Like most handbag collectors, I love nice things—and my appreciation extends far beyond the bags I carry every day. In an ideal world, I’d be dressed head-to-toe in luxury and vintage designer pieces, refreshing my wardrobe with each new season. But I suspect many of you can relate to another reality: I don’t have unlimited funds.
Because of that, I’m selective about my luxury purchases and typically only buy high-ticket items five to eight times per year (sometimes more if I’m also selling or trading pieces from my collection).
Why Handbags Were Always My First Luxury Purchase
For most of my adult life, my designer spending was reserved almost entirely for handbags, with the occasional small leather good or pair of sunglasses. Accessories have always felt like the sweet spot—more accessible in price than ready-to-wear and far more practical in everyday life.
I’ve long believed that spending $3,000 on a bag you’ll use repeatedly throughout the year is a smarter investment than spending the same amount on a top that may only last a season or two and get worn a handful of times. That logic still holds true for me, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to other categories of luxury.
My First Foray Into Designer Shoes
After more than a decade of collecting handbags, I finally decided I was ready to dip my toe—quite literally—into the world of luxury shoes. After handbags, a well-made pair of designer shoes that you wear regularly can also offer excellent value from a cost-per-wear perspective.
I can personally attest to that. My Bottega Veneta Tire Boots have become one of the most-worn designer items in my closet. Even though they’re more than four years old and no longer the fashion-week staple they once were, I still reach for them constantly and love them just as much as when I bought them.
Since then, I’ve added a few more pairs to my collection, including Celine Lug Sole Loafers, Saint Laurent’s Le Loafers, and, most recently, Loewe Puzzle Mules. I have zero regrets about any of these purchases, and each pair has already earned dozens of wears
The Unexpected Pull of Ready-to-Wear
While handbags are always on my radar and shoes often are too, I’ve recently become increasingly interested in building my ready-to-wear collection. Looking back, I think my progression from handbags to shoes was the catalyst for that shift. Handbags are definitely the gateway drug of designer goods, and I find myself justifying those purchases more and more.
A truly well-made piece can be a worthwhile wardrobe investment because it elevates everything else in your closet—especially if, like me, you wear a lot of vintage. Whether it’s a logo tee, a statement jacket, or a beautifully tailored piece, I continue to gravitate toward the world of designer RTW, and I definitely have my handbag collection to thank for that.
Has your handbag obsessesion done the same for you?
Designer t-shirts with logos are the first sign someone has no money and no taste.
Surf companies started the logo t shirt trend in the 1960’s. Although they did a small logo on the front and a graphic print on the back. By the 1970’s Coke and Nike started giving away and selling t shirts with larger logos. Designers jumped on the trend and here we are. They truly are brand advertising, customers don’t grasp that they’re paying to advertise.
I wouldn’t say it’s as broad as that. Personally, however, I’ve never seen it done well. A logo in general to me just asks to be noticed, and I hardly think for the right reasons. I do think the way you look at it is how a lot of people increasingly look at it, though.
A lot of assumptions being made in these comments. I just need to know what person with no money is buying $600 shirts?
Depends on how you wear them actually. If you wear them as a point of interest with neutrals it can look great. What your comment says to me is you have no creativity.
They never look great. Wanting to show off a brand name on a piece of cotton that costs $4 to manufacture just tells the world one has no creativity and is insecure.
I am saying that if you put an outfit together well a graphic t-shirt can look great regardless of the cost of the t-shirt. It is really none of your business how much someone chooses to pay for that t-shirt.
Graphic is different than a brand name. Also, I m sorry you find my comment so triggering. I do think that someone who walks around with a t-shirt spelling “GUCCI” or “BALENCIAGA” like a billboard is attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. But that’s what insecure people love to do…
Because someone disagrees with you and maybe sees your commentary as judgemental, doesn’t mean anyones triggered darling.
It’s fascinating that a polite disagreement about styling a logo tee gets labeled “triggered,” while you’re the one calling people tasteless and broke for wearing them.
The article discusses handbags leading folks into more luxury ready-to-wear — including logo pieces — yet you’re out here judging anyone who like a logo T-shirt while clutching your pearls at the first sign of pushback. That’s peak hypocrisy, bless your heart.
Agree with you that this was meant to spark a polite discussion, with RTW including everything, not just logo tees. I’d love a Loewe logo tank, but I also have my eyes set on a Celine trench, a Max Mara coat, and Alaia pants—the list goes on!
Did you forget your meds this morning? Enjoy your logo t-shirts. 🤪🤪🤣🤣
🤣 Oh Helena, thank you for proving my point so perfectly. Must be exhausting carrying that much misery and judgment around. I feel bad for you.
I’d absolutely rock my logo tee (if I owned one) and enjoy every minute of it. 😚😚👋
I was at the Gucci store in the Woodlands this afternoon looking for a dress. I bought a beautiful Bordeaux silk dress. Empty store and I had lots of time to browse. Well… I found a lot of logo tees. $700+ for what seems like J Crew quality (at best). What’s the appeal of these t-shirts? Do people think it’s a flex to wear a t-shirt with brand name spelled out on it? lol
I’m not here defending $700 logo tees specifically, 😊 I’m defending people’s right to buy and wear whatever they want without getting mocked for it.
Some people like the bold branding and will happily pay for it. Some prefer quiet luxury. Some buy secondhand. Some rock $20 tees. All of those are fine.
The exhausting part is the constant judgment from people who act like their taste is objectively superior. I truly believe in wearing what makes you happy.
Have you looked around these days? Most people are complete morons. Which explains why Gucci sells $700 cotton logo tees.
And yet RTW pieces, bags, shoes, hats, jewelry, and perfume that cost thousands aren’t ‘moronic’ in your eyes — but a $700 logo tee is?
All of these items can be bought for the same or better quality from non-designer brands, so by your logic, does that make all designer purchases moronic?
The irony of reading articles on PurseBlog — a site literally dedicated to luxury handbags and superfluous designer spending — while deciding which kind of ‘excess’ is acceptable and which makes people morons is hilarious.
The hypocrisy is wild. Wear (or don’t wear) what you want, but let other people enjoy what they like in peace.
I truly believe in wearing what makes you happy >>> yes to this!
“In an ideal world, I’d be dressed head-to-toe in luxury and vintage designer pieces, refreshing my wardrobe with each new season.” – Really?
Right, like we have a waste problem and climate change, let’s encourage overconsumption lmao YAY!
Right and now you’re getting dogpiled over this.
and yet here you are lmao it’s not that serious
You’re assuming that refreshing means getting rid of – I shop mindfully and rewear everything I own. I don’t shop fast fashion, and much of what I buy currently is vintage (not designer). Of course, I would prefer the vintage designer piece every time, and the high-quality luxury pieces if I had the means and the ability to add to my collection each season, rather than only a couple of times a year. No one is encouraging overconsumption.
The designers are definitely encouraging overconsumption. Most companies actually do.
I only buy designer ready-to-wear secondhand. Clothes are not worth retail prices. Contrary to popular belief, they do wear out over time no matter the design house.
yes. i spent thousands in my 40’s and 50’s on Ferragamo shoes that have worn out faster than Clarks. Now i just wear Clarks and Mephisto. They last longer and nobody recognized the Ferragamos when i wore them.
Very good advice!! I like TRR and Etsy for vintage designer!
As my career progressed and I started to earn a better salary I started to purchase designer bags and shoes about the same time. I started purchasing designer clothing a few years later. Once you do it is difficult to go back, you can just see the quality difference. Don’t get me wrong, I do not purchase everything I like, I pick and choose pieces from every season. I only purchase items that I feel are timeless that will be relevant for years.
I agree with you, Sandy, it is about picking and choosing each season and being mindful of what will carry over from season to season.
Obviously I am old, but I’ve looked at this blog for many years, and it is distressing how nasty comments have become. It seems as if Kaitlin is a popular target too. That’s unfortunate. This isn’t a serious topic in the scheme of things. It’s sad.
Thank you for you feedback! It’s worth noting that much of the negativity stems from one specific individual who hides behind multiple user names, which is noted on the back end. We see them and will work to find a way to combat this.
thanks for letting me know ☺️
most people stop at bags because they save up for the bag and quit after that. It’s why it’s an open secrete Chanel corporate think of those accessories customers as rodents.
Designer handbags, shoes, bets, and other accessories is what most clients buy. Rare are the clients who buy couture or RTW.
well no designer makes clothes that fit my size 16 body. i have the money finally when i no longer have the body.,
Chanel goes up to size French 50 which is a size 18 if you can reserve in advance with your SA. and Prada and Miu Miu go up to size Italian 50 which is a size 14, but given how they run large so it’s more like a 16 and some are oversized they can fit up to size 20. It seems like you’re raising a fit despite the fact the TOP luxury brands right now are leading the change for size inclusitivity.
I think coats, jackets etc. are not hard to justify, for their quality and their versatility. Jackets in particular, travel must-have. I hesitate to call them “statement pieces” to avoid misinterpretation. But these items make putting together easy and efficient. My weakness is shirts with prints that catch my eyes and delight my heart – sometimes they are indeed a splurge relative to what it is essentially – a shirt. But those are the moments of indulgence I allow myself.
Agree with all of this!! Jackets are my weakness!!
For me, it wasn’t bags. It was watches and shoes, given to me by my parents. Ferragamo was my first luxury shoes in the late 90s. They were so comfortable and indestructible at that time. Movado was my first watch. And then when I got better paying jobs, I still bought more watches and shoes than bags. Things changed after my first pregnancy – I couldn’t fit into those shoes anymore. I had to resize the wristbands. Then second pregnancy, Apple Watch and Covid happened- it was just easier to buy bags more than any other luxury items.
99% of my designer clothing/bags/shoes are all second hand. I’ve gotten some amazing deals over the years from TRR-my go-to place to shop designer.
There might be a gateway but not to the same brands. Most of my bags are from LV, plus a mix of brands (YSL, Ferragamo, Gucci etc) and under-the-radar Italian brands like Cuoiofficine and Borbonese. I have bought a few designer RTW items but almost all from Etro and Max Mara. My husband also has 3 LV bags, but his designer RTW comes from Zegna, Etro and premium Austrian brands.
However, I do have a Celine bag and would also love to get one of Celine’s subtle plaid blazers — high on my fall shopping list.
Celine’s RTW under Michael Rider is what keeps pushing me to want to add a few more luxury clothing items to my collection. The shapes are so good! Love the trenches too!
I just checked out Cuoiofficine and Borbonese…absolutely gorgeous bags!
Handbags are a gateway for people to get a piece of luxury
Some people just love handbags. Like some focus on shoes, others on jewelry or clothing.