In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a collector in her early thirties currently in her residency in New Jersey. While this doctor-in-training inherited her love for luxury bags from her mom, even being passed down some of her Louis Vuitton pieces, she prefers more under-the-radar bags.
A lover of all things quiet luxury, CC 266 has a stunning collection of bags from brands like Anya Hindmarch, Joseph Duclos, Lana Marks, Victoria Beckham, and more. Recently, she dipped her toe into the exotic pond and has added 8 exotics to her collection in the last two years. While CC 266 did feel that her shopping was worrisome at one point, setting a budget has helped her to shop more mindfully.
Read the full CC below and don’t forget your own!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 33
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? New Brunswick, NJ
What is your occupation? Resident Physician
What industry do you work in? Medicine
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $77,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? About 40
What bags are in your collection?
- Asprey 1781 in black crocodile
- Victoria Beckham Victoria Top Handle in black alligator
- Victoria Beckham Two-Tone Clutch in pink lizard and black calfskin
- VBH Manila Stretch clutch in black crocodile
- Lana Marks Petite Jet Tote in green crocodile
- Lana Marks Baby Lunchbox in teal alligator
- Lana Marks Bella Donna clutch in gray alligator
- Reed Krakoff Atlantique in linen with alligator trim
- Celine Lefebure Ariane Structured Tote in red
- Victoria Beckham Liberty Tote in burgundy and gray
- Victoria Beckham Travel Bag in taupe suede
- Joseph Duclos Horizontal Lectoure Tote in terre
- Cuyana Work Satchel in clay
- Anya Hindmarch Bruton in black
- Anya Hindmarch Bruton in white
- Anya Hindmarch Albion in white
- VBH Trevi in black vitello calfskin
- Tomasini Roma crossbody in gray suede
- Celine Lefebure Victoria clutch in burgundy
- Celine Lefebure Adriana saddle bags in black and tan
- Celine Lefebure Emma saddle bags in red and blush pink
- Celine Lefebure Camille mini saddle bag in tan
- Heimat Atlantica tote in raffia
- Heimat Atlantica top handle in raffia
- Tomasini metallic mirrored mini crossbody
- Tomasini olive suede mini bag
- Lee Savage space clutch
- Reece Hudson Bowery Clutch in black calfhair
- Banana Republic mini top handle in olive saffiano leather
- A handful of novelty bags from Zara, J. Crew, Banana Republic, vintage, etc.
How much is your collection worth? Retail prices $133,000, re-sale (and what I actually paid on the secondhand market) a tiny fraction of that.
What is your most expensive bag? The Asprey 1781 in black crocodile–a similar bag on their website is currently listed for $34,800. The most I have paid for a bag was $1,200 for my alligator Victoria Beckham top handle I found on Vestiaire Collective.
Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? Yes–sometimes when I love a bag, I want to have it in different colors or similar styles, but I don’t end up loving or using these as much as the one I had to begin with. Now, regardless of the price, I always ask myself if I will actually have a use for the same bag in another color, or a similar bag, and this has been helpful both in avoiding unnecessary purchases and in curating a collection of only items I really love.
Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? Yes, I do feel that I have several superfluous bags in my collection that can fulfill the same purpose. I love the idea of having a really curated, chic collection and am trying to be better about giving away things I’m not using anymore. For example, if I want to buy a tote when I already have one that fulfills that purpose, I ask myself if I’m willing to get rid of the one I have to make room for the new one. If I have any hesitation about this, I won’t buy it. If I’m ok with letting it go, I give it away to someone who will enjoy it and enjoy my new purchase guilt-free.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? My mom gave me her 90s Louis Vuitton Pochette when I was 20. The first luxury bag I purchased myself was my Tomasini Roma crossbody bag in gray suede when I was 26. I have worn that thing into the ground, and I still love it today–it’s easily my most used bag, along with my Anya Hindmarch Bruton work bag.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I have my eye on a few if they crop up on the secondhand market for a great deal–I think the Mark Cross Romy clutch is a stunner. I am also looking into upgrading my weekender bag with Bonastre’s T.24H tote.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? The Joseph Duclos Diane! Once I get my first doctor job…
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Yes, I purchased my Victoria Beckham Victoria bag in black alligator as a gift to myself when I matched into residency. It’s heavy and more of a special occasion bag but I think it’s gorgeous and I’ll have it forever.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Not particularly–I prefer my bags to be under-the-radar, logo-free, and discreet. I am not drawn to anything that is recognizably from a certain brand.
How do you take care of your bags? I use a horsehair brush to clean my exotics and condition with Reptan, then buff with a microfiber cloth. For suede, I also use the horsehair brush and a suede eraser (bought for a few bucks on Amazon, works like a charm). For leather, I use leather wipes, condition with Leather Honey, and buff with a microfiber cloth. I display my bags on shelves in my closet, not in their dust bags–I like to see them!
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? It varies a lot, but maybe every few months. Even though I feel that my collection is complete and I have a bag for any occasion or outfit, I have been compelled to make a purchase recently when I come across a deal I can’t refuse–a genuine exotic mislabeled as embossed or a Joseph Duclos bag going for next-to-nothing on The Real Real, for example. If buying those is wrong, I don’t want to be right!
How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? Once I was bit by the exotic bug with my first alligator bag, it was hard to stop! Two years ago I had zero exotic bags, and now I have 8. They are frequently mislabeled as embossed on the secondhand market, so if you can recognize a real skin, you can get incredible deals.
I also have a better understanding of my personal style, which has helped me avoid buying things I won’t wear and give away things collecting dust–for example, I love the idea of a brightly colored bag, but I just don’t reach for them often, so it does not make sense for me to invest any more in these. On the flip side, I love a top-handle bowling bag or doctor’s bag silhouette, but I have amassed so many variations of this and usually reach for the same ones, so there is no need to buy any more.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I shop almost entirely online–I buy almost all of my bags secondhand. Although obviously it is preferable to see the bag in person if possible, the deals online just can’t be beat!
Which stores do you frequent the most? The Real Real, Vestiaire Collective, Poshmark, eBay, and the Outnet.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes, I bought a crocodile VBH Trevi on eBay and found the color to be very faded and different from how it had appeared in the listing. I was able to return though eBay without a hassle.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Absolutely, see above 🙂
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Yes, I have given them to friends and family.
Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? The opposite–I find the more ubiquitous a bag is on social media/influencer culture, the less appealing it is to me. My style is very under-the-radar and I like the idea of wearing something beautiful with quality that speaks for itself.
Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? Emotional? Sure, wearing them makes me happy. Financial? Absolutely not lol
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Unless a trend happens to align with my personal style, I don’t see the point in trying to keep up. Bags are expensive and should last years if not decades, not for one season!
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? N/A as I mostly shop secondhand online.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I absolutely love fashion and consider it a hobby, but at times my acquisition has felt excessive. Do I “need” all the bags, shoes, and clothes I have? No. They make me happy and I enjoy using them, but at this point, I have implemented a “one in, one out” policy where I give away something every time I buy something new to make sure I’m shopping mindfully and being honest with myself about what I need, rather than practicing retail therapy.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? No.
What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Mainly price and practicality–I think mini bags are adorable but it needs to at least fit my phone and keys! For price, as I am still in residency and earning a modest salary, luxury pricing being what it is puts most new bags out of my budget.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Anything ostentatious is not my style–I would feel self-conscious wearing Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc.
Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? No.
How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? The quiet luxury movement really resonated with me! I didn’t have a name for it before but discreet, logo-free, “anonymous,” beautifully made bags, clothes and shoes where the quality speaks for itself are exactly what I look for. As for “loud luxury”–I inherited my mom’s vintage monogrammed Louis Vuitton bags in my 20s and have never worn any of them–will be passing on to my niece!
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes, I set aside 5% of my gross annual income for my fashion hobby (bags but also clothes and shoes in general).
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, if I do not have the money to pay for something in full, I don’t buy it.
Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? I think looking polished and put-together in general, including having a respectable bag, is helpful in professional and social settings, but in medicine, flashing certain luxury branding/logos in front of patients who may be struggling to make ends meet seems unhelpful to say the least.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? No.
Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? Yes I have before, but more often I give them away to family or friends. If I do sell a bag, I feel guilt-free putting the proceeds toward a new one.
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Yes! The number of shoes I have is a running joke in my circle of friends. It’s all in good fun and doesn’t bother me, I only buy what I can afford.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Yes. As I mentioned above, I am trying to combat this with a “one in, one out” closet policy where I have to give something away if I want to buy something new. Implementing a budget has also helped–I found that purchases that seemed modest were really adding up more than I realized, so keeping careful tracking of spending has really helped me be more mindful.
Let’s get personal…
What is your greatest extravagance? Definitely my wardrobe–I have invested a lot of time and money into it, and I feel like I have a good sense of my personal style and, dare I say it, may be at “purse peace”? I love getting dressed and playing around with what I have.
What is your greatest fear? Failing my patients or my loved ones somehow.
What is the trait you most admire in others? Honesty.
Which living person do you most admire? Francesca Albanese.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? I spent a year living in Tokyo and teaching English after college–what an incredible country. I hope to return to visit many times.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Health, friendship, love, financial independence, and doing right by my patients. And Italian food.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Thank you so much for making this community what it is–I am a long time reader and have discovered so many brands I otherwise would not have (shout out to Joseph Duclos and VBH!), and I always have fun seeing what everyone else is wearing and loving!
I’m the same age as her and honestly this collection is goals. So many eye candies and me not being able to name every bag the brand/ model proves that her collection is really curated to her liking, not so much on what’s popular/ often seen on social media
Love how different this selection is! Lovely bags
“I like the idea of wearing something beautiful with quality that speaks for itself.” YES.
Wow love this collection!
I really appreciate this collector’s sense of style and confidence in seeking out under the radar brands rather than following trends. Love it!
All I can say is love, Love, and LOVE!
Absolutely fantastic collection.
And yes to Tokyo! I wonder if CC picked up any Japanese designer brands while living in Japan.
Now this is fabulous.
Super appreciate the photos of the bags!!!