One of the major points of contention when discussing a new bag or reviewing a new purchase is how functional it is. Will it fit my phone? Does the shoulder strap slide off of your shoulder? Will the cross-body strap fit over my heavy puffer jacket on a cold winter day? Does the interior have any pockets? And the list goes on…
Let me preface this by saying this may be a controversial take, but I must admit; a bag’s functionality is typically not on the top of my list when considering whether or not to make a purchase.
Does Fashion Trump Function?
Whether it be because of changing trends, changing times, the pandemic, or a little bit of everything, many of us have slimmed down what it is that we deem necessary to tote around with us. Our bags, which once were the place where we carried our entire lives, have drastically changed to become more than a functional item, but an extension and expression of ourselves. As fashion lovers, it’s not uncommon to give up something in the name of a good outfit, and for me personally, I care more about the style of a bag and how it looks than anything else.
I can’t be the only one, can I?
I feel like I’m letting you all in on some irresponsible, dirty little secret of mine, but to be one hundred percent truthful, functionality (unless I’m purchasing specifically with vacation travel in mind) has never been at the forefront of my consideration when I’m adding a new bag to my collection, This pre-dates even my first designer bag, as I can trace this mindset back to 7th grade when I begged my mom for a Coach logo wristlet in baby blue instead of getting a new school bag that year.
I didn’t care about a receptacle to tote my belongings in from class to class. Rather, I cared about being fashionable and on-trend. Sure, my biceps were sore from carrying a stack of textbooks in my arms, but it didn’t matter. I had that wristlet hanging off my forearm, and that was all that mattered. Now, 20 years later, my purchasing patterns haven’t really changed.
Aesthetics, for me, have always beat out functionality, and I can’t see that changing anytime soon. Do you shop for fashion first and function second? Let’s chat!
