Did you stop buying/using contemporary bags once you go luxury?

[Sparkletastic]

I stopped buying contemporary bags in the last few years. Bags (along with jewelry and travel) are how I spoil myself. So, I buy exactly what I want and that's almost always a premier bag.

But really, everyone should buy what makes them happy and not worry about what "level" their bag is. If you like a $5 bag, buy it. If you only like $15,000 bags, buy them. There's no reason that external thought and what seems to be arbitrary classification should determine what anyone wanta in a bag.

 

[happy27]

Agree. I have a few premier brand shoes but I don't have the "bug" for them at all.
Proenza Schouler is a premier brand.

I don't buy designer shoes exclusively but noticed that they're the ones that last the longest, maybe because they're mainly office/special occasion heels and hence getting less abused. Some still look good after a decade!

I probably won't purchase designer sneakers just because adidas/Nike/vans can do the job just as good, but I know some gfs of mine are too embarrassed to wear "logos" except for the ones worn by Gigi Hadid (which is Stan smith by adidas hehe).

 

[happy27]

I stopped buying contemporary bags in the last few years. Bags (along with jewelry and travel) are how I spoil myself. So, I buy exactly what I want and that's almost always a premier bag.

But really, everyone should buy what makes them happy and not worry about what "level" their bag is. If you like a $5 bag, buy it. If you only like $15,000 bags, buy them. There's no reason that external thought and what seems to be arbitrary classification should determine what anyone wanta in a bag.

Agree. Only curious as my last contemporary was a Kate spade and I had to let it go for a huge loss brand new unused as it was never a stand out when competing with the other bags I've got in the collection.

I still enjoy looking at other bags eg coach but always wonder if i would be repeating the same mistake if I do make the purchase....

 

[catsinthebag]

Agree. Only curious as my last contemporary was a Kate spade and I had to let it go for a huge loss brand new unused as it was never a stand out when competing with the other bags I've got in the collection.

I still enjoy looking at other bags eg coach but always wonder if i would be repeating the same mistake if I do make the purchase....

I feel the same way .... I look at other bags but then wonder if I’d really choose them over the higher-end bags I already own. Someone in another thread said she only buys a bag if it is an upgrade to a bag she already owns. I think I’ve reached the point where I mostly do that as well, and now that I have some premiere designer bags in a variety of styles, that approach has really slowed down my purchasing. Most of the time, if I ask myself “Is this bag an upgrade?” or “Will I wear this instead of ______,” the answer is No.

The one exception to that, so far at least, is Longchamp. Sometimes you just need a lightweight, worry-free bag that doesn’t come at too high of a price point. I also think that in terms of quality, they’re one of the best value-for-money brands out there. That’s also where I can splurge on an unusual or bright color without worrying about spending too much on a high end bag.

 

[lovingmybags]

Actually, I went first from premier to contemporary, and now am sprinkling some premier once again. So yes!

 

[Pink Chanel Frosting]

Nope! Although I'm mainly interested in premier bags, I wouldn't not buy a bag I love from a contemporary brand. I own a Burberry and a Louis Vuitton, but I use my Longchamp just as much as those, and my latest bag purchase was a Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC bag. It was a beautiful colour with a unique design and buttery soft leather- I wasn't going to pass it up just because it's a cheaper brand than what I'm normally into. My bag wishlist consists of bags from Balenciaga, Chanel, Louis Vuitton... and Coach. If it's a beautiful bag that's well made and functional for me, that's what matters.

 

[historygal]

I do sometimes. I love LV and have dipped my toes lightly into Chanel, but recently bought a Kate Spade leather mini backpack to take to the gym. I am not usually a backpack person, so buying a trendy bag at a lower price point is much more palatable and I don't have to worry as much if it gets damaged or worn. By then I'll probably be over this phase and won't feel guilty that I spent too much money on a bag that is no longer popular.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Agree. Only curious as my last contemporary was a Kate spade and I had to let it go for a huge loss brand new unused as it was never a stand out when competing with the other bags I've got in the collection.

I still enjoy looking at other bags eg coach but always wonder if i would be repeating the same mistake if I do make the purchase....

I feel the same way .... I look at other bags but then wonder if I’d really choose them over the higher-end bags I already own. Someone in another thread said she only buys a bag if it is an upgrade to a bag she already owns. I think I’ve reached the point where I mostly do that as well, and now that I have some premiere designer bags in a variety of styles, that approach has really slowed down my purchasing. Most of the time, if I ask myself “Is this bag an upgrade?” or “Will I wear this instead of ______,” the answer is No.

The one exception to that, so far at least, is Longchamp. Sometimes you just need a lightweight, worry-free bag that doesn’t come at too high of a price point. I also think that in terms of quality, they’re one of the best value-for-money brands out there. That’s also where I can splurge on an unusual or bright color without worrying about spending too much on a high end bag.

The two of you are making the point which caused me to stop buying contemporary bags. I'm trying to add a bag only if I will choose it for some specific usage over my existing bags so that I wear it regularly. Once I started buying premier I never chose to carry my contemporary bags so I sold / am selling them and won't buy more.

But, I've also (for the most part) stopped buying certain styles for that reason. For example, I've cooled on buying Chanel flaps. I have enough bags in that size (jumbo), style and capacity. Buying one more isn't going to give me as much increased utility (style and function wise) as some other premier bags I'm currently hunting. Doesn't mean I don't adore Chanel flaps. It just means that for now, something else will be a better add as I continue to build my collection.

For every bag purchase, I start with what I need (black work bag, colorful date night bag, etc.). I try to get the very best-for-me bag I can that considering added uses (not cannabalizing), function, style, quality, color, cost, resale value, brand in that order.

 

[pianolize]

(Well THAT'S a relief to hear!!! As someone who has the tiniest # which I happened by at a great deal in comparison to 'contemporary', I'm AFRAID to love these bags, now that I'm reeeeally noticing them... and I LOVE the non-standard colors!!! I wear a ton of blacks/grays...)

I only have a few luxury bags, but yes, I still buy Coach, Dooney, etc. Once in a blue moon, I even buy sub-contemporary bags like Guess and Calvin Klein. My pockets aren't deep enough to only buy luxury bags. And there are some things I'd rather do at lower price points. I have some trouble pairing colored bags with outfits. I can experiment with color at $300 rather than $3000, thankyouverymuch.

I think luxury is great and fun, but I don't think the move to luxury negates the value of contemporary bags. There are some functions that contemporary bags and even sub-contemporary bags are just better at.

 

[pianolize]

Actually I think for coloured and fun bags I'm going even sub sub sub contemporary.

HAHAHAAAA subx3

 

[Ivan4]

No. There are several reason and factors that led me to this point, I just realized I haven’t bought anything not designer (only a certain few) ever since I laid my hands on a speedy 30. The quality, craftsmanship, smell, the feel.... you can not recreate that in a large Chinese factory.

 

[Ivan4]

No. There are several reason and factors that led me to this point, I just realized I haven’t bought anything not designer (only a certain few) ever since I laid my hands on a speedy 30. The quality, craftsmanship, smell, the feel.... you can not recreate that in a large Chinese factory.

I shall add that I am in no way able to afford a brand new designer bag at least once year. Maybe pre-loved, yes, but that’s about it.

 

[happy27]

I shall add that I am in no way able to afford a brand new designer bag at least once year. Maybe pre-loved, yes, but that’s about it.

Speedy 30 is awesome! I waited so many years for the shoulder strap version and found that it's so practical. Do alternate bags and splurge on some other similar style bags like the neverfull maybe if you want the speedy to last longer.

 

[Pink Chanel Frosting]

Speedy 30 is awesome! I waited so many years for the shoulder strap version and found that it's so practical. Do alternate bags and splurge on some other similar style bags like the neverfull maybe if you want the speedy to last longer.

The Speedy B 30 changed the game for me too! As a previous poster said, I buy bags to fulfill a specific need. I shop with purpose, so I don't need to have a whole bunch of bags that can all fit the same need. Working on a smaller collection of fewer bags lets me be picky for the bags I choose, and it lets me splurge a bit more. I prefer to have fewer premier bags as opposed to plenty of cheaper bags (and as I mentioned before, I make exceptions for bags I genuinely love). Not because I turn my nose at contemporary bags, but I tend to like specific bags that don't have cheaper alternatives that satisfy me (Speedy B, Chanel flap, Balenciaga City, etc.).

 

[pursecrzy]

No. I still buy contemporary bags. There are times I don’t want to carry a premier designer purse. Traveling, walking the dog, sporting events etc. I want to carry a bag that won’t upset me if something happens to it.