We all love designer bags for different reasons. Some of us feel as though they’re markers of success, others like to shop from brands with a sense of important fashion heritage to them, and still others just make a ton of money and feel compelled to spend accordingly. For most of us, though, some emotion is evolved, which is exactly what luxury fashion is intended to evoke: desire, jealousy, pleasure, need, satisfaction, insecurity. It depends on the person and the day! In this week’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re hearing from a woman whose relationship to shopping (and, by extension, to bags) has changed a lot over the years, but who still loves her Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Coach bags—just in a different way than before.
If you want to see your bag habits written up on PurseBlog, all you have to do to be considered is fill out the survey below! The more detail, the better—we’ll keep you anonymous.
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 37
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Seattle
Occupation: Nursing Administration
Industry: Healthcare
Income: $50,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 6 bags, 5 small leather goods
How much is your collection worth? Approximately $11,000
What is your most expensive bag? Here’s a rundown of the whole collection:
Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Vaneau GM ($2,760)
Louis Vuitton Iena PM Damier Azur ($1,320)
Louis Vuitton Pochette Felicie ($1,030)
Coach Prince Street ($580)
Coach Nolita PM ($295)
Coach Dinky ($295)
Chanel Compact Camellia wallet ($695)
Hermes Bearn wallet ($2650)
Louis Vuitton Empreinte Pontneuf compact wallet ($665)
Louis Vuitton Rosalie Coin Purse ($370)
Louis Vuitton Key Pouch x 2 ($205 each)
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? All of them. (Coach, LV, Hermes, Chanel). I am thinking of adding another premier designer to my collection. I’m thinking about getting a Celine Classic Box Bag or a Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? My first premier designer bag was the Louis Vuitton Pochette Felicie. I got it when I was 37 years old. My first contemporary designer bag was Coach Hamptons Weekend Tote in white nylon twill. I got it when I was 23 years old.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? I buy new bags at least once a year. However, this habit has changed as of recent since I had been culling my collection in order to lessen my closet clutter. I have adopted a more minimalist lifestyle and I am streamlining my living space by donating or selling clothes, shoes, and bags that I have not used or are not my style anymore.
Which stores do you frequent the most? Nordstrom, J. Crew, Club Monaco, and Ann Taylor for clothing. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Coach, Hermès for bags and small leather goods.
I also like to shop for gently used secondhand clothes at Poshmark, eBay, and Fashionphile.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes!
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I have yet to sell a bag to fund another bag purchase. Most of the time, a lot of designer bags do not appeal to me and I only buy when I really love something. I love to window shop and try on bags. However, if they do not go well with my personal style, I make the difficult decision of not buying anything.
Who influences your buying decisions? I’m influenced by my personal style and what I value. Of course, there are people who I follow on instagram who I feel have similar taste and they also influence me in my choices in bag shapes and styles. While most of who I follow have large collections of Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton bags, I try to be influenced more by their bag shapes and color instead of the actual brand they carry. I’m mostly inspired by how they style their outfits and accessorize it with their lovely bags.
I try to be realistic as to what I can afford at this stage in my life and what fits my personal style and budget.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes. How the sales associate interacts with me often “lubricates” my desire to purchase. However, I make sure that I create trust with them since I am able to say “no” if I sense pressure to buy. I also make sure to communicate with them what are my likes and dislikes.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? I enjoy the browsing part more than actually having the item. I enjoy trying out a bag, feeling the materials used, and also interacting with the salespeople, especially when they are enthusiastic about the brand they represent.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? I pay for my own bags with my own personal savings. I occasionally use a credit card in order to get store points and cash back.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? To be honest, I have not set a budget for bags simply because I don’t buy new bags that often. However, by responding to this survey, I feel that I need to create a budget simply because there could be unforeseen emergencies that have more importance over a new designer handbag.
If I have to start a “Bag Fund” I will use the budgeting tool through my banking app and set aside $20 dollars every week until I reach my goal.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No. I never thought of buying a counterfeit simply because I cannot afford a bag I truly wanted. That goes against my principles of knowing what my financial limitations are. Moreover, I feel that if I get a counterfeit bag, I am misrepresenting myself to others.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No. My significant other is totally OK with my bag purchases. He knows that I love my bags and work hard for them. Also, we don’t live together. 🙂
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? Sell old books and CDs to a used book store. Got $200 for the lot and I went to Coach and bought myself a small shoulder bag that I used until it fell apart.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? It was a problem.
When I was in my 20s, when I hadn’t gotten treatment for my depression and PTSD, shopping became a crutch for me to feel good. Shopping or the act of hunting for something used to give me that “high.” I had become out of control in using my credit card to buy a Coach bag that was out of my budget. At the time, I also did not have a steady income, but I ignored this fact because shopping made me feel good. I used it as an escape from my depression and PTSD.
It was not only bags that I bought using credit cards and the very small income I made through a minimum wage job ($7.25 per hour back in 2006). I bought expensive skincare products, got my nails done, got expensive spa treatments, hair cuts and color, clothes, and shoes. I wanted to look wealthy even though I was working as a salesperson that did not get scheduled to work enough hours during the week.
Eventually, I quit the minimum wage job and moved back in with my parents. They sent me to vocational school so that I can get additional marketable skills. I also was able to land a job that paid above minimum wage.
I struggled for eight years to pay off the debt. While even though I had a steady job, it was not paying me enough. Living in an expensive city also did not help, as my rent kept going up. I had to stop shopping for a new bag for eight years as well. I also applied for a new and better-paying job at a different company and got the job. I’m still living in the same expensive city, but I now have room to breathe with my income.
I now learned the hard lesson of buying things that I don’t have money to pay for. I am still paying off the rest of the debt I incurred during those lean years. I am also going to therapy for my depression and PTSD and it helps a lot to put me in the mindset that shopping is not going to make my problems going away. It is teaching me discipline, self sacrifice, good financial habits, self-care and compassion, and getting rid of toxic people in my life.
Of course, I am not perfect. I sometimes give in to temptation. (I bought the LV key pouch out of impulse).
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Tea Ceremony, art, and travel. I also love designer shoes and jewelry, but I only have a few pieces that I use a lot.
I’m sorry, but there’s no need to tear other people down when the nature of these stories (in my opinion) is to share our experiences in hopes of having others who may have had similar experiences find comfort in our commonality.
Please consider the courage it takes for people to share their stories and how you would feel if you shared a vulnerable part of your life and people left judgey comments.
OP – thank you for openly sharing your confessional. We are all works in progress and I’m glad you’re therapy is directing you towards positive coping strategies.
*hugs* You’ve got this!!!!
So true….I’ve thought about coming “clean” in one of these confessionals, but knowing I’d have to read some very rude comments has prevented me from doing so. Nice to read a confessional from a real person with real problems and some struggles. Usually I lose the ability to relate to these posts as soon as I see the extraordinary income which is only relatable to a very small percent of the population.
After reading these comments, makes me also consider whether I should share my past experiences. I have once bought a $1000 LV bag on a salary of $1200 a month and it was a struggle the next year. But people do make bad bag judgements. It takes courage for people to admit these things.
Jay – When I think of all the other mistakes one can make in life, making a bad bag judgment is nothing.
Well said
Wow. I actually really enjoyed how honest and relatable this interview was and came to the comment section expecting others to say the same.
I am surprised and disappointed at how judgemental and mean some of you have been towards OP.
A person’s true nature is revealed by what they chose to do when they won’t be held accountable. It’s easy to sit behind a computer faceless and pass judgment on others. To do so is reprehensible especially in a circumstance as harmless as this. It’s HER money. She can spend it how she wants. Nobody on this website can comment on how others spend their money because there are millions of persons who will also judge us for spending what would seem like absurd amounts on a non necessity. Do not imagine yourself above the criticism you level at OP.
And it is not for us to determine if she has mental health issues. All of us do at some point or another. And if she does, how cruel does it make you that you chose to be mean to her?
All humans like pretty things – be they shoes, handbags, video games, cosmetics, china teacups, barbie dolls. How dare you make this woman feel bad simply for sharing her story with us?
You have managed to make ugly a site that makes many people happy.
Very well said, and I mean VERY!!!!
Thank you.
I agree with you 100%, this blog is supposed to be fun, so many people are beyond miserable
Sending virtual hugs to OP
I was shocked at how ugly some of these comments were. I hope she sees your message.
I was so glad to see this, while at the same time sorry for this person’s struggles. I love that it was realistic. Not everyone is making six figures plus and has an upper class lifestyle. Many of us handbag lovers are plain ol’ regular folks (myself included) who have student loans, cc debt, mortgage, etc. We ALL have our issues. Love this poster’s honesty and thank her for sharing it so truthfully. She came out winning. GO GIRL!
I am really glad this story was chosen. I think the people with negative comments are the ones who are unrealistic, THIS is the norm. I remember 10 years ago seeing girls on the street with a LV neverfull and thinking, wow, I want to be that lucky to afford a thousand dollar bag. Now that I am one of those people who own LV and gucci, I know it means nothing. A few years ago I was walking down the street witha gucci bag and not much else of value in my condo! Sure some of you may buy a bag because you have nothing else to do with a thousand dollars but for many many MANY of us who walk around with the lower cost gucci and LV its a matter of priority that we buy these bags. Maybe we save up, maybe we put it on our credit card, either way its about our personal reasons. I grew up in a large family with lots of kids, I was never able to get ANYTHING. Now that I have full control over the money that I make its at my discretion to buy whatever makes me happy.
“Meanness” is hurt paid forward, and so I applaud the collector’s honesty (I think the # is just a typo) but also feel for those who “attack” – many of their points are actually valid; it’s just that anonymity can morph honesty into unfortunate reflections of the commenters’ own issues or fortunes. And hurt here can be as simple as wishing for a luxury item that are **the whole reason this site exists**, who either choose not to or can’t own them also. But even if this were like some kind of save-the-puppy (random example!) site there’d still be this back and forth.. challenging discourse energizes in many ways, including venting.
As for the “stuff” call me guilty too & still seeking balance on wants & “needs”
You have to be a pretty miserable person to comment on someone’s mental health. I’m hard pressed to believe some of these extremely ignorant people aren’t purse lovers but mean trolls. She stated that she only buys like one bag a year which means she didn’t but her whole collection in one year, one typo shouldn’t ruin 3rd grade reading comprehension. I’m thinking she meant 27. Wishing the OP well, and hoping this forum will be fun at some point.Jeez
They know it’s a typo but relish the opportunity to diminish another. It begs the question of how much they must loathe themselves that they would jump on that opportunity the degrade a stranger.
I just assumed the second “37” was a typo and she really meant 27.
Based on the comments here, I imagine some people will have negative comments about my post. I want to start my post stating that this is my opinion. I am not commenting on anyone’s comments. For anyone who thinks I bragging or showing off, I want to say, none of you know me, I will never meet you and it does not matter to me what you think of me. I also know that there are plenty of women who read this blog that have a much higher life style than I do, drive a much more expensive car and have a collection of Hermes and Channel bags. I am simply trying to convey my opinion and describe what I feel is a balanced handbag collection that aligns with other areas of your life. I have actually thought about what is the “appropriate” amount of money I should spend on my handbag collection. For me, I feel like my material possessions should align with my income and be balanced. I should not overspend in some areas and skimp in others. Some examples of what I mean, when I drove a Honda, I carried Coach, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and DKNY. These bags were beautiful, made of quality leather (this was before the world of outlets where the quality was indicative of the price and purses sell for considerably less). I enjoyed carrying them and was proud to carry them. My home and furnishings were aligned with this price point. I wore a Movado watch and shopped at Macy’s and other mall stores. I was not in debt and had a retirement account and short term savings. I wasn’t walking around carrying a $2000 bag and driving a 10 year old car that was falling apart. If you followed me home I would not be living in a (I want to be careful here and not put anyone’s home down, so let’s just say inexpensive home)
Fast forward ten years later, my home is considerably more expensive, my furnishing come from high end furniture stores and I drive a BMW and wear a Rolex. My retirement and savings accounts are significantly higher. I’m not in debt and did not sacrifice in any areas of my life so that I could carry a high end bag. I have a walk-in handbag closet with Prada, LV, Fendi, Gucci, Burberry, Chloe and other bags. I remember buying my first Coach handbag when I was in college. It is sitting on a shelf in my handbag closet. It was a Mitchell Zip. Now I know I could afford a Hermes if I wanted one as I have spent well over 100 K on handbags over the course of my lifetime (let’s just say if you know what a Mitchell Zip is, you know how long I have been collecting handbags) I don’t think my handbag should cost a quarter what I paid for my car and does not fit in with my other possessions. If I ever win the lottery, I will of course be bidding on a Hermes 35cm Black Togo Leather Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware at Heritage Auctions. A girl can dream! I’m not sure if what I said makes any sense, and no one has to agree with me, it’s just my opinion and I believe it has worked very well for me.
I truly appreciate the genuine sharing in this Q&A, THANK YOU to the OP. I think it is representative of many in a general sense, and the candid truth may help some others be more conscious of their purchases, as the OP has vastly improved upon.
The attacking below is ironic (what the heck are such people doing on “purse blog” if they are so above wanting such an “unreasonable” item? Or is their desire “justifiable” but this woman’s isn’t?? PPPFFTTT, eyeroll). We ALL have a desire for anything in the assumption it will make us feel good – mentally, physically, or emotionally. Maybe it’s an LV bag, maybe it’s a piece of artwork, a scoop of ice cream or four, a certain house in a certain neighborhood, a vacation, or just a little cute thing we see at a flea market – we want it because to us it implies Feel Good. Marketing effectively spends MILLIONS of dollars to make us drool for “stuff” like a purse. Or ice cream. Or anything in between. For men, just look at THEIR magazine ads – high-dollar watches, “toy” cars, pricey bottles of booze or cigars, pens, etc.
FACT: USA is the #5 country on Earth for debt per citizen = as a group, “we” buy things we can’t afford today. So GOOD for the MINORITY of Americans who don’t live beyond their means in some category of life – but statistics prove MOST DO. Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
The judgmental here DO HAVE THEIR INDULGENCES too; although they may be in denial, the people they live or work with could name it in a second! You don’t over-do it on purses? That’s awesome. But how’s your food intake? Ever over-eat? Internet or social media habits – face in phone a little much? Your alcohol consumption – justify that extra glass of wine even though your doctor or spouse disagrees? It’s damaging to your body instead of your bank account. None of the above? I simply can’t name them all, but you have it. So STAND DOWN, your “feel better” poor-choice vices are no better, just different.
Maybe her non-live in partner gives her discretionary spending money. The Chanel and Hermès are also SLGs and getting LVs with that income is doable.
Even watching “luxury handbag” YouTubers, they admit to asking friends and family to give them money towards a new handbag for any congrats, holiday, bday, “just because” gifts. They admit to not buying everything themselves. Plus who knows what their “side gigs” are.
Maybe she was misquoted and meant to say 27 instead of 37. Also are Hermès wallets that expensive ?!? I had no idea.
Her income is only $50k and she bought herself Hermes wallet for $2650???? A wallet that no one can see unless she takes it out from her bag??? She definitely spends beyonds her means in crazy level. Maybe just for the sake of owning something “Hermes”!
If she loves the wallet, it brings her joy, it’s functional, it will probably last nearly a lifetime, who is anyone to judge? She is an adult earning her own money so it’s her business how she spends her money. Please show kindness! Aren’t we all here to share our passion for quality bags?
Also… what if the OP got some of her premiere designer SLGs secondhand? Didn’t she mention that she buys from from consignment shops? I also am thinking that even though it’s only the OP who’ll see her over 2K Hermes wallet, that’s only for her and she bought it for herself.
I agree.
Shame on you.
It says a lot about you that you dont see the point in her buying an Hermes product that others can’t see. I bought my wallet because it was beautiful, and strong and highly functional. Noone around me knows what it cost and I dont care about that. It bring me pleasure in its craftsmanship and serves my needs perfectly. Maybe that is what motivated OP.
It matters little what were her reasons as it was her money. Of more interest is what exactly is wrong with you that you would be so judgmental to a stranger telling a harmless story.
Yeah, she is “crazy” since she spends that much on a wallet. I guess her PTSD/depression plays into that.
Everyone now a days has some kind of mental disorder. I’m tired of that being thrown around as an excuse. There’s people in my family who are really mentally ill & they sure aren’t going around buying bags. And kids with ADD & whatever else they come up with, oh please.
@Luumi and @CheliGuevara:disqus
I think it’s unfair for you to assume that OP’s PTSD/depression isn’t real. You’re invalidating someone’s experiences based on your own experience with your family member. Do you even know that shopping addiction is a real thing?
I read her confession and I feel that she does have problems both financially and psychologically and is working on them.
Moreover, she copes with her issues by buying bags. If you haven’t noticed, the terms “Shopping Therapy” is casually thrown around by many many people. Shopping and the act of finding something and obtaining it releases some endorphins.
Have a little bit more compassion. Perhaps, start with yourself first.
What an ugly thing to say. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Luumi – You’re completely out of line and this comment was uncalled for. If you want to make nasty, inconsiderate comments then go to YouTube. You’ll be in the company of many.
Why are you mad though? I’m merely saying what many people like Spammusubi are thinking.
I really
don’t have sympathy for fake people like OP who spend a lot of
money—spend beyond their means just to have the appearance of wealth. I
bet she is eyeballs deep in debt. She should be using her income to work on her mental issues instead of wasting it on bags!
I just have something against people who buy expensive things just so they can impress people. But the really wealthy people know better–they know who the posers are.
I guess it’s accepted nowadays for people to fake it until you make it! *puke*
Your mean-spirited remarks about how you perceive the OP and their confession is not shared by many. Sure, it is ridiculous for OP to buy an over 2K wallet. However, that is none of your business.
I feel that you do not have any compassion for yourself, that is why you post these comments.
I guess a lot of people want to “look rich”, but they forget that the real goal is “to be rich” not to “look rich”. When you are IN DEBT just to buy luxury, it’s a serious problem.
Why do you make it your business, though? It’s not as if OP is spending YOUR money.
Again, this is like those people who say “Poor people shouldn’t be buying nice things.”
The other point to consider is what if she spent 2 years saving up for that wallet on her hard earned income? I think you have the right to buy whatever you like if you saved for it regardless of what it costs.
“I now learned the hard lesson of buying things that I don’t have money to pay for. I am still paying off the rest of the debt I incurred during those lean year.” -> this is what makes me assume that she didn’t save for her luxury goods. If she did save then good for her.
she also admits to learning from her mistakes. she’s not perfect. she’s making good of a bad situation. I think we can all relate to a bad purchase or a phase in our lives when we weren’t very good with our money. as long as you’re willing to learn from mistakes.
I’m glad that this confession got chosen so that the financial police and judgmental people come out of the woodwork.
I enjoy pieces like these where the income doesn’t match the cost of the bags. Many people spend beyond their means to keep up with the others who are also spending beyond their means.
OP, I hope that you also work on your mental issues because it seems that you are still in that behavior where buying things is making you financially unhealthy. You’re spending way beyond your means and it’s offensice to a lot of our financially conservative and smart members.
I can’t imagine there are many financially conservative members on this site. Spending $2k, $5k or 10k on a bag is not financially conservative.
Hearing anyone say, “I hope that you also work on your mental issues” from a total stranger is not great.
Her self-affirmations sounds a lot like denial to me. She’s buying these
expensive bags on only a 50K annual income–that’s misrepresenting
herself to other people since her income can’t make her comfortably
afford these bags and accessories.
You should be ashamed of yourself. She’s owning her self-improvement and her mental health. I applaud her.
*ONLY REPLYING TO THE HERMES COST*: I had NO idea either. I’m not a fan of pricey wallets (I do love card cases though). My budget and my viewpoint don’t allow me to rationalize paying mega money for a wallet that will bounce around my purse (getting messed up).
Listen. Some people have sugar daddies. Some people are cam models on the side. There are so many different ways to have a supplemental income. You don’t have to cut into your own income to have things. I don’t know why it’s such a taboo thing to discuss. I think a lot of people are so dead set on “you HAVE to work for your own things” and that’s fine too, I know not a lot of people can sustain on their looks alone…. but, to those that can, more power to you! Some of us have the looks, some of us have brains. Whatver you were given, use it to YOUR advantage, HOWEVER you see fit. If you wanna use it to buy a house, do it. Wanna use it to buy a bag, do it. And to those people that are gonna say I’m disgusting for empowering people to use their looks, listen, everyone does it. Everyone judges based on appearance. Whether or not you wanna admit it. If there wasn’t a demand for it, there wouldn’t be people trying to supply it. Simple. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. And no, I’m not insinuating that this poster does what I’m saying. I’m simply saying there are more than 2 ways to make money and buy things. Gifts are ALWAYS welcome in my book 🙂
Good points
For better or worse the presentation of self is as complex as it is simple: in the end we are judged on our “looks.” How each one of us builds that presentation is likewise a combo of good, good fortune – and ills.
high dollar industries have created deeply seated perceived needs – they can be faulted for essentially manipulating humans who naturally thrive on reward. but even if one purports to shun all
this, results of what anyone builds are real – when one feels better, one presents better.
One simple plus imo is the collector’s inclusion of coach, which, in this tech fostered hyper-high dollar style era, is by comparison pretty grounded
@immodest goddess You are entitled to your own opinion, so do I. I don’t believe whoever say that they buy Hermes PURELY because of the craftmanship, the brand itself is a big huge factor. If it’s purely based on craftmanship, you don’t need Hermes, there are tons of local leather maker that make beautiful leather goods as good as Hermes. People buy Hermes, Chanel or LV because of the BRAND and the prestige. Some people just don’t want to admit it because they don’t want to get judge as shallow people. Sadly, that’s the truth. Again, you don’t have to agree with me. As for the OP, I think she is not in a healthy financial relationship with her money, I simply just saying that she spends beyond her means. What she wants to do with her money is totally her bussines, she doesn’t have to care about I was saying, but do you prefer she continue to spend the money that she doesn’t have and got into much deeper debt?? There is always 2 side to see this thing and you decide which side do you want to go. And also what you were saying to me “what exactly is wrong with you etc etc…. is also “JUDGING”, so basicly you scolded me because you think I’m judgy but yet you did the same thing. It’s easier to said than done, isn’t it?? Have a nice weekend!
Perhaps you read quickly or not in entirety. She NO LONGER spends beyond her means. She is fully open that she USED TO do this and painfully learned not to.
You made a point of taking the time to defend yourself when you felt your words and opinion were misinterpreted. Because nobody wants to feel attacked when they share their thoughts with others.
Let’s extend the same courtesy to OP and others. And I wish you a good weekend as well.
how mean.
This was a great post! I really appreciate the openness and honesty.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this confessional, something about it seems off. OP says that she purchased her first premier designer bag at age 37. Seeing as she is currently 37, how on her current income, was she able to afford the LV, Chanel and Hermes items she has in less than 1 year? She also mentions that she does not have a bag budget because she does not make purchases very often. I love reading these every week and they usually paint a clear, realistic picture on how the OP affords their purchases. It feels like this entry lacked a lot of clarity.
I think the people who are highly critical of OP on this confession did not read past the breakdown of the prices in her bag collection. They just focused so much on the price of the Hermes wallet and ran with it.
Live and let live! But what you ??! It’s your ?