In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals we meet a handbag lover who saves half of his discretionary income per month to buy bags. This self-proclaimed homebody loves shopping and Dior is his ultimate vice. While he’s not shy about the things that he loves (bags of course!), today’s confessor is well aware that his habit is a pretty pricey one. Having a supportive partner is an important factor in this handbag lover’s life, and often his significant other influences his latest buys. Though our confessor is in it for the thrill and is truly passionate about bags, he doesn’t enjoy shopping in person as much as online. Though he jokes about having a “luxury disease”, overall this funny-guy’s attitude towards bags and shopping is lighthearted and fun. Read the full confessional below and be sure to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 30
Gender Identity: Male
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Occupation: Editor
Industry: Background Screening
Salary: $33,000.00
Household Income: $33,000.00
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? Around 40
What bags are in your collection? Predominantly Dior!
I have several Lady Diors, a Diorever, three Book Totes and some Chanels. A particular favorite of mine is the Square Mini in Black with Gold Hardware… and oh! not to forget the mother of my collection, Hermes Birkin in Ostrich, Tangerine, 35cm in Palladium Hardware. I got it as a present from someone special when we rekindle our relationship!
How much is your collection worth? Close to $100,000 I think, if we took out the Hermes, it’ll be significantly less though!
What is your most expensive bag? The Hermes of course! But since it was a gift, I can’t really consider it can’t I?
If I were to really dig through my purchases, I would say the Chanel Boy Brick I bought back when it first debuted. It was transparent and in silver. But I don’t really use it – not really that practical to be honest and who are we kidding, that bag is only for flexing, not for practical use!
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Dior, Dior and DIOR!
I love the brand so much and I’ve spent a great deal of money on their bags! I mostly shop with my personal shopper so I don’t really know anyone from my local boutique. I’ve never traveled outside of Malaysia as I don’t really like to do so and truth be told, I don’t really enjoy doing activities that makes me sweat! I’m a homebody but with a very (very) expensive hobby!
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I was in my last year of University when I bought my first designer bag, it was the Rockie bag by Alexander Wang. I remember vividly that I vowed to myself that I would only buy designer items from Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim and the likes (all the Asian-American designers I could find that year) but I failed miserably though, since I’m hooked on Dior not long after that. The first Dior bag I purchased was the large Lady Dior in Glazed Calfskin, with tonal hardware, not sure from what season that bag was from but I loved it to the high heavens. It was love at first sight and we’ve been together ever since!
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I recently placed an order for the Bobby bag and patiently waiting for the good news from my personal shopper. But other than that, I think I wanted another Birkin, maybe in Ostrich or Croc, 25cm. I like dainty bags even though I’m quite tall and bulky.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? The Rockie and definitely my first Dior purchase! That Rockie sparks my interest in designer bags and that Dior bag, man that bag is what started this obsession of mine! It’s like drugs and I’m a Dior junkie!
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes and no.
Those with knowledge of the fashion industry would definitely be interested in my bags. I’m fairly large (US18) and I tend to wear black. But I always (always) make sure that my bag POP! I like bold colors, textures and designs so naturally, most of my bags are in bright colors. Something weird about me is: I struggle to style my black bags! As my outfits are mostly black, I don’t like it when my bag blends in, instead, I want it to be the focal point of my look. Those with zero knowledge of fashion or simply called “Men” are either clueless or not bothered.
They’re more interested in what my mouth has to offer – jokes.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? I bought bags maybe every other month? I know that’s bad and I should really save up for the future but hey, c’est la vie!
I’ll start saving up soon, when I recovered from this luxury disease!
Which stores do you frequent the most? I don’t really shop in stores. It scares me as here in Malaysia, you need to be of certain class to shop at these high-end boutiques. So, I prefer shopping online or with my personal shopper. He doesn’t judge me and the WorldWideWeb certainly do not care about my outfit when I click that “Add to cart” button!
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes! Yes! Yes! I love shopping for preloved! We don’t really have a proper shop for that here in Malaysia like Fashionphile or The RealReal, but Instagram is a heaven for bag lovers! I have several shops that I frequent and sometimes I even sell my bags to them. Win-Win situation!
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Yes. Most definitely! I wasn’t born with a silver spoon shoved into my throat, nor am I genetically beautiful enough to get myself a sugar-daddy or even that lucky to be born as a royalty. So, I have to work my ass off for my hobby… and judging from my bag collection thus far, I’ve worked HARD. Selling bags every now and then is a good way to refresh my wardrobe, get some extra cash and hopefully, fund my next purchase. But I wouldn’t count on it that much as Dior doesn’t really hold their value so I usually lost couple of hundreds when selling them. Nevertheless, I have used that money to fund my next purchase.
It’s usually another Dior bag!
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No. I feel pressured by myself most of the time. I don’t really get into the hype of these influencers, nor some brands’ marketing (in saying that, I am guilty for buying that Dior Saddle when they brought it back, but that’s just that one time! (Promise)).
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? No. Except for my Birkin, none of the others were bought with the intention of selling it back or as an investment.
Who influences your buying decisions? Me and sometimes, my significant other. He loves Louis Vuitton and has been an avid collector. I on the contrary, have mixed feelings about the brand. I mean, I like some of their bags, but I hate that monogram (He’d kill me if he sees this). The only monogram I like was on the Watercolor Speedy. I missed that collection though. I was too young and too broke at that time to afford it. The preloved market here in Malaysia is brutal when it comes to Louis Vuitton so I’ve been kicking myself left and right when I don’t have the money to buy that bag when it pops out on my Instagram feed.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No. I don’t really shop in the shop (LOL)
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I like the feeling of owning something, be it new or preloved (still, new to me). It calms me down and when I’m stressed from work, I would always look at my bags and say “My babies are here with me through thick and thin”
It’s weird. I have a weird attachment to my bags. But I sell them from time to time!
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Not really as I am very confident with myself. And if I feel like I’m not welcomed, I get my ass out of there immediately. I don’t deserve to be treated like that and I certainly wouldn’t let them treat me like that.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Most of the time it was a half and half situation. He pays for half and I pay for the other. But when it comes to my birthday or his birthday, that’s a whole different story.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Yes! I always put aside half of my salary every month for bags – of course, after paying the rent, the bills and all the other adult commitments.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Sadly yes. I think I’ve bought two. A Calvin Klein tote and a Gucci tote. Both were really bad fakes as it costed me literally nothing.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No. We share most of our purchase stories, not the purchase, only the stories!
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? I’ve used my insurance money to fund a new Be Dior bag! It’s bad and I still have that scar on my left hand but that Be Dior was one of the best purchase I’ve ever made. No regrets.
Although, I’ve sold it not long ago to fund my Diorever. I’ve outgrown her and I needed a more formal silhouette.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I certainly did not! But my friends and family seems to think that way. Most of them supported me when we go shopping but when we’re back at home, I’m simply an easy target for “You’ve spent so much!” and “You should stop or you’ll be broke by 35!”
It’s annoying LOL!
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? No. Not really. I enjoy my bags and only my bags. Nothing satisfy me more than the smell of leather and new bags!
