In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a 29-year-old collector from SF who has been collecting bags since the height of the Gucci era. While her first purchase was a very of-the-moment Gucci Dionysus, which she still loves to this day, throughout her journey, CC 238 has realized a love for rare vintage bags.
A true bag lover at the core, CC 238’s collection has grown to include around 60 bags, ranging from smaller labels to the best of the best from Chanel and Hermès. Her collection includes an array of incredibly unique bags. From vintage Fendi Baguettes to bold Chanel Flaps, an exotic Kelly, and more, CC 238 has curated must-see collection. Get the scoop below!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 29
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? San Francisco, CA
What is your occupation? Marketing
What industry do you work in? Tech
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $200,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 60
What bags are in your collection? The majority of my collection consists of vintage Fendi Baguettes and Chanel Flap Bags. I also have a couple of vintage Hermès Kellys and one Birkin. Everything else is odd one-offs, like a D&G Zodiac bag from 2004 and the LV Multicolor Lodge PM. There are also a lot of mid-range bags in my collection. I just like bags in general.
How much is your collection worth? Honestly, I’ve never added it up.
What is your most expensive bag? Ostrich Hermès Kelly 32
Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? I really try not to regret anything. I think staying positive is SO important, just generally in life and more specifically when you like to collect things. I try to buy only things that I think I can afford and I try not to put too much emotional significance into my purchases. There have absolutely been bags that did not work for me, especially at the volume that I buy bags at, but if they don’t work out I’ll sell them on or give them to someone who will use it.
Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? I’m probably the antithesis of the current quiet luxury trend. I like things that are quirky and a little bit eccentric. I also wear a lot of jewelry and a lot of color, so generally nothing about me falls into the less is more category.
Do I wish some of my bags got more use? Yeah I do. But I think currently I am of the mindset that they bring me joy and it’s okay to be impractical sometimes.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I got a Gucci Dionysus during the height of the Gucci craze, and I still really like it. While it wasn’t as popular as the Marmont, I think it’s had a little bit more longevity.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’m a little bit Fendi obsessed at the moment —the SS25 bags looked amazing so I’m looking forward to that launch. I’m also keeping an eye out for a Victor Vasarely Baguette from the 90s.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Maybe a shiny croc Kelly or the Kelly Desordre.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Not really! I buy bags because they are fun and interesting and not because they have any significance
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I’m sure that they do on some subconscious level when they recognize the bag but I also don’t think there’s as much of an emphasis on fashion in SF as there might be other places. Very rarely am I having conversations with other handbag lovers and I don’t think when I’m on the streets many people are like “that’s a cool vintage Fendi baguette she’s carrying.”
How do you take care of your bags? I don’t do anything special! Most of my bags are vintage or secondhand and already come with wear so I try not to be too precious with them. When I’m buying bags, I’m actually not trying to optimize for condition. I like getting a good deal and I think if I’m going to use the bag anyway it doesn’t really matter. Also, very rarely am I holding my bags to my face so most flaws aren’t even noticeable from a distance.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Every month!
How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I’ve only started collecting in the past few years. I do though go through phases of liking certain brands. I was very into Chanel for a bit but now I’m in a Fendi phase. Not sure what’s coming next for me.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? Online for sure. I buy mostly used and buying online means you have access to the most variety and the best price.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Japanese Mercari for sure.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Because I’m buying most of my bags from Japanese sites, I don’t really have the option of returning things.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I buy most of my bags through Buyee which is a Japanese proxy service. I don’t limit myself to certain sites or sellers, I just look for the best deals!
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? I’ll give stuff to my family and friends if I feel like I’m not going to get what I want from resale.
Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? Probably subconsciously but isn’t that just the world we live in? There are advertisements everywhere, both overt and not, and unless I resign myself to living like a monk, I’m going to be influenced.
Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? Not necessarily. As I’ve mentioned, I like getting a good deal. That means of the handful of bags I’ve sold, I’ve made money on most of them. That being said, I don’t buy my bags to sell so it’s hard to think of them as investments because the gains will never be realized.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I like to follow trend cycles. Even when I buy things that are considered “classic” I like them with a little bit of a twist. It definitely bites me in the butt sometimes because when you have a bunch of clothes, shoes and bags that are all in interesting patters/colors/prints they don’t mix very well together. I wish I was attracted to plain black bags but the heart wants what it wants I guess.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Nope! I shop online
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Totally. I enjoy buying things, wearing them and admiring them when they are not being worn.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not that I’ve noticed.
What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Price for sure.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Nope – as I’ve mentioned I buy mostly vintage so everything is fair game. I might have reservations if I were buying new but it’s not really a concern at the moment.
Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? Nope!
How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? Whatever floats your boat! As long as you like what you’re buying, who cares?
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not specifically
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Yes
Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No
Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? No—in fact I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be wearing it to my workplace.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? N/A
Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? Yes—when something doesn’t work for me I’ll sell it on.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? I think the odd comment is to be expected when you buy expensive things.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I think this is a concern that will invariable cross every collectors mind. As long as I can afford it and I’m happy I don’t think it’s an issue.
Love this style! This lady has chosen great colors, textures, and embellishments. Each bag is a little celebration! I am sure she has a black tote somewhere, but these are all beautiful.
Are certain questions in the questionnaire meant to be a data collection for companies like Afterpay/Klarna or even RealReal, Fashionphile?
Absolutely not. We added these questions to understand consumer behavior and share it with our readers. None of the answers provided are sold to any company.