the YSL Toy Lou Lou bag. I thought I would love it but it wasn’t love for me.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I haven’t bought any second-hand bags but small leather goods, yes. I bought a few from Fashionphile and Poshmark.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Yes I do.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? I’ve donated to my sisters. LOL. They are younger than me. They appreciate it.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not really. I look at my collection and just ask myself what I want to add it to it.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes definitely. I have one daughter. She will be getting my bags too.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I buy what works for me. I do prefer the classic styles.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? It definitely helps. I always contact my SA’s first before purchasing. They are very helpful by sending me details with photos.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I love shopping especially with my daughter. We like to try new things but we don’t buy them necessarily.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not that I’m aware of. I always contacted my SA first. I would set up a meeting with them. On the days I don’t I do get compliments on my bags from customers.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? The price. The versatility of it. I can find something similar at a lower price range.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Michael Kors. Not a fan. I was never drawn to his collection.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me, myself and I. LOL. Sometimes my husband if it’s a gift.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? I do sometimes. It just depends on what I want to purchase. I do try to sell my other bags before making a purchase.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Never. I just can’t. I can’t stand fakes.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Yes I have. I tell him it’s an old purchase. LOL. He believes it.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Not that I know of. They do compliment me all the time.
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? No. I would not do this for any purchase.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No. I never thought of it as problem. We do go as a family. We like to walk around.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? We love to travel. My kids are getting older and we’re trying to spend more time with them.
What is your greatest fear? Not able to provide for my family.
Which living person do you most admire? My parents. Without them, I would not be who I am today.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My children. They are my everything. I work so hard for them. I want them to have what I didn’t have growing up.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Being a mother. I’m not perfect. I learn everyday while my children are getting older. Best job ever.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? I have been a PurseForum member since 2009. I like coming on the forum to view everyone’s excitement. It’s my therapy.
My mom passed away recently. Your story about shopping with your daughter made me miss my own mom, as I loved shopping with her. She loved jewelry, and I loved bags. We would get excited with each other’s purchases, or when just window shopping. Treasure those moments with your daughter. I treasure mine and miss her every day. Shopping and buying bags is not the same when I don’t have her anymore to share the excitement I used to feel. Thank you for your story.
Love this! I imagine you’re an excellent mother😊😊