What happens in a New York City members club stays in a New York City members club. That is, until it gets written about on the internet. Or something like that anyway.
Like every 30-something New Yorker who grew up on Sex and the City, the idea of an exclusive membership at a private club was enough to question if it was worth channeling my inner Samantha Jones in her Annabelle Bronstein era.
Yet SoHo House had passed its prime, so I decided developing an alter ego wasn’t necessary. Instead, I waited until a spot worthy of my real identity popped up. So in an effort to work outside of the house more and socialize over cocktails in an insanely chic environment (spoiler alert: the carpet is leopard), I recently joined one of New York’s newest private members’ clubs, The Twenty Two.
An It-Bag of Yesteryear
That is where my most recent realization actualized, in the dimly lit, members-only Living Room, as I sipped a mezcal negroni and caught up with my cousin. It was a Wednesday, and the space was relatively quiet, with a few groups tucked in each corner.
I was mid-conversation when I spotted it—an oversized Phoebe-Philo-era Céline Luggage Tote. I had an instant wave of both nostalgia and regret, thinking back to the OG big bag days when the Luggage Tote was carried by anybody who was anybody. I wanted that bag so bad—who didn’t?!
The bag was so clearly well-loved, and while I immediately dated it to the 2010s, it didn’t look dated sitting in the crook of her arm. I immediately made a mental note to wear my old, “out of style” bags more.
In fact, just last week I eyed my white Chloé Drew, sitting pretty in its dust bag on my shelf while quite literally collecting dust. It had been years since I last used it, and even though I went to reach for it, something stopped me from doing so.
That something was the idea of it looking dated or out of style, even though it paired perfectly with what I was wearing. I lusted after the Chloé Drew for years before I finally got one, so why had it lost its appeal?
The truth is, it’s really not what we wear, but how we wear it, and in the modern handbag age, where the trend cycle has revved up, truly anything goes.
People should carry what they love regardless of the year it was made or if it’s “in fashion”. Currently, I’m carrying a 1990’s black caviar Chanel bag with 24K gold hardware and I personally don’t care if the color or the bag is in season. It’s also surprisingly in great condition for a bag its age. My more current Chanel bags show more wear for the surprisingly short time I’ve owned and wore them. I’ve started looking at bags of a different vintage because they have more personality and were made far better than today’s bags.
I have found that the classic bags are made better and hold up, even bags made recently.
Absolutely. All my LV bags are good quality, but the workmanship and design of my first (Trevi PM) is on a level LV doesn’t seem to aim for anymore, except for special bags or limited editions (both at prices well above LV’s average prices, which are already high enough).
100%!!
So true!
I love going back and finding the bag I couldn’t afford 10 or 20 years ago and finding it on a resale website in excellent condition! I have no problem purchasing an older bag that I still have a crush on!
Totally agree!!
I do as well! And to be able to get them at a fraction of what they originally cost!
Good for you!
Amazing how we tend to date bags, clothes, shoes, etc. call it out of date or “DATED” men spend thousands of dollars (not trying to categorize genders IJS) buying old cars, trucks fix them up, proudly driving them around. After two years we move on to the next new IT bag, cause we want to what? Stay revenant, fit in, be apart of special Group or Community. STOP IT!! Settle down, pull all your shoes walk on the earth look at the sky and JUST BREATH♥♥
Well said!! Love it!!
Just like your experience, Kaitlin, I find I actually admire looks when I see a beautiful bag of yesteryear being carried. Immediately it signifies one isn’t tied to being one of the fashion “herd” but an individual who wears what they love. Yesterday I saw a smartly dressed lady with a Celine Boogie Bag and a large Tiffany silver bone cuff – she looked fabulous!
Wow, thank you for reminding me about the Celine Boogie Bag! I had a few saved on TRR but never pulled the trigger after writing about it a few years back. I will be on the lookout again now!
I’m doing “Me” I do not care about what or who dictates what’s in or out! I pulled out my Fendi Mia to use again!
I don’t think of it as “dated” but vintage and vintage bags looks good on everyone 🙂
I carry what I like and goes with my style. I remember seeing a woman carrying a Chloe Paddington a couple of years ago. I thought she looked so cool. This week I saw a Celine Trapeze in the wild. Again, I thought she looked cool and different. I love seeing women just carrying and using what they love. Fashion is taken far too seriously. People are too busy living their life to care if another looks dated.
This is a refreshing article that reinforces the appreciation of a purse collection and not just a never ending pursuit of “it bags”. I love all my bags from my first Speedy, down to my last Chanel purchase. To me, owning expensive bags should be about personal joy and a signature style rather than keeping up with trends.
Well said!
As a handbag lover, handbag colector, and person trying to introduce a bit of sustainability perspective in my acquisition, I only introduce a piece that I think I will love for ever. It does not mean that it should a classic or iconic model rather a model that would fit me and taste and lifestyle. Guiding us by new trends is the equivalent to follow someone else taste in first instance. I think that it is riskier than follow your own taste in models, leathers, colours without looking or compare with what other people buy and carry.
For me, a handbag should there in my hands or shoulders to help me to carry portable belongings that I would need close along the time outside home. And it should enhance and add an unique touch to my style. But the most important, it should make me happy to carry that selected bag
with me. Following this view, I do not have any bag that is “out-of-date”.
I was late to the game on the Celine Luggage. I bought mine 2nd hand but as good as new. Unfortunately I found out too late that the size was hard to handle for a petite person. I have contemplated selling it, but seeing that picture of the tricolor Luggage made me realize I maybe should reconsider…
Mine is a tricolor also. Do people wear it anymore?
“Do people wear it anymore?”
May I suggest you READ the article you are commenting on? Preferably before commenting?
I’ve totally seen people wearing celine luggage totes in all the colours recently whilst travelling. I think we’re at a point in time where anything goes now and everyone’s wearing anything and everything be it new, vintage, not quite vintage, hot, not hot and everything in between. Thats the absolute joy of fashion and variety of all sorts is wonderful to see. The ability to all be different and do what makes us happy is awesome. If your bags too hard to handle maybe sell it and get something that works. But if you can make it work, then go for it! And enjoy it.
And sorry this reply is for Momin4inch. Not fancyfree
Can you not make comments like this? It’s so unnecessary and nasty
Yes, I read it. It was referring to ONE random person spotted wearing it, thus the questions.
I love this idea, I saved and stored most of my favourite pieces, I just pulled out my Luggage Tote or my Chloe’s of old . It’s great to have some memories attached.
I’m generally not a Luggage fan, but that tri-color bag made my heart flutter!!!😍
OMG!! Just wear it! Its yours so make it yours!! Instead of following the fashion sheep, be yourself and you will add a quirky and different twist to your OOTD.
First did you know that Louis Vuitton is using African symbols to this day & these people still haven’t gotten compensated for it.
Why in the world would want to be associated with a brand who clearly is still using Cheap China labor & African leather but your ok with paying 3-6 figures on a bag when the people who your bag only receive $20-maybe -$100.00 not enough to themselves or their family as long as you good that’s matter.
Their a story in 2018 that explains how this brand along with others mislead customers. Also look up where Louis Vuitton got its symbols on the bags its from Kwele Tribe.
Yessss! You’ve just reminded me of two older styles that I LOVED. I was working in retail in my early 20s and a visiting brand rep from NYC came in with a large hot pink Celine Luggage. I had no idea what it was, but I knew it was beautiful. The Chloe Drew was also a bag I fell in love with, but it was out of my price range at the time. I wanted the bi-color, which I think was only $1250. A bargain compared to what I am comfortable with these days!
I love this! I actually just bought a black nano Celine luggage from Fashionphile. (I had some sellers remorse about having sold my Gucci Soho Disco and was in desperate need of a cute, black crossbody to fill that void.). I haven’t had the opportunity to wear it out yet, but I am excited to!
Luggage tote was the bag I lusted for, then went to the boutique and realised it didn’t work with my height and the weight was way off (this is 2013?) I still love the look but I know the nano is ridic., and the small is already overwhelming for me, so I will always admire this bag from afar and live with it.
Fast forward a few years – I bought my first Birkin 25, and it is the perfect size and style for me. However, the bag sits in the dust bag because it was light blue (Azure) – beautiful but needed a lot of attention. So i bought the same bag in Ebene in barenia leather and that’s my work horse.
I still dream about the small luggage tote… even though I know I can buy it, I will never use it due to the size and weight… so it will forever live in my dreams…