As someone who reads PurseBlog almost as much as news sites (we all need an escape, right?), it’s hard not to find myself fantasizing about what my next purchase will be. Think about it: Imagine a world where your all your hard-earned cash could conveniently go toward a bag fund? Oh, wouldn’t it be nice…
But similar to all of us, I have expenses. And most of the time, it feels like they never end. As a full-time freelance writer, I’m responsible for just about everything, from a solid WiFi connection and office space, to health insurance, car payments, and rent. (There’s more, but I’ll spare you the details.) Many days, the hours upon hours I spend working are quickly spent on all the essentials. (Chanel is expensive, but I’m pretty sure this whole adulting thing is a lot worse.)
It doesn’t look like I’ll amass Kylie Jenner-level wealth anytime soon, so all I can do for now is dream about the bags I wish I was spending my rent money on. First up: Chanel. No, not a Double Flap—I’m all for the brand’s latest line of camera bags. If you missed my story a few weeks ago, I’ve got a serious obsession for that style of purse.
[sc_ic_ad1]There are a few Fendi bags on my radar, too. Lately, the quality, workmanship, and styles have completely caught my eye. There’s an Hèrmes on here, too, but not a Kelly or a Birkin. I know they’re the holy grails of any major purse collection, but honestly, I can’t see myself comfortably carrying either one on a daily basis. I’m also not sure how I’d feel touting a bag that costs more than a down payment on a home.
Many of the others listed below are quite trendy, and it’s very possible in a few months I’ll be over them. That’s the thing: Before I take the plunge in purchasing any bag, I am careful to make sure said bag will be timeless enough to transcend seasons and years. I know most people might think I’m ridiculous for spending more than $200 on a bag in the first place, but for me, bags hold a deeper meaning (don’t laugh!). They represent real accomplishments and provide a sense of comfort I can’t exactly explain. But because I don’t have all the money in the world (and if I did, I’d spend it on trying to ~save~ the world), I’ll ponder lemon-yellow nylons and rainbow-ish Fendi embroidered shoulder bags instead. If you could purchase any bag without worrying about the cost, what would it be?
Chanel Camera Case
Prada Sidonie Leather Shoulder Bag
Miu Miu Matelassé Lambskin Leather Belt Bag
Chloé Small Tess Bag
Givenchy GV3 Medium Leather Satchel Bag
Fendi Embroidery Tappetino Kan I Shoulder Bag
Dior Saddle Bag
Thom Browne Small Top Handle Leather Bag
Hermès Evelyne III 29 bag
Gucci GG Quilted Mini Round Crossbody Bag
Dolce & Gabbana Small Devotion Leather Shoulder Bag
Prada Cahier Large Leather Bag
Fendi Peekaboo
Marni Small Trunk Colorblock Leather Shoulder Bag
Saint Laurent Sunset Small
Christian Louboutin Manilacaba Denim Tote Bag
Ooo—definitely the Prada Cahier and a Fendi Peekaboo! Also a YSL Kate, though I’m not sure I’m elegant enough to pull that off! (But hey, if I have all the money in the world, I could jazz up my wardrobe too!)
Love that Peekaboo too!
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I relate so closely with this article! I don’t own any designer bags yet, but I love love love them dearly. I’ve thought about this particular topic a lot! Not sure if this comment is a waste, but hopefully someone finds it entertaining. If I had all the money in the world here are the 20 (yes, twenty…) bags I would buy! * next to bags that I am considering purchasing for real even though it would take me a LONGGG time to save up. I tried to stick with bags that were sort of available, otherwise this entire list would be EVERY CHANEL BAG HILARY DUFF OWNS.
1. Celine Nano Micro Luggage in Black drummed leather with SHW
2. Celine Belt Bag (2nd smallest size) in Light Taupe drummed leather with GHW*
3. Chanel Classic Double Flap Medium in Black Caviar with SHW
4. Chanel Classic Flap Mini in Black Caviar with GHW
5. Chanel 2.55 Reissue in Black crumpled leather with RHW
6. Chanel Boy Old Medium Quitled Caviar Leather in Light Gray with GHW
7. Fendi Peekaboo Regular in Black smooth leather with GHW
8. Ferragamo Studio Bag small in Antique Rose with GHW
9. Gucci Dionysus GG Small Shoulder Bag in Taupe with SWH
10. Gucci Soho Disco Bag in Nude*
11. LV Pochette Metis in Monogram*
12. LV Palm Springs Mini Backpack in Monogram*
13. LV Speedy Bandouliere 25 in Black Monogram Empriente Leather
14. LV Favorite MM in Damier Ebene
15. Mansur Gavriel Black Mini Bucket Bag*
16. Prada Bucket Bag in Nude/Pink*
17. Saint Laurent YSL Medium College Bag in Marine
18. a black camera bag – not sure which one
19. a gray medium size bag – not sure which one
20. a tote of some kind – not sure which one
That Chanel camera case is to die for! Gorgeous
I still want one too!
Oooh this is a fun game 🙂
It’s really fun to see how different everyone’s taste is, and what they would do with their collections.
Forget handbags! If I had all the money in the world I’d by LVMH! And then can I get everything I want! Muahahaha! Sigh! A girl can dream can’t she!
I like how you think!
That’s some smart thinking! HA
The one that got away… I have a pic on my phone. Rare Chanel cracked black leather envelope flap bag with silver tone hardware. A91975 Y82668 94305. I let it slip through my hands!!!
I think the Dolce & Gabbana bag is the most artfully-done and aesthetically interesting bag on this list- too bag the designers came out as flaming racists!
Exactly why are Dolce & Gabbana flaming racists???
It was all over the (fashion) news about two months ago: The designers of Dolce & Gabbana made advertisements for their upcoming show in Shanghai that was thinly veiled as colonial perspective and most perceived as racist. After the public outcry from the ads, Stefano Gabbana was caught making bigoted comments on their social media about China/Chinese culture. This made a ton of Chinese models and others in the industry to pull out of the show and lead to such a public denouncing that Dolce & Gabbana cancelled the whole show. The designers then claimed that their accounts were hacked but that has yet to be proven. Also many retailers in China (and Italy) have dropped the fashion house.
Oh ok, the “perceived as racist” (isn’t everything these days?) incident. I thought it was a thinly veiled reference to D&G’s relationship with First Lady Melania Trump.
Well, as someone who got her degree studying International Studies and South Asian Studies (which, like East Asian Studies, does involve a lot of education on colonialism and imperialism), I agree with most people that the Dolce & Gabbana ads for the Shanghai show were reminiscent of colonialism/imperialism.
As far as Dolce & Gabbana’s relationship with Melania Trump: ????????
1984/1990 Birkin black box leather GHW….. DONE!
My wish list:
Hermes Jypsiere 34 in red
Chanel Compact Powder Minaudiere Plexiglass
Judith Leiber x Alexander Wang money roll minaudiere
Loewe Amazona in red
if i had all the money in the world, I think i’d put it toward inventing a time machine to go back in time for all those vintage/discontinued/rare pieces – but new! imagine old school hermes, chanel, dior – the colours, leathers, and workmanship from any period that takes my fancy!
Agree
Wow. I don’t think my bag stash would get out of control even if I won the lottery. Shopping list would probably be as follows:
Dark jade green SHW Loewe Amazona 28
Oak Mulberry Alexa
Mulberry Pink Mini Alexa
H Blue Jean Evelyne II
Céline Sangle, black
Céline Sangle, dark brown
Longchamp Madeleine, one in each size
Longchamp Le Foulonne crossbody in black, brown and navy
I think the stash most def would get out of hand now that I start thinking… 😛
Mulberry Alexa is discontinued, but you can find a great deal pre-loved or from some Mulberry outlets!
I feel like I should hate that Gucci, but I don’t. It has elements I’d normally consider tacky, but it just works.
Anyways, I’d like some Diors from Raf Simons era and earlier, a Fendi peakaboo and like 20 of Alexander McQueen knuckle clutches.
The last bag is proudly Filipino!
If I had the money, I would go for a Chanel Classic Flap (Small or Regular) in black caviar. It is such a beautiful and classic bag, and it is definitely timeless!
I recently bought my first Birkin. I really struggled with the just crazy price and still occasionally feel guilty about having spent all that money on a handbag, but I love it. Like you, bags have a deeper meaning for me. Plus, I truly admire the craftsmanship and history of bags and design houses. If I had all the money in the world, I’d buy another or four Birkins. They’ve stolen my heart.
How and where did you score a Birkin? Curious as I’ve tied and tried for years to obtain one.
I bought it preloved from Yoogi’s Closet.
Sandy K, I purchased a new Birkin in another country but I also had to wait 2.6 years until it came in…..I got exactly what I wanted plus my dollar went further. Very happy w/my purchase but now I want a small Kelly (a 25 or 28 Sellier) in a bright summer/spring color!
Oh ok, pre-owned. I’m still a little skeptical of taking that route as I’m very picky about condition. Haven’t purchased a pre-owned handbag in over 20 years.
Pre-owned market is pretty amazing these days 🙂 They also have filters for condition i.e. “like new” or ‘good’ and the good sites have up close photos of any damage. I buy a lot from Fashionphile. They have an excellent return policy if you’re unhappy. Swear this isn’t an ad but I love the secondhand market 🙂 My Fendi Peekaboo was like new and about 50% off !!!
I very much appreciate your feedback. I’ve looked at many bags on a number of sites. Sometimes I can’t believe my eyes. Women spend all this money on expensive handbags & then don’t take care of them. Mine never touch the floor or get wet from rain or snow. No loose makeup, containers, tubes or pens. May have to try Fashionphile again some time because of their return policy.
Ooh I’m loving this! Okay! The nude Prada Saffiano tote is my absolute dream bag, the large brown Ralph Lauren Ricky, the black Alexander McQueen box bag & a blue, large Fendi Peekaboo
Guys, this article is great – please feature another person’s list every quarter! I love to see what else I should want 🙂 I have one regret in life and it’s that I never bought the Valentino Garavani Candystud crossbody bag when it was ON SALE for $1700 last December. At the time I felt guilt because I had just bought a new LV in August. If anyone has one to part with, find me!
A Petit Malle ?
The only one on both our lists is the Evelynne. I dont know if Hermes ships anything but scarves, but if they do, I may break down get one for my birthday. If you haven’t ever felt one, the leather is like nothing I’ve touched before. Amazingly soft. They are hard to find on resale market too. If they won’t ship, I guess I’ll have to wangle a Vegas trip.
I love the Gucci round bag and some of the camera bags but I find having an iPhone plus limits my ability to carry smaller bags.
I adore Fendi and want a Runway, and I like the Kan as well. But to me, the Peekaboo has always looked broken. I know it’s been popular for years but I don’t get it.
Just a couple years ago, old Dior saddlebags could be had resale for just a couple hundred. The women who hung onto them were smart, they are making a killing again. (Or wearing an on trend bag.) It’s another bag I wouldn’t buy though.
However, I’m loving that GV3 Satchel and that may have to added to my too long bag bucket list. :).
Oooh I love this thread! My definite HG is a Hermes Kelly in black or a Lindy in taupe. Not a Birkin cos they are too heavy for me. Others will be an LV alma BB (I’m classic like that lol) or a Loewe puzzle, both in red. Wanted a Loewe amazona years back but I need a crossbody or something over the shoulder so no go. As a new mom, one of my fears is having my baby spit up all over my chanel double flaps! So all my bags are in storage now, sadly. One can only dream!
I have two lists that I keep: one where I track any bag that catches my attention and a heavily curated “minimum required to meet dream closet status” one.
Here is the curated one:
Top Dream Closet Essentials:
* Chloe Lexa – Black (Already Have)
* Chloe Marcie Medium – Blush Nude
* LV Speedy 30 – Damier Ebene
* YSL Small Sac De Jour – Black/ Croc
* YSL Small Sac De Jour – Nude
* Mulberry Small Seaton Satchel – Oxblood
* Balenciaga City Classic – Nude
* Hermes Evelyne PM – Any Brown/ Tan
* Something in light pink (undecided on bag style)
You need to check out The Vault Luxury Resale on Instagram! We are your go to for authentic designer handbags at a fraction of the cost! Great article!