I’ve loved bags since I was in high school, and because I have loved bags from a young age, I have had a pretty significant evolution in my budget for handbags. My parents gifted me some Dooney & Bourke handbags for birthdays as a teen—yes, they were covered in stars and hearts. Thankfully, my mom held onto them for me over the years and a lot has changed since then.
I vividly remember a conversation I had with a friend on a Greyhound bus from DC to NYC in 2006. We were 18 at the time, and it was my friend’s first trip to New York City. We started talking about shopping and what we planned to buy during our visit. The conversation shifted towards handbags, and I mentioned the iconic scene where Samantha tries to buy a Birkin on Sex and the City. I mentioned the price of a Birkin, which was considerably less expensive 14 years ago than it is now, and that I wanted to own one some day. My friend looked at me like I had three heads, and it was in that moment that I realized that perhaps my obsession with bags and the amount that I was willing to spend on them was much more than that of my peers.
The first designer bag I ever bought for myself was a Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag when I was 20 years old. It’s actually the bag that brought me to the PurseBlog community and made me a full blown PurseForum fanatic. At the time, The Morning After Bag retailed for $425. As a broke college student, that seemed like an enormous sum of money, but I have always been nothing if not determined. I got a job babysitting specifically to save up for the bag and was so proud when I was finally able to order it.
Fast forward to my first premier designer purchase, my Louis Vuitton Neverfull. I was 26 at the time, and owning a premier designer handbag was a goal of mine, but I had no real plans of pulling the trigger. I was living abroad in my husband’s home country, Ireland, and decided to buy my first Louis Vuitton a few weeks before moving back to the US. Truthfully, the four figure price tag was a stretch on my budget then, but I obsessed and crunched numbers to make it work. In that moment, I had opened the door into the premier handbag world.
Last year I hit another handbag milestone, when I purchased my first bag above $2,000, my Saint Laurent Envelope bag. Truthfully that number still shocks me a little bit. I love my Envelope bag and use it often enough to justify the price, but that is a price I thought I would never spend. I own many bags that retail over $2,000, but as an avid resale market shopper and deal lover, I never imagined spending over $1,500 for a handbag. $1,500 was always my magic “top spending limit” number, and while I don’t anticipate making it a habit, I do think for the right bag it can be worth spending more for the bag of your dreams (if your budget allows, of course). Since I purchased the Envelope bag, I also purchased the LV Onthego, which is also over $2,000.
Now at the age of 32, I am becoming more strategic in my handbag acquisitions. Like any serious handbag collector, the idea of saving for an Hermès bag has crossed my mind. I’ve slowed down my purchases in 2020. I’ve purchased two premier designer bags this year, which is considerably less than what I purchased in 2019. Hermès is a purchase I will have to work towards, as it’s definitely not in my day-to-day budget, but I think I am ready to declare it a goal of mine. Since I am newly dabbling in the world of Hermès, I don’t have a particular bag in mind, but I am ready to start my research. I never thought I’d get to the place where I would consider spending that much on a handbag, but the more I grow my handbag collection, the more I realize that I use and treasure all of my purchases.
Do you have a top number for your handbag budget? Is your number continuously going up like mine is?
Hmm, thought about the Hermès but unwilling to play the game that they want you to. I am not jumping though hoops in a store to give them $12,000.00. I have a Jumbo Chanel Classic double flap that I am very happy with, the most I have spent on a bag. I usually have a fair amount of time between handbag purchases, they are just so pricey.
Yes, it is a game despite that you may hear that some people can simply walk in and buy one. That has not been my experience for the past 10 years when I’ve bought my Birkin’s. In order to initially get on “the list” one has to establish a buying history. Once this is done then you will be asked what type of Birkin you want such as the hardware, leather, color, etc. and you’ll receive a call once it comes in. Then, you only have 24 hours to purchase or they call the next person on the list. However, over the years purchasing Birkin’s have become much easier for me since I have a long standing buying history.
Is it worth going to this effort? It depends on the buyer. While the prices for Birkin’s, IMO, are astronomical and currently are $13K with tax, Birkin’s are exquisitely well made and I enjoy mine. Also, they can be purchased on the secondary market, but expect to pay thousands more.
I respect Hermès process and I’m sure people enjoy the challenge. What I don’t understand are all these YouTubers and Influencers who say they go into a store and get offered a bag no problem. Are they lying and buying second-hand bags passing them off as boutique purchases? I don’t get it. It’s sad how social media has cheapened these iconic luxury bags.
Honestly it’s not a game if you appreciate their stuff and quality of craftsmanship. Chanel has pretty bad quality so…I can’t justify spending 4-7k for a bag that is made by a machine.
My Chanel Classic flap is very well made. I will say that the quality does seem to go down buying seasonal bags. If you look at Birkin reviews there are always complainers, seems to be similar issues. If you would like to play the game with Hermes more power to you, seems a bit demeaning to me.
I still don’t understand why is it a game for some people. Sure it is if you can’t afford the other stuff. How does spending money demeaning? I guess it is if you don’t have it. I like their stuff, I buy their stuff, I get their BKC. What’s the game? What’s wrong with them not wanting to sell just about anyone that can only afford and want their BKC? I also don’t know where you see these people complaining about birkins. Maybe people on reddit where people buy fakes. Machine made is machine made. I’m gonna leave it at that.
They snub people by their looks. That’s the problem…
One thing that I wanted to mention, yes, justification of funds for handbags does keep increasing. After purchasing a few Chanel the past years I bought a LV Palm Springs mini backpack and at $2000.00 it felt like a steal. How ridiculous is that!
Are you happy with the quality of the LV Palm Springs backpack or – like a lot of reviews I’ve seen – struggle with zipper problems?
Don’t quote me, but I think it was the Palm Springs bag for the first few seasons that had issues and apparently they have changed something in the way they make their bags to hopefully overcome the zipper/cracking issues. I don’t own one but have heard that from a couple of folk who returned theirs to LV. Hopefully its resolved now.
Nothing to complain about yet…I really like it.
I feel you. Im also working towards buying my first birkin soon hopefully by end of next year (that is if i dont give in to any chanel temptation—well if i see those rainbows in a very good price im dead). So far im right on track. My budget for the birkin and the kelly is $10000 max each. But if its the constance and mini lindy that i hope to buy too someday i dont think thats enough based on my research.
In terms of other bags my budget has always been $4000 for chanel and $2000 in the last 10 years for rest of the premier designer brands. I know it doesnt get me much anymore these days so im shopping in the used market. I try to have 1 bag from each brand. The only bags ive been wanting recently are a lady dior, ysl tri quilt envelope flap all black, celine nano and the louis vuitton onthego pastel escale (im still undecided on this though if im going to buy it at all).
If you want to purchase a Birkin or Kelly for 10K you may only be able to purchase them well used. A new one, in the USA, costs $13K with tax. Then, on the secondary market the prices are astronomical for new bags! It’s ridiculous, but true.
My epsom b30 was just under 10k without tax 😛 that was taken years ago though.
Yes im going to buy my birkin and kelly used. I found reputable sellers already in my country selling used designer bags in excellent condition and at really good prices. Ive bought my herbag from her before so hopefully my birkin soon.
I’ve been purchasing more contemporary brands as those styles seem more cool and adventurous than the luxury houses are at the present. I may change my mind later. I also have my eyes on bags that are older or have been discontinued so I’ve been searching the secondhand market. All of the luxury bags that I’ve wanted, I have so I’m ready to venture out.
Because of this, my threshold is much lower at $500. That still will barely get a brand new Tory Burch Kira that I’m lusting after or the Coach Tabby. The only bags I’m willing to spend more on are a small Givenchy Pandora and the old version of the small Burberry Banner.
I started loving and purchasing bags in 2004 and my price threshold has remained the same for 16 years at around $800. Between 2004-2008 I was able to buy most of my premier designer bags brand new. Some of them I was able to buy during trips to Europe so I benefited from the VAT refund. The only exception during that period was when I purchased a $2500+ Chanel medium flap which was my holy grail. Between 2008-2014 with interest in bags and prices rising, my purchases shifted to Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Coach. From 2015 up to the present, most of my purchases have been from the excellent 2nd hand shops in Japan which seems to be the only way I can now consistently buy premier designer bags for $800 or less, from outlet stores or pure luck like the time I bought a bag that was on sale in Europe.
My threshold had dropped to $2500. I’m shifting to brands like Mulberry, D&G, or a good quality bagS from lesser known brands. But for the rest of this year all shopping is on hold
$3000 is my limit and has been my limit for years. It has nothing to do with what I can afford…I just don’t have any interest in buying a bag that costs more than that.
I appreciate the Hermes brand. Their quality and craftmanship is the pinnacle! That being said I can’t imagine paying that price for a bag. My limit is $3000. I will admit that lately I have been watching several YouTubers that are new to purchasing Hermes bags. There are 2 women in particular that are trying to one-up each other with Birkin and Kelly bags. One got a Birkin then her friend got a Kelly AND a Birkin….oh no….so then she HAS to get another Birkin. This could go on and on.
See my comment above? How do these woman get their bags so easily and often? I know who you are talking about and one blocked me when I asked in the kindest way.
To me it seems excessive. And not because of the price of the bag. To me, when you get such a special piece you should admire and enjoy it-for a longer than just a month! Not much time passes before they are grabbing up another luxury bag. I just think as adults we should have a bit more restraint.
It is likely their presence on YouTube could get them access to purchasing Hermes without waiting longer between bag purchases.
I am not a “hater” after all I do watch them and some of their videos have even helped me in making a purchase since I don’t have the availability of luxury bags where I live…..but I am a bit turned off by the sheer volume of their pricy purchases. It just seems to me that they are in a competition with each other.
Agreed 100%. I really think this excess has cheapened the brand.
My threshold is about how much use I truly believe I’ll get from it. For example Mini Lindy being way over 5k didn’t phase me, even though I’ve never spent over 2k for a bag before, because it fit my loose “math” for usage vs money spent.
I don’t calculate use-per-time, but it’s more about “how many years will I use it lovingly?” and I do NOT count mantle pieces – I mean USE use. I’d say I’m comfortable with 1k-ish per year I see myself using it with true love. I have 3 premier designer bags (4 if you count McQueen), and very few other ones, because I abhor the thought of unused clothing or bags in my closet. When I didn’t get that “true love” with my ~1.3k Balenciaga I couldn’t give it away fast enough, no matter the money lost in the transaction!
Has my budget increased as the years have gone on? Sure, I have much more disposable income now, but my logic remains the same. In fact, I think my most expensive purchase was way back when I was 24 or so, waiting to be topped by that evasive Mini Lindy when I can get my hands on one! 😀
I forgot to add: For SLGs, I seem to have a mental $300 block. I keep lusting over a Celine long card holder but at $450, I just can’t do it! And yet I go and buy two Ulysse notebooks from Hermes (~350 ea) without a thought. Weird mental block at that number it seems!
I reached it. Dropped on a Cabas Mezzo, and last year on a Moynat Oh! tote. Dassit for me.
*that said, if I can get a classic for the price of all my bags, I’d do it and throw deuces to all of them. ALL.
I guess at this stage in my life, probably $2K? I used to want an Hermes but after seeing the K family and all their bags, I totally lost my desire. A bag being really made is more important to me than the status. And it has to be practical. I just sold my jumbo Chanel flap because the chain drove me crazy. And I always feel guilty when I could give that money to charity. Plus I am staying at home so much more, I can just use the bags I have.
I had a huge collection and, a couple of years ago, decided to sell a lot of pieces (mostly Gucci) to fund my first Birkin. I never looked back! I’m now on my second Birkin and bought all kinds of great things from Hermès. Other luxury brands have lost their appeal at this point. My only regret is not going for Hermès earlier.
My collection went from over 30+ luxury bags to a well-curated 12. It’s much more manageable and with truly special pieces. I couldn’t be happier!
Gucci and prada are the first to depreciate in value in the used market…dont really care for guccis too i only have 3 and all vintage
Growing up at the bottom of what could reasonably be considered middle class, I have a mental block on spending more than $1,000 on most things. My most expensive handbags were both just slightly above (a Mulberry Bayswater I got for $1100ish and a Gucci soho disco I got for around the same). I could see MAYBE going to $1500-2000 for a bag I really loved, but to be honest I have a large, wonderful collection of great bags and I can’t see myself pulling the trigger on a new one anytime soon. i personally think as a rule of thumb, it is a poor financial decision to spend more than the equivalent of a single (biweekly) paycheck on any single item like a handbag that is not essential.
I do have a limit since once my Hermes SA offered me a exotic skin Birkin for $60K, which I declined for both financial and moral reasons. However, I like what I like and will pay thousands for a bag of quality and substance such as a Birkin in togo leather. Also, with that said I started my collection with a Coach bag, which I thought was the pinnacle, until I slowly developed an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Once I did, I very slowly grew to love quality bags, but only began purchasing once I financed my 3 children through college, ten years ago. Now, I own a collection of 20 high end quality designer handbags which I wear mostly with nice jeans and t-shirts, which is comfortable to me. Pre-covid walking into stores carrying my bags, store associates would approach women dressed to the nines, assuming they had more funds, which worked for me since I was left free to browse. Also, I believe that people may assume that my bags aren’t real because I’m casual with them and not pretentious. Or, they aren’t familiar with designer bags, but whatever the reason I’m comfortable carrying them, without worry.
Coach was my first bag that I thought was expensive while I was in college. Then in my 30s I finally purchased my first LV, since then I have bought 18 other luxury handbags…ranging from $1000 – $5000. My chanel boy bag was the most expensive and now I feel like my cap is between $2000 and $3000. I have also wondered if I will ever pull the trigger on a Hermes, but I just can’t see myself spending THAT much. I do love all my bags though!