Advice to those just starting handbag collections...
- Thread starter isabellam
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First browse around online and when you identify one you like - go to the boutique and check it out. after that start comparing price from different countries and tax refund saving.
example LV and chanel are cheapest in France, follow by neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, follow by USA, Hong Kong....
If you are not going to Europe than you must make friend with those who go regularly. I always get at least 20 - 30% saving compare to what i can get back home even if it mean i need to wait for months.
Hope this tip help.
example LV and chanel are cheapest in France, follow by neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, follow by USA, Hong Kong....
If you are not going to Europe than you must make friend with those who go regularly. I always get at least 20 - 30% saving compare to what i can get back home even if it mean i need to wait for months.
Hope this tip help.
Iwantaspybag, your posts were completely on point. Thank you for sharing all of these useful tips.
Do not buy anything too trendy. It will become passe in no time.
Find things you like in a bag and keep those things in mind before making a purchase.
Do not settle for anything less than you originally want/need, a different color, size, style, makes a lot of difference no matter how much cheaper it is. You will end up regretting the purchase.
Do not sell your car, refinance your home or starve yourself over a bag. No bag is ever worth sacrificing your quality of life. Saving up for a nice, classic bag can take months or years for some and there are so many options nowadays, like buying a pre-owned bag or getting one that is designer-inspired but still of excellent quality.
Find things you like in a bag and keep those things in mind before making a purchase.
Do not settle for anything less than you originally want/need, a different color, size, style, makes a lot of difference no matter how much cheaper it is. You will end up regretting the purchase.
Do not sell your car, refinance your home or starve yourself over a bag. No bag is ever worth sacrificing your quality of life. Saving up for a nice, classic bag can take months or years for some and there are so many options nowadays, like buying a pre-owned bag or getting one that is designer-inspired but still of excellent quality.
I think you should really love the bag and know it will serve you well. The worst thing that I think people do is get a bag just for the name. For example, let's just say someone goes to the store with one motive and that is, "I am going to go buy a Coach Purse today. That is buying just to buy. But if you walk by and a purse catches your eye and you can't quit thinking about it, that is probably the purse to buy. I usually have no intention of making a purchase when I see a bag I fall in love with. Then, there are times I might be in the market for a new purse and find nothing at all!
thank you!What I've learnt from my experience here is to try to focus on your personal style. It's easy to fall in love with tons of bags, just looking at the in action threads.
But each one of us has a personal style and personal habits, as well as different proportions.
I've learnt that before falling in love with any handbag, you must understand yourself and what complements your style, remembering that bags are accessories.
Huge bags on small frames very often are ugly, but sometimes they are a personal signature, related to the style of that person. So think about what you want to choose as signature.
Take your time, there's no hurry. You've lived without that bag for decades, nothing will happen if you'll wait until you have the money or are sure.
Then, yes, the best thing, once you've understood what fits you, planned what you need, have the money ready...is choosing the bag you love. Love has nothing to do with trends: when you fall in love with a particular design, as it's perfect for you, you're probably going to use it even if it's a passing by trend. Think about a long term relationship.
While it is good to love a bag, it is not necessary to enjoyment. Once one has grown accustomed to a good bag, then one thinks about wardrobe.
Bags wear out. They need to be rotated. Going from a cheesy bag to an amazing designer bag, within two days, doesn't seem quite right. Some kind of balance must be achieved.
So, while black and brown are basics for me, a blue bag is an amazing addition to my otherwise dreary wardrobe. Should it be an unknown but nice Parisian blue bag from some local boutique on Paris? Or should it be another Balenciaga? Well, once I find I have to have blue, I am not happy as happy with a "regular" blue bag. I love the lightness, the leather and the style of a premier designer - and now, I *need* blue. it's not just a preference.
Of course I can live without it. But if I can afford it, if a little extra money comes my way, I think having a premier designer bag in a color I *need* is important. I must have dark and light brown, black, gray - and now, blue, to make my otherwise inexpensive and utilitarian wardrobe work.
Don't most people wear jeans and such these days? Please don't give up your lovely handbags? (And if you are buying Jerome Dreyfuss or Hayden Harnett or other similar bags, we all appreciate it - it makes our day if we are style lovers).
Bags wear out. They need to be rotated. Going from a cheesy bag to an amazing designer bag, within two days, doesn't seem quite right. Some kind of balance must be achieved.
So, while black and brown are basics for me, a blue bag is an amazing addition to my otherwise dreary wardrobe. Should it be an unknown but nice Parisian blue bag from some local boutique on Paris? Or should it be another Balenciaga? Well, once I find I have to have blue, I am not happy as happy with a "regular" blue bag. I love the lightness, the leather and the style of a premier designer - and now, I *need* blue. it's not just a preference.
Of course I can live without it. But if I can afford it, if a little extra money comes my way, I think having a premier designer bag in a color I *need* is important. I must have dark and light brown, black, gray - and now, blue, to make my otherwise inexpensive and utilitarian wardrobe work.
Don't most people wear jeans and such these days? Please don't give up your lovely handbags? (And if you are buying Jerome Dreyfuss or Hayden Harnett or other similar bags, we all appreciate it - it makes our day if we are style lovers).
WORD.
Do not buy an expensive bag in a light color unless you can afford to lose it. Learned the hard way.