CC 240: The Vintage Lover

In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a collector from Long Island, New York, who began collecting bags in her early thirties. Now, nearly 30 years later, this collector has curated a selection of vintage bags, choosing to shop secondhand only.

CC 240 owns an impressive collection of some of Coach’s earliest designs (and most-coveted) and dreams of owning a Hermès Kelly Bag, vintage, of course! In the immediate future, she’s always looking for vintage Coach. A true vintage hunter, CC 240 shops on resale sites like Poshmark and makes time for the Manhattan Vintage Show each year.

Read the full CC, and don’t forget to submit your own below!

Basic Bio

Your Age? 60
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Nassau County, Long Island, NY
What is your occupation? Jewelry Designer
What industry do you work in? Luxury Goods
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $250,000
Are you a PurseForum member? No

Onto The Bags

How many bags do you own? 10

What bags are in your collection?

• Vintage Coach Willis Crossbody in black, brown, and bone
• Vintage Coach Court Shoulder in black, brown
• Vintage Legacy City in burgundy
• Vintage Legacy Top Handle Flap backpack in black
• Coach Legacy Half Moon satchel in black
• Vintage Ralph Lauren Kaden crocodile embossed satchel
• Vintage Ralph Lauren alligator embossed shoulder tote

How much is your collection worth? $4,000

What is your most expensive bag? Vintage Coach Willis Crossbody

Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? I do not experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag because I do my research and only buy if I love it. The other criteria is that the bag must be vintage for me to show interest.

Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? I do sometimes feel a desire to downsize my collection. The factors that drive this decision is that I want to share my collection with my goddaughter and close girlfriends. I have gifted two vintage Coach bags to my sister and goddaughter.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I was 33 and the bag was a vintage Dooney & Bourke two-tone leather satchel gifted by my husband. He bought it from Second Time Around, a consignment shop in Huntington, NY.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Yes, I am always looking to add to my vintage Coach collection.

Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? My holy grail dream bag is a Hermès Kelly in black togo leather gold hardware, size 30. But it must be vintage for me to show any interest.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? I still have the first Dooney & Bourke two-toned leather satchel that my husband bought me. I don’t really use it much but it has a special sentimental value as my first designer piece.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes, carrying a designer handbag does change people’s perceptions of you. I have walked into the Fendi store on 57th Street carrying a vintage Coach handbag, kind of casually dressed, and got the star treatment of a personal tour of the shop. So yes, it does make a difference what type of bag you are carrying.

How do you take care of your bags? I regularly polish and condition with Lexol leather conditioner and saddle soap.

On Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? I buy only when I see something I really like. Sometimes I buy two a year, other times none at all.

How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? My handbag collection has not changed too much. In my 20’s, I bought a lot of European vintage from Spain and Italy, mostly box handbags – I still own them and take them out to wear mostly for evening. Now I tend to stick to classic vintage styles of Coach and Ralph Lauren for day events.

Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I tend to buy from the secondhand market on Poshmark and vintage shows in Manhattan. Actually tomorrow will be the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show which I attend at least two times a year to scope out true vintage pieces, including handbags. A bag I’d like to eventually own is the Gucci Boston in navy blue logo canvas.

Which stores do you frequent the most? I like to shop online through Poshmark. I also follow some vintage shops through Instagram.

Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? No, never.

Do you ever buy secondhand bags? Where do you buy used? I only source secondhand. I feel it is important to shop sustainable whenever possible. I shop at estate sales, vintage shops, consignment shops, charity shops, and Poshmark.

Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Yes, I hand them down to my goddaughter and family members.

Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? No, I don’t follow any influencer’s recommendations, so no pressures from social media.

Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? I consider my bag purchases as emotional investments. They have meaning in themselves of a time and place I have a memory.

Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I do not follow any of the latest fashion trends when deciding on my next purchase. I do prefer classic styles.

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No they are not instrumental to my shopping choices.

Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I enjoy shopping very much. Wearing vintage is part of my personality and of who I am.

Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? I have not received inferior service at any store or boutique. I always dress very tastefully when I go out to shop. I dress in the styles that make me happy, be it casual or dressy, and it shows in my outlook. I always get the most courteous service.

What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Price is the main factor that dissuades me from buying a bag, even if I like it.

Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? I refuse to buy anything Chanel, Prada, or Louis Vuitton. I feel they are overpriced be they brand new or used. The only time I would wear these labels is if the item I receive is a gift.

Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? No I never rent designer bags.

How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? I am supportive of “quiet luxury.” I don’t like nouveau-riche or ostentatious behavior. That is not what I am about.

On Budgeting & Perceptions

Who pays for your bags? My husband pays for some of my bags. Other times I pay for them myself.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? I do save funds to afford to buy bags. Every purchase is planned.

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Once when I was in my 20’s, a friend knew of a place that sold me a counterfeit Louis Vuitton. I ended up not using the bag and throwing it away. Since then, I have not purchased a counterfeit designer item.

Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No I do not use financing or payment plans. I pay in full at the time of purchase.

Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? Yes, owning a luxury bag does help me in social situations. I wear my vintage Coaches to my church functions, which always makes an impact. I already have a reputation for dressing well and it is well-known at church.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? No, I don’t hide any of my purchases. My husband allows me to buy what I like. He knows I don’t spend needlessly and he supports my shopping of vintage items.

Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? I do not resell my bags on any platforms.

Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? No one criticizes my bag-buying habits. I always buy for value.

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 have a shopping addiction.

Let’s get personal…

What is your greatest extravagance? My greatest extravagance is buying vintage jewelry.

What is your greatest fear? My greatest fear is to develop a life threatening illness that makes me unable to take care of myself.

What is the trait you most admire in others? I admire people who speak their mind in honesty.

Which living person do you most admire? I admire our former president, Barack Obama. I am proud that I could call him my president.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? The greatest love of my life is my husband.

What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? My favorite journey I have taken so far has to be traveling to Crete, Greece, two times.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness is being able to live my life as an Orthodox Christian.

Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? I can’t stress this enough – make memories in your life – take time to be kind to others as well as yourself.