Discussion - Buy a classic, or have some fun?

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I

Icing_Time

Member
Feb 19, 2016
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#1
Hi guys, I'm interested in hearing your advice and personal experiences! Some believe handbags should be investments - something that you can carry for a good 10 years, while others like to participate in the newest bags as they come out.

From your experience, which do you tend to purchase? Given the chance to do-over your collection, would you make the same choice again?
 
#4
I've heard million times that bags are referred as "classics" even though they are not. Very few bags are classics and most of those that are no longer produced brand new start to lose their value rather than being still "classics". It is easy to get lost between classics and one's own taste but with time you will know better what works for you. It also depends of your means... some people can afford to buy anything they desire in a heartbeat, for others things like durability and resale value play a bigger role.
I buy what I like. Sometimes I consider reselling value, other times I just buy one that I like. For example I really like backpacks and bought one that won't have good reselling value but I truly liked it and have worn it so many times.
 
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#5
Selenet said:
I've heard million times that bags are referred as "classics" even though they are not. Very few bags are classics and most of those that are no longer produced brand new start to lose their value rather than being still "classics". It is easy to get lost between classics and one's own taste but with time you will know better what works for you. It also depends of your means... some people can afford to buy anything they desire in a heartbeat, for others things like durability and resale value play a bigger role.
I buy what I like. Sometimes I consider reselling value, other times I just buy one that I like. For example I really like backpacks and bought one that won't have good reselling value but I truly liked it and have worn it so many times.
Click to expand...

That's a great point regarding the rarity of actual "classics". I think essentially I am looking to revamp my collection so that I have items that I will actually use more frequently.

I've made mistakes both ways - getting something too plain in hopes that it will look timeless and fell in love with the ways the bags looked, but they don't work with my outfits/personality. I've also tried out some very trendy looking bags and have used them only a handful of times before they felt too garish.

Finding that right balance is hard for me, but I think imagining their usage before purchasing from now on might help stem some mistakes.
 
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#7
I choose bags to suit my activities & preferences at time:

This year, bought lightweight cycling sling bag(use often).

Last year, bought baseball-themed bags(total failures & donated).

Pre-2016, bought mulberry. Because is my dog's name(still own & enjoy).

Received gift bags, also. Some I use less often, some more.
But, hey, gifts. No pressure. Why not enjoy?
---
At end of day, bag collection's not something I bust a brain rivet over.
It's mine. Can change it whenever.
Or just ignore it, until renewed interest.

Holy Mother of Resale Nightmares, NOT an investment.
Just frivolous fun-fun. No rules.
 
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#8
I read recently that a "classic" is a bag that a company makes over and over and over again without ever discontinuing it. There are very few bags that would land in that category of being a true classic. But there are classic colors and shapes and I think, in general, money is always better spent on a classic/neutral color and a shape that will be timeless instead of trendy. I have learned over the years that "fun" bags are not worth the money and they should not be designer and not be expensive. The bulk of handbag money should go towards a lasting style and not an impulse color or trendy piece.
 
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#9
I don't see my bags as investments, and honestly I don't purchase with any thought about resale price. It's not that I don't sell bags that I no longer love/use, but I don't mind selling them at a loss compared to sitting in my closet.
That said, I tend to go for classic designs and neutral colours because when I don't, I just don't use them or get tired of them really fast! My collection will seem boring to some, but I love each piece and they work for me :)
 
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#10
I tend to buy classic shapes and materials (ie. chestnut or black leather), as my wardrobe is fairly classic anyways! I really shy away from trends in anything (by the time I've finally got a handle on something and feel comfortable with it, it's out of style!) I'm saving slowly to buy a Mulberry Bayswater in black (hopefully a vintage model)! I do have to say, I am jealous of people who can effortlessly pull of the "in the moment" bags :)
 
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#11
I don't disagree, bags are not "investments" in the true sense. However, for myself, i prefer traditional, classic styles and colors overall, i can and have used certain bags for years...

While i can appreciate some of the trendier styles, in the long run they don't work well for me and typically don't stay part of my collection.
 
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#12
I buy what I need. There was a time when I went for style over need/functionality and that didn't pan out very well. It was an era of expensive mistakes. After growing tired of buying and selling bags all the time, I started to curate my collection more to the direction where it is today - not full of classics but bags that will serve me well in all situations for a long time.

I'm not the one who will go for the newest hot styles; it took me almost a decade to warm up to my current most used bag which is the M Alexa. For a long time, I explained myself that it's waaay too saggy and baggy and fussy with its' postman's lock etc etc. So finally, last spring I started to think "Maybe what if..?". At that time, the Alexa had already been discontinued. (If I fall in love with a style - and this goes for everything from mascara to sneakers to bags - that means it's either going to be discontinued ASAP or it's already happened! The story of my life right there.) I was very lucky to get my hands on a pristine preloved Alexa last summer and the love hasn't faded.

I will most likely never own a Chanel 2.55 or a Birkin, but there are other timeless designs that will forever stay in my collection; one of them is the Alexa, another big love is the LC Roseau which I have in Black LSH. I haven't carried it much yet, but my new job is perfect for her to make more frequent appearances since my desk will be bigger (so Ms Roseau won't have to sit on the floor or window sill) and the environment is a bit more corporate-like since I will be working in finance. I can't just show up wearing anything like I used to do in my previous job since we had close to no visitors at the office.
Even i f this hadn't happened, Roseau still would never have made the "not used enough and therefore I will sell" list. This is what I consider a good investment. I bought Ms Roseau NWT for over 30% less than RRP and the Alexa, used twice before I bought it, for almost 50% under RRP.
 
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#13
I agree with the point that bags are not investments. I think what one buys should be based on what one loves and requires and it ought to fit both. I tend to go for micro bags because it suits my lifestyle and they make my heart sing. I figure classics will be available in some form or another; however, there are some limited pieces that I lost out on and I now cannot find anywhere. When I buy a bag (or any other thing), the money is gone to me and all that matters is it brings me joy. I'm not the type to factor in the resale because to me, that just indicates I don't love the bag and I have plenty where I do, so it's not worth it to me to buy in the first place. In that respect, that I want it to be a part of my permanent collection, longevity does matter. Just not in the traditional sense.
 
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#14
OP, I have a sneaking suspicion that since you are hear on the forum, you are a bag junkie.
As such, you probably won’t ever be satisfied with your collection for too long. Designers are always tweaking things on bags to get you to buy a new “improved” version.
My goal is to have 2 “serious” bags I can pull out of the closet for important occasions and on a moments notice be ready to go. The rest are just for fun and change as trends do.
Nothing stays in fashion for long. Today’s classic is tomorrow’s untouchable.
With 3 exceptions:
LV Speedy
Gucci Disco
Hermès Birkin and Kelly.
Been around for 40+ years and not going anywhere.
 
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#15
I would also agree there are very very few classic bags, I.e., bags in continuous production for a few decades. And even among the classics, there are trends. For example, to me the Lady Dior, although not an exceptionally old bag, is a classic with a rich history and continuous production. But for years it was not on trend at all. You could pick one as new in the pre-loved market for a fraction of its price but still they would not sell... now it is trendy again. Same with the Kelly, it’s production was at best testimonial for years and its demand very niche. As for investments, the only reason bags like the Chane classic flap are “investments” is because they keep raising the prices outrageously. Still, if you intend to buy a bag to resell within one year, research the pre-love market now and make a good guess. Otherwise, buy what you like.
 
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