Closet Confessionals

CC 84: The Shopaholic With a Soft Spot for Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga

"I'm more of a buy it and figure out how I'll afford it after person"

In today’s installment of closet confessionals we meet a handbag lover whose love of bags began with her very first Speedy bag. To this day, Louis Vuitton remains one of the most important brands in her collection, though she has a soft spot for Balenciaga as well. While many luxury lovers are new to the vintage game due to the current surge in popularity, this bag lover used to shop vintage more in the past, but now prefers mostly new over pre-loved. Ann’s Fabulous Finds used to be her go-to for secondhand bags, and despite her preference towards shopping new over used now, this luxury lover and self-proclaimed shopaholic does love to bargain hunt. She ignores trends and what’s of-the-moment, preferring to shop for what it is that she actually wants (and what’s on sale). A bit of an impulse buyer, this confessor has taken time during the current world crisis to assess her habits as well as how (and why) she shops. Read the full confessional below and don’t forget to submit your own!

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The Basics

Age: 42
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Admin Assistant
Industry: Government
Salary: $50,000
Household Income: $135,000

The Bags

Are you a PurseForum member? Yes

How many bags do you own? 25

What bags are in your collection?

Hermes Etoupe Evelyne 29
Hermes Vintage Black Box Kelly
Valentino Small Burgundy Rockstud Bag
Balenciaga Mini Black City
Balenciaga Navy SHW Giant Hip
Givenchy Green Pepe Mini Pandora
Givenchy Nude Goatskin Small Pandora
Givenchy Black Goatskin Medium Pandora
Louis Vuitton Nano Noe
Louis Vuitton Grenade Speedy
Louis Vuitton Red Kusama Neverfull
Marc Jacobs Grey Snapshot bag

How much is your collection worth? $10,000

What is your most expensive bag? Hermes Evelyne 29 in Etoupe. I sold 3 bags to buy it for my 35th birthday. Now it’s too heavy for me to carry so it sits in the box!

What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? I wouldn’t say any piece is more important than another, but I do have a soft spot for Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? My first designer bag was a Louis Vuitton Speedy that I bought the day after I got engaged to my (now) husband. I was so excited, but scared because I’d had such a negative experience previously in the store.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I keep thinking I want to dip my toe into the Chanel pond but the price increases hold me back

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My Grenade Speedy was a wedding present from my husband, who I married 12 years ago. It’s still in beautiful shape and I pull it out every summer. People still ask me where I got it from and marvel at the condition.

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes. In the past I’ve had people ask me how I afford things or judge me by my love of designer bags, which is annoying but not unexpected.

The Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? 4 times a year.

Which stores do you frequent the most? Holt Renfrew in person or Ssense and Farfetch since I’m more of an online shopper.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I love vintage bags, but I now tend to buy brand new. I used to shop at Ann’s Fabulous Finds a lot in the past.

Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I’ve only done that once (with my Evelyne). Normally I’m a bargain shopper and find things on sale. In the past I’ve worked with local online shops and Ann’s Fabulous Finds.

Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not really. I tend to ignore what’s popular and buy what I like (and what’s on sale)

Do you consider your bag purchases investments? I don’t. I buy them because I like them and plan to use them; I’m not a collector.

Who influences your buying decisions? My husband and my 9 year old daughter. She has a strong sense of style and already has her eyes on most of my bags.

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not anymore. When I lived in the city I used to pop into boutiques to see what was new and to visit my SA’s all the time. With online shopping taking off I rarely go into the stores anymore so I don’t have an opportunity to build a relationship like I used to.

Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I’m a self admitted shopaholic who loves getting new things. The pandemic has me a little on edge and I’ve been self soothing with retail therapy.

Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Yes. As I mentioned before, when I was in my early 20’s I went into a Louis Vuitton store intending to buy a card case and was completely ignored by staff; only the security guard would talk to me. It was years before I went back to make a purchase. This may be part of the reason why I’ve gravitated to online shopping.

The Money

Who pays for your bags? I do. It’s rare that I receive them as a gift from my husband.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Budget? What’s that?!! But seriously, I’m more of a buy it and figure out how I’ll afford it after person.

The Taboo Topics

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Yes. When I was a teenager I bought a counterfeit bag on vacation since I thought it would make me look sophisticated.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Never. He’s my partner in crime.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? I once sold a bag my husband gifted me to get my Evelyne. I regret that decision to this day.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I’ve asked myself that on many occasions in the past. With the pandemic things have come to a head and I’ve really been soul searching. My bags don’t bring me as much joy as they once did I’m afraid.

The Rest Of It

Any other expensive hobbies or passions? None, thank goodness!

Anything else you would like to include? I love the Purse Forum. It’s so nice to belong to a community of likeminded individuals!

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