In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals we meet a newbie collector who just started dipping her toes into the luxury bag pond this year! Though she’s collected many designer SLGs, when it comes to bags, CC 237 has always went for mid-tier bags, but not anymore!
She believes in buying classics and states that a bag must check many boxes before she’ll actually pull the trigger. As a child, CC 237 always dreamed of owning a Louis Vuitton Bag and knows that her younger self would be so excitedâso relatable!
While this rookie snagged four bags in her first year, she believes that going forward, it will be around two per year. She states that buying pre-loved has been a great way to grow her collection and discover older styles. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 35
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? New Zealand
What is your occupation? Branding & Social Media Consultant
What industry do you work in? Marketing
Your annual salary? $70,000
Total Household Income? $150,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 4
What bags are in your collection?
- YSL Cassandre Clutch
- Prada Tessuto Ruffled Tote
- Marc Jacobs Leather Tote Bag
- Louis Vuitton Favourite MM
How much is your collection worth? $5,000
What is your most expensive bag? LV Favourite.
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? No, I’ve been very particular about what I’ve bought so far.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I didn’t start collecting until the start of 2024. I was 34 and my first bag was my YSL Cassandre Clutch. Until then, I had always just bought good quality mid-tier leather bags, not designer.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? The next thing I would love to buy is a LV Neverfull in DE as I am missing a big tote in my collection. I’m also wanting to get another YSL for everyday, like a LouLou or a Nikki.
Do you have a âholy grailâ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? I’d love to get a Speedy B 25 or a Fendi Baguette.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My LV. I have always dreamed of owning a LV bag. I remember being 12 or 13 and scrolling on the internet looking at Louis Vuitton bags (pretty sure it was the Speedy I was eyeing up!). It was definitely nice to tick a LV off the list and I know 12 year old me would be so excited.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Not massively. I feel like NZ is such a chill place with such a mix of fashion styles and designer/non-designer brands, and no-one really cares what anyone else is wearing. I wear my Kmart tops with my designer bags! I wear my bags because I love them, not because I’m wanting approval from others or for others to think more of me.
How do you take care of your bags? When I’m not using them I stuff them and keep them in their dust bags but that’s all. I’ve never conditioned the leather and I certainly don’t baby them. I figure they are there to be bags and useful not ornaments!
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? I’ve bought 4 this year but that won’t happen every year. Maybe 2 per year moving forward
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? Online. We have zero designer stores where I live. I have to travel a few hours to get to a designer boutique, so most of the time it’s not practical.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Probably Louis Vuitton as it’s the closest to me. I have a lot of SLG’s from LV.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Never.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Absolutely! My LV Favourite and Prada Tote were both pre-loved in excellent condition. I love being able to buy older styles pre-loved and it’s often more affordable too. I have a few NZ-based resellers who I trust whom I purchase from.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? No, but I have sold some of my clothes and non-designer bags to help put towards my designer collection. I use Designer Wardrobe to sell.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Not yet.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No. I don’t subscribe to trends, couldn’t really care less what celeb is wearing what etc. I just buy what I like, and when I can afford it.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Not really as the chance of me selling them is unlikely. I buy them to wear them.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I prefer classic styles. A bag has to tick a number of boxes before I’ll buy it and it has to fit into my collection. I don’t want a whole heap of bags sitting there that I don’t use, so I’m very picky about what I do choose to buy.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No as I generally buy online.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Not really. I wouldn’t consider myself a shopaholic. I buy what I like and if it fits my style and into my life.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? No, this is where I feel like maybe it’s a NZ thing. My partner and I rocked up to Louis Vuitton wearing casual non-branded clothes and were treated wonderfully. There are so many different types of people in NZ I feel if they were rude to those that looked casual they would never sell anything!
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Size – if I can’t fit my phone, wallet, keys and inhaler it’s a no-go for me. Too long of a crossbody strap as I am quite short. Price – if it’s not worth it to me, I won’t spend the money.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? I don’t like Balenciaga. I also would never buy from Hermès as I feel like their bags are very grandma-ish.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? I do.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No, I but I will only ever buy a bag if everything else is paid for first. They are always bought out of my “fun” money.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No, I will be honest I have considered it but couldn’t go through with it as I hate to think it is children making the counterfeit bags. Morally, I just couldn’t do it.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Maybe when it arrives in the mail and then I’m usually too excited so I show him pretty quickly!
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? I don’t tell my parents what I spend on bags and they have no interest so have no idea how much they cost. They would freak!
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? No. A bag is a bag. It’s not really that important and I’d never sacrifice anything important to buy one.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No, although when I was younger I used to buy a lot of rubbish clothes from Kmart etc because they were on sale. I’d never wear them but enjoyed buying them. Now I’m older I’m very specific about what I buy and if I need it – no matter the price tag.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I love to collect designer SLG’s. I have a few LV and YSL so far. I also really love traveling with my family.
What is your greatest fear? Losing my son or my partner. I also really really hate spiders!
Which living person do you most admire? My mum. She is just an incredibly beautiful person inside and out and I’m so lucky to have her in my life.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My son and my partner. They make me so happy.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? My journey to becoming a mum and becoming the best partner I can be. My family means everything to me.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Bags are to be enjoyed but you should never sacrifice anything important for one! Family, time and memories are things we can’t get back, but we can always buy another bag.
Love this very down to earth closet confession!
Ahh a fellow kiwi đ Wonderful little collection.