Murphy’s Law:
A supposed law of nature, expressed in various humorous popular sayings, to the effect that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Just imagine. You’re at a fancy restaurant with your favorite lambskin Chanel, feeling all dressy and smug. And never in a million years do you anticipate the steward spilling red wine onto your prized arm candy – and then attempting to make amends with alcohol wipes (oh, the horror)!
Or, what if you’re out and about with a summery pastel purse on a gorgeous sunny day, only to get caught amid a freak rainstorm?
If there were an ER for handbags, wouldn’t that be the first place you’d like to run to? But you know what would be even better? If you had the exact same purse sitting at home, ready to be used precisely in the event of the cataclysm known as Murphy’s Law.
Ladies and gentlemen, here at PurseBlog and the PurseForum, whether we like it or not, we’re all handbag collectors to varying degrees. And as avid purse-lovers (myself included), we often require a very little excuse to treat ourselves to a new purse.
Giant sale going on? Why yes, I wouldn’t mind a bargain.
Reached a professional milestone? Nothing says “celebration” like a new handbag.
Love a purse so much you’re scared to ruin it simply by using it? Just get yourself another one of the same. Murphy’s Law is real, and to any concerned purse parent looking to not defile their pristine purse babies, the solution might be buying multiples of the same handbag.
Thankfully, that is a less-than-usual scenario (or so I hope). You just don’t walk into a store and buy the same thing twice (unless you’re my dad in the toothbrush section). Some of us like to collect handbags, but collecting is hardly hoarding, right?
Despite all that, sometimes we come across a purse we’re really enamored with, is an exclusive seasonal piece we know we’ll cherish, or simply is just so darn comfortable to use that we contemplate buying the same thing again. Not down the line, once this one is thoroughly beaten up and rendered unusable (which wouldn’t even be possible in the case of limited releases), but as your next purchase. So, can you contemplate buying the same purse again if you have the opportunity?
Why would one want to buy the same purse twice?
Truth be told, there are endless reasons why one would want (or not want) to buy the exact purse again. Every bag-lover has their own vision of “purse-peace,” and whether that includes multiples of the same handbag is a question highly specific to the individual’s preferences and lifestyle.
For instance, if we’re talking about the Louis Vuitton Neverfull that many users worldwide swear by as their daily haulers, it makes sense to have a number of them in your fleet. The Monogram, the Damier Ebene and the Damier Azur are all classics with slightly altered aesthetics for your different lewks. Not to mention the countless different iterations the brand conjures every season! The Neverfull is lightweight, spacious, durable, and functional; what could be wrong with having more than one?
Other users, however, may not be as open to the idea of a second Neverfull. Rather, they might prefer to carry the same silhouette from the likes of Goyard or Saint Laurent – diversity is important y’all.
If, on the other hand, you’re talking about fans of the Balenciaga Motorcycle bags, it’s not entirely out of the ordinary to find proud owners of some 40 different colorways of the cult-favorite City bag!
Besides brand and color considerations, the decision of whether or not to purchase “the same bag” could also go on to mean buying different sizes of the same design (like the Louis Vuitton Speedy) or varying hardware options, alongside whether cost and availability of the purse in question make buying a second even feasible. So, let’s look at all the ways you could be coercing your mind to buy the same purse again.
Same style, different color (and hardware)
If the style and size of a particular purse work for your lifestyle, buying it in a different color combination seems like the most natural decision in the world. A different shade for a handbag you’re accustomed to means that you’re getting a change of aesthetic without sacrificing the convenience of your previous purse. Hence, this is a great strategy when planning purchases if you’re a fussy buyer and don’t come across a bag that suits you.
Going for a color in a silhouette and size you’re comfortable with is more than just a preference. It can also prove to be a means of keeping your everyday outfits interesting. A case has been made recently for color, with bright shades such as Bottega Green and Valentino Pink dominating the trends. Thus, by having a purse in more than one colorway, you can alleviate the monotony of carrying the same purse every day and look more fashion-forward! Or you could simply assign a neutral for work and switch to a more sensitive (or brighter) color for nights out.
The concept of color can also be extended to include prints, like the Louis Vuitton Monogram and Damier styles – three different patterns all essentially, well, brown, in terms of the actual color.
Another factor that comes up with color is hardware options. You may see TPFers buying the same black purse in gold and silver hardware. This has particular bearing if you wear jewelry frequently and prefer to match metals, and having both could very well mean you can get more use out of each.
And if you can’t, there’s always eBay.
Size matters, too
We know that, until recently, the exponentially-shrinking handbag frenzy was moving ahead with a ferocity that honestly left us frightened because where were we supposed to keep our belongings if the purse couldn’t even hold a phone? Thankfully, larger bags are making a much-anticipated comeback, and we couldn’t be happier. Even better? Right now, everything goes as long as you can accommodate it into your outfit, whether it be irrationally tiny handbags or ridiculously large carryalls.
Therefore, the question relevant to the matter at hand is whether buying different sizes of the same purse serves any purpose. While the decision was easier color-wise, different sizes affect the functionality of a handbag and its associated convenience. The key here becomes the aesthetic of the purse.
Suppose you’re in love with the look of the BV Jodie, for instance. In that case, you can find a way to fit both a mini, teen and even maxi size into an ensemble (like Kendall Jenner was recently spotted, although she probably doesn’t have functionality in mind). If, on the other hand, we’re talking about mini versions of certain totes, like the Fendi Sunshine Shopper, that defeats the entire purpose of a tote, well, you can guess what my opinion would be.
What about the same style from a different brand?
Carrying different colors or various sizes of the same bag from one brand makes sense from a collecting perspective. Whether it be the Balenciaga City or the Hermès Birkin, the idea of accumulating different versions of the same design isn’t limited to just purses – even connoisseurs of Rolex watches, Ferrari cars or Harley Davidson bikes would attest to that. These essentially maintain the same spirit and brand identity, which are the primary objectives of the accumulating individuals.
But what about buying a similar-styled purse from a different brand? Can that even be included under the umbrella of buying the same purse? Well, there are only so many handbag-silhouettes, there’s bound to be design overlaps between brands at some point or another. And buying from a different brand makes sense if you’re comfortable with a style but don’t want to look like you’re carrying the same thing again, like having totes of different colors from different brands.
More importantly, buying what’s essentially an imitation of the first can be a way to achieve the same look if there are cost or availability constraints. With the increasing difficulties and price barriers of getting a Birkin, Kelly, or a Chanel Flap, it makes sense if you’d like to experiment with certain colorways with “dupes” from mid-tier or contemporary brands instead of making a pricey purchase that you end up regretting. Or those could become your beater bags, while your prized possessions might accompany you to more special occasions.
Why you might still get the exact same purse again
On the one hand, some buyers prefer to have exactly one purse in each silhouette. Some buyers might stick to a tried-and-tested style and vary the colors or sizes. In yet another hand (yes, I realize that makes it three hands, but bear with me), there the buyers who actually get themselves multiples of the exact same purse. But as absurd as it might appear, there are actually legitimate reasons to this.
As PurseForum member CupsofJosephine explains in this thread, if a purse or an SLG, even an expensive one like Chanel, possesses considerable sentimental value to the user, whether as a gift from a special person or as a landmark purchase, they might actually wish to buy the same piece again so they can cherish/display the sentimental piece and use the second one.
Conversely, if you happen to be an avid collector of Hermès or Balenciaga, you might be owning two styles the exact same color and hardware combinations but in different leathers. The Hermès color palette, in particular, saturates differently on the numerous leather types on offer, while lovers of BBags can attest that each collection in the aughties-decade features a distinct batch of leather. Thus, even the most identical-looking purses can hold entirely different significance to those in the know.
Nevertheless, buying multiples of a purse is, after all, a frivolity, with little guarantee that the purse you love and want so badly right now will remain the same down the line. Consumerism is based on fickleness, and there’ll always be another fabulous bag to come along and steal your heart.
The idea might even appear crazy to non-purse-lovers. But then, I like to think that we here in our purse community have a unique brand of craziness, in the best possible way, of course, I wouldn’t give that up for the world. Perhaps that’s why I’m considering a PS1 in the extra-large size, right after purchasing another much-anticipated bag on my wishlist recently (more on that coming soon!)
Until then, I’m eager to know: what do you think about buying the same purse again? Are you against it, or do you agree with TPFer resalemaven, quoted below?
I think that finding your perfect handbag brand is similar to discovering your perfect shade of lipstick – why fall out of a good thing? While it can be fun to explore the styles other designers offer, there’s no shame in sticking with what you love if it’s a perfect complement to your personal style, wardrobe, and needs.
