Today’s submission hails from the capital of Utah, where this late-20s bridal shop owners finds great joy in each bag in her collection. She only shops in boutique stores while traveling for work, and should she finds herself snubbed by a sales associate in a boutique, she proudly takes her business next door in best Pretty Woman fashion. Enjoy today’s read and don’t forget to submit a confessional of your own. The more detailed, the merrier!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 29
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Occupation: Bridal Shop Owner
Industry: Fashion, Retail
Salary: $75,000
Household Income: $200,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? ~15
What bags are in your collection?
Prada – Paradigme (went in for Galleria and walked out with even better)
YSL – Monogram Wallet On Chain
LV – Graceful MM
Burberry – The Banner
+ few other contemporary bags like Frye Melissa leather tote, MK Saffiano tote, big fan of Rebecca Minkoff, a few Kate Spades & Tory Burches, unfortunately also some Coaches!
How much is your collection worth? ~$12,000
What is your most expensive bag? Prada Paradigme… I love it so dearly. Only carries it during New York bridal fashion week. Always have a dust bag with me and wiped it with baby wipe followed microfiber cloth after every use.
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Every piece is important to me. I remember exactly the days I bought them or received them as gifts. They just bring me joy!
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 27 if I count the “designer” when I first bought my Prada on my own with salary from my bridal shop. I don’t take salary out that often since my husband has a great job but this was soooo worth it!
When I was 19, my mom got my first signature Coach purse and my aunt got me Coach crossbody for my birthday. That’s how it all started: doubling down!
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Like I said above… all bags does. Of course my Prada and YSL held the most sentiment. My best friend and I got matching ones for both when we were in Spain. She got tan and I got black. It’s extra special because we live in different countries and I don’t get to see her that often.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Oh yes. In my industry, designer bag is almost like a requirement since I go to a lot of fashion shows and networking events.
I don’t have a problem with it since I also enjoy it. I also love seeing other women’s most prized collections. Fashion weeks are the cream of the crop.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Whenever I feel like it. After I went on buying my two most expensive bags back to back, I went on hibernation until my husband got me a Louis Vuitton for my upcoming 30th birthday. I would have gone longer. I was just content and happy.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I, of course, browse online a lot since it’s a hobby. But when I buy, I always buy straight from designers at the boutiques. There’s no designer boutiques in Salt Lake City but I always travel. So I buy when I’m in the big city. It’s more fun that way.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Nope…. not my jam! My husband got me a Prada wallet from this consignment store when we were at Seattle. I was kinda mad at him but thanked him also. He popped my 2nd hand bag “cherry”.. lol That’s my only 2nd hand “bag”. Technically I didn’t buy it.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Nope… probably won’t in the future. If my funds are low, I just don’t buy.
I’m still young. I’m trying to build a classic collection here. If the bag has worn out, it has stories to tell.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not really.. more like a personal pressure since it’s my pride and joy!
I work with models and influencers and I know they have their own struggles to make ends meet. When they are prancing around some designer bags on social media, I don’t believe that their life is all that breezy.
I once had an influencer literally begging me a free wedding dress because she has no money and showing off some LV #speedy on her page… She gets a big LOL from me instead.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? No since I am not planning to resell… but if it’s investments for my sanity, yes. 🙂
But once I have my Chanels and Birkins in my collection, I will help my net worth and that’s about it.
Who influences your buying decisions? ME!
I do ask my girlfriends’ opinions before I make a bigger purchases though. My hubs is too nice to me to say NO.. He would teasingly say “what a bad wife” and then would hug me. He can’t be mad since his hobbies are expensive too. We have no kids yet. So purchase decisions are still relatively easy.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes since I enjoy boutique shopping. I don’t like having a long term relationship though. But it’s crucial in the boutique. When I bought my Prada, my SA brought out 3 of the same and let me choose one. I like that kind of service.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? In younger years, I shop as a stress relief retail therapy. But these days, I shop because I make money and because I can. That’s the kind of self accomplishment. It’s addicting.
No I am not shopaholic… not anymore!
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Could be. But I don’t care nor I dress up to shop.
If this boutique doesn’t want to sell me, I can go to the other one next door. It’s their loss not mine since I know my credit limit on my plastic. 😉
If the SAs do that, they are a fool. #prettywoman
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Me mostly!
But I do also get a lot of bags as gifts from my mom, my aunts and my husband. I am one lucky duck.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No. I do it backwards though. If I want a bag, I make sure that we won’t go broke in the next couple of weeks. If it’s all good, I buy it.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No… never!
Here’s my theory… What are you trying to prove with this fake bag?
If you are working at Walmart and carry LV monogram, we all know that’s fake. She can’t simply afford it.
When I acquired my LV Graceful, my mom didn’t want me to because there are so many counterfeits with LV monogram these days. I said to my mom “With my social and economic standing, do I look like I need to carry a fake?”
Same applies… I am not quite there yet to easily and happily buy Chanel or Hermes (aka above 5k bags) … Thus, I am not trying to prove anything to anybody else by buying fake, cheap stuff.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No… I can’t hide. I am too happy and skipping for like a whole month. Plus he’s the first one I show it off to.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Nothing much. Like I said above, I don’t buy it if I can’t afford it.
When I was 22 and still in college, I was staring at this Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody for good ol’ 40 mins. At that point, my boyfriend (my husband now) got impatient and bought it for me. He just wanted to get out of Nordstrom… lol
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Yes when I was in younger days. I still do shop but not like maxing-out-my-credit-card shop.
Owning my own business teaches me a lot to manage my personal finances too.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I love traveling and occasionally upgrade to first class seats. I can’t help it. I freak out when I go to crowded airports and impulse upgrade it at the gate. I also collect Victorian jewelry.. That one usually gets out of hand. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. At least for bags, there’s always another one.
Anything else you would like to include? My only advice is that if you can’t afford it, don’t do it. That will take a joy out of buying a designer purse once you get your bill… I love PurseForum. It keeps my most purse intel up to date.
I don’t like her. Why choosing such snobby and mean person to write this article? Nothing I can learn from her. I “unfortunately” love coach bags, and I never doubt a Walmart worker can own a LV monogram with their hard earned money. She only makes 70k a year and house income just $200k, but she talks like someone in the top 0.1% wealthy tier who has forgotten what normal live is.
I really don’t understand why this CC was selected. Not only does this person come off as snobby and mean-spirited, but it is horribly written. Her grammar is so bad at times it was difficult to read and she really didn’t have anything interesting to say. She seems to really use designer goods as a way to make herself feel better than the people around her.
“With my social and economic standing, do I look like I need to carry a fake?” Ugh. Gross. Classism is always unattractive, and it is particularly weird when it comes from someone who is solidly middle class attempting to look down on other people of essentially equal status.
Getting mad at her husband for buying a used Prada wallet instead of new. There’s just too much in this confessional to make me think she misworded her sentiments and came off the wrong way.
The “with my social and economic standing, do I look like I need to carry a fake” statement really rubbed me the wrong way. Does this person think that some people are more “worthy” of designer bags than others? Even though I’m against fakes, I also know of wealthy people who buy fakes because they don’t see the point in spending that much money on bags. Those people certainly have “social and economic standing”, and yet they prefer to carry fakes.
And like you said, the fact that she got mad at her husband over buying her a used bag is sad. It’s not like she was upset that she got something that wasn’t her style. She just simply doesn’t want to have something that’s used. Her tone and attitude throughout this make me think that she looks down upon anyone who chooses to buy pre-owned stuff.
This entire confessional was just unfortunate.
Hey, if a lady working at Walmart carries a fake (or not!) and it makes her feel good, who cares!!
This confession feels off, things dont really add up.
In her list there are only 3 premium designer bags. If she attends as many fashion functions as she says, surely she’ll need more styles of bag to compliment her outfits? Also 70 grand annual income is truely little for a successful bridal shop who gets invited to important fashion shows a lot. Furthermore as a business owner she should understands the concept of don’t judge people??? This whole thing really feels contradictory…..
She even references the judgemental SAs in Pretty Woman. How ironic. I’m sure she looks people that come to her store and she makes judgements on their financial situation based solely on status symbol items.
Unfortunately, this was a person trying very hard to appear higher up in the ranks than she is, which is why she comes off as a condescending prick. She’s got a lot of growing and learning to do. You can tell by her constant references to her loving husband/trying to convince us of whatever it was that she was trying to sell in each paragraph, that she’s looking for validation in all the wrong places. You can’t run and distance yourself from your past by bashing everything and anything that reminds you of your past. Also, she’s got some anger towards people working in lower ranking retail stores, which is interesting, because whatever price point her dresses are selling for, she too is a retail worker.
When she said “what are you trying to prove?” I was like “check yerself gurlfran”
Her opinion on people wearing “fake” is purely made on the assumption of where the person works or stands economically.
Well,guess what lady not everyone can get handbags as gifts from their bfs just by staring it for 40 mins.
You are lucky, accept it and move on. No need to pull down others while showing off your bags which hold “sentimental feelings” for you.
This is where the importance of values like kindness and compassion reflect. You can buy everything but certainly not values.<
My least favorite confession. She comes off as being very arrogant but mostly ignorant. Her views on “working at WalMart with a LV” is frankly appalling and distasteful! This “girl” has a lot of growing up to do.
I didn’t like this one. Doesn’t really seem to be a bag collector but more for fashion week only. Funny she hates fakes but likes Rebecca Minkoff .
That cracked me up too! Rebecca Minkoff has ripped off so many high-end designers.
She doesn’t want a long term sales associate relationship at stores she claims to frequent, despite being a boutique owner too? Doesn’t add up, because she would know the a developed client relationships from the business end opens up conversations about promotions, sales, limited stock items, new collections…
But maybe she is stretching the truth some, seeing how she owns only 1 bag from 4 different luxury brands, and makes less than I do working as a sales associate…
She buys so little from these designer stores (considering she only owns 4 premier designer handbags all from different brands, so one purchase for each boutique), it’s impossible to maintain a long turn relationship even she wanted to.
While I agree with many sentiments shared by others, I do think that the “truths” we believe are based on what we have experienced, the company we keep, and what we have been told. I.e you don’t know what you don’t know.
Also, I think that depending on which forum you hang out in, there can be some prejudices against certain brands and that can be unconsciously ingrained to the point where folks can take it as “truth” and some take them more to heart than others.
Further, I think working in the fashion industry can skew perspectives.
While I’m not condoning any of the harsher remarks, I think these may be factors in how OP framed her responses – and hopefully the feedback gives OP new perspectives for creating “new truths”.
I did appreciate OP’s honesty sharing her earlier use of shopping as retail therapy and sharing that she gets plenty of gifts that she acknowledges makes her quite lucky.
I hope she enjoys her bags in good health!
The walmart/LV comment was so unnecessary and rude. If she’s this mean on here imagine how she is to her clients at her bridal shop. Anyone can do anything with HARD work, doesn’t matter WHERE you work.
While it’s important to get various perspectives from bag lovers this one was a hard sale. She is a small shop owner and should be less judgmental of people. It makes me wonder if she judges clients because it will not go unnoticed and will hurt her sales. Also, while I appreciate her love of bags she has a very limited number of bags on which to judge other bag lovers. She’s biased, judgmental, elitist and very off putting. Hopefully, as she gains more life and business experience she can develop more tolerance for ppl regardless of their social and/or economic status.
“If you are working at Walmart and carry LV monogram, we all know that’s fake. She can’t simply afford it.”
…this is opinion is really offensive. People work hard and prioritize where they spend their hard-earned money. It is terrible to automatically assume that what they carry is a fake bag just because they earn less?
If a worker from Walmart bought an LV monogram bag, they may have the item because they love the brand’s heritage and reputation of durability. Buying something luxurious for yourself does not necessarily mean you want to “show-off” to other people–sometimes it is just a treat/reward to yourself.
And as a side-note, those LV monograms are workhorses–that Walmart worker may have priced out the cost of replacing less expensive totes over time and the LV monogram came out cheaper.
This one rubbed me the wrong way with the LV Walmart comment. I had 2 authentic, purchased new Gucci bags in high school that were special presents from my parents. My mon stayed at home and my dad worked in a grocery store. At the time I worked part-time at a food stand in the local mall. I guess to her mine would be “fakes” given our socioeconomic status, lol! Seriously given the tone of this CC, she comes off badly and very judgmental. She also seems to be judging those with authentic bags (influencers) in an attempt to feel better about her own collection. This CC was just a little too mean girls for me.
Well, a lot has been said about the OP’s view on life, not gonna repeat it but:
Money can’t buy class
Also, some of the wealthiest people I know (people who own conglomerates and listed companies) are the most frugal and simply dressed.
I used to work in a place serving UHNWIs, and ironically it was the bankers who were decked out in branded gear, while the billionaires chilled out in t shirts.
My colleagues there were obsessed with brands, and while everyone earned way more than the 75,000 the OP earned, plenty of people didn’t have much savings.
In other areas of finance, say IB, some people carry longchamp but have $500k in their bank accounts after 3 to 4 years of work. You could have a guy dress simply, live simply, but have $10m in his bank account after 10 years (in the good ol days for a hotshot).
The less people have, the more they try to show.
Like others, this was my least favorite CC… Rude and show-off mentality throughout the piece. I would have thought she was Vera Wang with all of the “influencer” and “in my industry” comments, not a Salt Lake City bridal store owner making $75k…
Okay, that comment on the Walmart Lady is quite arrogant of her. I’m a 24 year old full time university student who works at the weekends and guess what, I’m a proud owner of 4 LV bags and some other designer SLGs, paid by myself, still not starving in the months of purchase. There is something called saving up, and if a girl wants to treat herself with her own hard earned money, no matter what she does for a living, she the hell CAN.
Me too! Congratulations on your bags, you’ve worked for them and it feels great treating yourself (especially with the amount of stress university brings…)
Please tell me what the name of the bridal shop is, so I can recommend all my friends and random strangers to NEVER set foot in her business.
Talk about projecting your SES insecurities on others. For someone who barely owns anything designer, this CC comes off as far too arrogant for her own good.
Judging others by their SES when your own salary puts you firmly in the middle class is just ridiculous. Toss in the mean-girls attitue with poor syntax and grammar and you have a mess of a CC contributor.
As for long-term relationships with your SAs, can’t have one if you’ve only purchased one bag per brand. The irony of that “Pretty Woman” comment when the majority of household income is her husband’s, when she upgrades to 1st class and stares at bags till he buys them.
As for commenters speculating that this is an age thing and this CC is young. She’s almost 30, the folly and arrogance of youth can’t even be used as a proper excuse for her attitude.
This girls a fool, I work in retail and own authentic Louis vuitton, Gucci, Burberry bags. How dare she look down her nose at hard working women. Don’t judge anyone by their bags or the place they work!
I feel a bit sorry for this woman. She clearly has a need to say how much of a ‘lucky duck’ she is, how great her husband is, how much money he makes, etc. She does have a wonderful collection, but when your best bag is a Prada, and you have one LV and most of the rest Coaches (And you are publishing on Purse Forum although you aren’t a member…well, to say the least, it gives one pause…). I think that she seems a bit snooty, although I am taking a risk about being snooty myself…I still felt the need to reply, just because this particular CC pissed me off…
I don’t quite agree with her on the walmart and LV thing, maybe that person has saved up for a while and is happy to carry it around and show it of…
We just shouldn’t judge based on economic or social standing, seems a little condescending..
Exactly, as I am an example. I am in the UK, work as a carer that pays minimum. I carry authentic designer bags, both brand new and pre loved. I can afford to blow my entire monthly as my husband earns well too. Never judge a person based on her job.
The assumption could go the other way too .. starving kids at home while an lv purchase was made
I totally agree, almost anyone can purchase a Chanel or LV if you don’t mind having debts up to your eyeballs.
I agree with you. Maybe it was a gift or maybe the woman has fallen on hard times and needs the job at Walmart, but won’t part with her pre ious LV bag. I thought this woman was pretty arrogant for someone with three designer bags.
I sensed arrogance too. Doesn’t come across as a happy person.
BEST comment ever. Definitely came off ass super arrogant and her list was very unimpressive. I was already unimpressed with her when she said “unfortunately also some Coaches!”.. that is so pretentious and rude. I don’t own anymore coaches, but I still remember my very first one when I was in HS. I was so proud and excited. Also, my mom is still a proud lover of coach. She switched to their all leather bags now but she still loves it despite being able to buy luxury brands anytime she wants. So I hate the notion of knocking it. So rude!
Agreed! Like what does that even mean? If you feel owning them is unfortunate, then get rid of them? I personally love what coach has been doing lately. They’ve come out with some original designs and gone back to their roots in terms of leather quality. She sounds like a B****!
I agree with you on this “confession”.
This woman comes off pretty badly–saying that someone that works at Walmart can’t afford authentic LV (how snobby and rude). And you can’t tell someone’s “social & economic standing” based on what item you see them with–a couple of weeks ago I was behind an older lady in the drugstore who was pulling out coupons and checking the prices at the register (she was dressed kinda shabbily AND was carrying a who-knows-who-made-it generic handbag) and then I see her drive away in her new Jag Sedan. You never know so don’t assume you do.
So true! The leading cancer surgeon in my town drives a Toyota Rav 4.
Yes! I agree! The saying goes dont judge a book by its cover. There are plenty of jobless people who has parents who can afford to give them the real thing.
Indeed! If you can’t afford it don’t buy it. Purchase bags only if you know you can pay for it in full at that very moment.
She does well for herself. Deal with it.
Um, she’s not really doing that well. I make more than she does, and I would never dream of saying “With my social and economic standing, do I look like I need to carry a fake?” Of course, she can say shit like that to her mom with no problem; she probably learned that attitude from her mom.
She sounds very immature and full of herself. I know many people who make much, much, MUCH more than she does, and they don’t act like it gives them the right to be so judgmental and condescending.
Are you implying that the commenters are jealous of her money?
She’s not doing well. At age of 29 making 75k a year is just normal. I and many of my friends made more than that at that age, and we never looked down nor looked up any one based on the “economic or social standIng”. By all means, she’s the worst person i’ve seen comes to common sense social standard.
I am not sure if this was her point but have you ever met someone whom does not save a dime for retirement, nothing in emergency funds , massive amount of debt yet still purchase items that is not needed. In her example it does not have to be an lv bag ..it could be just any mid designer bag. A person making minimum wage was used as an example but it really could be anyone of any range of income
Not personally, but those people surely do exist.
I’ve never met anyone empty their retire funds for luxury purchasing. I hope no one would ever do that. In my late 20s I’ve already made the more than her does and I am mid 30s now. but I still “unfortunately” love Coach bags, and proudly carry my Coach bags around. Yet I don’t doubt anyone who make less but owns authentic LV bag. She inspire me nothing but made me feel upset about her arrogant opinions.
She’s judgmental and snobbish and no-one has to “deal with it”. In a competitive retail market she could learn to be nicer if she hopes to be in business long term. She should respect everyone walking into her shop, regardless of her perceived notion of their economic status, since their expectation is to be treated well. If “she” is “you” learn from these comments. You may not see what everyone else sees, but it’s not good.
LOL! Are you the OP?
Hehe I wish ! I did not make a family income of 200k until my late 30s. Then we had kids, so no bags for a while
This one is so interesting based on the comments section. After reading them, I looked back at the OP’s age and sure enough she is in her 20’s. I think as she get older and learns a few things about life and people, she may look back on some of her answers and feel differently.
I think that the “fakes” question itself is a fascinating one and I find myself very interested in the responses on these CC’s. particularly on that question because it’s obviously a taboo topic. I think that since its a “Closet Confessional” she was just writing about what she honestly felt, which is her own perception. Although I may not agree, I appreciate the Closet Confessionals for what they are…..a confession. If someone confessed that they went into major debt, stole, begged for money on a street corner for a handbag….I would be shocked but that’s their life 🙂
Thanks Purseblog for the closet confessionals, and for those who participate.
When your forum has better content than your blog…
Not sure of what she means by this: “But once I have my Chanels and Birkins in my collection, I will help my net worth and that’s about it.” I would never factor expensive bags into my net worth.