In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a collector who started collecting designer bags when she was 35. Since then, she’s amassed an impressive collection of over 20 bags, rotating them in and out when she’s no longer using a bag.
CC 232 doesn’t budget for bags per se, but at this stage of her collecting journey, she’s able to look at her bags and assess which she can part ways with to help fund new purchases. Though CC 232 typically takes her time to research each purchase and doesn’t stray towards trends, there are exceptions to her every rule.
One of the most disappointing purchases was the bag of her dreams, which CC 232 eventually went on to sell. Find out which Hermès bag let her down and read the full CC below!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 66
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Sydney, Australia
What is your occupation? Fashion Retail Sales
What industry do you work in? Women’s Fashion
Your annual salary? $35,000
Total Household Income? $35,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 25 Approx
What bags are in your collection?
- BV Small Jodie – black
- BV Teen Jodie – caramel
- BV Mini Jodie – black
- BV Mini Pouch 20 – white
- BV Cabat black
- LV Loop Hobo
- LV Dauphine
- LV Pochette Métis Monogram
- LV Coussin black
- LV Capucines – black with black hardwares
- Dior Lady Dior black with silver hardware
- Prada Cleo black
- Prada soft nylon tote
- Chanel 2.55 black
- Celine The Edge bag – navy blue and black
- Celine Triomphe Black
- Celine Triomphe Canvas
- Celine Triomphe small bucket bag Canvas
- Celine Cabas
- Loewe Basket tote medium
- Goyard Zip Pouch Grey
- Goyard Le Sac Artois MM Navy
- Goyard Le Sac Saint Louis Grey
- Saint Laurent Lou Black black hardware back pocket
- Saint Laurent Lou Lou black hardware
- Saint Laurent bum bag
- Fendi Peekaboo Grey Sellaria leather cream interior
- Fendi Baguette black leather
How much is your collection worth? AUD$135,000 approx
What is your most expensive bag? Bottega Veneta Cabat
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? Don’t regret any of my purchases but if I find a bag is not what I’d hoped for I don’t have any issue about selling.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 35 years old and it was the most beautiful Prada backpack. Nylon back and chocolate brown lamb skin front with whip stitching on the pockets. It was heaven and I was sooooo proud of it.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’m currently looking at The Row Slouchy Banana bag in black leather.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? I did have – and it’s an obvious one. I dreamt of owning a Hermès Birkin bag. When I finally got it – I was so disappointed. It was just too heavy and no shoulder carry. I kept it for a few years and then sold it.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Fendi Peekaboo. It was an impulse purchase on a trip to New York. I think I bought it in about 2 minutes. Just totally fell in love. Normally will do my research and comparative pricing but this one just had my heart instantly!
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes. Sometimes I do. I’m a very casual dresser but will always carry one of my bags. I can see some shop assistants giving me the once over – bags and jewellery do make a visual difference. The problem with this is that not everyone comes to the right conclusion. It’s a pity that just a smile and being friendly doesn’t have the same impact.
And no – I would prefer people not judging me on my bags.
How do you take care of your bags? All my bags are kept in a purpose built cupboard and in their dust covers.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? It varies. Maybe every 6 months. I need to sell usually to finance a big purchase. Sometimes more frequently and sometimes a bigger period of time in between.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I like purchasing in-store. I like to try on and feel the leather. And the weight of the bag. However I do purchase online as well as in Sydney we don’t always have the biggest range to choose from. Sometimes prices will vary and it will be more economical to buy online.
Which stores do you frequent the most?
- Bottega Veneta
- Louis Vuitton
- Prada
- Gucci
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes. Sometimes I’ve bought a bag and come home with it and it’s just been not right. I like looking in my mirror and getting the feel for it. Sometimes it’s too heavy or too small and I can’t fit in what I need. So it will go back.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? No. I don’t purchase second hand. For me, it has to be new and unused.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Absolutely. Couldn’t manage any other way. I sell my bags and shoes and some designer clothes.
I sell online with a few different resellers. Also one local store in Sydney.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? I’ve only ever given away one bag. It was to a woman that I don’t know very well but she absolutely loved a bag I was carrying. I ended up not using it so much and gave it to her the next time we met. She was so excited it was wonderful!
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No. Never feel any pressure. Well, any pressure I do feel is pressure from me!
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Some yea and some no.
I have a few bags in my collection that have more than doubled in price since I purchased so I know if I did sell I would actually get more than what I paid, which is crazy but it is what is.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? A mix of both. I won’t buy just purely because of fashion trends. Although I did with the Saint Laurent Le 5 e 7. It went back as just too small for me and on me.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes and no. It’s always lovely to have a sales associate that I know and that I’ve built a good relationship with. I will also not go back to a particular store if I’ve found them to snooty or rude. I work in sales and it’s really important to build trust with your customers.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Depends on my mood. Sometimes I’m happy browsing but more often than not, I’ll shop with purpose. I do sometimes like/need a little retail therapy – ha!
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Very rarely. If I know I’m going into the city to high end boutiques, I’ll often make more of an effort in what I wear. But sometimes I’ll just go in in my leggings, tee shirt and a jacket. I think most sales associates nowadays are aware that you can’t tell who is a serious shopper just by appearance. More so since Covid lockdowns I think.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Weight is one of my most important criteria. I can’t do heavy bags anymore.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? There are brands that I don’t like – mainly as their styles are not my style. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them but there just not me. Chloé is one brand that springs to mind.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? I do.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No budget. I probably should! I just refinance by selling bags that I’m not getting the use out of.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item?
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Mmmmmm … yes – even at this age
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? I have one girlfriend who is critical. I’m human and don’t like the criticism. I try to change the topic when it gets into that territory as I won’t fight over it. Finally it’s my call what I purchase not hers.
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? Yes – I went for twelve months without purchasing anything – bags and clothing – to afford my Birkin.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No. I don’t think it’s a problem as I buy and sell to maintain my purchases. I think as I’m getting older it’s becoming less important to have as much.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? No. Bags are my thing.
What is your greatest fear? I guess health is the issue that concerns me the most. If we don’t have our health, nothing else matters.
Which living person do you most admire? I admire people that are philanthropic. Those that give selflessly of their money and time.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My kids and my partner. That was an easy question!
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Life! Growing older is pretty eye opening as you build your own self confidence and self worth. I’m finding I’m much happier with my own company and truly choosing who I want to spend time with. I’m so happy to go out for meals on my own with my book!
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Bags are gorgeous, wonderful and fun. They help us express who we are and what we like. But in the end, they’re bags. And not as important as being a good person and looking out for others.
I appreciate the mature perspective of CC232. I’m in her age bracket and share similar life values.
I also resell when a bag doesn’t fit or I want to fund a new one. I saved a long time to buy my Birkin too, but unfortunately it was also too heavy to carry. I still have it, but maybe it’s time to sell.
I’m just a bit older than CC and I can co-sign her comment: as we get older we really are so much more comfortable as humans.
And I agree, I most admire people who have value as humans, who are kind and selfless.
As for the bags, I enjoy them but am not obsessed with my bags.
Wonderful CC! I totally agree with her comment about heavy bags. That’s a no go for me. I love that her collection is filled with classic, timeless colors like black. If you spend that much on a bag, you should not cave in to temporary color or style fads. Wholeheartedly agree about the Birkin. Always seemed not very user friendly, and just an outrageously priced status symbol. And her outlook on life, keeping bags in their proper limited perspective, and recognizing the truly important things in life, speaks volumes to her maturity. As they say, with age comes wisdom.
Resonating article beyond purses 😍🥰
The last sentence is everything