Today, we meet a collector in her late thirties who has been collecting bags for a decade and a half. What began with a couple of Louis Vuitton bags turned into a genuine love and appreciation for bags, and CC 279 owns over 300 of them.
While CC 279 states that she’s struggled with a shopping addiction in the past, space issues, getting organized, and becoming a mom have helped change her trajectory. Since joining the motherhood club, this collector used to favor shoulder bags but now craves crossbodies and believes that not having as much time to browse and shop has changed things for her.
Read the full CC below and don’t forget to share your own.
Basic Bio
Your Age? 38
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Toronto, Ontario, Canada
What is your occupation? Donation Processing
What industry do you work in? Not-for-Profit Sector
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $59,000, $200,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? At least 362
What bags are in your collection?
- Longchamp x Robert Indiana XS Le Pliage Leather Top Handle Bag in green
- Longchamp x Robert Indiana XS Le Pliage Leather Top Handle Bag in black
- Longchamp x Robert Indiana XS Le Pliage Leather Top Handle Bag in red
- Longchamp Le Pliage Xtra XS Handbag in pink leather
- Longchamp Le Pliage ENergy S Handbag in Navy recycled canvas
- Longchamp Le Pliage Xtra Leather Top Handle Bag in black
- Longchamp Le Pliage Medium Top Handle Bag in Pomegranate
- Gucci Joy Boston Bag GG Imprime Medium in red
- Burberry Nova Check Boston Bag
- Coach Outlet Val Duffle Bag in black
- Coach Outlet Clara Shoulder Bag in Light Mist
- Coach Outlet Clara Shoulder Bag in 1941 Red
- Coach Revel Bag 24 with plaid print in red
- Coach Outlet Jamie Camera Bag with tartan plaid print
- Coach Willow Tote 24 in grey blue
- Coach Willow Tote 24 in black
- Coach Willow Tote 24 in black zebra print
- Coach Willow Tote in black
- Coach Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag in black/pewter
- Coach Outlet Large Andrea Carryall Bag in black
- MZ Wallace Box Woven Crossbody Bag in black lacquer woven
- Marc Jacobs The Shiny Crinkle Leather Small Tote in black
- Fendi Leather Dotcom Medium in burgundy
- Fendi Small Boston Bag in black
- Louis Vuitton Cluny MM in black epi leather
- Louis Vuitton Alma BB in black epi leather
- Louis Vuitton Alma BB in Damier Ebene
- Louis Vuitton South Bank Besace in Damier Ebene
- Louis Vuitton Odeon PM in Damier Ebene
- Louis Vuitton Odeon PM Tote in Damier Ebene
- Louis Vuitton Neo Alma PM in black Monogram Empreinte Leather
- Louis Vuitton Marelle in black epi leather
- Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Roses Pochette Accessoires
- Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 in damier ebene
- Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 bandouliere in damier ebene
- Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette Accessoires in damier ebene
- Louis Vuitton Pont Neuf in black epi leather
- Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Brera
- Tory Burch T Satchel in green
- Balenciaga Agneau Lambskin Leather Giant 12 Silver Velo Bag
How much is your collection worth? $15,000+
What is your most expensive bag? It is a tie between my LV Neo Alma PM and my Cluny MM in epi leather if we are only calculating retail price at point of purchase, because the market price now for the LV x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Roses Pochette Accessoires has increased a lot more.
Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? I do but not often. It becomes a lesson learned to be more selective and thoughtful towards any future purchase.
Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? Yes – because I don’t use many of these bags enough. However, I have organized things well enough that I am content with my collection. I do my best to rotate through different handbags.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I was 23 when I purchased both the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 in damier ebene and Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Roses Pochette Accessoires.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Yes (crazy huh considering how many I already have?), but I am not truly decided on this. I need more time to think things over.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Not anymore. I own so many handbags I now no longer believe there is such a thing as a “holy grail” bag.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Roses Pochette Accessoires as this was one of the first designer bags I purchased.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes, because there are folks who get judgmental about others who enjoy designer handbags unfortunately. Also, I almost feel if I do not wear one of my designer bags while doing in-person shopping at a boutique – the sales associates would be a lot less helpful. Unfortunate reality…..
How do you take care of your bags? Store them in their original dust bags and in upright position away from sunlight, humidity and heat.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Several times a year.
How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I slowed down in acquiring new bags due to becoming a mother – I have way less time to browse or shop. I also now use my crossbody bags much more heavily (as opposed to my shoulder bags, which I used to favour).
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I would only buy luxury designer bags (example: LV) and accessories in-store nowadays just to make sure I can quickly refund a bag/accessory on the spot if it does not look right when I pick it up in-store.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Holt Renfrew (online); I don’t browse in-person much these days after having had a baby…..simply no time.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Yes, because it just was not something I can see myself using in the long run
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I have bought second-hand but only from my maternal grandmother who was looking to sell her two authentic Louis Vuitton pieces (Pont Neuf in black epi leather and Damier Ebene Brera). I simply don’t feel safe buying from any other sources because of the sheer number of fakes out there on the resale market.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Yes. I donated some bags I no longer liked to charity.
Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? Sometimes. But I know what I want and like, so this only impacts me to a limited extent.
Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? Emotional investments only. I don’t really believe in buying to resell. I just enjoy using bags I like and appreciate them as pieces of art 🙂
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I prefer classic styles. The older I get, the more I have an appreciation for the quiet luxury concept.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No, because these sales associates don’t seem to stay with their employers for too long.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? No.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? No, but also I don’t go browse in-store often. I only hop into a store if I know exactly what I am looking for.
What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Price
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? No
Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? No
How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? I prefer quiet luxury.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Yes. Some of the replicas are very well made (not surprisingly) and of decent quality. My friends find this odd because they know I own authentic pieces from luxury brands. I just pick and choose very carefully what to buy as replicas and what to buy authentic.
Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No
Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? It depends. I don’t wear any of my authentic luxury pieces to work because I don’t need anyone there to know what I own. I don’t want unwanted attention from coworkers. I pick and choose carefully when/where I wear which handbag. One has to consider many factors.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? My husband does not ask. I purchased most of my bags before we got married so he did not pay for any of them.
Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? No
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Yes. But I also used to work multiple seasonal and part-time jobs year-round on top of my full-time job in order to fund my purchases and I tell them this. This usually ends the conversation.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Yes, and it took time to reflect and become more selective in my purchases. Space became an issue thus that definitely helped me slow down a lot. Then having a baby also took away free time and that made me even more reflective about it all.
Let’s get personal…
What is your greatest extravagance? My handbags 🙂
What is your greatest fear? Not getting back to good health in the long run as I want to be there for my daughter as she grows up. I am battling extremely severe eczema (not yet under proper control) at the moment, and this has taught me that health is never a given.
What is the trait you most admire in others? Consistency and humbleness
Which living person do you most admire? Nobody in particular. I simply admire different people for their unique and different traits at various moments.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? I love my parents, sister, daughter, and husband. They are all very, very important to me.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? A trip to Japan in 2023 (we visited both Tokyo and Okinawa).
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Enjoying decent health (not to have to take any long-term medications or have any mobility issues) all the way through until the day one dies. This is so rare these days. Health is wealth. Health allows you to be with loved ones and to help them out, and also not to become burdens to them.
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? No need to be guilty about enjoying handbags as a hobby – life is too short for unnecessary guilt.
