Has the pandemic changed your perspective on designer purchases?

[cheremushki]

Since the height of the Covid, I have bought some items despite telling myself I'm cutting ALL discretionary spendings. And I'm quiet minimalist when it comes to spending. Most notable spending has been my YSL woc for my birthday. After working from home for several months and dealing with guilt and stress we were experiencing apocalyptic like conditions(quiet literally). My city was covered with smokes from Washington fire and clouds of moths and of course Covid still prevailing, I thought it was a chapter out of a bible. I cracked and bought it. I worked, toiled, cried and you know what. If this is indeed end of the world, I'm going out in style.

Come now, Covid is still a thing. Throughout this whole time you see how money has been moving around. How it HAS been moving around. And how unjust and how loudly injustice is becoming.

And everything turns me off. LV, Chanel and all the reselling market. I got sick of it all.

I turned off all the news feed from groups. I'm not even going into instagram reseller's pages. Nothing.

So far this year, I bought 1 wallet. A keepsake for an achievement that I've been putting off for 2 years. It takes me really long time to make luxury purchases and price hikes spurred me on. Don't get me wrong, I still love it. And it has deep meaning to it because of the achievement I had to make to purchase the item. But I can't help feel that it's been tainted by the LVMH greed/strategic scheme. Even more of push to turn me off to the whole luxuries.

So now, I collect money. I collect stocks. And I've turn to journaling. Any Hobonichi fans?

I still enjoy everything I own. I worked very hard for them. I bought it all on my own. They all are place marker of my life. But future purchases?? I'm not quite sure.

Thanks for letting me rant.. It's that kind of Saturday...I hope everyone is having a good day off?

 

[SMElleJae]

I sold or am in the process of selling bags/SLGs I’ve kept for years due to some sentimentality but do not enjoy using and am consolidating the funds to buy styles/brands that I feel represent my style now. Plus, getting older, I realize time is finite and I don’t want my things to be a burden. The thrill of the chase led me to buy bags in the past that do not suit me anymore. I’d rather have five nice pieces than fifteen that are “meh.” So it’s been an exercise of letting some things go that at one time seemed precious.

Edited to add, my comment relates to the pandemic in that 2020-now is a continuation of 2019 when a close family member got very sick and died and it rearranged a lot of how I think about life. I’d rather do what my heart wants than feel obligated to keep things because at one time they were important.

 

[lemondln]

This thread really inspired me. In early Jan, Since youtube randomly popup me a clip about LV price increase, I bought 3 LV items, 2 mini pochette, and noe BB in 2 months. I still love to look at them but lost the excitement, and have not worn them at all. I thought I reached purse peace last year. I am not even a designer lover, I purged a lot of things in my closet the last couple of years as I have 2 kids in a small house, 1 more on the way. But due to the youtube recommendations about LV price increase, I got worried, then I spend more on unnecessary expensive items that make me feel guilty. After reading this thread, I took LV off from google saved pages. I plan no longer to get it back as my closet is nearly full, I don't need any designer bags. The current slgs and bags I can gift to my daughters. I am more comfortable using my Rebecca Minkoff bags than LV monogram bags. Do I want to drag my kids to the designer world? not really. I want them to be happy with everything they have, and cherish them.

 

[mochamocca]

For me it's been getting absolutely worse. Starting from Mar 2020 I have pretty much lost all the regular social life that I used to enjoy so much - Covid started out with forcing me to only meeting with friends occasionally in San Francisco, then I moved to Seattle (as my SO lives here) and that move made my already limited social life reduced to zero (since I don't have friends in Seattle at all).

At the same time, I joined a new company last May and up to this day haven't visited my new office yet. The regular chitchat and occasional after work hangout with coworkers is non existent with the remote setup.

Winter time in Seattle is 6 mo. of non-stopping rain. As someone who's been living in California / Sydney for the past couple years the gloomy weather here makes everything just seemingly more depressed. And shopping became the only cure for this time... All the time i saved on commuting, restaurant dining, travelling, hanging out with people now became shopping time. I've since last May purchased 3 Chanel bags, 3 Hermes bags and a whole bunch of dresses I don't know when I will be able to wear. Whereas in the past I would only purchase up to two designer bags in a year and never felt like I need more.

I do feel really guilty but helpless at the same time. I do want to move back to California, hoping that the familiar environment will help to get me back on track, but everyone, including my parents urge me to not go back until I get my Covid vaccines . Hopefully that'll come around some time this summer.

(My spending hasn't affected my current financials or life quality, but I still feel like I should spend more responsibly e.g. buying a house of my own in California after the pandemic instead of spending tens of grands just for my vanity)

 

[SMElleJae]

For me it's been getting absolutely worse. Starting from Mar 2020 I have pretty much lost all the regular social life that I used to enjoy so much - Covid started out with forcing me to only meeting with friends occasionally in San Francisco, then I moved to Seattle (as my SO lives here) and that move made my already limited social life reduced to zero (since I don't have friends in Seattle at all).

At the same time, I joined a new company last May and up to this day haven't visited my new office yet. The regular chitchat and occasional after work hangout with coworkers is non existent with the remote setup.

Winter time in Seattle is 6 mo. of non-stopping rain. As someone who's been living in California / Sydney for the past couple years the gloomy weather here makes everything just seemingly more depressed. And shopping became the only cure for this time... All the time i saved on commuting, restaurant dining, travelling, hanging out with people now became shopping time. I've since last May purchased 3 Chanel bags, 3 Hermes bags and a whole bunch of dresses I don't know when I will be able to wear. Whereas in the past I would only purchase up to two designer bags in a year and never felt like I need more.

I do feel really guilty but helpless at the same time. I do want to move back to California, hoping that the familiar environment will help to get me back on track, but everyone, including my parents urge me to not go back until I get my Covid vaccines . Hopefully that'll come around some time this summer.

(My spending hasn't affected my current financials or life quality, but I still feel like I should spend more responsibly e.g. buying a house of my own in California after the pandemic instead of spending tens of grands just for my vanity)

Fwiw I’m a southerner who also lives in the greater seattle area (since 2004) and I empathize with you. I acclimated quickly to the overall mild weather (temperature rather than rain) but I know what you’re saying.

 

[mochamocca]

Fwiw I’m a southerner who also lives in the greater seattle area (since 2004) and I empathize with you. I acclimated quickly to the overall mild weather (temperature rather than rain) but I know what you’re saying.

Awww thank you so much for your reply! I feel a little embarrassed too for speaking about my "luxury goods spending problem" as i know my anxiety is nothing compared to many people who are going through much bigger struggle. I hope the best for everyone who's on this forum

 

[SMElleJae]

Awww thank you so much for your reply! I feel a little embarrassed too for speaking about my "luxury goods spending problem" as i know my anxiety is nothing compared to many people who are going through much bigger struggle. I hope the best for everyone who's on this forum

You’re so welcome I think a little guilt/self-consciousness comes with the territory for many of us. IMO that just means you’re a thoughtful person. Everyone has their “thing,” ours just happens to be this stuff. I’ve been on the other side of the tracks and appreciate every single thing I get to enjoy in my life. “Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart.” - Yeats. “Treat yo self.” - Donna Meagle, “Parks and Recreation”

 

[VernisCerise]

I used 1 or 2 bags during the year, but I still bought two HG bags. My style completely changed to uber casual. Now I’m thinking of selling all my formal/office looking bags (someone stop me !) I also gravitate towards fun colors. But overall, I decided to focus on the items that were on my wishlist for a while: shoes, accessories, maybe jewelry, and other adult life responsibilities. I’m looking forward to roaring 20’s though!

 

[mellecyn]

Pre-pandemic I had focused towards minimizing materially (The minimalists documentary), and apart from saving a bit, my fun money was all towards traveling and experiences and my social life. The pandemic removed all pleasure in my life, it has shrunk to a minimum....after months of loneliness, I had to make new friends (2). But my job/salary remained so I am very thankful.
I decided now to get on with investing back home, and be an adult -I live between the 2 highest taxed countries in Europe- and tired of losing money....The usual yearly sum of money I´d spend in Traveling I have decided to go "f* it I´m buying a Chanel bag"....while I had totally turned my back on luxury....since experience was so much more for me.

 

[cheremushki]

As someone also living in the West Coast North, I get what you mean by the weather. But eventually you'll see the beauty of it? I hope? Hang in there. Summer will come soon.

For me it's been getting absolutely worse. Starting from Mar 2020 I have pretty much lost all the regular social life that I used to enjoy so much - Covid started out with forcing me to only meeting with friends occasionally in San Francisco, then I moved to Seattle (as my SO lives here) and that move made my already limited social life reduced to zero (since I don't have friends in Seattle at all).

At the same time, I joined a new company last May and up to this day haven't visited my new office yet. The regular chitchat and occasional after work hangout with coworkers is non existent with the remote setup.

Winter time in Seattle is 6 mo. of non-stopping rain. As someone who's been living in California / Sydney for the past couple years the gloomy weather here makes everything just seemingly more depressed. And shopping became the only cure for this time... All the time i saved on commuting, restaurant dining, travelling, hanging out with people now became shopping time. I've since last May purchased 3 Chanel bags, 3 Hermes bags and a whole bunch of dresses I don't know when I will be able to wear. Whereas in the past I would only purchase up to two designer bags in a year and never felt like I need more.

I do feel really guilty but helpless at the same time. I do want to move back to California, hoping that the familiar environment will help to get me back on track, but everyone, including my parents urge me to not go back until I get my Covid vaccines . Hopefully that'll come around some time this summer.

(My spending hasn't affected my current financials or life quality, but I still feel like I should spend more responsibly e.g. buying a house of my own in California after the pandemic instead of spending tens of grands just for my vanity)

 

[ATLbagaddict]

For me it's been getting absolutely worse. Starting from Mar 2020 I have pretty much lost all the regular social life that I used to enjoy so much - Covid started out with forcing me to only meeting with friends occasionally in San Francisco, then I moved to Seattle (as my SO lives here) and that move made my already limited social life reduced to zero (since I don't have friends in Seattle at all).

At the same time, I joined a new company last May and up to this day haven't visited my new office yet. The regular chitchat and occasional after work hangout with coworkers is non existent with the remote setup.

Winter time in Seattle is 6 mo. of non-stopping rain. As someone who's been living in California / Sydney for the past couple years the gloomy weather here makes everything just seemingly more depressed. And shopping became the only cure for this time... All the time i saved on commuting, restaurant dining, travelling, hanging out with people now became shopping time. I've since last May purchased 3 Chanel bags, 3 Hermes bags and a whole bunch of dresses I don't know when I will be able to wear. Whereas in the past I would only purchase up to two designer bags in a year and never felt like I need more.

I do feel really guilty but helpless at the same time. I do want to move back to California, hoping that the familiar environment will help to get me back on track, but everyone, including my parents urge me to not go back until I get my Covid vaccines . Hopefully that'll come around some time this summer.

(My spending hasn't affected my current financials or life quality, but I still feel like I should spend more responsibly e.g. buying a house of my own in California after the pandemic instead of spending tens of grands just for my vanity)

I also just moved to Seattle recently, and the winter has REALLY been bumming me out! Thank God spring days are on the horizon...I also feel weirder about using my designer handbags now, if that makes any sense...I know Seattle is a very diverse, vibrant city, but I feel like the new friends / people we hang out with are much more the hiking, nature-y types so I even feel conspicuous using my LV PM, which was my go-to bag in my old city. Meanwhile I'm eyeing a preloved Chanel (it would be my first) but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger because I'm like ugh will I ever really feel totally comfortable using it? But also who cares what others think, why don't I just use the bags I love? sigh. First world problems for sure!!

 

[mochamocca]

I also just moved to Seattle recently, and the winter has REALLY been bumming me out! Thank God spring days are on the horizon...I also feel weirder about using my designer handbags now, if that makes any sense...I know Seattle is a very diverse, vibrant city, but I feel like the new friends / people we hang out with are much more the hiking, nature-y types so I even feel conspicuous using my LV PM, which was my go-to bag in my old city. Meanwhile I'm eyeing a preloved Chanel (it would be my first) but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger because I'm like ugh will I ever really feel totally comfortable using it? But also who cares what others think, why don't I just use the bags I love? sigh. First world problems for sure!!

Definitely. I can't wait to for the summer time. I work in the tech industry and that basically described the colleagues i have at the office.. the everyday look is usually just t shirt + hoodie (given by the company) + jeans + backpack (again given by the company). But then on the other side if you always just hang out with ladies who have a whole collection of designer bags / dresses would that friends circle make you want to buy more and that is not necessarily healthy loll?
Honestly as long as the bag you are eyeing on fits your style in general and you don't feel like other aspects of your life would be affected by the decision to purchase this bag it should still be ok

 

[ouiouilexiaussi]

I’ve gotten a bit wiser when it comes to spending. I barely buy any clothes, which is unusual for me, but I don’t see the point of buying certain garments since I pretty much only go to the post office and Trader Joe’s nowadays. Comfort is key. Last year I decided to buy my first 4-figure bag (the Prada Re-Edition 2005) for my birthday... it was a treat to myself that I saved up for. I justified it in part because I am working more hours at home than I did when I was in the office (thus, I have extra money from the overtime), and my Etsy shop did really well last year. I still have kept to my ”buy a bag, sell a bag” rule for the most part, so that also eases my conscience. I definitely shop differently than I did pre-pandemic. I still have my vices - bags and jewelry - but there’s a part of my brain that is now less impulsive because I don’t want to purchase something that won’t be practical enough to wear right now.

 

[cheremushki]

I also just moved to Seattle recently, and the winter has REALLY been bumming me out! Thank God spring days are on the horizon...I also feel weirder about using my designer handbags now, if that makes any sense...I know Seattle is a very diverse, vibrant city, but I feel like the new friends / people we hang out with are much more the hiking, nature-y types so I even feel conspicuous using my LV PM, which was my go-to bag in my old city. Meanwhile I'm eyeing a preloved Chanel (it would be my first) but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger because I'm like ugh will I ever really feel totally comfortable using it? But also who cares what others think, why don't I just use the bags I love? sigh. First world problems for sure!!

Hahahhahahah, this is me to the T. AND same with the preloved Chanel!! I tried to see if I can work LV to the hike and i HAVE worn LV pochette accessories to ONE hike with bf. BF was shaking his had.

I have also seen one woman wearing dior lady mini to the hike up the rocks. I was holding my breathe with the lambskin. But good to see that she can enjoy it regardless of location. It looked fab against the mountain backdrop.

 

[Ss.ss20]

Here goes my first post on the forum. Before the pandemic hit exactly 1 year ago, I had a long list of wish list. I was on a hunt for a patent chanel woc, chanel 19 and even a balenciaga mini. Then the months had past without news of covid getting better, and I had somehow gotten into tiedye leggings and sweatshirts... which I thought was a part of me that had left years ago. I haven't worn casual wear in over a decade since college.
Then everyday had turned into the same day as it did for most of you. Then, oneday in the fall, I realized, this isn't me! I need to be cute and chic again! Then I started pulling out all my vests and long dusters and scarfs to start layering. Even if I have to run to the nearest supermarket with plastic gloves and a mask, I wanted to dress chic. Waiting for better days when we can meet our firends and family freely without masks.

-Sar