In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re checking in with a former confessor, CC 88! A one-time Hermès Devotee, CC 233’s attitude towards collecting bags has changed dramatically in the almost four years since we last spoke.
Whereas once she was knee-deep in the H-pond, these days, she’s much closer to purse peace and feels a bit put off by the whole H-journey. Her collection now consists of around 20 bags, all of which suit her personal style and feel true to her.
Over the past four years, CC 233 has not only developed a new attitude towards luxury bags but also worked hard on her mental health. She no longer uses shopping and bags to fill a void. She enjoys buying vintage and shopping the secondary market, though for right now, her collection feels complete.
Read the full CC below and check out photos from CC 233’s collection.
Basic Bio
Your Age? 39
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Detroit
What is your occupation? Attorney
What industry do you work in? Big Tech
Your annual salary? $200,000
Total Household Income? $500,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 20-ish
What bags are in your collection?
- Bottega Veneta – Interecciato Large hobo – Black
- Celine – Classic Medium Box Bag – Lizard
- Chanel – Camera Bag – Black, Lambskin GHW (Vintage, 1980s)
- H – Birkin 35 – Gold, PHW
- H – Birkin 30 – Noir, PHW
- H – Birkin 25 – Gris T, RGHW
- H – Kelly 32 – Rouge H, GHW (Vintage, 1955)
- H – Kelly 28 – Craie, GHW
- H – Kelly 25 – Chevre, Noir/Rouge de Coeur, PBHW
- H – Constance 24 – Gris Mouette, PHW
- H – Constance 18 – Gris Meyer, RGHW
- H – Evelyne TPM – Gold, PHW
- Longchamp – Le Pliage x 2 (I love these)
- Lululemon – Pouch
- The Row – Margaux 17 – Black, Pebbled leather
- The Row – N/S Park Tote, Large – Cuir, Smooth leather
- LV – Speedy 35 Aquarelle (2008)
Archived:
- Chanel – Timeless Clutch – Black, Caviar w/ rose gold hardware
- Coach – Hobo – Black, Fabric (first one! – 2007)
- LV – Rossmore PM Crossbody – Amarante, Vernis
- LV – Speedy 30 – Damier Ebene, Canvas
- LV – Speedy B 30 – Damier Azur, Canvas
- Prada – Executive, Double Zip – Black, Saffiano, Gold Hardware
How much is your collection worth? $95k-ish
What is your most expensive bag? My H bags were the most expensive.
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? YES, and all of them were sold over the last few years (Chanel flaps, trendy bags that do not fit my style but were heavily influenced purchases. Ugh.)
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Same answer from before (I was CC #88!).
“Designer and luxury handbags were not an option for me until after well after college. I think my first designer bag actually was acquired during my honeymoon. My husband bought me a beautiful Coach hobo bag that I still wear to this day!”
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next?
If I’m completely honest, I think I am tired of luxury and bags. I know life is long and we have our seasons – I think I’m simply entering the season of “less is more” now more than ever.
There was a period where I had archived a lot of my older bags and was only carrying my H bags… but today I’m feeling like I miss them and I’m so glad I haven’t parted ways with them. Everything I have now feels very authentic to my taste and I’m happy.
Is this what purse peace feels like?!
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own?
My Special Order Kelly 25 Sellier – Noir w/ Rouge de Coeur inside. It’s divine.
Also the LV Speedy Aquarelle – I wanted that bag so badly but I couldn’t’ afford it at the time. Nearly 20 years later, I found one pre-loved and I’m so happy to carry it.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Coach bag from my husband back in 2007.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Sadly yes… I do notice a difference when I’m carrying my H bags versus anything else. And I’m not sure I like how people are looking at my with my H bags either…
How do you take care of your bags? I keep them in dust bags and give them a wipe-down now and again.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Maybe 1-2 times a year now, if that.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? Online now – I loved in-person shopping, but I just don’t have the time.
Which stores do you frequent the most? H and LV – but even now I’m a bit over the experience. I hate the “H journey” concept and didn’t love how it made me feel.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes – there was an LV bag that I loved but ended up returning because I realized I was just buying the “idea” of owning an It-Bag that everyone wanted. It was completely impractical and didn’t fit anything so it went back. No regrets.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I love vintage and it’s definitely a buyer’s market for resale now. I buy from Fashionphile and Ann’s Fabulous Finds (my favorite – shop local!).
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? No, not any more. But when I have sold I used Fashionphile and Ann’s Fabulous Finds.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Yes! Gifting these beautiful pieces is such a joy and privilege.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? I do and I hate it – I basically stopped checking IG and YouTube because it’s so hard not to be made to feel like I’m not “current” in my style and somehow am missing out.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? No – I think I used to but it doesn’t make sense for me now. I use all my bags to the point where I can’t see them being worth much!
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Classic all the way.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? It was for my H purchases, but even then it was challenging to maintain and there was the added pressure to shop only through them. The person was lovely and they never made me feel like I had to buy something, but the culture surrounding buying H weighed heavily on me – social media did not help either with so many influencers seemingly only focusing on H… not very accessible for the masses and it just made me feel a bit gross. :/
There remains a very “you can’t sit with us” vibe when you start out at H and I really dislike that. I only ever purchased what I loved but I could see others around me buy up things that felt like “Birkin bait” – that’s doesn’t seem sustainable. For me the “H Journey” wasn’t healthy.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I like shopping for others for gifts and things.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? My husband definitely gets better offers than I do, but it’s hard to know if it’s because he’s male…. but even he has noticed it and as thought something’s off.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? At this point, it’s cost – I can’t believe how expensive things are now and it’s not like the quality has improved.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? No, but I don’t tend to vibe well with Chanel, Dior, or Gucci… they are beautiful brands, but I haven’t had success with my past purchases.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes – I only buy once all my bills and necessities are taken care of.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Only when they are gifts for him.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Yes – they don’t get it, and I tell them to mind their business. “I bought it for me, and I love it.”
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? I saved for about 10 years to buy my first birkin… otherwise, if I can’t buy with cash, it’s not worth it.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I addressed this in my previous entry – I suffer from chronic depression (but I’m doing ok!) and I do feel that shopping was like trying to fill a bottomless hole in search of joy and love that I could never fully achieve. Now that I’m in a better place, I can see it was like an addiction and I’m moving past it in a healthy way.
(Never be afraid to ask for help – no one gets a medal at the end of life for just suffering through – it’s ok to not be ok!)
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I’m trying to travel more with me family and enjoy experiences more than “things.”
What is your greatest fear? Losing my loved ones…. they are my entire world.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband and children – I am so blessed to be in their lives.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? My mental health “journey” … I suffered for so long and finally was able to get the help I needed. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this well… I’m not fully healed from my past trauma, but I’m better, and I’m so grateful for the patience and love of my family.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? You do YOU! Luxury and fashion may not be for me anymore but if they bring you real joy, then enjoy and celebrate it. Just remember you are worth so much more than what you own – you are beautiful and loved.
This is possibly one of my favorite Closet Confessionals to date. The fact that she’s returned, evolved (“Everything I have now feels very authentic to my taste”), is refreshing, as is her inching toward ‘purse peace’.
I appreciate this CC’s honesty about not enjoying her H journey.
It’s refreshing to see someone share their true feelings about the pressures of luxury shopping and how it doesn’t always lead to happiness or fulfillment.
I didn’t enjoy my journey, either. Hermes requires many, but curiously not all customers, to purchase other items in order to “be offered” a Birkin or Kelly (quota bag). For lack of a better word their requirements are stupid. However, yes I’m guilty of “playing the game” when, in fact, there shouldn’t be any requirements.
Great collection and perspective on mental health. I enjoyed this confessional. While the salary info gets a flack and judgement I find it interesting and if I’m honest a bit “enabling.” I always wanted an Hermes bag but thought it’s something people who earn extremely high incomes like million etc can realistically afford so I find it interesting that people like the writer can find ways to accommodate a collection of Hermes. No judgement intended in this comment.
Love this! I’ve had a similar journey in H and mental health healing. Thank you for being so open and honest. Your bags are beautiful and are just that. Bags. And it’s so great you can appreciate them and also appreciate your family and experiences too.
Could you please fix her intro? Her deets are on the wrong lines
Fixed, apologies for the oversight.
Yeah you’d think they would proofread before posting
…although I do like the idea of “Detroit” as one’s gender identity 😄
I really enjoyed reading this and appreciate CC88 coming back as CC233 to look back on how things have changed in terms of taste, lifestyle and outlook in today’s society. Im glad you are on the mend and enjoying your life. Love the mantra of “You do You”. Your money, your choice and your bags. Love your collection, luxury fatigue is a thing but purse peace do exists.
I love the mental health advice, very sweet and down to earth CC.