I’ve been collecting bags for well over a decade, and in that time, my tastes have evolved and changed more times than I can even remember. Collecting handbags has actually taught me a lot about myself, and I’ve also learned a lot of lessons along the way.
Of course, we all have different tastes and choose to spend our money differently, and one person’s holy grail might be another person’s forgotten purse sitting in the back of their closet collecting dust. Yet, as handbag lovers, we are all bonded by the shared passion for collecting, and even though our tastes and preferences may vary greatly, it’s easy to find commonalities in how we collect and shop.
The Evolution of Collecting
When I first started collecting bags, I was definitely a brand loyalist. After receiving a Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 for my high school graduation, my lust for more began. My next 4 bag purchases were Louis Vuitton bags, and I loved the idea of having a little Louis Vuitton collection. The brand’s storied history and big selection were a big factor in that dream. I wanted to own it all!
However, as I got older, I started gravitating toward other brands. I soon went to the other side of the spectrum; I wanted to own a bag from every major designer, and the quantity I owned became important to me. Finally, I hit a point in my collecting journey where it became more about what bag gave me butterflies and made me happy than anything else.
I began selling off bags I didn’t use for the first time ever, and I leaned into not thinking so much about what bag and from which designer it was I was buying. Rather, I now buy what I like and what speaks to me at the moment. Oddly enough, after years of shying away from Louis Vuitton bags when I was in my “diversify” stage, my collection is now heavier on LV than any other brand. Funny how things always come full circle!
How do you shop for bags?
Are you a brand loyalist? Do you try to diversify your collection? Or, like me, do you simply buy what speaks to your heart?
I keep an open mind and get what I want. But I am drawn to certain brands and continue to shop from them. I also have eliminated the need/desire for Chanel and Hermes. The price point and games make it not fun to even inquire.
Nope, I prefer having a diverse collection. Not every bag is fit for every situation and I like an array of styles.
I sold most of my bags aside from Louis Vuitton and Hermès.
I diversify boringly. Like similar bags from different brands, usually. Loewe, Celine, Hermes, smooth-leather BV, etc
I have a very diverse collection mostly because I buy what I like. While I feel like I’ve outgrown Michael Kors and Kate Spade, my last four bags have been from Coach. But, my collection ranges from Coach to Chanel. I carry them all the same.
I buy what I like, and I have bags from a range of designer and contemporary brands.
Your article really spoke to me! I started with an LV obsession, building my collection. But there were great bags in other brands so then I decided to get one from each major brand, just like you. That seemed forced. Now if I find a bag I really like and use, I’ll get the same one again (and again and again…) but in different sizes or colors. I’d say that now I’m loyal to a specific bag but not the brand, per se.
I purchase bags I love but they also have to be iconic, bags I feel have longevity. I never purchase bags because they are the most popular right now, the entire BV popularity madness passed me by, I didn’t like them enough to purchase. I have bags from several designers, I am not necessarily loyal to one brand.
When i was younger (high school to college days) i used to buy 1 classic bag from each designer but now that im older and wiser i realized they dont fit my needs and wants anymore so i sold a lot of my old bags. But one things is still the same from 10 years ago i still love chanel. I always love the tweeds the pearls the iridescent colors. Im only concentrating now on hermes and chanel. I wasnt and never been a fan of LV gucci prada. Ive been wanting a celine nano luggage and fendi peekaboo but i still havent pulled the trigger because im only (i should only) be focused on hermes and chanel.
I try to diversify, but find myself drawn to LV time and time again.
Variety is a spice of life. Just sayin…
I don’t discriminate against any beautiful bag. I just love a beautiful -no name leather bags, less known designer brands like Rodo, and my go to LV and Chanel investment pieces.
I have a collection of designer bags. My favorites are Valentino, Fendi and Chanel. I love them all! My collection consists of Fendi, YSL, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Celine and Christian Loubotain. Marc Jacobs Snapshot, is my go to bag right now, I own 4, love, love them!
I buy what I love! I’ve been doing this for four decades! I have a great collection of most designers however I’ve turned off Chanel these days because the price gouging is just getting ridiculous… I don’t want to belong to that club anymore. I tend to stay away from anything that’s super trending… For me a beautiful handbag has always been about quality and beauty – something that you look at and you just love—not what everybody else is wearing.
I have an extremely diverse collection and I think there’s only one brand I have more than one bag from. I’m relatively new to collecting so I want to try everything out. When I buy new bags, I am leaning towards brands I haven’t tried yet. Though, if I did have to limit myself to only one brand, I think it would be either Mulberry or Mansur Gavriel.
I diversify but I’ve built constraints within my own collection to keep some uniformity with my own wardrobe.
I don’t buy Italian bags specifically; I focus on mid tier British (Sophie Hulme, mulberry and Burberry), and top tier French bags (Chanel & Dior).
And never would I purchase an American bag, lest I choose to make a mockery of the curation my collections undergone for 5 years.
I have collected bags for over a decade now. I’ve always loved LV and Chanel and own quite some pieces from them. I also own bags from Hermes, Gucci, Dior, Prada, YSL, McQueen, Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Aigner, Victor and Rolf, Ferragamo, Chloe, Celine, Fendi and MiuMiu. I buy what pleases me. The YSL and McQueen are my latest additions. I find them beautiful and not too overpriced.
I’m not brand loyalist. I love looking at and buying from different designers, so I dont get bored and I can learn more about said brand.
I diversify my collection based on what I love regardless of the brand
I love contemporary and luxury bags as long as the quality is good. And to me this means nothing made in China, so I tend to favor Mansur Gavriel, Senreve, Jerome Dreyfuss, and Clare V for non-luxury bags. As far as my luxury collection, it consists mostly of BV, Loewe, Chanel and Faure Le Page. I’m all about getting what I like (typically classics but not opposed to some trendy designs), and being mindful about the brands I spend my money on. Right now lots of different bags from various designers are catching my eye: Mansur Gavriel mini Swing, Loewe puzzle hobo, Bembien Valeria, and Clare V Sandy. Variety is everything!