The term Holy Grail traditionally refers to a religious object, but here on PurseBlog we know that the Holy Grail refers to our ultimate dream bag. Holy Grails can take months or even years to obtain, whether that be because of financial constraints, limited availability, or you didn’t discover it until after it had been discontinued and it became the one that got away. Whatever the reason, Holy Grails are the bags that we obsess over and yearn deeply for, desperate to buy and place in our closets. They can take a lot of time and effort to track down, especially when searching the preloved market for something rare.
I have had a few Holy Grails in my life, most of which I haven’t had the delight of purchasing [yet]. My first Holy Grail was a Speedy 30 in Monogram print. Not a rare bag by any means, but definitely out of my price range at the time I discovered it. Everyone knows the Speedy, and love or hate monogram, the bag is a classic. The Speedy had always been the majestic bag of my handbag dreams, even before becoming a member of the PurseForum, but as I slowly began building my collection, I stuck with contemporary designers mainly due to being on a college budget. After I graduated and got my first real job, it was only natural that one of my first purchases was a Speedy.
The Speedy was not only my Holy Grail, but also my first premier designer purchase. It will always be a special bag to me for that reason—it truly represents achieving a goal. The excitement I felt when making that purchase, along with the incapacitating fear I felt, cannot be forgotten! It truly was nearly a decade long dream come to life and I couldn’t wait to take my bag out on her first outing.
Well let me tell you, my Speedy sat in its box for about four months. I would take the bag out of the box and hold her for short intervals of time before putting her away into a safe space again. I was terrified to use my Speedy! Vachetta leather is quite delicate and will darken over time, leaving any little mark to be seen. After months of deep breathing and self-administered pep talks, I finally got over my fear and used my bag.
Once I finally managed to stop obsessing with worry over damaging my beloved Holy Grail bag, I started using her every single day. While the Speedy 30 looked like perfection on my arm, early on I started to have frustrations when using the bag. Most problematic was the fact that it was handheld. As a young professional with a commute on public transportation in a busy city, it was not practical at all. I was having trouble fitting all of my belongings into the 30 size. Being handheld, it started to get heavy very easily and was a pain—literally!—on my commute. I was devastated, this was my Holy Grail. It was supposed to be perfect!
A naïve shopper, I thought that once I had my Holy Grail I would just use that every single day for the rest of my life. Silly, I know! I was so disappointed that this Speedy couldn’t possibly be my every day bag. It wasn’t practical for my lifestyle and it was really, really sad to come to that realization. I felt resentful, I had spent all this money on my bag and I couldn’t even use it every day—what was the point? I put my Speedy away and left her in the closet for a long time.
After a few weeks, the perfect opportunity arose to bring out my Speedy. I felt a fresh sense of true love when using it and was able to remember why it had been my original Holy Grail. I kept her and have even added another mon-monogram Speedy to my collection. My Holy Grail may not be used as an everyday bag as expected, but I still love her and I am so thankful I was able to add it to my collection.
My Holy Grail bags change regularly, but below are a few of mine at the moment! Do you have one?
Louis Vuitton Montaigne GM
Lady Dior Toile De Jouy Bag
Chanel Classic Flap Bag
Gucci Marmont Matelassé Shoulder Bag
I was in college during the height of popularity for the Antigona, and now that I’m working and can afford it, I am always so excited to carry it. It’s definitely an it-bag of days past but it still makes me feel like a million $$$.
I love the Antigona! I’d love to add one to my collection some day!
I love the Antigona. It’s popularity is only growing I think. I just get a little nervous to use it as an everyday bag cos I’m constantly watching out to not ruin its beautiful shape. And it gets ruined pretty easily if you don’t store it right or if you carry something heavy in it.
I think the Antigona design is classic- meaning it’s timeless!
I will say that Dior bag is quite stunning… I wouldn’t mind adding that to my collection!
It is so beautiful and elegant!
I bought myself a Chanel Classic Flap for my 30th (I probably started saving for it when I was 25!) and I still love it. I only wear it out to nicer occasions but it brings me such joy.
Great choices. All beautiful. My holy grail, at the risk of being a total cliche, is a Birkin. I’m not ready to spend so much, and I really want getting it to be an event. Meaning, I want to go to the Hermés store, ideally in Paris (if I’m dreaming!), and get exactly what I want. That would be a black 30 or 35 with palladium hardware plus coordinated Twilly’s and bag charm. Then I know 100% it’s real. The chances of this exact situation are slim, but that’s what makes it a holy grail!
I dream of a Birkin too! I very much doubt that I’ll ever be able to afford one. I would love one in box or Chamonix or one of those vintage-y leathers, or even a real vintage one 🙂
I just bought a vintage kelly that I have sent away to the Hermes spa to be refurbished! It was only $2000 plus $800 for the repairs. Not as expensive as you would think, and it is a pre Grace Kelly “kelly” bag. The sales associates at the Hermes store on Madison were so thrilled to see it.
Now that’s a smart buy!
I did the same thing! I got an Hermes Jypsiere 28 in étoupe for $1,000 on ebay, then had the bag refurbished through Hermes for $500 and it came back in practically new condition! I was thrilled 🙂
With the speed of price increases across brands, soon EVERY bag will be a Holy Grail. 🙁
I don’t feel like price and holy grail-ness are dependent on one another.
I bought my Holy Grail bag – a classic Chanel m/l flap. I bought it second hand because a) price, and b) they used to use real gold on the hardware and I love that. I love that bag. The beautiful quilting, the chain, the practical back pocket, the romantic pocket inside the flap… stunning!
However, like you, I realised it is not the One Perfect Bag for all moments! It doesn’t hold a lot inside… and so my handbag buying continues haha.
Current Holy Grail bags would be an infrarouge pochette metis, or a Kelly – both $$$ so I won’t be getting either anytime soon!
Chanel classic flap was also my holy grail. I only use mine for special occasions – birthdays, weddings, etc because I intend for it to be in good condition even if I’m old and rocking a walking cane.
The only aging on mine is that the quilts are no longer puffy. Everything else is in fantastic condition. Still looks great.
I could never see myself ever spending the money, but the Fendi Kan I s everything.
I can never see myself spending the money but the Fendi Kan I is everything. ?
Mine was the Givenchy Antigona. I was so happy when I finally added it to my collection. There is a certain ineffable pleasure in obtaining something you’ve wanted for a long time
Mine is the Celine Box. I have bags from luxury brands but they are usually working bags – think totes, top handle with lots of carrying capacity. So the bags carry tons and are useful that way. The idea of spending so much on a small bag when the same amount could have paid for a micro luggage and a SLG made me nervous, but i really wanted my Box with the é accent. I was over the moon when i got my Holy Grail bag and each time i use it, it really boosts my mood 🙂
What colour/size did you get?
I cycle in and out of ‘non-work’ bags but my longest-standing holy grail is Givenchy’s Antigona tote, which I have in both the black Rottweiler and a black floral. The Rottweiler never fails to get insane compliments and I’ve been wearing it for years!
Mine was the Hermes Constance in dark red until I read in Purseforum how impractical it is
I like your articles Lucy! My HG was Chanel Jumbo, but I had to let it go. It gave me back pain due to weight. Now I’m thinking about Kelly.
Thank you so much @disqus_Il8tj9ZXQT:disqus !! I’m glad you are enjoying them 🙂 The Kelly would be a lovely bag to replace the Chanel Jumbo!
My first ever Holy Grail bag was the white multicolore LV speedy by Murakami when I was in college. I occasionally consider getting one second-hand just to satisfy my younger self but probably won’t, haha. I’ve been lucky enough to acquire my other recent Holy Grail bags, EXCEPT for an iridescent goatskin Chanel WOC that’s super overpriced on the resale market – $5,000 at the lowest :’-(
Chanel Chevron So Black! My heart aches!
I don’t have a holy grail. I guess I just Love bags in general and I love the idea of dreaming, hunting, buying, and owning them more? I’m lucky I can afford to get most of the bags I like though and that I don’t have a crush at anything Hermes yet. ? But I can understand the excitement and nervousness and how that bag will lift up the mood of the day. I have many bags in my closet that does that to me. Even the SLG. They just make me smile and happy when I see or use them.
I just bought my 9th MaxMara Whitney.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/2018/12/now-9/
I got my holy grail bag a couple of months ago – an Hermes Kelly Sellier 35. I got it preloved, in excellent condition and at an excellent price, which makes it that much sweeter.