Discussion - Buy a classic, or have some fun?

[Antigone]

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.

OMG Story of my life too. From Chanel Insolente lipstick to Chanel Narcisse blush to Balenciaga G21 hardware!

OP - buy what makes your heart sing. For example, I love the Pandora, it probably will not be a classic, but I can see myself using it for the next few years. The "classic" bags (Speedy, Neverfull, Chanel flaps) don't do it for me so even if I buy them, they will just be sitting in the closet.

 

[LifeInProgress]

All of the above is great advice. When I first start buying handbags I got caught up in buying "classic" bags that I was told would be a great "investment" and "hold their value"... However they didn't fit my lifestyle and when I tried to sell them lo and behold I was looking at >20% losses. Just remember the price you see on resale websites is NOT the price you'd get as a seller, you have to deduct at lease 10-20% from the listed price. Point is had I been less worried about buying "classic" bags, I could've bought bags that I loved and used well. So like the others have said, buy what you love and enjoy!

 

[thel]

Bags need to be fun and functional for me, never ever an investment. I don't want to go through life worrying about spills or scuffs.

I do ask myself if I will like a bag in 10 years or 10 years ago, not because it needs to last that long but because it's a good way for me to assess if I just like it in the moment, or if there is something particularly fabulous about it beyond impulse / newness.

 

[2cello]

I guess think about why you enjoy bags. I like bags for the bags themselves but I also like bags for the "fashion" - which can be trendy, or funky, and should probably be personal. I do have a mix between higher end and contemporary because, yeah, if it is too trendy or funky, I don't want to spend a lot of money on it.

 

[Catash]

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.

Chanel classic flaps are in this category too.

 

[Murphy47]

Chanel classic flaps are in this category too.

You are so right. Don’t own one , so I completely forgot it.

 

[DZK]

Bags need to be fun and functional for me, never ever an investment. I don't want to go through life worrying about spills or scuffs.

I do ask myself if I will like a bag in 10 years or 10 years ago, not because it needs to last that long but because it's a good way for me to assess if I just like it in the moment, or if there is something particularly fabulous about it beyond impulse / newness.

I think this is true for me - I think the shapes/silhouettes are classic, but other than that they may be quite unique - I guess I should have said classic me/classic and long term for me, rather than something novel that I will tire if/don't want to use more than 1 season.

 

[ManilaMama]

I do both and am happy with it.

I buy my expensive classics knowing I will pass them on to my daughter when the time comes.

I also buy trendy, fun pieces to use for about a year; then I resell to fund new trendy pieces. The amount of time is enough to get good percentage of the money back, from my experience of reselling here where I live. (Its not that old yet; and still relatively pristine).

 

[TheMrsKwok]

When I first fall in love with luxury handbags, I know my fashion taste are not that refine and probably on the terrible end. Hence I mostly stick to what people say as classic in the particular brand, and so far I am loving it. (Speedy, neverfull, Noe, chanel classic flap....)

I will hesitate less because I know if I do end up disliking it, I can resell it. It is not like the whole lot of money going down the drain. And that’s a good start for a handbag novice.

Now I am close to 30 years old, I know the style of handbags that I would like to use instead of admiring. I have some classics that I use them daily. And I am so ready to buy only trendy fun items that reflect my own personality.

 

[Sunshine mama]

I guess I am the oddball here.
I buy what makes me happy. I will think about it a lot before I pull the trigger.
But there are times when I just KNOW when I first see the bag that it is true LOVE!
Of course I do regret some purchases. I am more careful now, but I still just buy what makes me happy, regardless of resale value, or whether it is a classic or not.
Classics and popular bags actually want to make me run the other way since for ME, it makes me feel like a robot of consumerism. Just my opinion.

 

[Joule]

I can't quite make myself commit to the "buy what you like" mantra. I do like the bags I buy, but some styles that really appeal to me are completely impractical in my life. The mini bag trend comes to mind: I love the look, but if I can't fit my phone, wallet, keys, inhaler, lipstick, and sunglasses in it at the very least, it won't ever be used. Top handles are also out the window; I can't stand holding a bag that way, no matter how beautiful it is.
What it boils down to, I suppose, is go with what is classically you. It has to work well, both functionally and aesthetically. The fashion crowd uses words like "classic" and "trendy" to sell you a product, but whether or not that product actually deserves a place in your life is up to you.

 

[papertiger]

1. Write down all the things you value in a bag.

2. Write down what you need from your next bag.

3. Write down your favourite styles/sizes/colours that are still available new or pre-loved. If any manage to fall within your budget narrow the choices.

4. Make a 5 choices shortlist on paper and then try them all on (in one day if you can) and take a quick selfie of yourself carrying each.

5. Go home. Sleep on it.

6. Make a considered choice and buy your favourite in all respects.

 

[ladysarah]

1. Write down all the things you value in a bag.

2. Write down what you need from your next bag.

3. Write down your favourite styles/sizes/colours that are still available new or pre-loved. If any manage to fall within your budget narrow the choices.

4. Make a 5 choices shortlist on paper and then try them all on (in one day if you can) and take a quick selfie of yourself carrying each.

5. Go home. Sleep on it.

6. Make a considered choice and buy your favourite in all respects.

Excellent ! I may start doing this myself: handbag meditations. I should add that although bought some "classics" they are not always the appropriate choice to wear.
Sometimes classic is a euphemism for frumpy.

 

[Gabs007]

Bags need to be fun and functional for me, never ever an investment. I don't want to go through life worrying about spills or scuffs.

I do ask myself if I will like a bag in 10 years or 10 years ago, not because it needs to last that long but because it's a good way for me to assess if I just like it in the moment, or if there is something particularly fabulous about it beyond impulse / newness.

Totally, if I want an investment, I buy real estate, a bag is about something that works for me (a lot of room and functionality) and I need to like the look, has to be good quality too, I don't go too mad with bags because if I like a bag I want to take it with me, I don't want to worry about a scuff or a scratch, I don't want to be devastated if it gets stolen and I certainly don't want to worry about a mortgage payment because I bought a bag.

I do impulse buys, but they are actually not that crazy impulsive, I always take care of regular payments such as mortgages and running bills, then from the disposable income, I will only spend about 1/3rd or half on it on an impulse buy. Luckily the brands I like aren't totally through the roof (meaning when it comes to bags, most Hermes and Chanel really don't do it for me) so Prada and currently Fendi and GFE is a good way to keep me away from doing anything too crazy. I had a brief fling with Balenciaga and Celine, but it fizzled out pretty quick.