Advice to those just starting handbag collections...

[LuvAllBags]

Buy what you love. Know your own style. Save for the nicer bags if they are really what you want. As someone who recently blew up her collection to finally start getting her long lusted after HG bag list, I wish I had just started saving for them sooner rather than buying cheaper substitutes for so long. Oh, and don't give into temptation just because something is a bargain or on sale. I almost always regret those purchases.

 

[Marie Lee]

You are right, yet to many like myself, $300 to $400 would be like $3000 !!..$300+ is my grocery budget for a month for a family of 3 !! I could only do the Premiere bag if it were pre owned but I do appreciate their beauty.

I buy used and onsale, and I have had great luck on ebay. They have many great vintage Coach bags in really good shape for 40$ range, even less. Just do research and ask questions to be safe. Even under vintage bags, many nice buys . I agree TPF gets me in the buying mood, but if I'm here, I'm not on ebay, or scouting online sales

 

[Handbag1234]

Great advice here!

I would add:

Spend the most on the bag you will use regularly. (cost per wear!).
Also buy for the lifestyle you have, not the one you dream of.
Sell any bags you don't use, and remember why you didn't use it for the next purchase. Don't make repeat mistakes.

 

[Coach Lover Too]

Buy 3 or 4 nice Classic bags that will last.

DON'T buy bags just because they're on sale.

 

[elle87nabilla]

if u want a buy a bag, esp the expensive one make sure u really love it.. how r u going to know that u love the bag that much?

ur heart beats faster when u c other wearing the same bag and u cant even sleep at night without thinking bout that bag.. it just go over and over in ur head....

 

[pinay28]

Spend the most on the bag you will use regularly. (cost per wear!).
Also buy for the lifestyle you have, not the one you dream of.
Sell any bags you don't use, and remember why you didn't use it for the next purchase. Don't make repeat mistakes.

Yup, spending 1k on a bag you'll use regularly for at least 2yrs is worth it!

Buy 3 or 4 nice Classic bags that will last.

DON'T buy bags just because they're on sale.

Correct! I only have 3 LV but it's fine with me... For now! LOL!

 

[bagolicious]

Be practical and buy something that you will actually USE, and not something that is only CUTE and will thus probably end up sitting in a closet and not being used. And don't be too trendy if you're just starting out.

When I buy new handbags, of which I have a very extensive collection, I try to picture 5 years down the road and if I think the bag will still hold my interest then. That determines the price point. If I'm going to buy a trendy bag, for fun, then the price point will be lower as 5 years down the road I might be giving it away to a friend, unless it falls into the category of possibly becoming vintage, instead of out of date/dated.

And don't get caught up in the thought that only high-end bags are of quality. That's bull. There are a lot of handbags out there that are of very high quality, but are not from high-end designers. Remember that millions of women, around the world, are carrying high quality handbags every day, but the vast majority are not carrying high-end designer ones.

 

[Pursestan]

Spend the most money on quality, classic bags that you will use regularly.
Spend less on trendy bags.

Don't buy anything JUST because it's on sale.
Most importantly, make sure that you can afford your purchase! It makes no sense to blow $1000 on a bag, yet you don't have anything in your retirement account, or you're dangerously close to defaulting on your mortgage.

 

[oceansportrait]

I agree with what has been said so far, and I'd just like to add one thing: buy something that is VERSATILE. I bought a bright green bag b/c I liked the look but I never really use it because I have such a hard time making it work with the rest of my outfit!

 

[doreenjoy]

1. Don't get caught up in the hype. Just because a bag is popular doesn't mean it's right for you to buy it.

2. There will always be another bag. Don't freak out if one passes you by or you can't afford it right now.

3. If your friends and family tell you they think you have a problem with buying too many bags/caring too much about your bags, they might be right.

 

[Celinecn]

What advice would you give to someone who is just entering the handbag arena? Handbags are soooo expensive, few of us can afford to make mistakes. Let's compile a list of helpful tips.

I'll go first.

-When you find a bag you love that hits all your sweet spots, BUY IT. Do not compromise or settle. The price tag may be shocking, but you will spend far more on other bags to compensate.

-Have some sort of plan as to how you want your collection to look

-Be VERY careful with brands that churn out tons of models each season, and then, right after you purchase a bag at full price, put them all on sale and send you a certificate for 40% off. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Coach!!)

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

What a great advice! I have in spite of me started my own collection, in fact I need to buy shelves for it..where do you store these beauties? I am still to own my own Hermes though...definitely on my list. ...

 

[DiorDeVille]

Don't start.

:lolots:

If you have to come here and ask which you should buy ... or if you should buy it ... you don't love it enough to buy it and store it for years.

Remember that it's a committment - each additional acquisition is more clutter, more to keep track of and store and move and inventory and maintain for years. Be picky.

If you need a bag and aren't finding anything that really lights you up, either (a) choose a bag that maintains its resale value VERY well, or (b) find a lovely, mid-range bag that is a bargain.

Try a bag on before you buy it (or make sure the return policy is good if buying online). The line of a bag on your arm or your shoulder should look good with your figure. The scale and size of the bag is also important. A bag that looks good on your friend won't always look the sam eon you. A bag that looks amazeballs on the shelf might make you look a little dumpy. Put it back. The overall impression of your appearance is more important than your bag.

Don't buy a bag for daily use that you'll feel obliged to baby. Bags should never get in the way of truly enjoying the one life that you get, and the lovely people that populate it.

 

[tbestes]

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?

I second that! No matter how tempting to buy it sight unseen IRL, try it on first.

 

[tbestes]

Don't fool yourself into thinking, "If I get this bag, I won't want/buy any other." I've told that lie to myself more times than I can count.

Also, another vote for "Don't think you have to go exclusively with one brand." I've fallen in that trap with three different designers, none of which had a bag for each and every one of my requirements. Result? I compromised, bought bags in the brand that kind-of worked, then ended up selling them all off.

If you're forcing it, don't buy it or keep it. You know you've chosen well when you can pull a bag out of the closet that hasn't seen the light of day in months or longer, and still be excited/happy to carry it because it is JUST SO RIGHT.

 

[Coach Lover Too]

Don't fool yourself into thinking, "If I get this bag, I won't want/buy any other." I've told that lie to myself more times than I can count.

Also, another vote for "Don't think you have to go exclusively with one brand." I've fallen in that trap with three different designers, none of which had a bag for each and every one of my requirements. Result? I compromised, bought bags in the brand that kind-of worked, then ended up selling them all off.

If you're forcing it, don't buy it or keep it. You know you've chosen well when you can pull a bag out of the closet that hasn't seen the light of day in months or longer, and still be excited/happy to carry it because it is JUST SO RIGHT.

Omg, that is SO true!!! I guess that's why I keep switching brands. In my OCD mind, I need to stick with one brand then when I find a different bag I like, it starts the cycle of selling off, switching brands, selling off, rebuying, etc, etc. That mindset has ended up costing me so much money.