CC 254: The Vintage Lover Who Thrives on the Thrill of the Hunt

In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals we meet a handbag lover stepping into the next decade of her life. CC 254 first started collecting bags at 23, but she’s overhauled her collection in the last few years. What started with an ostentatious Gucci Marmont bag that she spent entirely too much money on in her early 20s has evolved into something so much sweeter.

Over the years, CC 254 has realized her love for rare vintage bags from Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Fendi, opting to sell off the majority of her current bags in place of the rare gems that feed her soul. CC 254 has curated an enviable collection of limited-edition bags, and while she loves the feeling it brings to own them, the hunt for them is just as rewarding.

A down-to-earth, smart collector we’d like to be friends with, read the full CC below and check out pictures of her amazing collection, too! Don’t forget to submit your own to be featured next!

Basic Bio

Your Age? 30
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Alexandria, VA
What is your occupation? Marketing Director
What industry do you work in? Financial Services
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $150,000
Are you a PurseForum member? No

Onto The Bags

How many bags do you own? 10

What bags are in your collection?

• 2007 Louis Vuitton Sunset Boulevard, Amarante Vernis
• 1997 Louis Vuitton Keepall 45, Blue Epi
• 2021 Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires, Monogram
• 2000 Christian Dior Saddle Pochette, Burgundy Trotter
• 2000 Christian Dior Saddle Pochette, Navy Blue Trotter
• 2005 Christian Dior Embroidered Flowers Boston Bag, Cream Trotter
• 2001 Christian Dior Embossed Shoulder Bag, Green and Yellow “Croc”
• 2014 Balenciaga Agneau Classic City, Black Leather with Gold Hardware
• 2009 Fendi Zucca Roll Tote
• 2009 Fendi Zucca Mama Baguette, with Python Flower Decaling (just ordered, hasn’t arrived yet!)

How much is your collection worth? For these bags, I’ve paid a total of about $6300. But I think the re-sale value of this collection is closer to $10,000.

What is your most expensive bag? My new 2009 Fendi Mama is the most I’ve paid out of my current collection, because with the python flowers sewn on it’s a rarer piece to find in the Mama size rather than the standard baguette sizing. I’ve paid in the $2000s for other bags that I’ve since sold.

Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? For sure. And I typically turn around and re-sell the bag with the goal of recouping at least 90% of the cost if not more.

Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? I cleaned house on my collection at the end of 2024 — sold 3 or 4 bags that I just wasn’t wearing or didn’t feel fit my style anymore. And I’ve focused in on only wanting to own bags that make me happy to use and bring me joy, rather than letting pieces sit and collect dust.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 23 and it was an obscenely showy large Gucci top handle Marmont bag in a pale pink pebbled leather with the GG logo in pearls on the front. It was way above what I could really afford fresh out of college and I sold it 6 months later.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Beacause I added to my collection with numerous new bags in 2024 as I worked through selling some older ones, I’m probably taking a break in 2025. But there’s bags on my watchlist that if I see at a good price, I’d have to scoop up, like:

• a Louis Vuitton Richard Prince aquarelle monogram brown speedy
• anything in the 2005 Louis Vuitton denim collection, but specifically the green denim (I once owned a Baggy PM in the blue denim, and selling it is a huge regret)
• something from the Louis Vuitton Game On collection
• a Louis Vuitton Kusama neverfull (not the current collab, the 2012 collab!)
• and always open to expanding my Galliano for Dior collection with a full-size vintage saddle bag (ideally the green ostrich or the leopard with red trim)

I definitely have a love for the older Louis artistic collabs and early 2000s Galliano for Dior is my weakness as well.

Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? A green python mini Lady Dior…… I don’t think it’d go with my everyday style (which is more casual)….. but god would I like to look at one of these every day in my collection!

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Fendi Zucca roll tote. It’s small/medium sized. I paid $408 for it on The Real Real back in 2021, and the thread and lining are hot pink. I’ve taken this bag all over the world, and so it reminds me of these special trips with friends and I always think about all the local snacks or trinkets it’s carried around for me. So many of my favorite memories and photos have that bag peeking out from under my arm.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I don’t think so, but I also don’t live in an area or in a community where people notice handbags (especially vintage ones).

How do you take care of your bags? I very much want to use my bags! I don’t want them to sit and collect dust. But, the one exception to that rule is my vintage Dior boston bag in the cream trotter with embroidered colorful flowers on it. This bag is coated canvas, but it can fade in the sunlight… and I’m so scared about snagging the embroidery. I got it at an insanely low price ($448 on eBay), but regardless it’s probably a once-a-year bag for me, otherwise I’m keeping it safely in its dustbag.

On Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? I ebb and flow… some years I’ve bought no new bags. And then in the past 6 months, I’ve sold several and bought several.

How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I’ve sold off most of my “current” bags, i.e. anything made in the past 3 years. They’re just too common, I see them everywhere online and they often don’t have much story behind them (to me, at least). I also just see so many current styles counterfeited, which I think makes them a bit less special and unique. I also felt like my current bags ended up “out of style” so quickly, whereas my vintage bags feel more timeless.

Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? Always online!

Which stores do you frequent the most? I am a die-hard The RealReal and eBay shopper. The RealReal has the largest and most interesting selection, so I shop there a lot for clothes, shoes and accessories — but you can often find the same bag on eBay for less. So I’ll scout for bags on TRR and then take my search over to eBay to find the best price.

Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? One of the only bags I bought new from a boutique, I returned a 2000 Prada Re-Edition in the baby blue. I just realized that I wanted to use that bag as a day-to-day mini bag… and it was too delicate in that light color.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I haven’t bought a “new” bag since 2021. Second-hand all the way! The RealReal and eBay are my go-to’s. I do browse Vestiaire but I find it a bit harder to search for specific items on the platform.

Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Not yet, but my plan is to give my 3 nieces bags as they get older.

Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? There’s definitely brands or bags that probably wouldn’t have been top-of-mind for me if I hadn’t seen them on social media. For example, the Loewe Puzzle bag or the YSL Le 5 a 7.

Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? Both. I buy them because I love them, but they are an asset in a financial sense in that they hold some value. Whether they retain value or grow is a different story. But in general, I aim to have pieces that will be worth similar to what I paid should I ever want to sell.

Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Classic all the way! Early 2000s is where I look for the most inspiration.

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not for me.

Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I enjoy finding something with a special story (like a unique designer collaboration) and I enjoy the hunt for a rare bag or a low price.

Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? I don’t shop in-store, so I’ve managed to avoid any potential situations like this.

What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? If I don’t think I’d wear it often, or it wouldn’t match my style of clothing.

Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? I don’t think Loewe matches my style. I’m not interested in Dolce & Gabbana or Valentino.

Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? Nope, I need the satisfaction of ownership.

How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? I definitely have leaned towards branded bags, but in my defense I just LOVE the vintage Dior trotter and Fendi zucca patterns.

On Budgeting & Perceptions

Who pays for your bags? Myself

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not really, but I’d probably try not to go over $3K in bags a year.

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? I haven’t.

Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? I bought my first bag at age 23 using Affirm. Haven’t done that since, because I make more money now.

Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? Not in my line of work, if anything I don’t think people at my job notice designer bags, and we’re also mostly working remote.

I also don’t see a lot of vintage bags around where I live and it’s not a high-fashion area, so I don’t think people recognize some of my bags.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? I am single so this is not an issue!

Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? All the time!

Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? No, and if anything my bestie loves that I love vintage and second-hand so she likes to hear about my searches and deals I find. My family isn’t aware of the value of my collection, if they knew the numbers they’d probably raise an eyebrow. But they’re not particularly interested in designer, so they’ve never asked for bag details when I’m carrying something new around.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Not with bags, but I definitely have tried to reel myself in the last year with buying clothes and shoes. There’s only so much one person needs.

Let’s get personal…

What is your greatest extravagance? Bags… and travel! I budget to be able to go to Europe 2 or 3 times a year because it makes me infinitely happy.

What is your greatest fear? Being left behind while everyone else moves forward.

What is the trait you most admire in others? Grace.

Which living person do you most admire? June Diane Raphael.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My best friend.

What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Traveling the South of France with my best friend.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Laughing while eating good food somewhere beautiful and relaxing.

Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Wear your bags! Use them, take them on trips and take them down the street to run errands.