CC 270: The Five-Year Update From CC 86

Today’s Closet Confessional is a special one. It all started five years ago when CC 270 was living in London and shared her story as CC 86. In the years since, CC 270 has moved from London to Singapore and shares what life has been like post-divorce, living in a new city.

One thing remains true: CC 270’s love for bags and her down-to-earth attitude towards them! Her collection has changed a bit in the last five years, including some trades and the addition of a new Chanel. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to share your own first—or five-year update with us!

Basic Bio

Your Age? 37
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Singapore
What is your occupation? Lawyer
What industry do you work in? Legal
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? 18

What bags are in your collection?

• Mulberry Bayswater
• Aspinal Marylebone Tote
• YSL Uptown Clutch
• Prada Double Bag
• Prada Nylon Bucket Bag
• Givenchy Antigona
• Longchamp LePliage Neo
• Chanel Diana 2014 Reissue
• Polene Numero Un Mini
• Kate Spade Cat Crossbody
• Fendi Mini Mama
• Chanel Mini Flap
• Bottega Mini Jodie
• Chloé Woody Tote
• Fendi Roll Bag
• Celine Nano Luggage Tote
• Gucci Diana Shoulder Bag
• Kate Spade Deco Shoulder Bag

How much is your collection worth? $25,700

What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Mini Flap – I got it at Heathrow airport during Covid when I emigrated from the UK to Singapore and it was my goodbye present to myself. No duty free discount (thanks Boris!), but because everything was so dead I was shown a lot of lovely bags by some very bored SAs. I semi regret the purchase as its a white bag and I’m terrified of colour transfer, but it is just so beautiful.

Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? Yes, usually a few years after I buy the bag and realise I don’t use it so much or it doesn’t fit my style. In that case I sell it or trade it into a reseller for a new bag. I prefer to trade in for a new bag rather than take the cash. Maybe I should trade in the Chanel!

Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? No, but I feel like my collection is large enough. I used to have a real desire to build up my collection but now I’m a lot more considerate with my purchases as to what will fit into my lifestyle.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? So I’m actually a repeat CC submitter – I told my story about my counterfeit Prada Nylon bag from my Hong Kong trip when I was 10 in my previous submission a few years ago! I wanted to update my CC a few years in given my change of location and lifestyle. But yes, technically it was a fake Prada Nylon bucket bag when I was 10 that I now have the real version of.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Nothing specific but something that will fit into my lifestyle as mum who needs a Mary Poppins bag. I love the look of the Songmont Luna but sadly don’t see it fitting into my lifestyle right now. If anyone has good tote recommendations I’m all ears!

Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? It was a Chanel Classic Flap but my Diana bag scratched that itch and actually I don’t use it that much, so consider that as money saved, especially given the price increases. I would probably go for a semi useless bag that’s just there for the sake of being beautiful – an Hermès Mini Kelly or maybe even a Judith Leiber crystal clutch in the craziest design I can get.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Right now it’s my latest bag, the Kate Spade Deco. I went through a divorce shortly after my child was born and that was very traumatic. The first person I dated after my divorce was a wonderful man who knew about my love of luxury bags. He got me the Kate Spade as a Christmas present, a complete surprise, and it was the first time anyone else had bought me a bag, I was so touched. We are no longer together, but we are still friends and I credit him for bringing me back to life after my divorce. That bag is hugely sentimental to me as my “fresh start” and proof that there are wonderful people in this world who will take the time to get to know you, love you and value you.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes, in London, not so much in Singapore. Far more women carry designer bags in Singapore than in London I find. I think it’s a mix of cultural factors and it being very safe to carry here compared to other cities. When I visit London I always bring non-descript very secure bags, but in Singapore I can be more free with my choices and enjoy my bags more. I also feel less judged in Singapore because many middle class and professional women carry designer bags. If you love designer bags I recommend visiting Singapore just to see all the bags that everyone wears!

How do you take care of your bags? The humidity in Singapore is a killer so I keep my handbags in my bedroom where the aircon is on all night, so they aren’t as exposed to the humidity. I also keep my less used bags stuffed with paper and use silica gel packs, all contained in a bag liner so nothing leeches into the bag itself.

For my more used bags I don’t baby them nearly as much as I’m picking them up most days, so they often hang out on the floor of my bedroom ready to be picked up the next day. My Longchamp, Fendi Roll bag and Chloé Woody Tote are all used and abused regularly and showing signs of wear but they aren’t as expensive as some of my other bags and far more practical so I am more relaxed about them.

On Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? I probably average one a year, though have yet to buy something this year. Currently on the look out though!

How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I have traded in a few bags which were excellent decisions. I traded in my Chloé Drew for the Fendi Roll Tote and have used the Fendi 100x more than the Chloé no exaggeration. I now prioritise bags that I can use every day which at the moment are totes or larger shoulder bags rather than dainty evening bags.

Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? In store – I love the experience and being able to hold and touch the bag and try it on. It’s a more informed purchase and I feel like if you’re buying new, you are also paying for the service.

Which stores do you frequent the most? I have a very diverse collection so there isn’t one particular brand. However when I’m browsing I think Fendi and Valentino have the most interesting collections. I have some items from Valentino, just not a bag!

Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? No, I’ve only traded in or sold.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes, some of my greatest purchases are preloved! Designer Exchange in the UK is my favourite. I prefer professional resellers to Ebay or Vestiaire, I just like the peace of mind as I’ve been burned by Vestiaire especially in the past.

Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? No, but one day my daughter will inherit them if she wants them.

Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? No. I think the age of influencer clout on designer bags is largely over. So many influencers started being gifted bags it became really transparent and turned me off. I like seeing real, non-influencer reviews of bags on TikTok but those are for bags I’m already interested in. Also I’ve been in this game a long time and have seen the rise and fall of so many bag trends I know its not worth buying into the hype unless you personally love a bag.

Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? Emotional. Only Hermès and Chanel can be truly financial investments, if you get it right.

Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Classic styles, but also styles that I feel drawn to. The Songmont Luna I referred to earlier is interesting because of the “4 in 1” design that appeals to me and can be both classic and more modern.

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes – if an SA is rude or doesn’t give me the time of day I’m not purchasing from them! But I do remember great service from certain SAs and it has made the difference in me pulling the trigger.

Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I treat it as a reward for myself to be honest. I don’t think I’m that much of a shopaholic, I’ve never gone into debt for a bag or other luxury item.

Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not in Singapore, people here can turn up in denim cut offs and flip flops and still drop $$$$ on a bag and the SAs know it, so they’re generally very polite to everyone. In London I feel like I have to dress up just to get basic service which is irritating.

What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Quality, price increases. I’ve been turned off Chanel because their price increases do not reflect their quality. It’s turned me off the brand in general.

Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Dolce & Gabbana. Awful historic homophobic comments and racist advertising. It’s a firm no from me, forever.

Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? No, I think it’s a great idea, especially for sustainability but for me the joy is in being able to know its mine and I bought it.

How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? I think there’s a lot of classism in this “quiet” vs “loud” debate, or the “old money” vs “new money” debate. Why is everyone on social media obsessed with “old money”? We should be able to like what we like! So I have both – I have some discrete bags but I also have bags covered in logos and I love both.

On Budgeting & Perceptions

Who pays for your bags? I do.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not anymore. I have a general savings pot that I periodically put into investments, but if I want something expensive I can dip into that. I’m very fortunate.

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No, apart from the accidental Prada counterfeit when I was 10!

Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No, I’m very averse to such plans because I think they encourage overspending.

Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? Yes, it’s helped as a bonding mechanism with other women. I’ve commented on people’s bags before that are very “if you know you know” and its started conversations and helped networking as we share a common interest.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? No more significant other so no problem!

Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? Yes, but only to third party resellers and usually for a trade in. I can’t deal with the risk of being scammed or jerked around by an unserious buyer.

Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? My parents have always thought I’m crazy for buying designer, they’re the total opposite. But I tell them its my money, I’m not in debt and I am very financially responsible. I can buy what I like!

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No, but I think the price of designer bags actually helps with that. It’s easier to get out of control when you’re spending $10 or even $100 here or there, it all adds up. Dropping thousands on one item gives you pause for thought, and isn’t something I do very often.

Let’s get personal…

What is your greatest extravagance? In general – food. I don’t budget at all for food, I love eating out, I love organic groceries and artisanal goods. It’s crazy that these days food is so expensive it is an extravagance but there we are.

What is your greatest fear? Not being a good mother to my daughter.

What is the trait you most admire in others? Confidence. I am working on being more confident in myself and my abilities and not to feel like I owe others anything.

Which living person do you most admire? Stevie Nicks

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My daughter! Followed closely by my cats 😉

What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? Bali – my happy place.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? To be able to provide for my daughter but still have flexibility to share important moments with her, to maximise the time I have left with my parents, to support my friends and be supported in return, and a chicken caesar salad, a side of fries and a diet coke.

Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? Life may throw some unwelcome curve balls but the hard times can also show you how much you are loved and are able to love in return.