How do you decide which bag from your wish-list to buy first?

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_handbagsandholidays

_handbagsandholidays

Member
Feb 3, 2013
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#1
Hey,

Hope you're all ok. I was wondering how do you decide which bag from your wish-list to buy first? I notice a lot of people talk about building a collection & having a wish-list so I would love to know a bit more about how you prioritise your bag purchases.

Do you buy the ones that you can save for the quickest first? Do you buy the one you think is a classic first? Do you buy on impulse, the one that you like the most first? What influences your decisions when purchasing a bag? Do you even have a wish list or just buy as and when you find something you like?

Sophie X
 
#2
Bump! I'd love to hear from all you more experienced members, as I'm just starting to build my collection :)

I personally have had my eye on the mulberry alexa since it came out... and finally caved after receiving my bonus after a year of work. As luck would have it, I found out about the PS1 two weeks later and fell in love with that... by then it was too late to return the Alexa. Not too keen on how the alexa doesn't keep its shape at all :(

hope everyone else has more helpful advice than I do!
 
#3
minnowea said:
Bump! I'd love to hear from all you more experienced members, as I'm just starting to build my collection :)

I personally have had my eye on the mulberry alexa since it came out... and finally caved after receiving my bonus after a year of work. As luck would have it, I found out about the PS1 two weeks later and fell in love with that... by then it was too late to return the Alexa. Not too keen on how the alexa doesn't keep its shape at all :(

hope everyone else has more helpful advice than I do!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the purse forum!

I, too am a relatively new member to TPF and hoping to build my collection of bags that I can use in good rotation.

I also have the Mulberry Alexa. I purchased it after initially looking for either the del rey or bayswater as I prefer bags with structure. The store didn't have either bag in the combo I wanted & my hubby convinced me to buy the Alexa in the oversized version. Surprisingly, it is now one of the bags I use the most. I find it very versatile & a great bag for dressing up a casual outfit or dressing down a smart outfit. How long have you had your Alexa?

Sophie xx
 
#4
I buy what I can on my budget, working around when the best sales are (in regards to bags that go on sale).

If its a bag that doesn't go on sale, then I save (ignoring the other bags that may go on sale later) then buy that handbag first.

My methods vary every year, since my wish list changes yearly xD

ETA: never buy on impulse! You'll end up finding the one you want after and be bummed you didn't wait
 
#5
I never buy a bag because I just see it, like it, and have to have it. Every bag purchase I have ever made has been planned and researched based on what my needs are and then once I figured out what I needed, I made a wish list comprised of bags I could afford at that time and then picked one. If I need it, I need it now, so there's no point in saving for months or years. The only bag I ever had on a wish list for a very long time was an Hermes Kelly bag. That was on my wish list for 19 years, but I never stopped buying other bags in hopes of saving for it. I just figured the day would come where we could either afford it or not. I got my first Birkin last year and just placed an order for a Kelly which should hopefully arrive within a year. Woo hoo!!

I started out covering the basics - neutral colors, some hand held and some shoulder bags, a couple of totes for travel. This took a long time, buying 1 or 2 bags per year. Then when the basics were covered, I ventured into colors. With this method of planning, I have never made an impulse buy and I've never regretted any of my purchases. Sure, over time, I have outgrown some as my tastes/needs have changed, but I got plenty of use out of them before that happened, and now I have a really diverse bag collection and every bag gets used. Good luck in making a decision!
 
#6
swezfamily said:
I never buy a bag because I just see it, like it, and have to have it. Every bag purchase I have ever made has been planned and researched based on what my needs are and then once I figured out what I needed, I made a wish list comprised of bags I could afford at that time and then picked one. If I need it, I need it now, so there's no point in saving for months or years. The only bag I ever had on a wish list for a very long time was an Hermes Kelly bag. That was on my wish list for 19 years, but I never stopped buying other bags in hopes of saving for it. I just figured the day would come where we could either afford it or not. I got my first Birkin last year and just placed an order for a Kelly which should hopefully arrive within a year. Woo hoo!!

I started out covering the basics - neutral colors, some hand held and some shoulder bags, a couple of totes for travel. This took a long time, buying 1 or 2 bags per year. Then when the basics were covered, I ventured into colors. With this method of planning, I have never made an impulse buy and I've never regretted any of my purchases. Sure, over time, I have outgrown some as my tastes/needs have changed, but I got plenty of use out of them before that happened, and now I have a really diverse bag collection and every bag gets used. Good luck in making a decision!
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I love your method. I'm currently at the stage where I am buying the basics. I know I would love a prada saffiano tote & a chanel maxi or jumbo in my collection. It's my birthday next month & I have saved enough for the prada but not enough for the chanel. So do I save a little longer & buy the chanel or buy the Prada plus something else with the rest of the money? Congrats on your hermes purchases. I would love a Birkin but know it is out of my reach at least until I have graduated. Thank you for sharing your bag purchasing experiences, it's good to know that you also chose neutral colours & basics variation as your first purchases. I only have 2 black, 3 brown/tan & 2 grey bag at the moment. They are a range of shoulder & totes x
 
#7
bakeacookie said:
I buy what I can on my budget, working around when the best sales are (in regards to bags that go on sale).

If its a bag that doesn't go on sale, then I save (ignoring the other bags that may go on sale later) then buy that handbag first.

My methods vary every year, since my wish list changes yearly xD

ETA: never buy on impulse! You'll end up finding the one you want after and be bummed you didn't wait
Click to expand...

I, too enjoy sales/outlet shopping & have been pleasantly surprised by seeing classics sometimes sold in outlets. If you had a choice between saving for something that is out of your budget but has been on your wishlist for a long time and buying something now but still on your wishlist what would you do? Xx
 
#8
Precious_UK said:
I, too enjoy sales/outlet shopping & have been pleasantly surprised by seeing classics sometimes sold in outlets. If you had a choice between saving for something that is out of your budget but has been on your wishlist for a long time and buying something now but still on your wishlist what would you do? Xx
Click to expand...

I would save and get the bag I wanted longer. This is how I ended up getting my bandoliere (though DBF helped me get it). I feel like if I've been looking at a bag for awhile, the other things on the wish list can wait.
 
#9
Precious_UK said:
I love your method. I'm currently at the stage where I am buying the basics. I know I would love a prada saffiano tote & a chanel maxi or jumbo in my collection. It's my birthday next month & I have saved enough for the prada but not enough for the chanel. So do I save a little longer & buy the chanel or buy the Prada plus something else with the rest of the money? Congrats on your hermes purchases. I would love a Birkin but know it is out of my reach at least until I have graduated. Thank you for sharing your bag purchasing experiences, it's good to know that you also chose neutral colours & basics variation as your first purchases. I only have 2 black, 3 brown/tan & 2 grey bag at the moment. They are a range of shoulder & totes x
Click to expand...

Well, it depends...

The tote bag is definitely more functional than the Chanel since it will hold more. It can be used for travel and classes, as well as serve the function of a beautiful everyday handbag. If you hate the other totes that you currently own and desperately need the Prada, I would buy it now, but don't use the rest of the money to buy something else. Instead, put that money towards the Chanel fund.

However, if you are happy with the totes you currently have and don't have anything that has the same vibe as a Chanel classic flap (such as Marc Jacobs or Lanvin Happy), then save for the Chanel.

Finally, look at your current collection and ask yourself, which style do you really need right now. How often do you get dressed and think "this outfit would be perfect with a Chanel flap" vs. "this outfit would be perfect with a Prada tote"? I would be more likely to buy the one that I find myself thinking of and needing the most. Hope this helps!
 
#10
Since a have a pretty good amount of savings, price is not really a consideration as far as which bag on my lists I buy first. I think about each bag carefully and these days I research it and go to try on before I go and purchase the bag. I usually buy based on what I already have currently in my collection. If, for example I happen to have more browns, reds, and yellows in my closets, I might buy the blue or green bag first instead of the orange one. If I have mostly totes, I might buy the hobo first. This way, I don't have too many of the same type of bag or same family of colors. I like to have a balance when it comes to my collection, because if there is one thing I hate, it's redundant purchases. The only exception to this is neutral colors like black, brown and beige where I will have more than one because they go with more things in my closet. Conversely, I tend to avoid light colors like white, yellow, cream. Light. Pink, etc., in the $500+ range just due to the likelihood of easily they show damage and wear and tear.
 
#11
Precious_UK said:
Hey,

Hope you're all ok. I was wondering how do you decide which bag from your wish-list to buy first? I notice a lot of people talk about building a collection & having a wish-list so I would love to know a bit more about how you prioritise your bag purchases.

Do you buy the ones that you can save for the quickest first? Do you buy the one you think is a classic first? Do you buy on impulse, the one that you like the most first? What influences your decisions when purchasing a bag? Do you even have a wish list or just buy as and when you find something you like?

Sophie X
Click to expand...

Update please! What did you decide to do...Chanel or Prada?
 
#12
I generally lust for one bag at a time and purchase based on that.

Currently, I have a list of 3 bags I want. There is one I want more than the rest and hope to get that first, unless one of my other wants pops up at a ridiculous discount. If so, it'll be a 'gimme' situation where i would snatch it up.
 
#13
I would make a list of classic pieces and then determine whether they really fit into my lifestyle or not. I go into the store and try them on to test actual functionality, weight and if the size is flattering to my height. There's only so much you can view on a website so I think first hand experience is best. Price is a major factor for me, so I do my research and determine whether buying pre-loved is a viable option. From there I determine how to budget my money and purchase only what I can afford.

It's good to keep in mind some collections take years to build, it's hard to keep that in perspective when you're on tPF and there are daily reveals and such. :p
 
#14
Usually upon which brand goes on sale first but only if the bag is really in my wish list. And if none of them are of sale I would go for the one with best leather texture and durability
 
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