In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re dipping into our archives to share CC 235’s story with you. This collector has a deep affinity for collecting and curating, which likely comes naturally after working as a Creative Director before retiring.
As for the bags, CC 235 began with Coach and Burberry in her earliest days before moving on to Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and eventually Hermès. These days, this collector focuses mainly on Hermès and strictly believes in the one-in-one-out rule, stating that she hopes to trim her collection down instead of acquiring more.
A seasoned collector, CC 235 offers valuable advice not only for shopping mindfully and within your means but also for curating a wardrobe of bags that works for you. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 71
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Oregon, USA
What is your occupation? Retired/Former Ad Agency Creative Director
What industry do you work in? Advertising
Your annual salary? $150,000
Total Household Income? $250,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 18 handbags (plus 3 I plan to consign) and 7 totes
What bags are in your collection?
Black:
Brown:
- Hermès Jypsière 28 (gold)
- Hermès Trim II (gold)
- Hermès Verrou 24 (étoupe)
- Hermès Jige (étoupe)
- Two Hunting Season
Red:
- Hermès Kelly 28 in rouge casaque
- Hermès Bolide 31 in rouge H
Blue:
- Bleu abysse Hermès Bolide 31
- Bleu azur Hermès Birkin 30
- Bleu nuit Hermès Kelly Dépêches
Wicker/Leather:
Totes:
- 4 Longchamp Le Pliage in various sizes
- 2 Cuyana Leather
- Bembien rattan and leather
How much is your collection worth? I’ve probably spent around $100K
What is your most expensive bag? Kelly 28 and Birkin 30
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? Over the past five years, I’ve replaced most of my other designers with Hermès, generally preferring their more under-the-radar styles. Their designs and philosophy appeal to me, as does the fact that they remain independent. Chanel has become too “fancy” for my casual, jeans-centric life, and now I look for leather linings and better quality hardware, such as gold-plated vs gold-colored.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I bought Coach and Burberry in my 30’s; my first real splurge was a Louis Vuitton St. Jacques in black Epi leather when I was about 40.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’d love to get another Kelly 28 in grey, black, or dark green, but am also coveting a Delvaux Tempête — a brand that also has a wonderful history.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? My Jypsie 28, which was my first Hermès.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My not-famous Francis Model woven leather bag, that I bought in Venice when my now-husband and I got engaged. He was shocked by the three-figure price; little did he know how relatively inexpensive it was! I also have a soft spot for my Jypsie 28, which was my first Hermès “Holy Grail”.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I definitely get better service when shopping, traveling, or at restaurants when I carry a recognizable bag, which is kind of sad but useful. However, it can also work the other way: I stopped wearing my good bags in the office after someone commented that I must be making too much money.
None of my friends are bag lovers; one once asked if my Bolide was a Dooney & Burke.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? There’s no real pattern but maybe 4-5 times a year. I have a strict one-in/one-out policy so I will buy something if I sense a wardrobe gap (style or color) or to replace something I’m tired of.
Which stores do you frequent the most? For retail purchases, I mostly shop at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and Hermès online and visit Hermès boutiques wherever we travel.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes—my favorites are Fashionphile, Ann’s Fabulous Finds, and Yoogi’s Closet.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Always! It’s the only way to keep my “collection” under control. I’ve sold on The Real Real and Ann’s Fabulous Finds.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No; if anything, it’s the opposite: I think huge accumulations of “stuff” are far less chic than a well-edited wardrobe. I resisted buying a Birkin for years because of the hype — I really don’t want someone to think I’m carrying the “Kardashian bag”, and only caved when I saw a color I adored.
When I see a photo in a magazine or online and the style appeals to me, I will probably check it out. Then, if I do decide to purchase I will analyze whether it fills a gap and what I need to sell to replace it with.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? I wish! No, they are simply an investment in my personal happiness. I’ve only sold a few of my bags at a profit, but I think of the others as bags I “rented” and try not to stress if I lose money.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? If I see an image on PB or PF, a fashion blog, or online, I can be tempted to investigate further. Inspiration also comes from magazines. It’s usually something that sparks an idea more than a particular product: a shape, a color, a size — and that could be in a brand I won’t necessarily buy but it will start me thinking about finding something similar. But celebrities or influencers? Nope.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No, because we don’t live near any decent shopping 🙁 But I’ve had some great SAs in the past.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I’m both a shopaholic and a window-shopaholic because I’m as attracted by the “thrill of the chase” as much as the actual acquisition. I’m also an “unshopaholic” and find it satisfying to reduce clutter and get rid of things I no longer love. What I’m NOT is a hoarder; having too much stuff gives me anxiety.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? When I was 21, I inherited some money from my grandmother and decided to buy a car. I had my eye on a new Ford Mustang and went over to the dealer wearing my usual jeans. The salesmen barely glanced at me but I finally persuaded someone to let me test drive the car I’d singled out. When we got back to the lot I said I’d take it, and the salesman started telling me how expensive payments would be, etc. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I said I’d be paying cash — and I hope the next “kid in jeans” got better service than I had! (ps, it was a great car.)
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? I do; always have!
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No, but I am always aware of other priorities and expenses, and what my bank balances are. I recently inherited enough money that I could theoretically buy any bag(s) I want, but I still want to be reasonably frugal and practical about shopping. (ex: I do NOT need, want, or have any use for a $200,000 Himalaya Birkin!)
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Yes, but for a different reason. I sometimes bought replicas to see whether I would like a style enough to upgrade to the real thing. For example, I have had a replica Louis Vuitton Neverfull for years and I’ve never felt it was worth replacing because I honestly don’t see enough of a difference.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No, although I did sometimes do that with my first husband (one of SO many issues!) My (second) husband has a great eye so I will often ask for his opinion — and he’s become all too educated about what bags cost these days so I couldn’t fool him if I tried!
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? Hmmm, maybe selling Chanel to purchase Hermès?
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I have more of an addiction to looking at things vs. actually acquiring them; it’s a form of entertainment and I have to control my screen time. But I can’t lie — I do love to shop, both for myself and for others! The mistakes usually happen when I’m bored or stressed so I try to curb my impulsiveness by generally making sure I can return an item if the thrill wears off, I find something else I prefer, or I’ve bought something I truly don’t need. I’ll often put something in an online shopping cart and wait a few days to see if I’m still thinking about it. I do still make mistakes — happily, not as many as I used to — so I try to slow myself down and be more analytical: how much will I use this and what will it replace?
I’ve always loved beautiful things and collected different enthusiasms over the years, but I’ve learned the hard way that accumulating too much stuff creates more anxiety than pleasure. In a way, it becomes more of a challenge when you can afford to buy what you want so that’s where the discipline comes in.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Travel. Hermès scarves. Oh, and boots — I just love boots.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Create a plan vs simply buying everything you like: 1) Buy less, but better; save up for what you really love rather than several cheaper options you’ll probably want to trade up later. 2) Be realistic about your life; for instance, don’t buy a ton of evening bags if you live in jeans. 3) Identify categories (dressy, casual day, business, travel, day-to-night, seasonal, etc.) and then start with one neutral in each category that goes with most of your clothes, potentially adding another neutral and/or a color in the one or two categories you use the most.
Heaven knows, after 30+ yrs my collection (and my shopping addiction) is still a work in progress! Limiting myself to (mostly) one brand removes a lot of temptation and I try to channel my obsession by continually editing, with an ultimate goal to cut back to 8 or 10 bags. (At its peak, I probably had at least 40.) Easier said than done.
Finally– don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty about your love of luxury. We all deserve it! If you can afford it, enjoy — almost everyone splurges on something: eating out, pricey cars, playing golf, etc. I truly don’t think any indulgence is “better” or “worse” than any other.
CC 235 takes a sensible approach to bag shopping. I appreciate the advice to create a plan, and practice a strict one in/one out policy. I also appreciate the honesty about buying a rep to see if the authentic bag would be worth the expense. That makes sense to me.
I’ve found myself trimming back my collection, a bit, because too many bags created anxiety. That, plus I literally ran out of room and my bags were everywhere!
I really love this article and her take. Her parting words…she is me and I am her🥰
Ooh, CC & I are roughly the same age & retired from the same business.
Her writing is thoughtful, well-considered and concise.
While don’t have nearly the level of bags she has, I am culling my possessions also and I enjoy the thrill of window shopping. My family says I have to look at and touch EVERY. SINGLE. THING I see.