In today’s new Closet Confessional, we meet a collector hailing from Toronto who’s been curating her collection of bags since the 90s. What started with a Gucci bag evolved into so much more, with CC 257 growing her collection to include 50+ bags worth over $200K.
CC 257’s collection spans classics like the Louis Vuitton Speedy and Hermès Birkin, and she states that as she’s gotten older, she’s become more into quiet luxury and less into logos. Still, this bag lover admits that there is one exception to her rule, and that comes when a cool new novelty collab comes out (like Louis Vuitton’s Yayoi Kusama collaboration).
Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to share your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 64
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Toronto, Canada
What is your occupation? None
What industry do you work in? N/A
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $250,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 50+
What bags are in your collection?
- Hermès Birkin 35 Fauve in Barenia leather
- Hermès Birkin 35 Tosca in Epsom leather
- Hermès Kelly 35 in Taurillon Clemence leather
- Hermès Evelyne III Orange in Taurillon Clemence leather
- Chanel Maxi Double Flap in black lambskin
- Chanel Only In Paris
- Chanel Lucky Charms in silver
- Large Lady Dior in black
- Large Dioriviera Book tote
- Medium Dior Lady-Dlite
- Dior Panarea tote
- Dior Saddle wallet
- Louis Vuitton large Capucines in black with python handles
- LV Neverfull MM Ramages
- LV Neverfull MMin monogram
- LV Alma BB Monogram Vernis in Indian Rose
- LV Speedy 30 in Damier Azure
- LV Speedy 25 x Yayoi Kusama Bandouliere
- LV Fleur du Jais Carousel hand bag
- LV Multi Pochette Accesoires
- LV Double Zip Pochette
- Dolce & Gabbana large Miss Sicily in black
- Prada large Galleria in black
- Prada Daino zip top tote bag in orange
- Prada Diagramme leather shoulder bag in black
- Prada Sacca 2 Manici calf leather in red
- Prada double Tessuto zip canvas cross body bag in black
- Prada Tessuto nylon leather clochette cross body tote bag in black
- Prada Tessuto nylon tote in green
- Stella McCartney Fallabella baby bella tote in faux python
- Valentino small Rockstud drawstring cross body bag in orange
- Saint Laurent large College bag quilted leather in black
- Saint Laurent camera bag in gold metallic matelasse leather
- Louboutin Cabata large tote bag
- Louboutin Sweet Charity in multicolor
- Fendi small baguette with horsehair front and python flap closure
- Fendi Zucca cross body messenger bag
- Fendi stripe zipper tote in multicolor
- Ferragamo small Gavina tote in black
- Ferragamo small double Gancini tote in black
- Gucci crystal mini Boston bag
- Gucci crystal tote bag
- Gucci Sukey hand bag
- Gucci small Emily Guccissima chain shoulder bag in black
- Gucci GG Marmont small shoulder sequins bag in black
- Gucci cherry line messenger bag
- Gucci GG supreme tote
- Burberry Canterbury tote
- Balenciaga classic part time bag in rose briar
- Balenciaga metallic edge small town cross body bag in black
- Chloé large Marcie bag in teal
- Jimmy Choo Sweetie glitter acrylic clutch
- Issey Miyake BaoBao
- Polène Numero Sept in black leather and grey felt
- 10 Longchamps
- 2 MCMs
- Lacoste Tote
- Cult Gaia Mini Ark in ebony
How much is your collection worth? Maybe over $200K.
What is your most expensive bag? Hermès Birkin 35 Fauve in Barenia leather
Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? Yes. I feel bad for a few days and I get over it eventually.
Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? Yes. I’m getting old and worried what to do with them.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Gucci in the 90’s.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Delvaux
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? None
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Not really. Each piece has a story behind it. I remember where I bought them and why I bought them.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Very much. I know people see me as rich and it’s true because I am.
How do you take care of your bags? They just stay in the walk-in closet with dustbags.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? There’s no pattern.
How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I buy the classics but if there’s a novelty collab then I would get one.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? Both.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Nothing in particular. I even go to the designer outlet in La Vallee Village in Paris, France, The Mall in Tuscany, Italy, Gotemba in Tokyo, Japan
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes. A Prada Galleria because of a defect.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? I gave a few to my daughter already and I’m sure to my friends and relatives when I die.
Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? Not me. I decide on my own.
Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? 100% emotional purchases
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I go for the classics.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not really. I shop all over so I don’t have a regular one.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Shopping is in my genes.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Thankfully not.
What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? If it won’t add value to my collection.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? If I don’t have the brand in my collection, it just means it’s just ordinary.
Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? Nooooo.
How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? When I was younger, branded was the way to go. Now, I prefer quiet luxury. No more logos.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? My husband
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not really
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No
Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No, just charge to VISA.
Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? Yes. Designer bags speak volumes to those in the know.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? Nooooo. My husband doesn’t care, doesn’t want to know.
Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? Not yet. Maybe in the future.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Yes, but mostly they just want to be me and waiting to be gifted with a bag from me in the future.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Not at all. I know when enough is enough.
Let’s get personal…
What is your greatest extravagance? My Hermès bags.
What is your greatest fear? The future of my bag collection.
What is the trait you most admire in others? Honestly, kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity
Which living person do you most admire? My husband.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Anywhere as long as I travel with my husband and kids.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? It is when I would have nothing to worry about at all.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Live your life to the fullest so you won’t have any regrets.
Sorry, don’t like her vibe at all. She speaks of quiet luxury but her attitude is anything but. Don’t come for me, I am just being honest and we can all like what we like. This is the first confessional that turned me OFF.
I totally agree with you! But, how on earth does she think she’s rich if her household income is only $250k??? Baby girl, that ain’t rich by no stretch of the imagination! But even if you were, why would you have that attitude with people you know???? Just totally cringe!
I was also thinking on the comment “they think I’m reach, but I’m reach“ yet with this income. Maybe she put this number just as number
I love Darvi!! Keepin’ it real!!!
sadly, this is the Toronto rich wife vibe. I’m from Toronto but not a rich wife lol!
Completely agree. This was completely uninspiring. I’ve always related to something the individual said. Surprised it was published.
LOL, love this – “Very much. I know people see me as rich and it’s true because I am.”
I agree with a lot of the comments stating that they were surprised by her collection given their family income. I’m in my late 30’s and our income is 3x theirs (I’m assuming it’s net not gross). We live in California and have no debt, we own our house, my husband and I’s retirement fund is stocked, and no investments debt (we own rental properties). I’m curious as to how their money is being spent or what their priorities are as far as spending. From what I can tell her family also travels and she shops when traveling which also is suggestive of a lavish lifestyle.
I am just genuinely curious as I feel like I save a lot because I don’t feel “rich”. I’m definitely comfortable but not rich. We still budget and watch our spending. I like bags but have been buying pre-owned as I can’t get myself to lose money so quickly on a luxury item. I guess my curiosity lies in the seemingly “easy” spending habits (based on this article) given the income. PS: I’ve also been listening to Dave Ramsey recently so my head is doing calculations as I was reading the article 🙂
If your net income is $750k – not sure of if I misunderstood, you are probably in the top 1% in even in California. Sure it’s not Elon rich but I would say it’s “rich.”
I second this, iconic
Iconic😂😂
Yeah… my household income comparable to theirs in my early 30s and I still don’t perceive myself so bluntly as “rich”. At least not compared to many people around me in South Florida, lol.
That’s not rich to me either but perhaps they have a lot in the bank and investments and she is simply retired but hubs still working. I was hoping it was more of a I am rich in other ways besides money.
Agree, income 3x this but I don’t see myself as rich. But this is also because I have a lot of investment property debts. If she has $250k to burn in retirement because it’s passive income from investments she is indeed rich. Great collection!
What a collection! But I mean this in the nicest way, we are half her age and our household income is almost double of what she’s listed but I have no where near the amount of bags she has. Yes we live a comfortable life but hubby and I have never thought of ourselves as rich. When I think “rich”, I’m thinking Succession.
Agree. It all depends on where you live, it seems like. $250k (USD) will take you pretty far in a, say, a small mid west town whereas $250k can’t even buy a studio in LA or NY or Miami.
Can’t say I enjoyed reading this confessional. It exudes snobbery and elitism. I find this personally un-relatable.
I agree 100%.
She has a beautiful, admirable collection. I’m in her age bracket, and had a collection of pristine 50+ designer bags including Hermes, Chanel, Dior, etc. However, this past year they no longer brought me joy, but overwhelmed me. So, I sold all but five. I never thought I’d sell my bags, but for me it just made sense.
I know I am in same boat. I have lost interest in designer bags. Part of it is taste as I rarely see something that I really really like anymore, part of it is the price gouging in new and used. That is a real turn off. If you are coming into designer and don’t know any better I am sure you just accept the price but I refuse. Another part of it is that I find I simply use purses less than ever since the pandemic. I use them to go out to dinner or to an event but even then small bags. Day to day the rest sits. Never to work. I saw a reality show about getting people’s finances in order and they featured a couple that was in a lot of debt but they had a nice house, nice cars and the host of the show went into her closet and reamed her as he pulled designer bags off the shelves. He was so mad like what are you doing? You don’t need this stuff! I was embarrassed for her. That stuck with me. It’s not a good use of one’s hard earned money whether you are rich or not.
It’s hilarious that she (or anyone) think that no-logos define “quiet luxury”. There is nothing “quiet” about a Birkin, the Chanel CC, the Gucci GG, or the Prada triangle. Those are all loud AF luxury.
I thought the same!!
Unapologetic and honest. I like your style. Would’ve loved to see more pictures of your collection.
Love how she tags her bags, very clever. I am going to do that too!
Really appreciate her honesty! I can also relate to her post about not using bags with logos.
Personally, I think custom-made bags are a great option too!
I can’t see how she could actually use all those bags, there’s just too many!
I aspire to be her!
so many iconic lines
so many bagsss <3