Closet Confessionals

CC 77: The Classic Bag Lover

"I don’t buy unless I can afford it...I have zero debt and would not make an expensive purchase if it would put me in debt."

Today we have a fresh confessional coming to you from sunny California, and it’s a good one! Today’s confessor began collecting bags back in the late 90s when Coach was all the rage! In fact, if you check out her list of bags, you’ll see that she’s held on to her first little lady all these years. These days, she favors brands like Louis Vuitton and Celine, though her collection is relatively diverse, encompassing carries from some of the most popular luxury brands around. With a collection worth around $35K it’s pretty amazing that our confessor doesn’t have an ounce of credit card debt. In fact, she’s a smart shopper and will not purchase a bag if it’s going to put her in the red. Aside from loving handbags at her core, this confessor enjoys the shopping experience as a whole and makes memories with her mother and best friend while doing it. Read the full CC below and don’t forget to submit your own!

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The Basics

Age: 42
Gender Identity: Female
Location: California
Occupation: Accounting Manager
Industry: Business
Salary: $65,000
Household Income: $200,000

The Bags

Are you a PurseForum member? No

How many bags do you own? 25

What bags are in your collection?
Chanel Boy Bag Medium
LV Speedy
LV Neverfull
Givenchy Antigona Soft
Balenciaga City Large hardware
Prada Galleria
Saint Laurent Sac De jour
Fendi Peekaboo
Mulberry baywater satchel
Valentino (black and white -My Rockstud Satchel)
Celine Luggage Tote
Celine Trio
Ferragamo Vara Bow Mini bag
Bottega Veneta Makeup Pouch
Polene Numerio Uhn
Hammitt VIP Large
Hammitt Tony
Senreve bracelet clutch
2 Longchamps
Coach black leather satchel (don’t know the name – my first real luxury bag around 1999)
a few smaller clutches – Coach, Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff, Hobo

How much is your collection worth? $35,000

What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Boy Bag

What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? I truly love them all, I feel that every piece is important to my collection, but of course the Chanel is the most special. I also really love my Celine bags.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I think I was a sophomore in college, so I was around 19. It was a black leather coach purse that I fell in love with and my parents got it for me for Christmas

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I have been looking into the black matte Lady Dior bag.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Celine Trio – on a trip to Paris in 2017 my husband bought this for me at the store near the Champs-Elysees

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? I use my bags all the time – at work, in public, among friends and family. However, I do not think that everyone is aware of the price tag of all bags and I don’t mention it. I don’t advertise the size of my collection much. I buy them for my enjoyment and they make me happy. I don’t need everyone to appreciate them the same way I do. I do think that some people can be judgemental of what others spend money on and that can change perceptions. I know that I am very responsible with my income and I don’t buy unless I can afford it. I have zero debt and would not make an expensive purchase if it would put me in debt.

The Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? About once a year. Some years I buy more than one, but it averages to about one or two a year.

Which stores do you frequent the most? I live very close to SouthCoast Plaza – a luxury shopping center in SoCal and so each purchase I have made has been from the brands own store. I love the experience of shopping in each boutique, it is part of the enjoyment of getting a new handbag.

All except for Polene, I had to order that one online.

My Mulberry was purchased in the boutique in London…another special travel moment.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? No I have never bought a second hand bag

Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I have sold bags when I don’t like them or need them anymore. I have always used Ebay and have had a lot of luck. I have sold a few coach purses, I sold my Michael Kors, and dooney and bourke bags.

I sold a LV Portebello bag because it wasn’t my favorite and I also sold a Senreve bag a month after I purchased it because I realized it was too small for my needs.

Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No, I try not to fall for trends. Most of my bags I have purchased because I feel like they are iconic classics. Just recently I purchased a couple that are more trendy (Hammitt) and that has been fun (for now).

Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes, definitely. I have told my husband a few times that luxury handbags are one of the best investments because if needed you can usually sell for the bags value or more. Although I don’t plan to sell any of my current bags.

Who influences your buying decisions? Celebrities and reviews on PurseBlog

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No, not really.

Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I love shopping with my mother and best friend. The 3 of us have shopping days together and it is just a nice bonding time. I look forward to those days and neither of them ever discourage a purchase; so that’s always nice and also dangerous. Hahaha. I do not think I have a shopping addiction, because I am very smart and careful with what I spend on, I don’t usually make a spontaneous purchase.

Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? I have noticed that once I started having more expensive handbags on my arm, that I was taken more seriously while browsing.

The Money

Who pays for your bags? I have paid for every single purchase except for two – my husband bought me the Celine Trio and the Mulberry Baywater as gifts during our travels. Everything else has been my own money and decision.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? I never used to, but I have started. I try to put $3K aside annually – about one handbag a year.

The Taboo Topics

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No. And I will never purchase a counterfeit. I personally believe that is a slap in the face to real brands and to the people who spend money on the real thing.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Unfortunately, yes, but only once or twice. My husband and I have an understanding that we are free to spend money on what we want as long as we can afford it. But there are times I just don’t want to explain the “need” for more beautiful handbags.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Nothing crazy. I’m boring and just save my money so I can afford them.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No. I think I have a balanced shopping habit.

The Rest Of It

Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I also love buying nice jewelry especially while traveling. Everything is meant to bring joy and good memories when wearing!

Anything else you would like to include? Whatever your passion is – if it makes you happy and doesn’t hurt anyone – go for it!! And it’s fun to be a part of a community of fellow handbag lovers!

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