2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

Status
Not open for further replies.
#4,878
bakeacookie said:
It does have to be the right bag.

It's just that the brands I'm looking at, I don't see them as worth their retail price. They shoot down in value the moment you buy them.

Like they aren't the classic, staple item, and their resale reflect that. So considering how fickle I am, I let go of things that are cheap real easily and if this pre loved bag brand im looking at is going to be a pain later on to offload, it makes me hesitate.



Even bargain bags don't have longevity in my closet. I end up wanting to get rid of them. To me it's disposable. I should stay away. I don't know why I look.



I'm open to buying pre loved but perhaps because it doesn't have value to me I don't keep them that long.


And I see some pretty ones. But I just don't see myself loving them as much as I do my brand new ones.

But then there's bags I won't buy new. Lol

For pre loved there should be a significant price difference. For me, it has to be $500+ cheaper than original price, even for older bags. Otherwise, I'll buy brand new.



It's the Damier Azure with pink graffiti flowers.
And it's pink inside.



It's not about it being used, funny enough. As a microbiologist, germs and age of an item don't bother me.

It's just that below a certain price threshold, I find the bag to be pretty much disposable. This goes for bargain bags and for pre loved. They're so cheap that I don't even consider them to be a keeper almost. Like use it, enjoy it, move to the next one.

Remember how I bought that cheap Dooney? Guess what? I want to sell it off for something else. I should've just bought the Noe, I would keep that.

Same with all my contemporary bags. They're gone because it's on to the next one they roll out.

I moved to premiere bags because I enjoy longevity. I enjoy the lasting style they have. I won't lie either, I enjoy the VIC status I have.

So it's not the item itself it seems, but the idea of how cheap and disposable they are.


You all can call me what you want, I just can't get myself to be with a preloved or bargain bag forever. Maybe it boils down to the right bargain or the right pre loved one.
Click to expand...

People have their own "thing". Maybe this is your "thing".

I know PVC leather doesn't last with my kind of wear and so as fast fashion bags, but I still like to look at them and even consider getting them from time to time. People can be curious. It's ok.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee and missie1
#4,879
Annabel Lee said:
As a money management debate, I can understand both why both premier and contemporary bag lovers wouldn't necessarily appreciate the other category.

I started to say that I don't understand spending premier money on contemporary bags, as I know some people with extensive handbag collections who dream of someday owning premier. But actually, I DO get it, because I'm definitely a person who would rather have many, many bags than just one or two really nice ones. So different strokes, for sure.
Click to expand...
I used to be that person. Then I "realized" I could afford premiere bags. I was self limiting for no good reason other than I was raised by over the top thrifty people. I've never fully abandoned being thrifty but, I let myself play. :biggrin:

Now I buy what I want - premier bags that make me super happy. And I gave myself permission to have lots of variety within that new framework. I'd be miserable with one or two bags.

The one thing I'd love that I don't see get much airplay on TPF is truly bespoke, high end bags. Not a bag that I customize but something that is truly unique to me. Like the difference between a customized tract home and a truly custom home.

So I could say "I want a structured arm carry bag with an optional strap. It should be some sort of modified Kelly shape, not have a flap, etc. etc.". Then the craftsman would come back with sample designs and we'd go from there. The bag cost may vary on how many consultative hours I use, materials I select, etc. But at the end of the day the quality would equal that of the best brands.

It's not hard to find this option with fine jewelry. Why isn't there an elite quality handbag brand well known for this approach? Or is there and I'm just unaware?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElainePG, thedseer, missie1 and 2 others
#4,880
Sparkletastic said:
I think this is such a healthy approach. You buy what you like when you see it and it meets your criteria. End of story. I'm getting there. I can't wait til I'm fully "bag sane."

On dollar limits: I have them but it's variable. For example, I now refuse to pay over $3k for a Chanel single flap. Thankfully, I don't want any more of the really highly sought after ones (I have my red 10c) which would demand I pay more. So I know I can be patient and find any others I want at a bargain.

For these accursed, can't be found anywhere workhorses :cursing:, I'm really irritable at the thought of paying even $1k for them. I wish a premier workhorse would fall in my lap for 50 cents.

But, I'm beginning to eyeball some
Hermes bags. Yep, I'm showing signs of the terminal form of TPF disease :whut:. The two I want would blow past any previous cap I had. I'm trying to decide if I want to reset.

So for me it's really variable. I can balk at spending a teeny amount on one bag and not really blink at considering a crazy multiple on another.
Click to expand...

I have the limit coz I know I'm not comfortable paying that much just for a bag. Truly, it's the only reason I stop buying Chanel since the price of their jumbo exceed that. I just can't swallow it. I find I'm more comfortable with anything below $2,800.- Beyond that to the limit, I'll think and think and think (I'll still buy if I deem the bag worth spending on) and if it gets behind the limit, I'll just run. I can't deal with that much money out of my pocket for a bag. (The idea of what that much money can be for other people will trigger in so hard.) The stress of thinking and obsession are just not healthy to my brain so if I see the price tag beyond that, I know I'll automatically just admire it from afar. This is why Hermes is the thing I'll only admire. I like some of their bags like Kelly and Victoria, but never manage to buy one. Years ago, I even got offered The Perfect Kelly and I just couldn't part with that much money. I like that bag, love even, coz after years, the memory is still fresh in my head. I, sometimes, want to kick myself, but that feeling is also fading and I know I wouldn't change my decision if I can go back in time. My feeling toward my limit is stronger. And what happened to my rational after Chanel's price increases confirms me I'll never step behind this level. It has to be something out of this world, perhaps, to make me swallow my word. But since I find I enjoy local, small, independent, startup, or even freebie bag just the same, I don't know what can make me go over board. And seriously, I'm not curious enough to know. My closet is already stuffed and I have bags to last me years even if I change it weekly, which I don't. My problem is more about buying it too easily and curious too much for my own good, if it's under the limit and within my comfort zone, of course. [emoji6]
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee, dcooney4, missie1 and 1 other person
#4,881
dcooney4 said:
My problem is I like them all.
Click to expand...

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] I have that problem, too! I'm so tempting not to count all the Japanese freebies and canvas bags I own anymore coz there're just too many! But I wear them and treat them just like my leather bags and they're one of my weakest spots! I just like a solid canvas bag! Plus, they're cheap, cute, and versatile, and the quality are good. I blame part of the reason my closet is over flowed on them. [emoji16] But getting rid of them is hard. They're just cute and close to my naughty heart. [emoji28]
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee, dcooney4 and Sami Handbags
#4,883
eggtartapproved said:
oh this is a super cute design! WIth all the function and cool protective features, i wasn't sure how it would look, but this is adorable. They did a really great job in design!
.
Click to expand...

I think so. [emoji4] That's why I backed them, too. [emoji4] It looks like a normal bag and it's cute. [emoji4] I don't get why safety bags have to scream "I'm safety bag! I'm super safe! Look at my utilitarian style! I'm safe and also tough!" [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee and eggtartapproved
#4,884
Sparkletastic said:
I used to be that person. Then I "realized" I could afford premiere bags. I was self limiting for no good reason other than I was raised by over the top thrifty people. I've never fully abandoned being thrifty but, I let myself play. :biggrin:

Now I buy what I want - premier bags that make me super happy. And I gave myself permission to have lots of variety within that new framework. I'd be miserable with one or two bags.

The one thing I'd love that I don't see get much airplay on TPF is truly bespoke, high end bags. Not a bag that I customize but something that is truly unique to me. Like the difference between a customized tract home and a truly custom home.

So I could say "I want a structured arm carry bag with an optional strap. It should be some sort of modified Kelly shape, not have a flap, etc. etc.". Then the craftsman would come back with sample designs and we'd go from there. The bag cost may vary on how many consultative hours I use, materials I select, etc. But at the end of the day the quality would equal that of the best brands.

It's not hard to find this option with fine jewelry. Why isn't there an elite quality handbag brand well known for this approach? Or is there and I'm just unaware?
Click to expand...

I think there was a thread about brands that offer this kind of service on here in a forum some time ago. I think PaperTiger or some of the vet members shared some info about them. Mostly they're European brands. A very small ones, but has been operating for generations and has a solid reputation, but not with big marketing budget a la Chanel and the likes. Do a search?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sparkletastic
#4,885
Some time ago, I shunned the idea of getting premier bags pre-owned. My sister asked me if I wanted to take a look at her friend's bags for sale. I sort of raised my eyebrow and said I don't like to buy used. Then, with my Rebecca Minkoff phase then, I started getting them, and some were not even in the best of conditions.

Over the years, I've noticed that I've improved on getting pre-loved - better condition, though there are lapses here and then. But lately, I've been gravitating again to brand new bags. My main reason - I like smelling my leathers as I unbox my package!! There is some high that I get when I remove the packaging on a brand new one. Plus I like the "delicateness" of a new bag.

On the value for money aspect, when I buy new, it's almost always at a very good price. My comparison is with local prices here. So I'm happy to get brand new bags at great prices. But I must admit, there are premier bags that I will not be able to afford brand new, so my mind is very much open to pre-owned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElainePG, Annabel Lee, dcooney4 and 2 others
#4,887
vink said:
I think so. [emoji4] That's why I backed them, too. [emoji4] It looks like a normal bag and it's cute. [emoji4] I don't get why safety bags have to scream "I'm safety bag! I'm super safe! Look at my utilitarian style! I'm safe and also tough!" [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]
Click to expand...
LOLOL, I know! In fact, it gets more attention that way lol. Yours is much cuter and actually discreet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee and vink
#4,889
vink said:
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] I have that problem, too! I'm so tempting not to count all the Japanese freebies and canvas bags I own anymore coz there're just too many! But I wear them and treat them just like my leather bags and they're one of my weakest spots! I just like a solid canvas bag! Plus, they're cheap, cute, and versatile, and the quality are good. I blame part of the reason my closet is over flowed on them. [emoji16] But getting rid of them is hard. They're just cute and close to my naughty heart. [emoji28]
Click to expand...
I'm a sucker for the Japanese freebies too...hubby bought me back some magazines with freebies from his recent trip there, one was a pink mini Celine style shape and another was a large Longchamp style.. I have quite a few of them and I find I do use them as they are cute and very functional!

So re the premiere / contemporary /preloved / new debate, I just like what I like from any category... I guess overall I do spend more to have good quality bags from premier designers but in terms of what I actually wear day to day it's anything from Japanese freebies to Hermes.

I just love handbags [emoji7]
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee, dcooney4, eggtartapproved and 1 other person
#4,890
Sami Handbags said:
I'm a sucker for the Japanese freebies too...hubby bought me back some magazines with freebies from his recent trip there, one was a pink mini Celine style shape and another was a large Longchamp style.. I have quite a few of them and I find I do use them as they are cute and very functional!

So re the premiere / contemporary /preloved / new debate, I just like what I like from any category... I guess overall I do spend more to have good quality bags from premier designers but in terms of what I actually wear day to day it's anything from Japanese freebies to Hermes.

I just love handbags [emoji7]
Click to expand...

[emoji16] I do agree. [emoji16] Have you seen my latest Mook acquisition? It's so cute!

IMG_1489031607.266969.jpg

(I haven't worn it yet, but I plan to. I need a lighter day with no meeting at all. [emoji28])
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annabel Lee and dcooney4
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top