Advice to those just starting handbag collections...

[AstaK.]

Dont think about the prize, just start saving!! There are the classics and pre-owned, so if you find the gorgeaus bag which you absolutely adore and wish and feel good to have, the bag can still be yours after the time it takes to save for it. At the time you save, you can weight other options and compare. That way you dont end up spending too much. And after saving for a year for Hermes, then that bag really feels valuable in many ways, dont you think?
Spending too much for handbags you dont use is simply stupidity and one well made bag is better than thousand unecologistic ones, from that angle where all those bags are coming from
Sorry about if this sounds harsh. But I am a sinner too...lol

 

[BagAddict4Ever]

1. Don't go on bag buying sprees. (BIG MISTAKE)
2. Only by what makes your heart skip a beat and you know you will use.
3. Don't buy just because you see a sale sign. Unless it truly makes your heart skip a beat.
4. Don't go crazy or feel like you need to have every color or every style.
5. Know what works for your lifestyle. Are you a tote person? A hobo person? etc.
6. Don't collect only get what you will use. You don't need a million bags.

Wow, I didn't realize I myself had so many rules when it comes to bags. Lord knows I have been through so many, buy & sell drama .

 

[elynnin]

Look for pre-loved bags. They are very plentiful and the best way to get something that is no longer in production. But be careful because there are many counterfeits out there.

Pre-loved is the way to go! You can get barely used bags for a fraction of the price and they would've been in the same condition had you bought brand new and then used it for a week.

 

[seresy]

- The preloved market is your friend, especially when you're starting out and/or exploring what really works for you, but authenticate authenticate authenticate!
- Don't get caught up in the "collecting" thing. It's SO easy to get sucked in and start thinking prices you would have cringed at a year ago are perfectly reasonable.
- If something doesn't work for you, sell. There's no point in hanging on to something that doesn't suit you in some way, even if, and especially if, you paid a lot for it. (I just sold an amazingly gorgeous, smooshy Prada to a friend because it fell off my shoulder all the time and drove me crazy, for example). This also counts for bags you may have loved at one point but just never use.

- Pay cash. Bags aren't worth going into debt for.

 

[bagshopr]

Don't buy a bag on line/by phone without seeing that style in real life first.
Written dimensions can be tricky.
You need to see the style IN PERSON to know if it is going to work for you.

Can you tell I've been burned many times?

 

[BgaHolic]

Don't buy a bag on line/by phone without seeing that style in real life first.
Written dimensions can be tricky.
You need to see the style IN PERSON to know if it is going to work for you.

Can you tell I've been burned many times?

Me too because you need to do more than visualize. You need to pour all the contents into the bag and see how it falls next to your body and where it hits on your body (if it's a shoulder bag).

 

[Marie Lee]

go for quality over quantity, I sure wish I had, I'd rather have 4 or 5 first rate bags than dozens and dozens of 300$ to 400 $ bags. This can be hard at first. Maybe get one or 2 than save for a few biggies

 

[beachgirl38]

Save up for it! That makes it much more special. Also try to resist the urge to buy too many of the same bag in different colors, just because it is on sale. I learned that from my Rebecca Minkoff obsession! after a year I had 7 bags!! I truly LOVED one & once in a while wore 2 others. The rest of them stayed in my closet. I ended up selling all but the one & recently bought my dream bag - the chloe paraty!! I was looking at that bag for a few years, dreaming of buying it. I love it so much & am proud of myself for saving. Now I only have 3 designer handbags in my collection - all of them I use faithfully (I like to use the same bag for months rather than change often) - my 3 bags are: chloe paraty in black, 1998 coach bridle bag in chocolate & rebecca minkoff MAM in verdes. I will save for my next bag - I think next spring it will be the chloe marcie - hobo or tote.

Also buy what you can afford!

 

[DisCo]

-Don't justify bag purchases by telling yourself that they are "investment" pieces. There's really no such thing. Even if they're brands that constantly appreciate in price (Chanel, Hermes, LV), don't expect to get the equivalent of what you paid for or more in the resale market. You'd easily get sucked into paying so much or more than what you can afford because of this mentality.

-Consider classic and versatile pieces more than trendy ones which could easily look outdated a few seasons later. You'll get your money's worth more on classic pieces that you can use for a lifetime and with any outfit.

-Research about a particular brand/bag before a purchase....it's good to read customer reviews and their input on the bag's quality before taking the plunge. In my case, I probably wouldn't have gotten a few Balenciaga bags if I had read customer reviews on their quality (but I did without much research)....and true enough I had experienced almost all of the flaws known to Bal bags.

-Don't think that the more expensive the bag is the better the quality. I've bought a number of no-name/mid-level priced leather bags and they have superb quality. At the same time, quality issues still exist in some premiere designer brands even if their prices keep on going up and up.

-Look at your wardrobe to get an idea if a certain bag would suit your style. If most of your clothes are neutral, black then you'd know for example, that you can afford to get a bag that'll give your outfit a pop of colour, etc. If your outfits are mostly in bold prints, etc then you know that bags in bold print or bold colours would probably clash with them.

-I don't know with others but you don't need a bag that's exactly the same colour as your shoes LOL. So if you have 20 pairs of shoes in different colours, it doesn't mean that you need a matching bag for each pair....just get a bag that'll complement most of your shoes.

 

[couturequeen]

Don't start.

This was my first thought as well. The collecting can spiral out of control, so why even begin?

For me, a small, edited collection of fabulous is far better than a big collection of mediocre.

If you have too many bags, you won't use them and that's wasted money in your closet.

Don't buy a bag on line/by phone without seeing that style in real life first. Written dimensions can be tricky. You need to see the style IN PERSON to know if it is going to work for you.

So true - also, just because it looks good on a celeb or tPF member does not mean it will work for you or your lifestyle.

I'd also add:
-Set money aside for your next bag. Do a lot of research and think it through. Delaying gratification makes it sweeter. No guilt!
-If you have to ask other people's opinions about a bag, it's not for you. You'll know when it is the one.
-Don't buy heavy bags. You won't want to use them.
-Don't get on the "I need one in every color" train.
-If you buy a bag and don't use it within 2 weeks, return it/sell it. You're not in love with it.
-Use your bags. If you are not reaching for one for any reason, sell it.
-This goes for non-handbag things as well: SAs are not your friends. They are happy to take everything in your wallet.
-Not all tPFers can afford their collections. Some return bags after they post a reveal. Some put bags on credit cards. Don't go into debt for your collection.

 

[rainrowan]

Don't let anyone talk you out of a bag that really calls to you. You will regret it if it's a bag you can't find again. The other person could care less, and the missed opportunity will drive you crazy.

Try not to settle for a similar version of a bag you want, unless it is financially necessary. You won't believe how much money I spent buying bags similar to what I wanted, with the search finally ending with getting the actual bag I wanted in the first place!

Pre-owned is a great place to start. Make sure it's authentic, make sure it's what you want in the condition you want. Research, research, research and have patience. Murphy's Law: As soon as you "settle" or buy other bags, the bag you want will pop up.

Oh, another idea (which I used myself): collect images of purses and fashion "icons" you like and store them in your journal, cellphone, etc and refer to it. You will start to see what you want in a "signature style". Our own threads on tPF and other fashion sites like Polyvore showcase members' personal styles and their matching handbags.

 

[.:Sprigged:.]

Excellent, excellent thread!

I will only add - never, ever go into debt for a bag. And have them Authenticated here.

 

[Quintana]

-Do not buy a bag unless you LOVE it. Repeat. Do not buy a bag unless you LOVE it.

Yesssss!!!

Also don't impulse buy a bag go home and think about it first unless it's in the sale of course!

 

[chuast]

think twice before saying you love it so much to miss it!

 

[Aluxe]

Excellent thread ladies!!!!

If I may add:

1. Know the bag and the brand in and out. You like a bag and want it? Fine. But, will the bag begin to break down in 6months? If so, will the company repair? Some companies are known for having great customer service and repairs. Others will not help. I can't help but think of a recent Goyard thread as an example.

2. Find out if the bag you want is seasonal or part of the 'permanent' collection. Having this information can help you organize which bag to get and when. The bal intel threads are a prime example of key information that helps me.

3. Find SAs. Having a pleasant sales associate can enhance any shopping experience. Before buying your coveted bag, ask around for SA recommendations or simply check tPF. A knowledgeable SA can also make up for any information gaps you may have.

4. Patience is key!!!! Like others have said, buy the bag you love and don't opt for fillers/substitutes. If you can't have the bag you love now, save up to have it later. You will regret buying a bag when it sits in your closet, pristine with little to no use. Collections are to be enjoyed and thus, used.

5. Take the time to look at what you have already. Sometimes, we get caught up in these bags that we forget what we have. Pull your bags and look at them. Which baby needs some sunshine? Who needs some apple conditioner? Also don't forget what you have because if you do, you may end up with bags that serve the same/similar purpose and will need to eventually sell.

6. Research, research, research. Think I mentioned or alluded to this already.

7. enjoy your bags!

Great thread ladies and gents.