In this installment of our juicy Closet Confessionals we meet a medical professional in her 50s who just scored her very first Birkin Bag. While some of us choose to meticulously plan out our purchases she loves to shop sort of spontaneously, and if she sees a bag and likes it, it’s hers. Life has taught her a lot, and she seldom gets bothered by what other people think of her—this attitude carries over into her fashion choices as well. She’s a hard worker and has hustled to get everything she has, which allows her to shop mostly without guilt as she’s only spending her own hard earned cash. Read the entire CC below and be sure to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 55
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Czech Republic
Occupation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Physician
Industry: Medicine
Salary: 200.000 Euro
Household Income: 200.000 Euro
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? Way too many lol. Over 20
What bags are in your collection?
- Louis Vuitton Delightful PM
- Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Monogram Reverse
- Louis Vuitton Petit Noe in Damier Azur
- Louis Vuitton Toiletry Pouch 26 in Monogram
- Celine Trio Cobalt Blue
- Celine Python Frame Bag Black
- Valentino Python Rockstud Clutch
- La Perla Python Ada Bag Black
- Bally Top Handle Leather Bag Black
- Goyard St Louis PM all black
- Alberta Ferretti Lambskin Bucket Bag in Bright Red
- Alberta Ferretti satin clutches – blue and black
- Hermés Birkin Togo 35 black GHW
- Moschino Pink Top Handle Bag
- Prada Nylon Tote
- A collection of Baldinini bags, a very popular Italian brand in Central and Eastern Europe
- Some Michael Kors totes and clutches
- Coach crossbody bag
- Louis Vuitton Keepall 45 Monogram Eclipse
- Lots of unbranded bags from different places all over the world. One of my favorite is a brown bucket bag I got from an artisanal workshop in Sri Lanka in 2011.
How much is your collection worth? Over 30.000 EUR
What is your most expensive bag? My Birkin which I got just last week. It is my first Birkin and it is absolutely stunning, the smell of the leather is DIVINE. The Birkin was purchased directly from my local Hermes store without previously shopping much there, I only got a scarf and few home accessories. Also it only took about 6 months for the bag to arrive.
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? My Louis Vuitton Delightful PM, a bag I got for Christmas 2012 from my 2 sons. Also my Goyard bag that I got from my son in August 2019, he bought the bag for me in NYC.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Prada Nylon Tote in my early 40s. I got the bag during a summer vacation in Italy. Most of my bags have been acquired during family trips or have been gifted to me by my loved ones.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Not really, I am more of an impulse buyer. When I see a bag that makes my heart sing I just go for it.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Louis Vuitton Delightful PM, a bag I got for Christmas 2012 from my sons. It is my most used bag, even though it is not particularly formal. I just love wearing it. Also my Goyard bag I mentioned previously.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes and no. As lots of people I work with come from an international environment, I get a lot of recognition for my bags. However, I feel like people in the Czech Republic do not care as much about fashion in general. Also, whenever I go to a nice restaurant or browse at higher end stores in Prague, I tend to get a lot of attention, which I appreciate.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Whenever I see one I like. I am not a planner, I like to be spontaneous. It’s this simple. 🙂
Which stores do you frequent the most? Probably Louis Vuitton. I absolutely adore HARRODS in London, whenever I’m in the UK I always go to Harrods.
I also enjoy shopping at outlet malls for clothing, there is a lot of them across Europe. When I go to The States, which does not happen that often, once every few years, I always go to Ross, those deals are just amazing! Back in 2016 I bought over 20 dresses from nice brands such as DVF, MK and Ralph Lauren in Hawaii for less than 200 USD!
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? No. Neither have I sold any of my bags. Sometimes I give them to my mum or my friends.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? No.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No. I am not interested in such stuff. In my life, I have been through a lot, including an abusive relationship of 15 years, so no, I do not care what anyone thinks or pressures me to do. I have grown into being confident and independent in what I am doing, this applies to my fashion choices as well.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? My Birkin yes, otherwise no.
Who influences your buying decisions? Me, myself and I. LOL
Sometimes I look at fashion magazines, also my relatives are quite into fashion, so we share our views, which to an extent influences me.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Absolutely not. I mean, I am in the shopping for the bags, not to make new friends. I do not consider such relationships genuine as it is only for the profit and nothing more. I do appreciate if SAs are friendly and welcoming, but that’s where it ends.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I love fashion and each of my bags has special sentimental value. Sometimes I name my bags, too. For instance, my Petit Noe has a very cute nickname in Czech, which would translate into something like “cute baby on the go”.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? I am a successful, European middle aged women, so the answer is no. If they were rude to me, who would they be nice to then? However, I have seen SAs being very rude to some Asians or younger clients. That is obviously wrong, but it is what it is…
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Mostly me. I have been given some bags by my dear ones, too.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Yes, when I was younger, I had no clue about fakes. I just went and bought a Louis Vuitton bag I liked, knowing it was fake but did not knew any better nor had the funds to buy the genuine product at the time. That was 15+ years ago and I have not bought a fake item ever since. The bag lasted few months and then I threw it away.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No. I have no-one to hide them from, one of the many perks of being single!
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Nothing really, unless you would consider me working 6 days a week as “crazy” in general haha.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Sometimes I do shop a lot. But it is my money that I have worked hard for, so it is my choice and then I have to live with the consequences.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I have a collection of fur coats. I am aware that many may dislike this, but it is something that I enjoy. I have been collecting fur coats since very young age, then stopped for a long time. Now I usually treat myself to one fur coat a year for the past 10 years.
I love traveling with my two sons who are now in their 20s but still find time to go travel with me. I also enjoy nice cars, currently have 2, a sporty Jaguar for the summer and an Alfa Romeo SUV. Last, but not least, I have a small collection of diamond jewelry, since, as many of you know, diamonds are a girl’s best friend ;).
Anything else you would like to include? Just always be aware of your own worth, of who you truly are. Because only if you are truly yourself can you positively impact others.
At one point in my life I had to start all over again, from scratch, and here I am. All it took was to stand up on my own legs and work my ass off.
Also I am sorry about any grammatical mistakes I may have made as English is not my first language.
