Your response to our first two editions of Closet Confessionals has been totally overwhelming, so before we get to the third, we have some news: we’ve decided to turn this series into appointment viewing. You can check back here every Thursday at noon for a new look into how one of our anonymous readers makes their money and how they decide when to spend it.
This week, we’re featuring a bag lover that started from modest means and who now owns her own business, and her very particular interest in Hermès bags serves as her chief personal splurge. For future editions, we’re always looking for people with different stories—different incomes, different backgrounds, different levels of financial responsibility—than those we’ve already featured, but we can’t do that without your help. If you’d like to be considered for your own Closet Confessional, all you have to do is fill out the form below! We promise to keep all your identifying details confidential.
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 41
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Industry: Design
Income: $350,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 24
How much is your collection worth? $85,000
What is your most expensive bag? Hermès Kelly Sellier in a rare leather.
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? I am a true Hermès fan, and most of my bags are from Hermès. For the sake of anonymity, I’d prefer not to get into specifics, but I have many different Kelly bags and both a 35 and 30 Birkin. All are neutral colors.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? In my mid-20s, I found myself still living like I made no money while earning my first substantial salary in the corporate world. With no student debt and a very affordable studio apartment I lived in on my own, I could afford to spend but didn’t. My boss at the time was a very cool gay man, a few years older than me and our job was to travel a lot. We worked in corporate retail, which meant we spent a lot of time in malls all over the US. Hard not to shop constantly under those circumstances, but I had spent many years as a college dropout working my way up the retail corporate ladder and was not accustomed to having a six-figure income. My boss finally made me stop wearing sunglasses I got from the Halloween store (I’m not kidding) and buy a “real” pair. After I didn’t sit on them or lose them for six months, I splurged on a Marc Jacobs bag that seemed so extravagant at $800ish. It was so heavy—it was the era of all those Chloe and Marc heavy leather bags with lots of hardware. I remember feeling so proud and also mildly terrified of it. It was gray, and I got color transfer on it pretty quickly, but hey, there are two sides to every bag.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? This year I have bought no bags and will likely not buy any unless an outstanding special order from Hermès arrives. Last year I bought three: two Kellys and one Birkin. I got one Kelly in Paris, and that was a very special experience.
I don’t buy when I have the “urge” for a bag, I have to buy when I am busy with work and have lots of well paying jobs, as I am no longer working in the corporate world—about nine years ago, I left to start my own creative design practice. It was a huge change. I did a year of unpaid interning and worked as a very low-paid apprentice during the transition. I had saved a considerable sum during my ten-plus years of working well-paid jobs, but was reluctant to shop at all because my income was so uncertain as I had no idea if my business would work, let alone support me in my previous lifestyle. I’m grateful that I spent many years with a pretty low income before finding success, because it was not that hard not to shop for a few years. My husband is also self-employed, and he worked very hard during that time so that I could focus on learning a whole new set of skills. I didn’t buy any new bags or really anything beyond the necessities for the first three years of my new career. I acquired my first Hermès Kelly from my local Hermès boutique after completing the biggest job of my career, four years into my business. Any new bags I buy must be paid for by work, if I don’t have the work on the books, I can’t look at new items. Well, I’m always looking, but I’ve learned not to ask, try things on or tempt myself when times are slow.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I am not really into other designer labels, so I spend the most time in Hermès, and I love my local Neiman Marcus. I have a few great SAs in the area but Hermès is a big, big splurge, so I prefer to spend on one great item there rather than spend too much time looking for things that I don’t really need or that I might tire of quickly. For me, Hermès price points dictate that less is more in my closet.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Yes!
Where do you buy used? I love to look at The Real Real, Ann’s Fabulous Finds and Fashionphile. There are also a few great eBay sellers, but if you’re buying high-end, you need to use an authenticator as there is a lot of garbage to sift through.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I don’t sell to buy something, but I do sell bags that don’t work for me. Hermès isn’t exactly a walk in the park for getting the exact bag you want, and honestly, I started out buying things used to see if I liked the size, shape, style, etc., before buying something new from the store. I’ve sold via all the stores I listed for buying.
Who influences your buying decisions? I have always been a bit of an outsider, so I don’t buy anything unless I truly love it. If I’m unsure about why I want something, I try to spend some time thinking about what purpose it will serve in my wardrobe. I have a pretty messy, casual job most days, so I don’t need fancy ready-to-wear or dresses and heels. I follow the designers and fashion houses on Instagram, but only because I find their presentation and imagery inspiring. I do some handcraft in my work, so craftsmanship is very important to me, it’s why I fell in love with Hermès as a design house. They value their craft more than anything. I’ve been fortunate to get to know some people in the company and I can say that though the prices seem truly insane for just about everyone, and I know how everyone feels about the hoops people jump through to get a bag, they do that so they can support the thousands of people that work in their ateliers. If nobody was salivating for a Birkin for months or years, I don’t know that they could keep up the level of detail in their other products, and the lesser known product lines are just incredible.
I don’t love the influencer community or how the wave of people posing on IG with the latest and greatest is making everyone look the same. All the individual elements are beautiful in their own way, but now it just feels like a uniform, and I’m not into it. After a few tries with pre-owned pieces, I bought my first new-from-Hermès Kelly because I knew it would be a bag that would work for me literally forever. And since I don’t look or dress like the typical fashion person on the Internet, no one knows what brand it is most of the time and I love that. Fashion used to be a way of standing out, and I hope at some point it gets back to that. Instagram seems to have made it about fitting in and always having gobs of designer goods on at one time.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Totally, the whole Hermès PurseForum is about how to get what you want from Hermès! I love my SA and the whole staff at my local store. I am hardly a huge spender or VIP, and as I’ve said, I don’t look like a typical client, so I’m happy that I have access to the items that I want—whether they can get them in a timely fashion is another issue. It can be hard to wait for the right bag when you want something now! I waited two years for a clutch once, and my very first Kelly took eight months from when I had the money in the bank and made the request. And I was happy it was only eight months because I thought it was going to take another six months.
We joke on the Hermès forum that they put something in the fragrance in the store that makes you forget how “normal” shopping works. And yes, I know it’s a crazy process but I LOVE my Hermès bags so much. If you’ve never held one or compared one to another premium designer, you can’t understand. They feel substantially different, they last forever and they are practically indestructible. I have pieces going back to the 60s that look like new. Every stitch shows the person that made it, they are objects for life—not fancy bags to be babied or trophies to wave around, no matter how many celebs carry them or how many people think they are a symbol of success. They can be those things to some people, but at the end of the day, it’s an incredibly high-quality bag that commands a ridiculous price because you never need to buy another one. Whether you want to buy another one is a whole other story!
The Money
Who pays for your bags? I pay for all my bags, with the exception of the one time my then-boyfriend (now husband) bought me the only Louis Vuitton bag I’ve ever loved. It is a Monogramouflage Speedy from Marc Jacobs/Murakami collection for the Brooklyn Museum. It is totally my style, he loved it on me because it was so weird and bought it as a total surprise. We knew nothing of the brand, never bought anything else there and I still have it and adore it. It’s so unusual that many people ask me if it’s fake when I do bring it out. I could never sell it, even though it’s worth about four times what it retailed for now. One guy followed me around the grocery store and made a crazy offer for it. He was an LV nut and said they never come up for sale.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? My self-employed income fluctuates so much, so the bags I buy are usually preceded by a good year with work or a crazy big job that generates an unexpected bonus that I bank for my next bag. I’ve had amazing years with work but this year is quieter, so I’m trying to keep my spending in check and not tempt fate by asking my Hermès SA for anything. I have learned from previous uncertain times that while Hermès loves to play “hard to get,” there will always be another bag when the time is right. No bag is worth being stressed financially or having to sell things in desperation.
My husband and I pay for most things equally, I cover our health insurance premiums and he gets our mortgage (sadly, they are about the same!) We both buy groceries, meals out and stuff for the house. We did some work on our house a few years ago and used an inheritance from my husband’s family for that. We have no debt and our house was incredibly affordable because it did need a bunch of work, and we only use credit cards for our regular expenses and to get points or cash back. They get paid in full every month, for the budget police in the comments.
He is a saver and I am only good at saving for things that I look forward to. I’m never more mad than when a house expense eats into fun money, especially stuff like pipes that you can’t even see! We don’t have kids and have no plans to have them, we contribute generously to several animal and education focused charities every year. His income can fluctuate from year to year as well, but not as wildly as my own so we make retirement contributions in lumps rather than monthly. We also have some real estate holdings and investments accounts from when we both had salaried jobs, but we leave them be for retirement.
All that said, I generally keep about $10K in separate account for Hermès “emergencies” or general shopping, and I’m fortunate to work with a lovely SA and store manager so I get to request bags on my wishlist at Hermès biannual buying trips, called a podium order, and I have a special order bag being made for me right now. With podium orders, it can be six to ten months, so if I know I really want the bag, I need to be prepared. My special order is not expected for quite a while, but Hermes can be unpredictable, so it’s better to have a cushion so I don’t have to say no. During slower times with work, I’ve passed on some great bags, but when this special bag arrives, I do not want to say no. I know everyone says this, but I think it will be my last bag for a while. The only other Hermès bags on my wish list are very rare, very expensive (even relative to other Hermès bags), or both rare and expensive, so unless something dramatic changes with my income or my husband’s income, they remain true daydream bags.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No, I really value originality but also, I wasn’t interested in designer items when I couldn’t afford them.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? My first instinct on this answer is no way, because I pay for things myself but truthfully, I guess I do hide by omission. My husband doesn’t have a clue about how much most items in Hermès cost, and frankly, he would probably not approve because he’s a frugal guy. He has bought me an occasional gift of a shawl or bracelet and I think in his mind, everything in the store costs $1,000, which is fine with me. My SA and I joke that he’s happy, so let’s not burst his bubble. We both work very hard, his income is more stable than mine but I think it would be hard for him not to judge me for what I know is an exorbitant price tag. We have joint and separate accounts but I manage all our finances for both our businesses so at the end of the day, he trusts me to be responsible and I don’t want to do anything to violate that trust. If he asked me directly, I would tell the truth, but he never has. I have, however, designated a trusted friend to be the executor of my bag “estate” should anything happen to me, and I would do the same for her. Do you know that meme? “My greatest fear is that I will die and my husband will sell my bags for what I told them they cost.” It’s the truth, but in my case, it’s what he assumes they cost.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Last year I bought three Hermès bags, one of which was very unexpected and I only knew about it maybe a month before it arrived in the US. My SA saw it was on its way from Paris and was a bit of a grail bag for me. So I ended up taking two quick jobs that weren’t my usual style and gathered up the cash to make that bag happen. It wasn’t exactly crazy, but it is not the way I like to do things.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I guess I would consider staying self-employed my major personal extravagance. I have a good bit of experience and could command a much better and more stable salary by going back to working for a big company, but I value my flexibility and happiness. I’m having a slow year and it’s forcing me to work harder for less and also resist the urge to shop the way I might have during busy times. It requires patience and faith in my talents to just ride it out and control what I can with the day to day. I’m happy knowing that I know how to live with way less and that my happiness doesn’t come from material goods or how much I earn.
I do love my fitness and spend a fair amount of my disposable income on boutique workouts, a fancy gym and regular trainer sessions. I recently started a regimen of monthly facials because they work and I’m loving the results.
We don’t travel much due to our focus on work, so we have spent a fair amount renovating our old house and are now finally furnishing it. Our master bathroom renovation was way, way over budget but totally worth it, as it feels like a boutique hotel. We love our extended families and travel with them or to see them when we do travel. No one in our family is into things, we all prefer experiences like being together or fabulous memorable meals. We have some nieces and nephews to spoil with fun trips and we love that, as well as giving them back to their parents at the end. We all wish we had more time together, not more stuff!
[Editor’s Note: All interviews are edited for grammar, length, and clarity]
Oh, come ON. I thought the whole point of this thread might be a voice to those barely scraping by. We all KNOW there are tons of people on here who make 6 figures, by their own means or by another’s- what about the 20-somethings who’ll admit to having a trust fund? Or those who will dare to admit that they’re up to their neck in credit card debt? If you can afford to buy 10 Chanels a year with cash – hey! Good for you – but for the normal homosapien who does the same, i’d Love to hear how the heck you get by. There’s no judgment, as everyone has a vice, but seriously, tpf: I don’t care about how those with a 6 figure income “somehow” make it work.
I applaud these stories where people have worked hard and are financially stable and then buy their designer bags. Why should we encourage or normalize people who go into debt for material things they can’t afford?
In my case when I was the normal homosapien with 33K income – I did not have any designer bags because going into Credit Card debts was not worth it for me. When my combined income became a 6 digit number – I got into fulfilling my dream list mode and sometime I could use a CC to pay in 2 months for the H bag
I was surprised that this was the third one in a row of a wealthy person! I’m looking forward to lower income diaries as well. Maybe next week?
I don’t think last weeks was a wealthy person. Making 100k in a major city and making it work to own multiple Hermes is interesting. Many professionals in their late 20s in a major city have insane rents and costs of living.
But, I do agree that this weeks responses felt too stage. Too comfortable.
100K is considered higher-income.
I learned from one of my college courses in 2012 that the average household income was about $60,000 per year and it doesn’t seem like things have changed that much.
US median household income: $57,617.
US median family income: $71, 062.
US per capita income: $31,128.
– Reference: https://www.deptofnumbers.com/income/us/
And I have to say that these numbers are on par for me and my roommates (I am 29-years-old and I made a little over $28,000 last year and, yes, I have a 2014 BA from one of the top 10-ranked public universities in the US).
We have very different ideas of wealth then. I’m in my mid 20s and most of my friends are making 40-70k.
I don’t think I’d be buying any luxury bags such as Hermes or Chanel if I were earning only $50,000. No judgment. That’s just the way it is. The numbers would not work. Low six-figures is not living in the lap of luxury, especially when one has a mortgage, is saving for retirement and lives in an area where housing prices are higher than most areas. And I’m sure the more critical these comments are, the less likely someone earning $30,000 a year who buys Hermes on credit is willing to share her/his story. That’s just the honest truth.
I’m not sure what your comment has to do with mine. All I’m saying is it would be interesting to read lower income diaries. They most likely exist – regardless of if it’s right or wrong or responsible, there’s very likely people who aren’t earning 6 figures who are buying bags. Maybe they only buy pre-loved, or just put aside $50 bucks a paycheck to save up, or maybe they don’t go out and spend $50 on drinks and ubers on weekends so they can shop instead. It would be interesting to read and learn how and why they do that with their money and if there is someone out there buying H on a 30k salary why are they doing that? Otherwise what’s the point of this series? We all know how wealthy people fund their luxury habits.
Hi Belle – All I’m saying is that I don’t think we’re going to find someone earning $35k or even 40k with a collection of Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. They may save up for 1 or 2 LV bags, but that’s it. If there is anyone out there like that, I’d love to read their story myself.
I completely agree with this! Feature a student, a middle-class worker, a teacher, or someone who lives with a moderate income – someone that most of us can relate to! These stories definitely sound staged like everyone else stated. Frankly, I’m a little shocked that this story was even chosen. Congratulations to the person for having such a great lifestyle but sorry, can’t relate.
“Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I don’t sell to buy something, but I do sell bags that don’t work for me.” hmmmm same thing no?
No, it’s not.
She’s saying she’ll sell a bag without having a specific bag in mind. The question is asking will you sell a bag with the direct intent to buy a bag you cannot afford. Her answer is fair here.
Yep it made sense to me.
I’ve been loving the purse confessional series but I have to say this one seemed quite staged … sorry on to the next one pls.
Funny how perceptions vary! I far and away liked this one the best. The author was grounded and low key. Whereas I did not like the first one at all; it struck me as far more staged and humble-braggy. I was also glad to see her shout-out for Anns Fabulous Finds, a favorite pre-loved seller highly valued by many TPFers but consistently ignored by the PurseBlog team.
Tone is important in every form of media. I liked this one much better than the first one. Brashly speaking I really wanted to slap the first person for being so arrogant.
Gosh, has everyone forgotten these are human beings we’re talking about?
Gosh, has everyone forgotten these are human beings we’re talking about?
not liking these closet confessionals,
If I wanted something like this, I would watch Real house wives closet tours.
No photos of any bags either. Great handbags are not about how much money you make.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
Photos are only an optional part of the submission to this series. So don’t expect them. Not everyone wants to share their collection or has the time or skill to photograph them well.
Time or skill? A phone is a camera.
Note that I specifically said that it takes time and skill to photograph bag collections WELL. If I were to submit photos, I’d make sure they were high-quality, well-lit, and well-composed and would be up to Purseblog’s usual standards. I’d want them to be worthy of being on here, alongside professionally taken photos.
And even if you aren’t a stickler for quality, taking out bags out of storage, lining them up for a shot, making sure no stray pets get in the shot, putting them all back in storage, etc. will still take time that not a lot of people have or would rather spend doing something else.
I have been meaning for a while to post a short, easy primer on how to get the best out of your existing camera (phone, likely) for bag or modeling shots! It’s actually not as hard as people may believe, just seems awfully overwhelming.
Either way, we typically follow up with a selected submission and ask for more insights and pictures, if available and willing to share.
There is much truth in your statement. Taking post worthy photos is difficult. I have tried with an iPhone, a Samsung, and an old HTC, which took the best photos of the three phones.
I don’t like them either. Glad it’s not just me .
I thought that I was the only one. My least favorite series.
snore,
this site used to have personality, now its just Hermes, and fugly LV,
We’re certainly always open to input and suggestions from our readers. What would you change, were you in our position?
Think it would be more interesting if you showed pictures of their collections. Her story did enlighten me a bit about Hermes, as I have never understood the appeal.
I think it’s up to the sender to include photos of their collection, but it’s not a requirement.
Yes, I’m not an Hermes fan, but I can understand the reasons for her choice. However, I think you get the same level of craftsmanship without the attitude at Delvaux. And people from Delvaux have worked at Hermes and vice versa. I would probably opt for a special order Tempete from Delvaux over a Kelly.
I’m not loving this series either. They all just reek of humble bragging wealthy people. Was hoping to see a little more diversity but I guess middle income here is still the 1%.
I agree, especially the first one. This one seems much more grounded, the person profiled even says she’s pulled back on purchases because business is slowing. Given that her entire collection is Hermes (except for one LV), the $85k value estimate isn’t that surprising. With Birkins selling for $15k (and more) and Kellys for $8k (and more), it’s not even that big a collection.
The first one was one big humble brag. I find that I can relate to this better as I’m also a small business owner and I go through the same periods of making big money or little money.
Guess I’m different than most who are commenting. I often see comments like “How can people afford these bags?” This series tells us, and people criticize the answers.
I’m enjoying this series, especially this week’s feature. I don’t “relate” and never will, but I still enjoy getting a peek into other people’s lives and their spending habits.
Maybe I’m alone, but I say please keep these stories coming.
Same. I don’t even like Hermes or earn anywhere near this person, but I enjoyed reading this anyway. This might be the one I like best so far. I actually think this one is the most “grounded” of them all so far, since the author talks about curbing her spending and not buying any bags for three years when she was starting her business. That’s longer than most people here have ever gone, probably!
That said, I think it’s a valid criticism of that these features need to be more varied. But that’s also a function of the kinds of submissions they get, when they get them, how quickly the authors respond to any follow-ups, etc.. I doubt that PB are withholding the entries from authors who have less income or more varied bag tastes.
We aren’t! We are going through the entires we get and finding ones that are as thought out and then we reach back out to clarify on points as well. There will be more varied respondents coming, promise!
Meg, do you offer a witness protection program for the targets, oops, I meant authors of those submissions you publish? TP commenters can be brutal to their fellow TP’ers.
I figured that was the case! I’m thinking of submitting, but knowing me, I always end up wanting to revise or add to what I said. Will people find out in advance if they were selected and maybe add some points/make changes to what they submitted on the form? Or is that too much work for you?
May I encourage you to share your experience by submitting your story? There are those of us who enjoy reading these entries, without judgement.
I’m loving the series, but how about posting some confessionals from 5 figure income earners?
Working on it – I responded above, but we are wading through entries and finding ones that are well-thought out. We are getting more and more which will give us more diversity!
Thank you, Megs!
Yes, and perhaps someone who doesn’t collect Chanel, Hermes, or LV. Why not someone who mixes it up with a broad selection of brands — Tods, Fontana Milano, Furla, Agnona, Carolina Herrera, even seldom mentioned brands like Unuetzer, Akris, Issey Miyake, etc?
This conversation makes me wonder…….what does the average 50+ purchase? Usually working–has numerous bags. Do they go for the classic or the unconventional?? What about the 40’s or 60’s……. I think each age category could go with something different. Do you ever do something like that? Lately, I like more classics but purchase in different colors……is that odd?
Not at all – we have the age included because I think it’s interesting to see as well!
I have read all three confessionals and I will be honest to say that I was looking forward to reading more about middle class struggles in affording luxury bags. How do people do it? When I read the introductory message for the series I thought that’s what it was all about. What is the struggle in affording luxury when you make 6 figures?
Like others said, it would be nice to hear about people who live in Los Angeles making 80K or 70K and you love expensive handbags but you need to save in order to do it. What is your routine? How do you save? Do you finance your purchases?
And to the financial cops out there ….. please I beg you: can you give us some room to be authentic? I humbly ask you to stop pointing fingers and saying that people will live under the LA bridge in a tent? Or will end up in skid row at the LA mission. This is a confessional. They might even feel guilt about it, but they like handbags and they might even struggle with a desire to have something …. it ok to maybe give some advice if you feel in your heart do so. Maybe say something constructive that will empower people to do better. But the comments are so destructive and damaging.
Some people might only be able to buy “contemporary” designers and even the idea of grading designers it laughable to them ….
Purseblog, it would be nice, to take turns and go up and down the spectrum so you could give everyone a chance here. Any teachers, office workers out there?
Or how to afford a designer bag when you’re a working mom w/a combined income of roughly $175K and your family of 4 is considered low income in the Bay Area.
Hello, Lexi. Why not to move far far away from Bay Area?
I cannot speak for Lexi but being from here I would rather put up with the cons because the pros outweigh them.
Could you name a few pros that outweigh cons?
Diversity, culture, foodie heaven, great weather, great music and art scene, being near the ocean and bay and 2 hours from Tahoe and an hour from wine country, 7 professional sports teams, amazing produce (avocados for a $1-$1.50), walking out your door and seeing nature everywhere and easy access to it, gorgeous mountains everywhere to name a few off the top of my head.
Isn’t that sad! It is crazy what you need to make to survive in the Bay Area now. It seems like a lot to most people but not if you live here!
Yeah it’s outrageous! Especially when you’re from here and remembered how you could afford rent for a one bedroom flat 12 yrs ago.
Right? I grew up in the Bay Area as well. I am fortunate that I can still live here but man it is pricey now. I remember in 1994 renting a 2 bedroom flat in Cow Hollow with a dishwasher and utilities inc. for $1200 and I thought that was insane at the time.
But as expensive as it is here now I still love it and cannot see myself moving out of the Bay Area let alone California.
Totally what our aim is. Remember – we just opened this up recently and we are working with what has been submitted thus far. When we first announced, not as many people submitted confessionals that were as detailed as we wanted to see, so we are trying to give a good look at different people and their shopping habits as well as making sure each confessional has plenty of details. People are understanding what we are looking for as far as how much they share so we have more to work with! Promise that next week will be different and we will keep trying to give a good look at a variety of people and their shopping habits.
And yes – we typically have such kind commenters and I would love to see it stay that way. We all share our love for designer bags and this series is to give a look at what some people spend on their bags, which bags they covet, and how they decide to save and spend.
Submitted my answers in a haste. Maybe I should resubmit a more detailed confessional. Will you reach out to the ones you’re interested in and ask them to expand on their answers?
Yes – sorry I am late on this – but you can also resubmit! Some people just filled out answers with YES or NO and we are definitely looking for much more information which we think others will find intriguing!
Megs, When you ask what our handbag collections are worth, are you actually asking how much we’ve spent?
People have been critiquing this from the first confessional.
Wow – the hate in comments here is making me sad.
It’s a big, handbag-loving world. We all choose to be here, on PB, to share the love and community in all its diversity. We get each other and the love for bags. I love how the interwebs help us connect, and lament how the same interwebs can fuel the divides.
If you’re not liking what you see here, feel free to look elsewhere — please skip the grenade-tossing on your way out. If you choose to be here – and we hope you do – please respect the joy that unites us here here – our shared passion for bags.
She’s got Hermes pieces from the 60s? That’s so cool! The earliest bags I usually find are from the 90s.
This reminds me of a Purseforum thread where the source of the purse funds was asked, and everyone said that they save through hard work and have no debts. Not one admitted to the occasional struggles to reduce credit card debts. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that the tpfers were the most financially responsible people.
I even remember reading a “do you really think people are going to be honest about this?” comment and backing it up with financial statistics on debt.
When I was just starting my adult life, I did make some bad credit decisions. But I learned from the experience and I’m much more careful now, striving for the pay as you go life. My last bag purchase was in October. I’ve seen a few bags I’d love to have, but they’re simply not in the cards right now. I need some dental work and while it KILLS me to have to spend my bag-and-shoe money on root canals and crowns, such is life!
What about a handbag collection where the most expensive bag is below $3,000 USD?
Also, entries from people who are struggling with their shopping addiction? Or are still struggling paying off debt because they used credit cards to fund their bags?
If there are people who are going through that and they submit detailed, well-written answers via the form, I’m pretty sure that they will get published here, because that’s the whole point of the confessionals. But, understandably, people who are or were in debt or struggling might not be so forthcoming. They might be ashamed of their decisions or worried that they’ll be judged by commenters. Keep in mind that what’s published here depends on what is submitted. If no one like that submits, then there’s nothing for Purseblog to post.
Oh there will be those people, I’m sure. Since we’re only on #3 in the series–someone will be brave enough to be candid.
Commenters, I wouldn’t focus too much on ppl’s income. Several times, a six figure income level has been commented on as seemingly the threshold of luxury affordability. But six figures aren’t automatically discretionary incomes!
Don’t assume everyone has the same financial obligations. The cost of necessities such as food, shelter, clothing vary greatly among us. In my case, the cost caring for a disabled child for the rest of his life, even after I’ve died, would present a much different view of what many seem to think a six figure income life enjoys.
I had to skip reading for the sake of my anonymity and sanity as a school teacher with low income and attending rallies just to get a pay increase. But I have a Chanel bag and a Louis Vuitton Neverfull. Makes me feel better at the end of the day and I’m already content. That’s my confessional.
I said this last week and I’ll say it again. People who are trying to argue or justify a 6 figure+ income as not really being all that much because of this or that, need to get a reality check. I’ve lived in a major city in the USA on a shoestring and I can tell you it’s definitely possible. And I can assure you that those people in NYC making $100,000k plus are living pretty good – sure it’s not a lot if you try to live like a Trump, you can’t have a gold toilet in your bathroom, but a salary like that still affords you a very very comfortable living. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be living in the slums of the Bronx, where many people have to get by on less than a living wage. If you doubt this then just imagine slashing your income to almost half, because that is much closer to the national average, and much closer to what the majority of people in this country have to get by on, regardless of where they live or what their obligations are.
Everyone reading these needs to watch a YouTube video called Wealth Inequality in America and get some perspective on this issue. And I’d also like to add that I’m tired of hearing about Hermès are there not any collectors out there with some originality?
Love the confessionals! I’m a handbag designer and artisan and it is so inspiring to read how some people truly understand and appreciate craftsmanship and wait months, years, for their handbags.
I wish they would profile people, regardless of income, bags they’ve bought which run the whole gamut–from awesome leather market finds to Hermes (if that’s your thing). I love reading about other bag lovers (don’t we all?) but surely there ARE those out there who like bags which are not Chanel, LV or Hermes? My GF was gifted a Birkin and she doesn’t care for Birkins (or Hermes for that matter). She won’t sell it bc she feels bad about selling a gift (she is in the music industry and a songwriter she used for her artist gifted it to her. She changed his life (according to him) so it has some sentimental value) but it’s literally stuffed into the back of her closet. She’s hoping her daughter will like it someday…Yes, there are some out there who have more bag stories to tell who don’t believe an Hermes is the Holy Grail. These are reading a little repetitive. No, am not jealous. I have more than enough of my own bags. Just an observation and my opinion.
I thought a small business owner is earning slightly more than regular employee. Something between $50-100 thousands, not $350 000 a year. I’m probably braindead 🙁
I’m sure it’s my age, but I cannot imagine having a handbag collection if I had the US median income (approx $57,000-59,000). Yes, it sounds like a lot of money, but it is not. Handbags are a discretionary purchase. We really only need one bag in which to carry our “stuff”. And it can be a pretty cheap one from Target or Walmart! When one “collects” handbags – even those that sell for well under $1,000, that’s a lot of money. If one is living responsibly (health insurance, 401K, saving to own a house/apt, college for children, if one has any), and has no credit card debt, I can promise you that there is no money for handbag collections at any price.
Purse blogs are big time enablers for irresponsible living. “f everyone else is doing it, how wrong can it be? Don’t I deserve it? I work hard!” I guess I see this “Closet Confessionals” as yet another huge enabler.
If the blog is an enabler for irresponsible living, then you can say the same about… everything else. In TV shows and movies, characters rarely repeat clothing and they live in unrealistic apartments, so are they enabling “irresponsible living”? Fashion magazines are full expensive clothes, travel magazines feature the most beautiful beaches and hotels, car magazines have expensive cars, so are they enabling “irresponsible living”, too?
It’s not fair to blame a blog for people’s bad choices.
Why are you on a site for handbags lovers if you don’t like handbag collections?
I did NOT say I don’t like handbag collections! What I did say was in response to all those who wanted to hear from “middle class” people living on a tight budget – how did they figure out to afford a handbag collection. People on a median income or middle class income can usually not afford to collect much of anything, least of all handbags.
The series has potential but this one was a snooze fest. Her craziest story was a clear example that she was not an interesting contributor. Please pick people with more interesting stories to share. If you guys are getting so many submissions you should only allow people willing to submit bag photos. Members want to see their collection and rare pieces. Also, it should be more specific as far as what they do for a living.
I certainly hope PB doesn’t cull submissions based on one reader’s direction.
Personally, I don’t assign greater value to a confession bc it has the “craziest story.” However, you do and I respect your right to such preferences. Accompanying photos aren’t important to me; they are to you. Telling someone their story is a snooze fest and that their personal experiences aren’t interesting enough to share with fellow members are words I would consider insulting and insensitive. But as I’m sure you realize the author most likely eagerly reads our responses to her efforts, you likely meant your comments to be constructive criticism.
Everyone’s story, writing skills, review, and response is uniquely their own. So, I would request that PB be inclusive and publish a wide variety of confessions.
A lot of us don’t mind that there are no photos, so don’t generalize. Also, limiting the submissions to only those with photos will exclude a lot of people who aren’t willing to share photos or don’t have the time or skill to photograph their bags. If you want photos of people’s collections, you can head on over to Purse Forum. So many people share there willingly.
“Snooze fest?” Why, because it doesn’t have show-&-tell pics? SMDH….
For me it was a little on the boring side bc her (bag) story was one-dimensional. So she has a SA at hermes who gets her special order bags. That’s not that interesting NOT BC SHE ISN’T INTERESTING. I would’ve actually preferred she continue with the storyline of when she was broke—what kind of bags did she buy? Bc IT WOULD SPEAK ABOUT HER STYLE AT THAT TIME. A handbag collection tells the story of one’s life. I remember the first Gucci bag my mom ever gifted me. Just like I appreciate that I have her beaded clutch she used on her honeymoon. Both craftsmanship is top notch.
Re: this post, I think it’s great she was wearing sunglasses from Halloween store. That’s awesome. She has her own style. And it seems like that’s what people are looking for. Some depth to the stories that go beyond income bracket. WHY does one buy X bag?
Yeah, I get your point. But I think the idea of continuing to wear to Halloween-store sunglasses tells us quite a bit about her confidence level regarding high-end purchasing when she was a low-paid intern. She didn’t think she should spend that much money, and that carried through until her boss helped her gain enough confidence to make the plunge. She also mentions her first designer bag — an $800 gray Marc Jacobs — as well as a gift of an LV Monoflauge from her then-BF. She also says she now also shops online at certain consignment websites for particular pre-owned Hermes bags to get a sense of whether she will love them enough to buy them new from the boutique. I think that tells a great deal about her sensibilities and attests to the fact that she doesn’t only buy via an Hermes SA. I appreciate her approach very much, and love that she buys them with her own money instead of Daddy’s money, the trust fund allocation or the SO’s bucks!
Hey PB, I really like these closet confessionals. I agree with another poster, it would be awesome to see some of the arm candy. I’m always interested in how collectors think, how did they get started, how did they come to self-realize what works for them, and where they are headed.
BRAVA! THIS is what I love to read about. She makes the money herself, has the money in hand to purchase and thinks hard about what SHE wants to buy rather than than jumping on the bandwagon that some IG or reality show “celebs” say is the trendiest. Good for her. She’s earned it. To those who labeled this a “snooze fest:” Grow up and learn how to read and visualize.
Gosh the comments here are overall so negative. No matter what kind of confessionals PB posts, seem like the majority of people will hate on writer. PB posts a rich person wish lavish collection, people say that this person is unrelatable and wanna see someone struggling financially. PB post a person in large debt because of their shopping habits, people will attack the person for having poor money management.
It’s an confessional, it’s meant for people to write about their “sin” of handbag addiction. You are here to read about it, so expect a person who is out of the ordinary. A normal person who is spending accordingly to their income level has nothing to confess, and obviously won’t be published here.
I am just wondering why the Purse Blog would want to continue with the blog. All the haters on it. I enjoy the articles, but honestly, get really tired of all the negativity. I can always count on the comments to be filled with everything the readers hate about the articles, bags, etc and criticizing all the designers. I am certain I am not the only one that would like to see the positive comments outnumber the negative. I don’t understand the joy of criticizing and insulting. Most every bag is appealing to someone. I personally get nothing out of the slamming of the articles. So now I’ll wait for the egg throwing….
I feel you! I think majority of our commenters are positive, but I also think the nature of the internet right now is for people to say exactly what they’re feeling. I personally sometimes think things in my head but don’t share it out loud because I don’t think it will be helpful. Keep coming and bringing positive energy, we appreciate it!
We are expecting some entries to attract more negativity, while others will be more from the wholesome department. We are certainly going to try to keep publishing a good variety of stories.
We are expecting some entries to attract more negativity, while others will be more from the wholesome department. We are certainly going to try to keep publishing a good variety of stories.
I want to see those on lower income and how they build up their handbag collection. That would be more interesting to read.
Fascinating & really enjoy these closer confessionals.
Jana
Keep these confessionals coming. No matter the scale, luxury is something that everyone should experience firsthand. As a child, I remembered when receiving perfume from Avon was the cat’s meow. Odyssey or Sweet Honesty anyone? I would sit in the front of a mirror with a powder puff in hand, and dust myself all over with the scented powder that my father bought my mother. Ha, ha, ha! I thought I was doing something and living the life. What joy!
I actually really love this particular closet confessional. Seems to me she budgets pretty well, has great self control when it comes to shopping for her Hermès pieces & has no debt. She also pays for her bags herself on her own income & sets aside a fund for it. Budget police – haha! Sure right, because they are well into the comment section. Keep them coming!
I enjoy reading the confessionals, but too many people are horribly judgmental and critical. I own expensive handbags, but only in the past few years could afford them. My priority was raising my 3 children and financially assisting them with college and law school. Only when that was accomplished I was able to purchase my first Hermes Birkin, in my late 50’s. I would love to submit a confessional, but the criticism is too unnecessarily harsh so no thank you.
I think many people have been positive and helpful, but I always imagined people would come with judgements. I think that unfortunately is to be expected, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Rather, I think there is a more positive way to share questions/criticism that doesn’t come off harsh. Everyone decides when they buy things and why.
Me – I bought SO many bags when we started purseblog. I paid $350/month for rent to live with 2 roommates in a nice apartment in Columbus, OH and had no major bills. I loved splurging on bags. But then we bought a house and wanted to get pregnant and then had Millie, and I rarely buy anything expensive right now compared to what I used to do. All of our lives change 🙂
No picsof the bags?????
I love these blogs, I love reading how some women and men scrimp & save to purchase their bags while others are fortunate enough to call their SA and just go for it! All the confessionals have been fun to read, in my opinion. I’ve noted that there are a lot of Hermes handbag lovers out there, tho!