If you’re anything like me, you are very passionate about your purse collection. Sure, I love to talk bags of all shapes, sizes, and brands, but I have a special place in my heart for the bags in my collection…my trusted inner circle, if you will. All of my bags are like trophies in my wardrobe, with different meaning and special memories associated with each of them. I’m super sentimental, so I always remember how I acquired a bag, whether I bought it on a trip, received it as a gift from a loved one on a special occasion, or treated myself to celebrate an accomplishment (I’m a big proponent of buying a bag for celebratory occasions!). Recently an acquaintance of mine found out what a bag addict I am and we got to chatting about our favorite brands and the bags we have in our current collections. The conversation took an unexpected turn when she asked me a question I wasn’t at all prepared to answer, yet in retrospect I should have been: “What is your favorite bag in your collection?”.
For as much time as I spend thinking about bags, one would think that I would have a prepared, go-to answer, but the question dumbfounded me, and what can I say? I was caught off guard. With upwards of 25 bags in my current collection (and a special one on the way…oops), it’s nearly impossible to whittle down the list to just one favorite. I love all of my bags for different reasons, which is wildly clichéd, but true. My favorite bag of the moment is always dependent on my mood, because my favorite bags in my collection are ever changing. My favorite bag one day will never remain that way forever, I change my mind way too often to have one consistent favorite. That being said, I do tend to favor each of my bags for certain periods of time, but then I will rotate them eventually. I can be very neglectful of switching out my bags, so I’m often using the same bag on repeat for a week or two at a time. I’m trying to be better about it and switch them more often, especially because I own so many wonderful bags that deserve to be worn. Lately I have been favoring my Chloé Faye in motty grey. I keep reaching for it time and time again, so after careful consideration, I declare it my favorite bag at the moment.
[sc_ic_ad1]One thing I have realized from this reflection is that I spend so much time thinking about what to buy next that I forget to appreciate what I am fortune enough to already own. Do you ever spend so much time and energy thinking and plotting about what you want to buy next that you overlook what is already in your closet, just waiting to be taken out and worn? I am trying to practice mindfulness and be thankful for what I already own, although as I track a UPS shipment with a super exciting bag en route to me, I might not be doing so great of a job yet! The saying “old habits die hard” rings especially true for me and my purse habits.
I’m curious to know, which bag in your collection is your favorite? Do you have one?
Chanel caviar mini in black! It’s simple and classic, but still adds a little something to every outfit. It’s also the perfect size for going out or running errands, and I can wear it crossbody, which is a must for me. And since it’s caviar, I don’t have to be SUPER careful with it (even though I’m still pretty careful with it).
How old is your Chanel?
It’s about two years old!
Impossible to choose – if a fire broke out in our home I’d probably rescue Reg Alexa, LC LP custom in XL and the Mini Cuir. I couldn’t decide on just one.
Your post could’ve been written by me! I spend more time thinking about the next bag that I’m buying than actually using it! Even though I truly love ALL of my bags, my go-to seems to be a white Mansur Gavriel large bucket bag with a silver interior. The white is a white that I’m comfortable wearing all year round. It’s comfortable and easy to wear.
Do you find any issues with color transfer? I love a white bag, but am so afraid of staining from my jeans!
It’s so easy to think about our next purchases instead of enjoying what we have! The Mansur Gavriel bucket bag is a great choice, and I am obsessed with white all year round!
Oh my yes this is the toughest question ever…hmm must be my pink (my favorite color) chanel valentine flap that i bought on a huge discount in ebay…wait i love my louis vuitton speedy multicolor too…i love my tricolor valentino rockstud tote…or maybe these are my choices right now because i dont have my birkin yet
My medium classic flap from Chanel I bought for my birthday six years ago. It was my first Chanel!
I have 2 bags as my favorite in my collection. Chanel 2.55 flap bag in the black color & ruthenium hardware. The other bag is Kelly 28 togo leather in the color chocolate & gold hardware.
Lina, how was your experience with Hermès? Did you have to spend a lot of money to be offered a bag, or did you walk in and get a bag without spending money?
You have any bag you want to have from Hermes?
I’ve been looking at a couple of bags. But the Kelly is the one that I’m currently eyeing. However, I’m not sure if the Kelly is offered in the Rose Jaipur color.
I love Kelly. I hope you can get the size you want and the color. But the color is seasonal. You might get it. I hope so. It’s important you keep your options open with colors and the leathers.
Thank you. You’ve offered me really great advice! ?
You’re welcome! ??
When they offer or when you go to Paris and get the appointment. You keep your options open, but you tell which one you prefer with leathers, colors and hardware. Leathers as you know you have exotic & non exotic. Let’s say you want non exotic, you tell which one you want but you don’t mind some others that you like, and the same thing with colors and hardwares. They are some video of people sharing their experience how they got the bag.
My bag is in togo leather so I spend money not much but close to the price of the size and the leather ‘cause it’s non exotic leather. So it depends on two things. On the size and the leather.
Here is my bag, but the photo is a bit dark. Of course in real life it’s looks better.
Aww, thank you! Your bag looks gorgeous Lina!! ??
You are always so welcome. You are so sweet. ?? Really? Thank you. ?? But in the photo it doesn’t look that good. ?
Yes, really. Thank you, you are sweet as well! ??
Thank you. ? Aww ?. Thank you for your kind words. ?
Well, I did spend some money to get the bag. I bought some items that is near to the price tag of the size 28. But itames that I l have bought I love and I know that I’m going to use, and also to get one of my dream and as one of my holy grail bag.
Thank you. That information is very valuable. ?
You’re welcome. ? I know the best place to get is from Paris. You don’t spend any money to get a bag you want and it is less expensive and you get a tax free.
Paris seems to be the place to get it. ? Hopefully I can find an actual excuse to go.
You have the appointment and you will not spend more money, you will pay less there + you claim your tax back. Good luck, Navjot. ?? I wish you all the best of luck. ?
Handmade woven striped bag given to me by people in small town in Peru where I did some volunteer work. I will be very sad when it falls apart. It’s perfect for running around on weekends..
Your post is perfect and so meaningful! It made me remember a close friend of mine, now deceased, who brought me gifts from Peru. I have many high end designer bags, but his Peru gifts hold the most meaning for me! Good memories!
i use my hermes evelyne off white bag for travel and in the summer- wonderful crossbody, but I also love my black celine nano which is my go to out to dinner bag, also crossbody- hard to choose
Love my off white hermes evelyne- great crossbody travel and summer bag, but hard to dismiss my black celine nano, I use it all the time at night
It must be my Mansur Gavriel mini bucket in black/blu that I bought when they just launched their website (6 years ago?!). To this day it’s my most used bag. I did not expect this to happen though! It just really fits my lifestyle.
My LV Alma though is the one I love looking at and just happy I own it. Again, I don’t have any idea why it brings me so much joy, lol! It’s not the most expensive bag I own but it feels like the most precious one! I think it has to do something with it’s shape, I just love it.
Gucci Soho Disco bag. I love it so much I have it in 3 colors.
Proenza Schouler PS1 in the tiny size. It’s hot pink suede, and I love it. It’s very practical and in the perfect size. I would love another one in leather.
My white Alexander Wang Emile in the small/mini size. Another beautiful and practical bag. I would love to purchase this as well in another color.
Sentimental value: Alexander McQueen Box Bag size 19. I remember telling my boyfriend that I loved it on the runway and I fell in love the second I saw it. Well on my birthday I get a package from France and it was the Box Bag. I had no idea he was getting me that. Best surprise ever.
He said he’s gonna surprise me one day with a big orange box one day soon. So we’ll see. He’s an amazing gift giver. He pays so much attention to the things I like. I remember one time I saw this rare balenciaga piece on a website and I showed it to him and he was like “ah cute.”
Well a few days later I check back and it said “sold out” and I told him how upset I was that I didn’t buy it and so on.
Well a few days later I get a package to my door and what was in it?
The balenciaga bag I showed him. He was the one that bought it causing it to be sold out. He bought the last one.
I love this—your boyfriend is such a keeper! How sweet and thoughtful.
That’s a tough one:) Mmmmmm, I would say my Saint Laurent Rider bucket bag
How do you protect the suede of the bag. I have the same bag but I freak out when it gets dirty which happen to be very easily 🙁
Admittedly I worry too but I have just made sure to check the weather forecast before I leave my house and I am extra careful with it in restaurants. I don’t wear it with denim jackets or anything that might have color transfer. It sounds more high maintenance than it is 🙂
My LV speedy bags … love them
ooo great question! my favourite bag is my Saint Laurent Sac de Jour nano. I love the clean edges and timeless look. I love that it’s structured and supple at the same time and carries so much and can be worn comfortably crossbody and on the shoulder.
I would have to say my medium black Givenchy Pandora in sheepskin leather. It just does everything well! and it’s so unique in its shape but totally practical when it comes to taking things out and a brilliant cross body or shoulder bag. This particular leather doesn’t really age at all. And it fits all I need plus a bit extra. I also have the small. Maybe I need a large?!
I think you definitely need the large 🙂
Funny I was thinking about this the other day. I have to say that my favorite remains my Givenchy Antigona. I also think of the time and place when I actually purchase my bags. My Antigona was purchased at Harrods on one of my first trips to London. I specifically went to Harrods for tea and to purchase my Antigona.
Hands Down, my Prada Cervo Lux Lace Bowler. It is the only handbag I have, that when I look at it, I still feel the same feelings I had when I first purchased it!!!
I think “what’s in your bag collection” and then “which one is your favorite” makes more sense for the purpose. Anyways, my fav is my red caviar med/large classic flap. Don’t get to use it a lot but she is one of the kind, irreplaceable.
My favourite is also the least practical – my Chanel mini rectangle boy bag in dark green velvet. So cute and I always get a lot of compliments on it – but it can only hold a few credit cards and a lipstick!
My Chanel Boy Boy and Classic Flap Bag are my favorites. This was such a tough question and I’m thinking it might change because I’m loving the new fall line for Givenchy.
It’s very hard to decide which one is my favorite bag. I love all my bags. They are all different and serve different purpose. But if I have to choose one it will me my newer addition Chanel medium in black lamb skin and gold hardware. It’s classic and luxurious. It makes me feel grateful for the opportunity to own one???
My favorite fancy bag has to be my Marc Jacobs Stam bag in Taupe with gold hardware. But I equally love my dusty blue Dooney & Bourke Belvedere logo lock tote. As for my favorite workhorse bags I swear by Lug handbags. So many pockets!! However my favorite sentimental bag will be my leather tote bag, handmade and hand sewn with copper hardware by my besties Dad. So excited !!!
I have 31 bags in my collection right now. Out of those, 20 are Balenciaga bags. Out of those, 11 are city bags. 8 are firsts. So my favorite bag is probably the city style. It is super hard to pick just one favorite. Given that the majority are pretty old, 2002-2005. I think I would have to go with 2003 Rouge City. Row 2 Column 2. All of them are fairly rare, but the Rouge red would probably be the hardest for me to replace if I ever lost my entire collection.
Oh my goodness–incredible collection!!! wow!
A fire did break out in the unit above our condo (in addition to water. An upstairs neighbor dryer fire burned thru the washer water line). I just brought home a Birkin 35 in tomato rouge, GHW. It was the first bag I rescued, followed by the Chanel flap black jumbo and medium boy bag. As I contemplated what other bags and shoes to rescue, my husband demanded that we leave immediately.
I sold Birkin 35 and picked up last week an Apricot Birkin 30 in Epsom! It’s my new favorite